AROUND THE CITY OF PINES
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| SA Amazonas |
Members:
SA21 - G
SA21 - G
Dangazo, Bea
Lao, Loraine
Lapinig, Jan
Magtalas, Anna
Lao, Loraine
Lapinig, Jan
Magtalas, Anna
Strategy:
In order to complete the task in the most efficient way possible, the group started at Session Road since that was the nearest stop from where we were dropped off. From there, we determined the next nearest stop by asking the people around. In a way, we made a “mental map” of all the places that we had to go to and went to them one by one according to how they were distanced to each other. For example, the nearest place to Session Road was the Church of Our Lady of Atonement so we went there second. Our next destination was the Burnham Park since it was nearest to the Our Lady of Atonement. We did this until we finished all of the tasks.
Tasks
Into the Military
Key Informants: PMA Cadet Doromal and Cadet Dagona
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| SA Amazonas with Cadet Dagona |
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| At the Female Barracks |
Sociological Reflections
Seeing how the PMA Cadets live, we can easily conclude that they do not have the same freedom as all the others outside the PMA have. However, this is actually from our point of view only. As what Cadet Dagona mentioned, even though there may be a lot of difficulties and hardships inside the academy, as long as they love what they are doing, they can still be considered truly free and happy. From the cadets’ point of view, all of their sufferings are nothing because being a cadet is indeed their passion. #culture as freedom.
From the briefing, we learned that cadets have three special and respected occasions. First is whenever they are wearing their full uniforms. During this time, they are not allowed to be lax because they should be holding on with their reputations. They should stand straight and walk with dignity all the time. The second occasion is whenever they are in a specific park. This park is most respected to them since it is where the most special events of being a cadet happen. Thus, they must not touch its grounds without proper purposes. The last occasion is whenever the alma matter song of the PMA is sung. Whenever this happens, they must stand straight and avoid any unnecessary movement.
We also learned the the cadets’ caps are very important to them. In fact, no one aside from their owners must wear the caps. If a cap is worn by someone aside from the owner, he/she must do a consequence before returning the cap.
Cadet Dagona also mentioned that there were separate trainings for men and women cadets because the structure of women's body are not the same as the men's to undergo rigid training. #gender. #social conflict.
Cadets have their own language inside the academy. For example, they have different names to be called when they have meals, go to the restroom or basically anywhere.#language.
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| Cadets in training |
The difference between the PMA culture and the Ateneo culture is very evident. While students in Ateneo can wear almost anything, PMA students have to wear their uniforms all the time. For most Ateneo students, PE classes are hassle, but PMA students train more vigorously regularly. PMA students are instilled with so much discipline and this makes their values very different from ours. They know what hard work means and how it pays to give your whole heart in something you want to do. They also know the value of teamwork and interdependence so they are more sensitive to each others’ needs. They are more focused and goal-oriented than many students not just from Ateneo but from other schools as well since they know that their hard work and training must pay off in the end. Unlike most students who rely much on technology and gadgets, the PMA students rely solely on their strength and courage and these they develop more. There are many things that PMA students learn which contribute to the foundation of their values. #Values.
The stance of the cadets symbolize uniformity. A total institution functions to minimize if not obliterate deviance. As the cadets perform their stances, it is seamless and uniform for all. What one does is what another is also doing. Uniformity is an easy check to determine and pinpoint deviance. #total institution.
Personal Reflections
The group was really amazed by the way the PMA cadets live. They were very disciplined and organized in everything - from the way they stand to the way they organize their things. We were especially surprised when we saw the female barracks because they were proofs of how discipline is so much instilled in every cadet. All their clothes, toiletries, and shoes were organized very efficiently. We were really amazed and we cannot help but admit that we cannot be as disciplined as them.
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| Complete stocks of toiletries |
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| neat and clean |
Another thing that caught our attention as we interviewed Cadet Doromal was that they are only allowed few days or few weeks of vacation. The longest they could have is 14 days during the Christmas break. It made us realized that even though they miss their families and friends back home, they would sacrifice in order to achieve their passions in life and to help them as well.
