Bfoto' ad Majawjaw Tour

BFOTO’ AD MAJAWJAW TOUR PACKAGE
June 22-24, 2007
Mayoyao, Ifugao

Package Cost: Php3,500.00

Inclusions:

Transportation within the Province
Tour Guide Fee
Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners,
1 snack on Day 2 only)
Cultural Night
Entrance Fees
Lodging (Mayoyao Hostel- 3 double beds/room
Souvenir T-shirt
Environmental Fee
ID and Certificate

Exclusions:

Transportation from Manila to Ifugao (and back)
Travel Insurance

“Get involved with the Mayoyao Community in harvesting what had been sown by bare hands equipped with only pure culture thereby saving a world heritage. Join the Pochon Group’s BFOTO’ AD MAJAWJAW Package Tour, in cooperation with SITMo, the Mayoyao Municipal Local Government Unit, and the Mayoyao Community.”

Harvesting rice is a community activity. There are defined roles for every person joining the harvest. The Munbfoto’ (the one who actually reaps the grown rice stalks) are usually women. They cut the rice stalks and hand them over to the Mun-akun. The Mun-akun, after collecting the rice stalks from the Munbfoto’, will now give them to the Munbfa-ud who will tie the rice stalks in bundles estimating and balancing each bundle so that they will be proportionate. Having tied the rice stalks in bundles, the Munbfa-ud will now give the bundles to the Munkhongah whose job is to trim any protruding stalks to make the bundle look neat. The Munkhongah will then give the bundle to the Munkhu-ud so he can properly arrange the bundles in the rice granary. The Munkhu-ud cannot leave, even though the harvest is finished, unless he had arranged all the bundles in the rice granary. Such is part of the culture of the Mayoyao People. Another actor in the harvest is the Munhang. The Munhang cooks for the community helping in the harvest. A highlight during the harvest is that the women Munbfoto’ chants the native songs of the Uw-wai’ (native chants) while harvesting the grown rice stalks. Ricewine is likewise served while the harvest is going on being a traditional practice of the Mayoyao People.

Day 1 of the tour will be a picnic at the O’phaw Mahencha (Leap of Mahencha) Falls with 1 ½-hour trek in one of the virgin forests of Mayoyao. In the evening will be a concert-jamming with the Pochon Group Band.

On Day 2, the participants will get to experience harvesting rice with the Mayoyao Community. They can choose their participation in the harvest: the Munbfoto’, Mun-akun, Munbfa-ud, Munkhongah, and Munkhu-ud. In the afternoon, they will proceed to the Marian Center, a perfect place for relaxation and meditation. Beside the Center is the Hecheng Falls where an image of the Mama Mary can be clearly seen during rainy season when there is plenty of water. Local folks call the image as the Hidden Madonna. In the evening will be the cultural presentation of the Mayoyao Community.

Day 3 will be more on sightseeing. The participants will proceed to Chu’it Viewpoint where they can view the entirety of the extensive Mayoyao Rice Terraces. Afterwards, the participants will be ushered to the Acacoy Park, a nature park and at the same time Fish nursery. The Park offers a refreshing sight of the Chaya Rice Terraces. The afternoon will be spent shopping at the Banaue Town Center.

Itinerary

Day 1

5 a.m. Arrival of visitors in Santiago City
Travel to Mayoyao, Ifugao
Breakfast at Ubao, Aguinaldo, Ifugao
9 a.m. Arrival in Mayoyao
Room assignments at the Hostel
9:30 a.m. Trek to O’phaw Mahencha Falls (with 1 ½-hour trek)
12 n.n. Lunch at the Falls
3 p.m. Travel to Poblacion
5-6 p.m. Free time
7 p.m. Dinner
8-10 p.m. Concert-jamming with Pochon Group/Rest

Day 2

6-7 a.m. Breakfast
8 a.m. Trek to harvest site
Participation in the Bfoto’
12 n.n. Lunch with the community
1 p.m. Participation in the Bfoto’
Snacks
3 p.m. Travel to Marian Center
5-6 p.m. Free time
7 p.m. Dinner
8-10 p.m. Cultural Night

Day 3

6-7 a.m. Breakfast
8 a.m. Trek to Chu’it Viewpoint
Travel to Acacoy Park
10 a.m. Travel to Banaue with lunch at midway
3 p.m. Arrival at Banaue
Shopping for souvenirs
5-6 p.m. Departure of visitors


For reservation and inquiries, contact us:

Pochon Group
Poblacion, Mayoyao
3602 Ifugao
Mobile: +639064826300, +639214524262
E-mail: acer098@gmail.com, josh21020@yahoo.com

Deadline for reservations will be on June 8, 2007.

