Out of the North

"Beyond those travelled hills of the north lies my home all laiden with pines. Amidst the soft and silken touch of morning mist I lay my prayers before thy shrine", the song goes as I sit on top of a jeepney while having the chills of the strong wind upon my face. It's been 4 years since I left my hometown. How could it be that I always sense the place as mindblowing at the same time, therapeutic the sceneries, the sound, the time and everything I catch. I hopped in this jeep almost an hour before it started the journey. A journey that will take me to an adventure in my own hometown.      Kids I am seeing are playing freely on the ground. Guess they are enjoying the day for they know they’d probably be scolded or even whipped by their parents after a long day of running away from their houses. The moment I got out from the trip, I quickly ran to the bench and set my body free from dizziness. I unknowingly had my lips curved into a big smile. This place is just amaz...

  NAN BIYAG MID ILI -inan omag DEAR GAYYEM: UNTIL THEN, REMEMBER WHEN  You had always called for me to come home To where our hearts once belong To ili that we had since loved and adored The ili that had seen us in our WORST a nd honed us to be the BEST. Lumaki tayo sa ating ILI-sariling bayan May kanya kanyang natatanging karanasan Hinubog mula pagkabata hanggang pagtanda Susunod na henerasyon matututo at matutuwa sila. Nan Biyag mid ILI payak at simple Tunay na saya, hind sa damit, gamit at sa sakyang magara Hangin na sariwa, prutas at gulay a y sagana Mga tao alam ang “INAYAN” at “LAWA” Lugar ay payapa, tao nagkakaintindihan sila. Nan Biyag Mid ILI pictures who really are we Rooted with deep culture, traditions, va lues making us extra ordinary It may di0er from before to contemporary due to developments and technology But we will always be the same- full of respect, love, hospitality and will proudly stand with DIGNITY. Nan Biyag mid ILI may seem boring unless you STAY Away...

 I will always look back at the life in ili with bitterness. Not that it made me less of a person because on hindsight I know that it had strengthened me but I keep asking why does it have to be that hard. In general, the ili is a great place to nurture growth but there are things that have always struck me as odd. It goes beyond the question of ambition but of the wasted potential of what people can become if the community is really supportive of growth and not impeded by deep-rooted culture of not challenging the norm. Perhaps the best experience growing up in the ili is the lack of variety in experience. With no personal motivators to appreciate the simplicity and blandness of the rural life, one is left with no desire to go further because this kind of life will suffice. That is the beauty because on one hand, it teaches contentment but when exposed to the life outside, one questions why we should settle for a life so simple.  Indeed we put premium on education as I still ...

  NAN BIAG MI ID ILI: A Life Full of Hardship and Painful Memories But were Full of Life Lessons and Inspirations to Stand Firm and Thrive to Whatever Storm Life Brings By: Jenny D. Obonan FROM TORTURING PAIN INTO JOY It was 4:30 a.m. on September 1, 1991. It was cold and dark. All the villagers were sleepin g except this couple. < Hurry up= ex claimed the old woman to her husband. < The bleeding has increased. I have been in labor for two days now, and I can’t tolerate the pain already= , cried the old woman. The husband ran fast to their neighbor without hesitation to call for help. He planned to bring his wife to the small town hospital about 7 km. away. He was sweating hard, fr ightened and worried, but he remained focused and calm. The y oun g woman was crying though she kept her poise and pra y ed that she would deliver the baby safely. The husband came back with three other neighbors with him. Two men and one older wom...