ritual-tastic

very early friday morning, katti texted me if i wanted to go to kiangan, ifugao to attend their harvest festival. i had never been to an authentic ritual here yet and i didn't know where kiangan was exactly, but of course i said yes! we left 9 pm that night. 7 1/2 hrs later, we were in kiangan. it was so cool bec., as it turns out, we were part of a group of media people from baguio (yes, i asked my editor at the local newspaper if i could write about this, and she assented). the ritual, called bakle, is traditionally held after the rice harvest, as thanksgiving to the gods. i documented practically every detail--you know i loved being weighed down by the video cam AND the still camera! and it's so cool meeting media people, talking shop, talking about other places to go, sharing info.

with a mumbaki (high priest)

that afternoon, we took a walk in the town--which is so pretty, laidback, and historical. we found out this was the place where yamashita surrendered!
the next day, we went on a tour of historical sites, then proceeded on a 1 1/2 hr ride to banaue, where we had lunch. i hadn't been there in 10 yrs, i think, so we revisited some places i had been. but for the most part, just sat and stared at the majestic terraces and listened to the river. katti and i wanted to do a climb at batad, but we didn't have enough time and i had to go to manila for something important.

we had fun, but we both agreed that we loved the vibe at kiangan more--and even considered living there. well, for a short period of time, at least!


years ago, i wasn't able to even reach the middle of this bridge. now, i can say i conquered it!