Igkhumtad Tour updates

The Igkhumtad Tour is actually an all-in-one package covering the Annual Town Fiesta of Mayoyao (featuring ethnic games where participants to the tour can help facilitate) and also the Grand Imbayah Festival of Banaue (ricewine festival celbrated by the Banaue townsfolk every 3 years of fruitful produce from the rice terraces)...

PLUS!

a bonus peek at the Ifugao Rice Terraces in its grrenest state because the Rice stalks will be at its greenest come summertime, making it the best part of the year to view the rice terraces...

Participants will enjoy not only the good view Mayoyao but also can have a refreshing dip at the O'Phaw Mahencha (Leap of Mahencha) Falls, one of the mythical falls in Mayoyao...and aside from the adventurous trek to the Falls, the participants will also get to be involved in the successful celebration of the Town's Annual Town Fiesta: The Igkhumtad!

so, don't miss the opportunity! Contact :

THE POCHON GROUP
Mobile Nos.: 09064826300,09214524262
E-mail: acer098@gmail.com

Payment procedures will be given after submitting accomplished registration/confirmation form


For the registration/confirmation form, e-mail us: acer098@gmail.com

IGKHUMTAD TOUR

Igkhumtad Ad Majawjaw (pronounced as ig-k-hoom-tad) is the annual Town Fiesta of Mayoyao, Ifugao scheduled every April 25-27. It is a term used in the Hud-Hud (Ifugao Epic) to describe how the first five districts in Mayoyao manage to meet once in a year to compete with one another in terms of native games. Their usual meeting place is the center of Mayoyao known to be as Chu’likhan (Ducligan). During the olden times, it was Aliguyon who was known to be always winning in the games being played. Nowadays, the Igkhumtad is the equivalent of a Fiesta where people from the different Barangays of Mayoyao go to the Poblacion and compete with one another at the same time socializing with the people from other places outside their barangay.

IGKHUMTAD AD MAJAWJAW TOUR PACKAGE
April 27-29, 2007
Mayoyao, Ifugao


Package Cost: P3,200.00 per participant

Inclusions:

Transportation within the province

Tour Guide Fee
Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners)

Cultural night
Environmental Fee

Entrance Fees
Lodging (Inn accommodations and homestays);
Limited accommodations for homestays

Exclusions:

Transportation to Ifugao from Manila or Baguio (and back)
Travel Insurance
Snacks

Special discounts for students in group (minimum of 5 persons)

Day 1 of the tour brings the tourists to participate in the Igkhumtad by judging in certain contested ethnic games at the Poblacion grounds. The contested events/games will be ethnic games. In the afternoon will be a visit to the Marian Center where the Hidden Madonna Falls is situated. The participants will also visit the Abfo’or Burial Tombs where, during the olden times, the bodies of brave warriors were being buried. It is an igloo-type musoleum.

On Day 2, the participants will have a picnic at the O’phaw Mahencha (leap of Mahencha) Falls, with 1 ½ hours trek.

Day 3 will be more of sightseeing at Chu’it Viewpoint and Acacoy Park.. In the afternoon, the participants will proceed to Banaue for more views of the Rice Terraces, then departure for Manila.


ITINERARY

Day 01
6 a.m. Arrival at Santiago City
Travel to Mayoyao, Ifugao
Breakfast in Ubao, Aguinaldo (Ifugao)
9 a.m. Arrival in Mayoyao
10 a.m. Participation in the Igkhumtad
(participants act as judges in the different ethnic games)
12 n.n. Lunchbreak
1:30 p.m. To Abfo’or Burial Tombs
3 p.m. To Marian Center
5 p.m. Free time
6 p.m. Dinner
7 p.m. Rest or night out

Day 02
6 a.m. Early breakfast
7 a.m. Travel to O’phaw Mahencha Falls
(with I ½ hours trek)
12 n.n. Lunch/picnic at the falls
3 p.m. Travel back to Poblacion
7 P.m. Dinner
8 p.m. Cultural Show

