Travelling With A Mission … “ A Trek to Remember “ – 3

Immersing in Smile

Let me continue what I’ve been telling you about my previous article.  The more you come along with me, the more exciting you  will be.  Let’s go now……..

The next morning was welcomed with the sweet smile of Tory’s lodge’s owner Aling Joselisa Pablo, her husband Bernie, and son Bantad.  With coffee as a necessity for every breakfast, they  took a seat, savored the mountain’s fresh air and had a nice chat with them.  They  learned that on an ordinary day, the family usually goes to their farm to plant sweet potato and rice.

At around 7:30, the program that the members of the town prepared was about to start.  Heightening the excitement were the elders who were playing unique music with their gangsa – a round golden steel music instrument.  Cambulo’s selected a pupils lined up in the costumes of woven bahag, dominated by the colors red, black, and yellow, and delightfully performed a traditional Ifugao fiesta dance followed by a courtship dance.  Barangay officials, teachers and volunteers also danced traditional fiesta dances.

According to the teachers of Cambulo, they make it a point that the Ifugao tradition is carried on by their children.  Their music, dances and chants are all pat of the curriculum so that the heritage will never die.

After the performances, we distributed bags with school supplies, books, shoes, and other school needs.  Against the majestic backdrop of the mountains and of the Banawe Rice Terraces, the sincere smiles of more than 200 children who excitedly wore the distributed bags made that moment perfect.  An overwhelming happiness took over and I realized that the joy of immersing oneself in authentic smiles and gratefulness is something that most people miss in the trapping of the city.