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| "To love and serve God" |
Furthermore, the voice over touched deeper in our hearts because it said that even though the cadets live a very controlled life, they are still not very different from us - they love their families and comrades, they appreciate everything around them, and they never forget to have fun.
Picnic at the Park
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| Burnham park |
Key Informants: a local family having picnic; a couple not from Baguio having picnic
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| Tourist couple |
Sociological Reflections
The local family and the couple not from Baguio have very minimal but notable differences in the way they perceive Baguio and the tourist spots in the place. First, the family who lives in Baguio, when asked of how often they go to Burnham Park, answered that they go regularly since they are from the place. The couple, on the other hand, needs to travel far whenever they want to have a picnic at Burnham Park so they do not go regularly to the place.
The most notable difference were the places that the two groups consider as “tourist spots”. The local family mentioned more tourist spots than the tourist couple. This might be due to the fact that they know more places in the place that may not be that famous for others but they see something in them that they can consider qualifications for a tourist spot. The tourists only rely on what they always hear so they only know what the most famous places are.#culture.
Personal Reflections
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| Local family |
We had fun interviewing the people having picnic at the park because they were very open even though we were somehow intruding their fun time. We also learned a lot from them, especially the most famous tourist spots in Baguio.
MAPPING
Picture Perfect
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| Tam-awan entrance ticket |
Key Informants: local painter
Sociological Reflections
According to the local painter from Tam-awan, the main difference between Baguio Art and European/American Art is the medium used for drawing or painting. European/American Art makes use of oil, paint, and other common mediums of art. Baguio Art, on the other hand, uses watercolor, pencil drawing, sun art, and other indigenous mediums local to the place. #culture as art.
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| Paintings |
Local artists, as well as local art, in Baguio are currently thriving and surviving. According to the interviewed painter, Baguio Art is currently surviving since Baguio is considered a tourist attraction and people visit the place regularly. This contributes to their income and to the popularization of the place’s local art.
As what the local painter said (almost bitterly), Baguio Art should not be considered just as “local” art. From their point of view, their art is world class since they can be made known and be competed to the art of other countries. Thus, their art should not be labeled as “local” because they are known nationwide and worldwide. #symbolic interactionism.
Personal Reflections
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| a.k.a Loraine |
Names of the Dead
Key Informants: Information from the tombs of different decades
Sociological Reflections
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| oldest |
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| latest |
The second highest in terms of mortality rates was 1981-1990 and the third was in 1971-1980. During those years, population of the Philippines grew tremendously too but not as in the decades of 1991-2010.
Looking at the list of names, people with “Spanish-Filipino” names were the ones who died first, followed by those with “Filipino” names until those people with “Chinese” names. This might be due to the fact that Spanish people have dominated the country in the old times and the next-generation Spanish-Filipinos were the ones who were buried in the cemetery first. Other full-blooded Filipinos were next since it took time for the Spanish colonization to loosen its grip on the formation of Filipino families. Chinese people have dominated the country most recently so those with Chinese blood were buried last. #culture in names.
Looking at the list of names, people with “Spanish-Filipino” names were the ones who died first, followed by those with “Filipino” names until those people with “Chinese” names. This might be due to the fact that Spanish people have dominated the country in the old times and the next-generation Spanish-Filipinos were the ones who were buried in the cemetery first. Other full-blooded Filipinos were next since it took time for the Spanish colonization to loosen its grip on the formation of Filipino families. Chinese people have dominated the country most recently so those with Chinese blood were buried last. #culture in names.
Personal Reflections
Our experience in the cemetery was a bit hard and scary. It was hard because considering we’re only few in the group, we needed to divide the tasks individually and to search for the names of people who died in different decades. It was also scary at the same time because we felt we were the only people in that cemetery and we walked alone and tried to copy the names written in each tomb.
