Cañao

I and an immediate family went to a village somewhere in Baguio City to visit and see a friend. It was a 30 minute ride from the city going up to Aurora Hill and still further up. The jeepney stopped at a junction where all passengers got down and proceeded on their own way. 

We walked for almost 10 minutes before we reached the house of our subject. At the entrance of the house, I saw some busy men cooking and washing something. I had a closer look of what they were doing when we were invited to go inside the house. They were actually beating a B-cull. So I knew they were having a pinikpikan. 

We entered the house and I saw these skulls welcoming us. 

My curiosity kicked in so I asked the man who was one of the men cooking outside about those skulls. He said these are from the previous Cañaos happened in the family. It was during the owner's parents marriage, their death and the son's own marriage. 

Inside Arabic Kitchen

It's the month of Ramadan for our Muslim friends around the world. For this month, Muslims observe the whole daylight of fasting. No food. No water. Nothing at all. 

It was already past 6 in the evening when I went around Ermita in Manila. While walking around, I noticed some Muslims praying inside a glass walled room which was covered by a silk or see though white clothe. Most are men wearing a "cap" (i don't know how they call it) kneeling facing each other while praying. There was a music like chanting in the background. I've never been to a mosque but I saw how a mosque look like and I am not sure if that area where they pray is a mosque. 

I continued my walk and saw this restaurant. Out of curiosity, I went inside. I was a bit uncomfortable because I felt like I was a foreigner there. A friendly fellow Filipino approached and asked me what I want. I honestly told him what it got me there. After a few minutes of chit chats, I learned from him about their promotion which was eat all you can for P399.00 then convinced me to try their menu on that evening. I wanted to try but I was reluctant knowing that I was alone and did not know those kinds of food. I just told him I'll do that next time but I will bring some friends.

I asked if I could take pictures of the eat all you can food available on the table. He agreed so I took pix like a dumb, thanked the attendant and went out.

Arabic Kitchen outside 

Kulippo

Kulippo is an edible round snail found in the rice paddies. It is commonly referred as "kuhol" or "suso".

Food Varieties

Sea Foods

Kebabs

kebabs

Pesto Pasta

Aglio Pasta

Gotad Ad Ifugao

Gotad is an Ifugao term which refers to a large gathering of people. This is a celebration which represents phases of prestige rites in which people living around the community meet on the village of the family conducting the rites.

Gotad Ad Ifugao is a long week prestige festival celebrated every year by the Ifugaos to commemorate the Ifugao Foundation. This is celebrated after the harvest season of palay locally known as "tinawon" meaning yearly or every year wherein Ifugaos from the different municipalities are gathered in Lagawe, the capital town of the province to perform various activities. This is a form of thanksgiving celebration after a long year of hard work.

The theme for 2014 Gotad Ad Ifugao is "A Celebration of Cultural Heritage as Foundation for Self Determination and Sustainable Development". Different municipalities of the province will participate the activities that will feature them, their culture and the progress of their own lands. Olympic sports and indigenous sports competition, ball games and cultural competition including beauty pageant are among the list of activities prepared by the province for this year's celebration. Featured indigenous sports are bultung (wrestling), hinnukting, guyyudan (tug of war), akkad (kadang kadang) race, uggub and others.

Schedule of Activities

A Celebration of Cultural Heritage as Foundation for Self Determination and Sustainable Development

Float Parade contest 

Street Dancing Parade and Contest

Different products from the municipalities of Ifugao