Friday, January 15, 2010

Pfukhay ad Majawjaw 2010

Dear Friends,

We are once again inviting you to join the Pfukhay ad Majawjaw (Rice Planting in Mayoyao) to be held on February 19-21, 2010 at Barangay Banhal, Mayoyao, Ifugao. This activity is being jointly-hosted by the Pochon and Maanichar Centennial Batch Assoc. (Pochon Group) and the Barangay Banhal Community. Other partner organizations include the Mayoyao Tourguides and Indigenous Knowledge Holders Allied Organization (MATIKHAO) and the AKHA’KHA-EMEH Cultural Performing Group.

For this particular tour, participants get to choose experience actual planting at the ricefields aside from the spectacular sites that Mayoyao can offer. Highlights of the tour include the cultural presentation where the different Native and War dances will be showcased by the AKHA’KHA-EMEH Cultural Performing Group. The participants will also be able to learn how the Mayoyao Native houses were constructed through the demo to be conducted by the Indigenous Knowledge Holders and Scholars.

It is the advocacy of the Pochon group to help maintain and preserve the richness of the cultural heritage of this town to allow the generations to come to appreciate the cultural practices of the ancestors who tried their best to hand the rich culture to the present generation for the next to learn about it. A portion of the tour’s proceeds will go to the heritage trust fund that will be used to help promote the indigenous culture of the Mayoyao people to its young generation and people who wish to have an extraordinary experience in the beautiful town where unexplored nature still abound.

Please help save our dying heritage. Join the Pfukhay ad Majawjaw 2010!

Thank you very much.

Yours truly,

JOAN SHEELAH O. NALLIW

Group President

PFUKHAY AD MAJAWJAW 2010

Package Cost: P3,900 Tour package. Inclusions:

Guide Fee

Cultural Presentation

Demo on Native House Construction

Transportation within the Province

Meals

Lodging

Add P450.00 Bus fare from Banaue to Manila

P4,350.00 Total Cost (Land travel insurance not included)

To bring:

Trekking shoes

Jacket/blanket

Water bottle for drinking water

Trail food

Cameras

Towels

Toiletries

Rainwear

Other clothes and gears suitable for cold weather and trekking


Note: February is a wet and cold month. While weather is always unpredictable, it can rain every afternoon. Temperature in Mayoyao is around 20-25 degrees Celsius at daytime and 15-20 degrees Celsius at night time.

ITINERARY

Date

Time

Activity

Feb. 18, 2010 Thursday

9.00PM

ETD Manila via Victory Liner Bus, Kamias/Kamuning Terminal

Feb. 19, 2010

Friday

5.00AM

ETA, Santiago City (Victory Liner Terminal)

Travel to Mayoyao via the Ifugao towns of Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista

6.30AM

Breakfast at Ubao, Aguinaldo, Ifugao

10.00AM

ETA, Mayoyao, Ifugao

Room assignments/Rest

12NN

Lunch at the Lodge

1PM

Orientation

Demo on Native House Construction

Visit to the Museum

Visit to Acacoy Nature Park

5PM

Roaming around the Town Plaza/shopping for souvenirs

7PM

Dinner at the Lodge

Rest

Feb. 20, 2010

Saturday

7AM

Breakfast at the Lodge

8AM

Proceed to planting site and join the planting

12NN

Lunch with the community

1PM

Trek to Abfo’or Burial Tomb at Ottong

Trek down Mapawoy rice Terraces Cluster

5PM

Back to the Lodge

7PM

Dinner

8PM

Cultural presentation

Rest

Feb. 21, 2010

Sunday

7 AM

Breakfast

Pack-up

8.30AM

Visit to Chu’it Viewpoint

10AM

Travel to Banaue

12NN

Lunch at Midway

3PM

ETA, Banaue, Ifugao

8PM

Departure for Manila via Florida Bus Liner

Feb. 22, 2010

Monday

4-5AM

ETA, Manila, Florida Bus Terminal, Lacson St., (Espana Avenue), Sampaloc, Manila

Description of places and activities:

1. Aguinaldo, Ifugao – Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippines, is said to have rested here a while (previously a part of Mayoyao) when he was fleeing from American forces during the Philippine-American War.

2. Alfonso Lista, Ifugao – The first town of Ifugao from Isabela. During WW2, the Japanese forces are said to have erected a fort in this place (can be seen along the road going to Mayoyao).

3. Ubao, Aguinaldo, Ifugao – This was the former hunting ground of General Dosser who was assigned in Mayoyao to help the guerrillas fight the Japanese forces in WW2. Today, this is the site of the rodeo competition held in every summer.