104 steps to Atonement
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| Our Lady of Atonement Church |
Key Informants: vendors below the steps
Sociological Reflections
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Atonement in Baguio (also known as the Baguio Cathedral) is one of the landmarks in the heart of Baguio City. Situated in Session road, it is often frequented by the devotees or those taking a pilgrimage as well as those who would want to see an overview of the bustling metropolis below. It is an old Church that was built from 1920 to 1936. The hill on which the cathedral is situated is known before as “Kampo” by the Ibaloi people but was renamed as the Hill of Mary by the congregation that arrived and resided on the hill.
The Church clearly has a sociological impact on the people and culture of Baguio city. It served as an evacuation site during the Japanese occupation during World War 2. It withstood the carpet bombing of Baguio in 1945 in which the Japanese planes continuously drop a series of bombs that would ‘carpet’ the area with explosions. Thousands of bombing victims are interred within the grounds of the Cathedral. And until now, the church is one of the places that is visited by the people due to its #social and cultural heritage.
Personal Reflections
We had fun counting the steps of the Church of Atonement. However, we had a hard time determining which actual steps to count. Luckily, one of the group’s members counted the right “steps”.
Ate, kuya, magkano po...?
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| Ates selling local products |
Key Informants: Ates and Kuyas selling in the market
Sociological Reflections
The local products offered by Baguio to the tourists are butter oats, fudge bar, crispy pili, lengua de gato, strawberry jam, strawberry wine, peanut brittle and strawberry crinkles. The quality differs based on where the product is made. Peanut brittle from the famous Good Shepherd Mountain Maid training center has more content inside its jar but 1 jar costs 135 pesos. Outside, there are also those that are offered in 3 jars for 100 pesos but inside every jar is a large space and thus less content. The taste is for the visitor to judge.
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| Strawbery jam, rice wine |
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| Peanut brittle, lengua de gato |
Personal Reflections
Here is a common economic trend in the province. Since the point of harvest is near the point of sale, there is less transport and thus prices are cheaper. In my opinion, this is how agriculture is greatly affected. There is a surplus in the provinces of the goods. But the transport of the goods and how the middle man deal with the locals who are planting it is unfair. It raises the prices and therefore effectively renders it unpalatable to the consumers here in the metro. The middle man is the one who gains profit in transporting the goods. In turn, they forcibly buy the goods from the locals at a very cheap price in order for the products to be consumer friendly here in the metro. The effect of this is discouragement on the part of the locals. They toiled for what they reap and yet others tend to devalue it just to run the economy of the country. The government should look at this more closely and find more effective means of transporting the goods from Baguio to the metro.
Igorot Culture
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| Igorots in Botanical Garden |
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| Traditional costume |
Key Informants: Igorot painter from Tam-awan
Sociological Reflections
When asked about the culture of the Igorots, the interviewee did not elaborate much but said that they had different ways and practices during marriage and burials. Also, there were differences in practices between the old Igorots and the modern Igorots. The old Igorots did not practice Christian habits much. However, as time passed by, the Igorots’ practices are changing little by little. This can be accounted to the fact that Christianity is slowly spreading even to the most remote places in the Philippines. #Igorot culture.
What was interesting was how the interviewee answered the question on why they are not wearing the traditional clothes anymore. He said that they are now “civilized”, but he said this in obvious sarcasm. Then, he added that our opinion of being “civilized” is wrong because it only measures a person by his appearance. He said that just because other Igorots wear tradtional clothes does not mean that they are already uncivilized.#Structural Functionalism.
It was obvious that this topic made the interviewee bitter because he gave sarcastic laughs from time to time. We think that this might be due to the fact that, although not openly, people from the cities think that Igorots are in some ways “primitive”. Thus, it is unavoidable that they would be bitter towards us because they know what we think of them.
