Tomato fruit at Macbas, Atok, Benguet

In collaboration with some Japanes Researchers, my brother tested growing tomatoes in our hometown. Our homewtown is the coldest part of the Philippines. Temperature can go as low as 7 degrees Celsius on some days of the year. The tomatoes were then planted in a green house in order to provide some control on the temperature. After about 5 months, harvest happened. Some fruits are bigger that the usual size of a tamoto fruit. In fact, a piece is about 500 grams. I personally call the tomato APPLE TOMATO. It's taste is close to the taste of an apple.

(Literal Translation of an Ibaloi song that I heard online on Mother’s Day)

Ever since I was a baby. My mama was not on my side. It’s because of her work in a place that is far away. She said it is for our life to be better. I cannot forget when I bid goodbye. I was so devastated. I have been counting the hours, since you have left me to fall. I cannot account the number of years that has passed. Mama, when will you be, be returned here beside us? Mama, please come home. I missed you so much. My father, he has been whom I have been with. He was the one who became my mother. He has been accompanying me, he has been watching over me, until these days when I am a grown-up. I have envied other kids. They have been with their mother and father. But my father said, my child, do not worry. We will be complete just the same. Mama, when will you be, be returned here beside us? Mama, please come home. I missed you so much. Mama, when will you be, be returned here beside us? Mama, please come home. I missed you so much. I missed you so much.

Fruit Trees at Baguio City

Lowland feel is actually felt in some areas in the Highland city.

Early morning ambience

tempting one to just hang around and not go to work

Alinggatong Tea

Desperate moments may come when you need to trust reports on herbal remedies. Alinggatong is said to help for some health issues.

Sign of growing old.

Whenever I am on a ride for a travel during my younger years, my eyes were kept open. I would, then, observe and put to memory the landscape and the beauty that defined the path I was traversing. Now that I am past my younger years, whenever I am in transit, my eyes are closed. For now, traveling time is an opportunity to make a recall of the landscape and the beauty that were.

What is birthday in Kankanaey?

Birthday is used as is by kankanaey speakers. My guess is that no birthday celebration is done by our ancestors. Hence, there was no need for a local term of birthday then. Nowadays, as the current generation are into birthday celebrations, the word birthday is used as by the locals. "Man-birthday si uncle si bigat." = Uncle will celebrate his birthday tomorrow. "Ay tan birthdeym baw?" = Is it your birthday. "Happy birthday ngalod ah. " = Happy birthday then.