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.