4. Acacoy Nature Park – A good vantage point for viewing the upper region of the Central Mayoyao Rice Terraces Cluster particularly Chaya Rice Terraces. It is where the “Hospital in the Clouds” is located. The hospital has received awards as the cleanest in the entire Ifugao Province.

5. Demo on Native House Construction – Indigenous Knowledge Holders and Scholars will conduct show how a native house is built with all the rituals and cultural practices that go along with it.

6. Chu’it Viewpoint – Another site for appreciating the Mayoyao Central Rice Terraces cluster.

7. Mun-alajah Waterfalls – One of the pristine waterfalls of Mayoyao. It offers the cleanest and coolest waters. One can drink directly from the water. Also a perfect site for snorkelling and swimming. (not included in the itinerary)

8. O’Phaw Mahencha Waterfalls – According to myth, a beautiful woman named Mahencha had to leap 3 times for an interval of at least 8 meters each waterfalls just to retrieve her necklace which had fallen off while she was taking a bath. (not included in the itinerary)

9. Bongan Rice terraces cluster – The start of the trekking adventure to the rice terraces of central Mayoyao.

10. Apfo’or Burial Tombs – Igloo-type mausoleums built out of stone for warriors during the early days.

11. Manual rice threshing/pounding/sifting – This had to be done before the local people ate when there were no machines.

12. Ecopark – A collection of rare woods are planted in this Ecopark which is managed privately by a family. The park is called “Pinuchu” or mini-forest. (not included in the itinerary)

13. Mayoyao Hostel (Ottong) – This is the site of the oldest Apfo’or Burial tomb.

14. Mapawoy Rice Terraces Cluster – It is the location of what we call the “Father house” or the biggest native house which can accommodate approximately 20 people and also the “Mother Field” or the widest ricefield in the area.

15. Visit to the Clairvoyant – Many people do not believe this clairvoyant can perform healing wonders. My Belgian visitor was relieved of his backpains when the clairvoyant “fixed” his aching back. One has go to see to believe. (not included in the itinerary)

16. Marian Center – Located at the site of the Catholic High School, a vegetable garden converted into a Retreat center offers the best example of infrastructure development that do not sacrifice the nature and the environment. It is built beside a waterfalls that when filled with flowing water shows the image of Mama Mary. (not included in the itinerary)

17. Lomogig Stone – The stone is a huge boulder standing in the middle of a river supported by 3 small stones at the base. It has been said that as long as the Lumogig Stone stands, Mayoyao will continue to experience Peace, Love, and Abundance/Prosperity which are symbolized by the 3 small stones. (not included in the itinerary)

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pfoto' ad Majawjaw Festival 2009







Friends,

Pochon Group once again invites you to join the Pfoto’ ad Majawjaw (Rice Harvest in Mayoyao) Festival 2009 to be held this July 3-5, 2009 at Mayoyao, Ifugao (Cordillera). This festival is organized by the Pochon and Maanichar Centennial Batch Assoc., Inc (www.pochon-maanichar.org) in coordination with the Barangay Local Government Units concerned, the Mayoyao Tourguides and Indigenous Knowledge Holders Allied Organization (MATIKHAO), the Akha’khaemeh Cultural Performing Group, and the Barangay Banhal Community.

For this particular tour, participants get to choose which activity suits their interest: Package A offers the extreme experience of rappelling by the waterfalls. Also offered is the exploring experience of riverwalking upstream towards the waterfalls. Swimming and snorkelling is another option in Package A; Package B on the other hand gives the participants the chance to take a look inside the Mayoyao Museum, refresh and relax themselves at the Akakoy Nature Park and Viewpoint, and get to learn how the Mayoyao Native houses were constructed through the demo to be conducted by the Indigenous Knowledge Holders and Scholars.

Another highlight of the tour is the cultural presentation where the different Native and War dances will be showcased.

It is the advocacy of the Pochon group to help maintain and preserve the richness of the cultural heritage of this town to allow the generations to come to appreciate the cultural practices of the ancestors who tried their best to hand the rich culture to the present generation for the next to learn about it. A portion of the tour’s proceeds will go to the heritage trust fund that will be used to help promote the indigenous culture of the Mayoyao people to its young generation and people who wish to have an extraordinary experience in the beautiful town where unexplored nature still abound.

Please help save the Ifugao Rice Terraces. Join the Pfoto’ ad Majawjaw 2009!

Thank you very much.