Day 03
7 a.m. Breakfast
8 a.m. Travel to Chu;it Viewpoint
10 a.m. Travel to Acacoy Park and Nursery
11 am. Travel to Banaue
(with lunch at midway)
3 p.m. At Banaue Town Center
Travel to Banaue Viewpoint
Shopping of souvenirs
5:30 p.m. Departure of visitors


For reservation and inquiries, contact us:

THE POCHON GROUP
Poblacion, Mayoyao
3602, Ifugao
Tel Nos: +639064826300, +639214524262
E-mail: acer098@gmail.com

IPAD AD ALIMIT

IPAD ad Alimit
(March 7-9, 2007)

The Ipad is a prestige ritual among the Ayangans (a tribe of Ifugao) performed mainly to establish and maintain family prestige and status. It may come in the form of a thanksgiving festival in a native way, where the Ayangans come together as one butchering pigs, chickens, and carabaos for the occasion. In this ritual, the childless couples can also ask for children as blessings in order to establish a prestigious family.

March 8, 2007, 9:00 A.M…. Ate Bex and I were headed to Mayoyao, Ifugao (via Banaue) on board our motorbikes on convoy. I was to accompany Ate Bex (head of the Kataguwan Center- an NGO affiliated with the Lagawe Catholic Mission being its Social Action Arm) to attend the Ipad chi E-ajangan ad Alimit (Ipad of the Ayangans in Alimit- a far flung Barangay of Mayoyao)…. Then there was the rugged dusty road which occasionally bounces us off our motorbikes covering us with dust everytime we meet other vehicles traversing the highway. Though the rocky road between Banaue and Mayoyao is practically my playground, the newly-constructed steep road from the highway to Alimit is really new to me (since it was my first time to go to the place). We were then stumbling down the steep road (not to count the heat from the scorching sun at past 12:00 high noon!). But the bruises we sustained from the stunt were brushed aside, cured by the warm welcome of the people in the barrio. We arrived just 30 minutes before lunch will be served (during occasions in Mayoyao, lunch is usually served at 2:00 P.M.)

I was supposed to leave for a meeting of the Pochon group at the Poblacion in the afternoon that same day. However, I was told that the Fatong (Ipad proper) will be done at 12:00 midnight until dawn. I was in a dilemma then whether to push through with the meeting at 6:00 P.M., or to stay and witness the ritual (it was actually my first time to witness such a ritual of my tribe). So many things to consider: what’s more important, the Ipad or the meeting of the group?; there was scarce signal in the barrio (and I become restless if I didn’t text my hunny goodnight); it was my first time to witness such a ritual; that day is the first time that Mayoyao hosts such an activity; I would be missing the opportunity that I am in Mayoyao and that is the day the members of the Pochon Group are available for a meeting; and so on…one thing more is that Jeremy (our group PRO) is likewise with us in the barrio to document the said ritual being the Tourism Officer of Mayoyao. And he himself cannot attend to the meeting…. I finally made my decision: to stay and witness the Ipad and reset the meeting for another day (maybe the nextweek).

Afternoon came, there was a short introductory program where the rationale for the Ipad was explained. The different representatives of the delegates (Ifugao municipalities) were given a chance to talk and lead native dances completing their representation to the celebration. The host barrio likewise shared some of their breathtaking performances from the pupils to the women’s organization. The show was just entertaining…we forgot we were tired from the long travel!

Then evening came…we were now beginning to feel the fatigue. Sleep was likewise tempting. But we still continued to be entertained by the gong-beatings and the native dances (even ate Bex beat the gong!). In between the entertainment, I managed to send some texts to my hunny taking advantage of some of the signals that the wind brings. After dinner was served, we were told to rest and that they will wake us up when the ritual starts…and so, off we went to sleep (at the Barangay RHU).

