114th Benguet Anniversary and the Baguio Council of Elders

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Roger D. Sinot

ASIN HOT SPRING, Tuba - On this November event in the capital town of La Trinidad, Benguet, history is repeating itself. With the month long Adivay Festival, Benguet Province is rising on the world map of tourism. "Adivay" is an Ibaloy term meaning “coming together to celebrate”. Meanwhile, Benguet is still dubbed "Salad Bowl of the Philippines" due to its huge production of highland vegetables that are practically ingredients of any vegetable salad. Congratulations to the officialdom and residents of Benguet, and the 13 municipalities for its success. "Piyasta Ni Ulay!"

Let me recall the origin of the name "Benguet" from a research work, particularly, a book written by Mr. WasingSacla. It read:Since time remembered, La Trinidad was known as a fertile valley with a wide lake in the center. The shallow part of the lake was planted with "aba" (taro) and later with "kintoman" (red rice). At the rim of this valley were herds of water buffaloes (kanuangan) grazing and wallowing on the muddy waters of the deep side of the lake. Besides their produce, the people lived on the bounties of the lake for their food teeming with fishes, woodcocks, birds and other wilds, it had provided them for years of plenty.

Usually, after a harvest, the "ama", respected elder, throughout generations, unselfishly shared his good harvest by celebrating a "pechit" (rich man's feast) with which he would call his neighbors and relatives beyond this valley. To protect themselves against searing cool winds during the "ang-chap" (cold season), the wealthy ones had to cover their heads with red kerchief and the general mass with white sheet cloth. The head covering during farm work and cold, in the nabaloy dialect, is generally called benget, meaning, covering from the head down to the neck with wide opening for the eyes. Other families use hides of "motit" (civet cat) to protect themselves from the cold, heat of the sun, and rain which they called "duvong" and the one wearing it when seen from a distant are called "nanbengebenget".

When the Spanish expedition under Comandante Guillermo de Galvey first saw the beautiful valley, one of his interpreter, an Indio, mistook the words of the Spaniards. Thus, the Spaniard pointing in the direction of the farming folks planting aba boomed out: "Como se llama estelugar?" "What is the name of this place?" The Indio asked the native elder, "Anya cano ti impotpotipot ti ul-ulo ti tat-tao ditoy?" The Ibaloy elder said, "Benget!". Not probing any further, the cartographer of the expedition wrote "benget" with European sound "benget" pronounced as "beng-gu-et". Thus, the Spanish colloquial meaning, Benguet got its name to include the present Province of Benguet.

Mrs. Zenaida Hamada-Pawid, now NCIP Commissioner, made critical suggestions and contributions to the book being an educator, journalist, civic leader and also an author of Benguet History herself. Onward and "All Hail, Benguet Beloved” as the official song of the Province goes. "All Hail to Benguet!"

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On the Baguio Council of Elders, a list of names were nominated in a series of claimants’ meetings after the Baguio Ancestral Land Claimants Assembly on May 07, 2014.

For Cluster 01 (Pinsao/Benin, Guisad and Irisan), those nominated were Dra. Julie Camdas-Cabato, Roger D. Sinot, Pancho Alinos, Albert Dimas, Sayud Palgue, Jimmy Saguid, Fely Antonio, Jerry Kabluyen and Balbina Ernesto;

 Cluster 02 (Loakan, Kenon Road, Camp &, Kias, Atok Trail, Bakakeng and Camp John Hay): Former Mayor of Tuba Jose P. Baluda, Andrew Carantes, Rebecca Mataba, Bernard Okubo, Vicky Macay, Samuel Eralio, Hubert Caroy, BasilioBinay-an, and Norbert Antonio;

 Cluster 03 (Happy Hallow and Country Club): Philip Canuto, LilianCuilan, DencioAlmag, HilariaGasic, Tito Segundo and Ronaldo Perez.

 Cluster 04 (Pacdal/Busol, South Drive, M. Roxas and New Lucban): March Fianza, Engr. IsabeloCosalan Sr., Marilou P. Juan, Claro Podique, Cynthia Amistad and Juan Cario.

 Cluster 05 (Marcos Highway, Asin, Crystal Cave and Sto. Tomas): LeonilaSuello-Edrano, Marie Suello-Kitma, CresencioPacalso, Michael Alos, Atty. Rebecca Apil, Margaret Semon-Dong-e, Jose Kani and Dario Saingan.

 Cluster 06 (Mines View, Gibraltar, Pucsusan, Lucnab and Outlook Drive): Lolita Salcedo, Edward Bitaga, Margie Arinos, Sylvia Lanag, Ptr. CatalinoPasking, Bernadette Libayao, Magdalena Cayapa and Judith Maranes.

After nominations were conducted, series of meetings and a seminar held, comes now the list of 10 Council of Elders for Baguio. They are Engr. IsabeloCosalan Sr., former mayor Jose P. Baluda, Vicky Macay, Philip Canuto, Maribel Suello-Kitma, Michael Alos, PanchoAlinos, Margaret Semon Dong-e, Norberto Antonio and this Ibaloy writer. With the assistance of no less than our NCIP Commissioner for Region I and the Codillera and her untiring staff, the CoEls were sworn and inducted by the City Mayor of Baguio, Atty. Mauricio Domogan last Saturday, November 29, 2014.

 We are saddened by the passing of our brothers, Manong Benny David and Manong Mike Alberto. May you rest in peace and Happy Trails to your eternal journey!