Truly yours,

JOAN SHEELAH “JOSH” O. NALLIW

Pochon Group President

e-mail: josh21020@gmail.com

mobile #: +639064826300


PFOTO’ AD MAJAWJAW FESTIVAL 2009

(RICE HARVEST FESTIVAL)

July 3-5, 2009

Mayoyao, Ifugao

Inclusions:

Transportation within the Province

Guide Fee

Environmental Fee

Meals (breakfast on the day of arrival to lunch on the day of departure)

Lodging

Cultural Presentation


Exclusions:

Transportation from Manila to Santiago City and back

Travel Insurance

Snacks and beverages


Add:

PhP970.00 bus fare Manila-Santiago City and Banaue-Manila

ITINERARY

PACKAGE A

(Package Cost: P4,900.00/pax)

3 Days, 2 Nights

DAY 0 (JULY 2, 2009) THURSDAY

9 P.M. - ETD, Manila (Florida Bus, Sampaloc Station)

DAY 1 (JULY 3, 2009) FRIDAY

6 A.M. - ETA, Santiago City (Isabela/Region II)

- Departure for Mayoyao, Ifugao

- Breakfast at Ubao, Aguinaldo (Ifugao)

10 A.M. - ETA, Mayoyao, Ifugao

- Room assignments (Milcah Lodge)

- Rest

1130 A.M. - Orientation

12 N.N. - Lunch

1 P.M. - Trek/riverwalk to Pohong Ilat Falls

- Rappelling/Swimming at the Falls

4 P.M. - Trek Back to Poblacion

5 P.M. - Rest/Explore Town Plaza

7 P.M. - Dinner

- Rest

DAY 2 (JULY 4, 2009) SATURDAY

7 A.M. - Breakfast

8 A.M. - Proceed to Harvest Site

- Join the harvest

12 N.N. - Lunch with the community

1 P.M. - Trek down Mayoyao Proper Rice Terraces

- Visit to Apfo’or Burial Tombs

- Visit to Ecopark

430 P.M. - Back to Poblacion

- Rest/Exploring Town Plaza

7 P.M. - Dinner

8 P.M. - Cultural Presentation

- Rest

DAY 3 (JULY 5, 2009) SUNDAY

7 A.M. - Breakfast

8 A.M. - Visit to Chu’it Viewpoint

10 A.M. - Travel to Banaue, Ifugao

12 N.N. - Lunch at Midway

3 P.M. - ETA, Banaue, Ifugao

- Visit to Banaue Viewpoint

- Souvenir shopping

7 P.M. - Departure for Manila (Florida Bus)

DAY 4 (JULY 6, 2009) MONDAY

3 A.M. - ETA, Manila (Florida Bus Sampaloc Station)


PACKAGE B

(Package Cost: P4,800.00/pax)

3 Days, 2 Nights

DAY 0 (JULY 2, 2009) THURSDAY

9 P.M. - ETD, Manila (Florida Bus, Sampaloc Station)

DAY 1 (JULY 3, 2009) FRIDAY

6 A.M. - ETA, Santiago City (Isabela/Region II)

- Departure for Mayoyao, Ifugao

- Breakfast at Ubao, Aguinaldo (Ifugao)

10 A.M. - ETA, Mayoyao, Ifugao

- Room assignments (Milcah Lodge)

- Rest

1130 A.M. - Orientation

12 N.N. - Lunch

1 P.M. - Visit to Mayoyao Museum

- Visit to Akakoy Nature Park and Viewpoint

- Demo on Native House Construction

4 P.M. - Trek Back to Poblacion

5 P.M. - Rest/Explore Town Plaza

7 P.M. - Dinner

- Rest

DAY 2 (JULY 4, 2009) SATURDAY

7 A.M. - Breakfast

8 A.M. - Proceed to Harvest Site

- Join the harvest

12 N.N. - Lunch with the community

1 P.M. - Trek down Mayoyao Proper Rice Terraces

- Visit to Apfo’or Burial Tombs

- Visit to Ecopark

430 P.M. - Back to Poblacion

- Rest/Exploring Town Plaza

7 P.M. - Dinner

8 P.M. - Cultural Presentation

- Rest

DAY 3 (JULY 5, 2009) SUNDAY

7 A.M. - Breakfast

8 A.M. - Visit to Chu’it Viewpoint

10 A.M. - Travel to Banaue, Ifugao

12 N.N. - Lunch at Midway

3 P.M. - ETA, Banaue, Ifugao

- Visit to Banaue Viewpoint

- Souvenir shopping

7 P.M. - Departure for Manila (Florida Bus)

DAY 4 (JULY 6, 2009) MONDAY

3 A.M. - ETA, Manila (Florida Bus Sampaloc Station)

FOR INQUIRIES AND RESERVATIONS, please contact:

JOSH NALLIW - josh21020@gmail.com

- +639064826300

JEREMY GAWONGNA - jemgaw@gmail.com

- +639067162854

DEADLINE OF RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT: June 30, 2009

· Reservation procedure:

· Fill-up the registration/confirmation form and send it to us. Submission of registration/confirmation form does not assure you of slot. Only after full payment is the slot reserved for you.