We were awakened by continuous knockings at the door of the room where we slept. It was time to start the ritual… ate Bex and I sleepily slipped out of bed and followed the messenger to where the ritual is to take place. Luckily, I brought with me my Creative MP3/Recorder (and also I brought with me 10 spare AAA batteries), so I entered the native house along with the 4 native priests who’ll do the ritual and recorded every chants and prayers (for peace, thanksgiving, blessings, and protection). There were intervals when the native priests have to go out of the native house and dance the native dance outside and then enter the house again to resume with the ritual. The ritual took nearly 8 hours to finish. In the concluding part of the ritual, they butchered 4 pigs, one pig for each prayer (peace, thanksgiving, blessings, and protection for the Ayangan people and the host community). The ritual ended with at least 10 men clad in native attire dancing the native dance and then saying the last prayers in between. Then, there was the breakfast…

After breakfast, Ate Bex, Ate Gemma, Ate Juliet, and I went to the Alimit River to bathe as the sun was already high and the temperature was so convenient for a swim. Finishing our swimming lessons, we returned to the village just in time for the concluding program. Guests who were not able to attend the introductory program were acknowledged at the concluding program.

As for me and Ate Bex, we have toleave at around 1:30P.M. coz we'll be heading to the Poblacion for refueling before we depart for Lagawe. The travel was a slow one (we were sleepy then so we considered our safety first since we are the ones holding our own lives. We stopped at Tulaed (Toledo City- another Barangay of Mayoyao along the highway) for a merienda then continued on with the travel. We again stopped at the Habbang Bridge (boundary between Mayoyao and Banaue) for a short picture-taking and then proceeded on once again with the travel…it was already 6:20 P.M. and the sun was beginning to set down.

We arrived in Lagawe at around 8:50: in the evening, tired once again from the travel…we badly needed whole body massage (unluckily for me, my masseuse was not within the vicinity and that I still have to travel 8 hours maximum to get to her J). Either way, with or without body massage, I crept on to my mobile bed and slept the remaining hours away.

Waking up to a beautiful morning sunshine, I was still reeling from the adventure just 2 days ago. The experience was worth the sacrifice in going to the place, enduring the scorching heat of the sun, bruising some limbs from stumbling down the steep newly-constructed road, and sacrificing the supposed to be meeting of the Group (the meeting was reset to March 20, 2007). Had I not accompanied ate Bex to the place; had I left for the meeting; then I would have missed such an opportunity to witness a rare ritual of the Ayangan Tribe (to which I proudly belong). I was once proud to be an Ayangan…but I’m even more proud today knowing that our tribe is a treasure-box of unique cultures defining our identity as THE AYANGANS OF IFUGAO!.

on Bfukhay Tour

Bfukhay Tour was a success! Even if there were only few participants, the tour was successful, the participants enjoyed their stay in Mayoyao, they enjoyed the warm welcome of the Emajawjaws (Mayoyao people), and what's more is that they actually enjoyed the view offered by the Majestic Mayoyao Rice Terraces...

On Day 01, the participants, though exhausted, were very eager to step on the terraces and participate in the planting...even after planting, they enjoyed it much that they were hesitant to come out of the ricefield..

The Cultural Show was likewise very entertaining...the students who presented the Ethnic Ensemble and the Mayoyao Native Dance were very eager to entertain the participants, which was also timely because the participants were exhausted by the long travel and the activities done during the day...

Day 02 was more of a sightseeing, viewing with less interaction with the community...it was a Sunday and the people went to church...that left us tourguides and the participants on our own to explore the rest of Mayoyao. That was just the proper timing for our two participants who are professional photographers for them to take as many pictures as they can for their own files...

In the afternoon, we went to Banaue for more views of the Banaue Rice Terraces and then shopping for the participants...then eventually, their departure for Manila...

The participants have long been gone, but the memories they left to the Emajawjaws were overwhelming that made them wish they'll be back again. The aim of the Bfukhay Tour was 100% achieved with the help of the few participants to the tour...their coming to Mayoyao alone was very effective to encourage the Mayoyao People continue preserving their cultures that bound them as one People...with this positive outcome of the Bfukhay Tour, the Pochon Group is likewise being encouraged to continue the fight to help save Mayoyao through this eco-tour activites...

Watch out for the IGKHUMTAD AD MAJAWJAW (Mayoyao Town Fiesta) Tour this coming April 25-27, 2007!

Bfukhay Tour

"Experience the interplay of culture in harmony with nature:Join the Pochon and Maanichar Centennial Batch Association’s, a.k.a. Pochon Group, Bfukhay Tour (Rice Planting) and discover one of the Ifugao's majestic Rice Terraces and the Land of Eternal Spring - Mayoyao!"

The Bfukhay Tour aims to bring tourists to join and experience rice planting at the Mayoyao Rice Terraces, interact with the locals to get to know more of the village's cultures, witness rituals and tribal ceremonies, and discover every scenic sites the municipality boasts...