Since, we arrived at the place at night already, we did not get the chance to interview an Igorot wearing traditional clothes so we cannot identify much differences. However, our interviewee said that Igorots nowadays wear their traditional clothes only for tourist attraction purposes, like those found in the Botanical Garden. #Sociology in clothes.
Personal Reflections
We found talking with an Igorot interesting because it was obvious that they had different views, as what was mentioned above regarding being “civilized”. Through the interview, we got to know their thoughts and opinions. We were also glad that we gave them the chance to defend their side and their opinions regarding these matters. Most of all, we were very happy to witness a kind of culture that truly stands out.
Star Cafe
Key Informants: Owner of Star Cafe
Sociological Reflections
Walking along the streets of Session Road in Baguio City proved to be a great feat because of the number of people plying the sidewalks, most of them tourists trying to take in the city as much as they can during their stay. We entered random shops in hopes of finding the oldest establishment of the city with mere luck. Of course, after several more attempts, we were directed to the Star Cafe.
The Star Cafe was the oldest restaurant in Baguio city, according to the owner who refused to say her name. She actually even refused to answer any of our questions. After a few more attempts she told us to just read the article taped to the entrance. We complied and set off to take a picture of the article she mentioned.
A bit desperate, we went back inside and asked her of she could just answer one question. She let out a hearty laugh and agreed. We asked her if the building of SM Baguio ever affected her business. She said yes and told us that business is “seasonal”. During weekends and breaks, business is good, but since students usually prefer value meals and fast food in SM Baguio over the type she was offering, business was considered slow during the most part of the year. #biography and history.
Personal Reflections
We actually were quite shocked with what the owner said, we knew that SM Baguio had effects to the establishments before it, but we thought that it would have been something minor like a change of the types of people who dine in their restaurant not an actual decrease in the number of customers. SM Baguio, despite not having originated in Baguio, has in fact dominated the city.
The Rice God
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| bulol |
Key Informants: local painter
Sociological Reflections
“The bulol, or "Ifugao rice god," is a carved human figurine into which a certain class of anito is said to incorporate itself when worshipped. Bulols are kept in the house or granary, and are usually made in pairs. They are carved of narra wood, which represents wealth, happiness, and well-being. Every step in their production requires a ceremony, from tree selection to arrival at the owner's house; a consecrated bulol has been bathed in pig's blood, had myths recited to it, and received offerings of wine, ritual boxes, and rice cakes.” #Symbol.
According to our interviewee, the Igorots worship the bulol as their rice god and they use them whenever they harvest rice to give them greater bounty. It especially shows their culture of non-Christianity because it shows how they worship other gods as idols. #Culture.
Personal Reflections
Knowing and witnessing that there are still people who believe in other gods was very interesting to us. We got to know the Igorots’ culture more through this knowledge about their belief in the bulol.
It was also interesting to know that this kind of culture is not that dominant in the place anymore. We asked plenty of people about the word “bulol” but only one gave us the answer that it was the manifestation of their rice god. This means that the old culture of the Igorots is not that practiced anymore, even by the modern Igorots.
Pinikpikan: The Battered Chicken
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| Traditional way of preparing Pinikpikan |
Key Informants: owner of a local eatery
Sociological Reflections
“Pinikpikan is a dish from the mountains of the Cordillera region in the Philippines. It is prepared differently at home and in local restaurants. It is prepared by beating a live chicken with a stick prior to cooking. The beating bruises the chicken's flesh, bringing blood to its surface, which is said to improve the flavour after cooking. The whole chicken then is thrown into an open fire until the feathers are burned off. The chicken is then washed and cleaned to remove all the blood and dirt. All the intestines were cut open and cleaned as well.”
(from http://www.gobaguio.com/pinikpikan.html#.URbyIfJWKEF and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinikpikan)
It is then cooked like “nilaga” with “sayote”, ginger, fish sauce, water, salt and onion.
According to the owner of the restaurant, the dish is called Pinikpikan because the chicken is slowly killed (“Killing it softly”), “unti unting pinipikpik o pinapatay”. It is usually eaten by the locals in Baguio but now, even tourists eats them also.