  • Payment procedure:

· Upon submission of filled-up registration/confirmation form, we will advise you if slot is available and give you the payment procedure.

· Slots are on a first come first served basis, so please reserve and pay earlier to be assured of your slot.

· Payment refund policy:

· If client cancels reservation,

· 14-8 days before departure less 50% of total cost
7-5 days before departure less 75% of total cost
4-0 days before departure less 100% or NO REFUND

· Full refund if POCHON cancels tour due to unavoidable circumstances. Guaranteed departure, minimum of 20 tour participants.

What to bring:

- Trekking shoes

- Jacket/blanket/malong

- Drinking water/mineral water

- Trail food

- Cameras

- Towels and toiletries

- Rain gears

- Please bring clothes and gears suitable for cold weather and trekking (For the harvest, shorts/loose pants, long sleeves, and hat/cap are useful)

- Bring swimming gears for swimming in the waterfalls

- Flashlights will be helpful

- For those with medical problems, please bring your medication and advise your guide of your medical condition

ACTIVITIES:

Mayoyao is located at the eastern portion of Ifugao approximately 41 kilometers from Banaue; 371 kilometers east of Baguio City and 536 kilometers northeast of Metro Manila. Travel to Mayoyao is a three to four hours ride, be it from Banaue or from Santiago City (Isabela) along a road which dips and climbs hundred of meters among picturesque terraced hills, forests, and villages. The views of the rice terraces in Mayoyao are awesome; 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 - Participants will be met at Santiago City, Florida Bus Terminal. A Van/Bus will be waiting to transport participants to Mayoyao, Ifugao passing by Alfonso Lista and Aguinaldo, both Ifugao towns. Breakfast will be had along the way. Travel will take 3-4 hours to reach Mayoyao. Upon reaching Mayoyao, participants will be allowed to rest and then have lunch.

After lunch, Package A participants will proceed to Pohong Ilat, located 20 minutes away from the Poblacion. Our ancestors say that the river was struck by lightning and formed a basin-like pool. “Pohong” stands for waterpool while “Ilat” means lightning. Those who want to experience rappelling at the falls will be taking a different route while those who want to take a dip in the natural pool will have their riverwalk experience going upstream to where the falls is.

As for participants of Package B, their itinerary starts by visiting the Mayoyao Museum, where some native tools, collected through the effort of the Municipal Local Government Unit, are being displayed. After visiting the Museum, the participants will proceed to Akakoy Nature Park and Viewpoint, where one can view the Chaya Rice Terraces, the coldest part of the Upper region of Central Mayoyao. From there, a demo on native house construction will be performed to better understand the structure of the Mayoyao Native House and the culture which go along with its construction process.

Day 2 For Both Packages, the participants will proceed to experience harvesting rice with the Mayoyao Community. They can choose their participation in the harvest: the Munbfoto’ (the one who reaps the rice palay), Mun-akun (the one who collects the reaped palay), Munbfa-ud (ties the palay into bundles), Munkhongah (trims the bundle stalks to make the rice bundle look neat), Munkhu-ud (properly arranges the neatly bundled rice palay into the rice granary), and Munhaang (the cook). After the lunch with the community, participants will trek down the Mayoyao Proper Rice Terraces, passing by the Apfo’or Burial Tombs (igloo-type stone musoleums containing the bodies of the town’s ancient warriors and elite), ending the trek at the Ecopark, a miniforest where a collection of the different kinds of trees can be found. In the evening will be a cultural show where the following will be showcased:

- Ngajaw (Victory dance)

- Hang-hangngit (Friendly bantering between males and females)

- Tajaw (Native dances)

- Community native dancing with participants

Day 3 - For Both Packages, participants will visit Chu’it Viewpoint, a vantage point where one can see the entirety of the rice terraces cluster of Central Mayoyao, lower region. Afterwards, participants will proceed to Banaue for more rice terraces viewing and souvenir shopping. Lunch will be had midway. Departure of participants will be at around 8 P.M., Florida Bus, Deluxe.