This tour helps the Mayoyao Rice Terraces by bringing tourists to better understand the Mayoyao Rice Terraces culture and share the tourism income with the community. It will help encourage community participation in the restoration and conservation of our ancestral domain. Part of the proceeds of the tour goes to the community heritage trust fund to help promote their indigenous culture.

Bfukhay Package Tour
February 10-11, 2007
Mayoyao, Ifugao

Package Cost: Php2,200.00 per participant

Inclusions:
Transportation within the province

Tour Guide Fee

Meals (2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 snack for day 1 only)

Cultural night

Environmental Fee

Lodging (Inn accommodations and homestays)

Entrance Fee

Exclusions:

Transportation to Ifugao from Manila or Baguio

Travel Insurance

Travel to Mayoyao is a three-hour ride, be it from Banaue or Santiago City (Isabela) along a road system which dips and climbs hundred of meters among picturesque terraced hills, forests, and villages. The views of the rice terraces in Mayoyao are awesome: literally, the municipality sits on top of the rice terraces! The native houses, with roofs shaped like the pyramids of Gaza, are strategically placed within the rice terraces. No nails or glue were used but the typical native house can withstand even the strongest of typhoons.

Day 1 of the tour brings the participants to trek Mayoyao proper and explore the rice terraces, join the planting in the rice terraces, or can just observe how the planting is being done. They can also interact with the locals of the community about rice farming, the customs and traditions, among others. After lunch, the participants will proceed to Abfo’or, where the Igloo-type burial tombs containing bodies of the ancient warriors can be found. The rest of the afternoon will be spent at the Marian Center, a place suitable for meditation and relaxation, situated beside the Hecheng Falls. When there's plenty of water, the waterfalls form an image resembling the Mama Mary…local folks call it the Hidden Madonna.

As for Day 2, the participants will proceed to Chu’it Viewpoint where one can see the Mayoyao Rice Terraces in its entirety. The afternoon will be spent in Banaue for more views of the famous Ifugao Rice Terraces and for the participants to have their shopping for souvenirs.

Itinerary

Day 1
8 a.m. Breakfast
9-12 nn Trekking to Mayoyao Proper Rice Terraces
Rice Planting

12-1 p.m. Lunch with the community
Interaction with locals about farming, cultures, etc.

1-3 p.m. To Abfo’or Burial Tombs

3-5 p.m. Visit to Marian Center (with falls)

7-8 p.m. Dinner

8-10 p.m. Community gathering and cultural show

Day 2

6 a.m. Early Breakfast

7-11 a.m. Trek to Chu’it Viewpoint (with 45 minute trek)

11a.m.-3 p.m. Travel to Banaue (with lunch at Midway)

3-5:30 p.m. Sightseeing and shopping in Banaue

5:30 p.m. Departure of visitors (earlier for those from Manila)

For reservation and inquiries, contact us:

Pochon and Maanichar Centennial Batch Association, Inc.

Poblacion, Mayoyao, Ifugao

Mobile: +639064826300, +639214524262

E-mail: acer098@gmail.com, pmcba98@gmail.com

Deadline for reservations will be on February 5, 2007.

about pochon group

The Pochon and Maanichar Centennial Batch Association, Inc.

(a.k.a POCHON GROUP)

The Pochon and Maanichar Centennial Batch Association, Inc. (Pochon Group) is a youth organization formed last December 28, 2005 and was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2006. The concept of organizing such a group came about when the high school batch 1998 of Assumption Academy, Mayoyao, Ifugao, met and decided to pro-actively work together for the purposes of helping the Mayoyao Community engage in income-generating activities and livelihood programs, to draw training designs for transfer of technology and skills to enable the underprivileged engage in self-employment, and to engage in social actions programs aimed at developing the Mayoyao Community as a whole, without sacrificing the town’s natural resources and at the same time preserving the many cultures of the Mayoyao People. The Pochon Group is an organization of the younger generation in Mayoyao who were “left” behind, while the rest go abroad or to the cities.

The PMCBA is also a member of the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement or the SITMo (see http://www.sitmo.ueuo.com), the biggest NGO in the Ifugao Province, and is actively assisting in the Movement’s aim of preserving and saving the Ifugao Terraces in the municipal level, particularly in Mayoyao.