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| a.k.a tinola |
#Cultural significance: This dish is an Ifugao tradition similar to “tinola” in Tagalog but more tasty and delicious. It's a dish that has strengthened the bonds of men- Bontoc tribe.
“A unique Igorot dish, it is seasoned with the old age tradition of the locals that reflect their indigenous culture. The Bontoc people believe in the supreme being they call Kafunian and the anitos (spirits) of their dead ancestors and relatives, so they practice many rituals generally called mangmang. Pinikpikan is often served in different occasions such us:
1. Mangmang. It is done by a family as a means of thanksgiving after the plowing and planting season.
2. Ap-apey. A ceremony conducted in all the rice fields planted with palay praying to Kafunian for fruitful harvest and to drive away pests.
3. Am-among. It is done by all families to strengthen family ties among clan members.
4. Tengao. This is the rest day. This time, chicken is sacrificed at the papattay,a sacred area in the community.
5. Lesles. It is a thanksgiving ritual done by each family to signify the end of all minor rituals after the planting season.” #Beliefs.
Personal Reflections
Looking for the local food pinikpikan was a bit hard because not all local stores and restaurants in Baguio served them. However, for our group, we find it lucky that we stopped by at a local restaurant named “Tastes of Ilocos and Coffee Shop” because the owner was very friendly and helped us a lot in answering many of our questions. We also found out that they were also selling pinikpikan. Unfortunately, we did not see how it was done or cooked because they were “out of stock” at that moment.
Paranormal
Key Informants:
Sociological Reflections
The haunted places in Baguio are: Hotel Heritage Mansion, Teacher’s Camp, Diplomat Hotel (at Lourdes Grotto) and Baguio’s Laperal White House. “The history of the building or area is always a primary factor. A very old place that has a long history of human use and habitation is more likely to be haunted than a newer one. Bad events or situations always increase the probability of a place being haunted as well because spirits who have not been affected by ill fated happenings generally have no problem crossing over to the other side.”
One reason why these places might be haunted is because they are the oldest ones and many people who have stayed in them might have died there. Also, those places present during the American colonization might have housed American soldiers who later died in the war and still continues to haunt the place where they died. #History
Like
in the Hotel Heritage Mansion, the place was haunted because formerly,
it was a cemetery. After a few years, the owner renovated everything and
made it into a hotel.
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| Diplomat |
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| White House |
Personal Reflections
When we arrived at Hotel Heritage Mansion, we hesitantly interviewed the lady guard. At first she would not tell us because she was afraid we might tell the the owner and may create a bad name for the hotel. However, after we assured her that this is just for our project, she told us her personal experiences. She said that every 6 -7 pm, she would usually bring a flashlight to check the whole hotel. At this moment she would feel something differently, “may mga nagpaparamdam” as she said. She even jokingly invited us to stay until 6 pm to check the “haunted ghost”.
Ok*n-In*m
Key Informants: owner of a local eatery
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Sociological Reflections
It was not that difficult for us to find an Ilocano curse word since we luckily stopped by the right place. At first, when we asked the owner of the eatery to give us an Ilocano curse word, she and the other people in the place were reluctant. However, when we assured them that we did not understand Ilocano, they gave us their most famous curse word. We just asked them to write its Tagalog translation in a piece of paper so that they did not have to say it aloud. #Language
Personal Reflections
We had fun with this task because it is not always that we are asked to know the native language of a place that we visit. Even though what we learned was a curse word, we still enjoyed this task because it was one of the easiest ones.
- www.sulit.com.ph (bulol)
- www.yobibstales.com (Igorot costumes)
- www.cityofpines.com (Paranormal pictures)
- thefiveamchat.blogspot.com (Pinikpikan)
- ygoymom.blogspot.com (Pinikpikan)
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| Once again, the SA Amazonas! |
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