Fire! It’s a word that never crossed my mind during my childhood in Bontoc, Mountain Province. For other residents, it could have been a subject of  private conversation. In our family though, we never talked about it. 

June 12, 1965 and I’m home for summer vacation. My parents are also at home. Maureen, my younger sister, is enrolled in summer classes and Fe, the youngest, is attending a religious summer camp in the Visayas. In our family of five, we’re only three at home.

It’s Saturday afternoon. My mother just arrived from her morning duty at the hospital so it must have been 3:30 p.m. She and my father are in the garden watering the plants of pechay (bok choy) and Baguio beans.

                                                ************

I came to know more of Bontoc, Mountain Province in 1952 when our family---father, Honesto Cariño Belen; mother, Ana Lumbaya Kay-an; and two sisters---moved from Manila to Bontoc Poblacion. I would spend the next eight years of my life in this town - from 3^rd through sixth grade at Bontoc Central School and  secondary school at the then Mountain Provincial High School.   

Bontoc was the capital of the Mountain Province. It was one of the sub-provinces that made up the former Mountain Province, which lies in the central Cordillera mountain range of northern Luzon, Philippines. The other sub-provinces were Ifugao, Benguet and Kalinga-Apayao. Some government officials clamored for the division of Mountain Province. So in 1966, it was divided into the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and Mountain Province. Kalinga and Apayao were made into separate provinces in 1995. All the provinces retained their names except Bontoc, which became Mountain Province. The latest grouping was the establishment of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in 1987 composed of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province. Abra, which used to be part of Ilocos Region, was the latest addition to the CAR.

Bontoc is a valley, centrally located in the Cordillera mountain range. I remember the roads going out of town. There’s one stretching north to Kalinga. Another reaches out east to Ifugao, where the world-renowned Banaue Rice Terraces are found. And the third road extends south to Benguet. Baguio City, the summer capital of the Philippines, is located in Benguet.

                                                ************

Suddenly, I hear people shouting, Pu-or! Pu-or! (Fire! Fire!) I run to the front window of our living room, the window facing the main road and market. When I look outside, people are running to the south of town. I look to my left and see smoke billowing from the Cawed’s residence, which is about 10 houses away from our house. I go down to the pavement in front of our house. My father and mother join me. 

I ask someone, “Kasatno nga nagrugi didiay apoy?” (How did the fire start?)

Someone replies, “Adda kano aglutluto idi kwan ket napu-uran didiay kusina.” (Someone was cooking and the kitchen got burned.)

It’s as vague as that. I’m unable to get the exact details.

                                                ************

When we arrived in Bontoc in October 1952, we already had a house in front of the market in the Poblacion. My parents had built a two-story house on a 250 square meter lot my father inherited from his parents (The Carino-Belen family resided in Bontoc from the early 1900s until 1945. My paternal grandparents died in Bontoc---my grandfather in 1926 and grandmother in 1934.) The exterior was covered with galvanized iron sheets and the interior was made of wood. We lived in the second story. The first story had two separate units, which were rented out to two families who set up their sari-sari (general retail) stores.

Our house had a wooden gate. To reach the second floor, you went up the concrete steps and ended in a balcony where there were wooden planks to sit on. Around the balcony that was about a meter high, some wooden structures were jutting out where you could place potted plants. Beside the main door on the right side, there was a deer’s antler placed as though it was guarding our door.

                                                ************

My father goes to the Cawed house. Later, he comes back and says, “Adayo pay.” (It’s still far away.)

We do nothing. We go back to what we’re doing at home.

But from the Cawed’s residence, the fire jumps across the street on the same block and eats the houses there. The fire also jumps to the end of the block where our house is located. The fire eats the stores of Mr. Tio and Bontoc Lumber and Hardware Co., and house of the Acofos. The fire is approaching our house.

“Anya ngay ti aramiden tayo?” (What are we going to do?), I ask my mother.

“I-pack tayon ah amin nga mabalin tayo nga maala.” (Let’s pack all that we could get.)

My father comes running to our house as soon as he sees other houses near ours being burned.

The fire is approaching. At this point, we begin packing.

                                                ************

From the balcony, you entered a four by six meter living room. On the right side, there was a window and when opened, you could see the market. On the left side, there’s a window from where you could see the concrete steps going up to the balcony. Facing the living room, you saw two doors about three meters apart. One led to my parent’s bedroom and the other to our (three sisters) bedroom. A rattan sofa set with cushions was in the middle of the living room---a long one where three persons could sit and two sofas where one person could sit on each. A small rattan table accompanied the sala set. Near the window to the left was a table with a Philips radio on top.

In my parent’s bedroom, they had a semi-double steel bed and a built-in book case. The latter contained National Geographic magazines and Reader’s Digest. In our bedroom, we had three steel beds, one for each of us. The closets in both bedrooms were built-in.    

                                              ************

Few words are spoken. There’s no time to cry. There’s only time to pack. We just keep on packing all the things we could. Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! This is what we’re all thinking. We have two or three suitcases to put our belongings. These are not enough so we use boxes. I can’t even recall where we got these boxes. We also used blankets and bed sheets to put our things.

I go to our bedroom and pack our clothes, mattresses, pillows, linens and other things. My mother goes to their bedroom and packs their things in the closet---clothes, curtains, linens and so on.

I go to my parent’s room and see about 50 issues of National Geographic magazines. Shall I get these or not? I ask myself. I end up packing them. I also include the books on Bible stories, a health book and a cookbook.

                                                ************

From the living room, you proceeded to the dining room. There was a window on the east side and when you opened it, you see the mountain. There was a window on the north side and when you opened it, you also see the mountain. A wooden dining table stood in the middle of the room. It had six matching chairs.

To the right of the dining room was the kitchen. A wooden cabinet---where we put the pots and pans, plates and cutlery---separated the dining room from the kitchen. A gas stove, about half a meter high and fueled by kerosene, stood at the left side of the kitchen. On top of the cabinet was a portable oven. The front part was made of glass while the sides were made of steel. It was open below so you just put it on top of the gas stove. There was a temperature gauge behind the glass but it was kaput.

                                                ************

The fire is approaching. My father and mother carry our dining table and bring it down the pavement in front of our house.  They also bring down the four beds and mattresses; they bring down the rattan sofa set and its cushions. We bring down the two Singer sewing machines. One is with a foot pedal and must have weighed 10 kilos. The other is a much lighter portable sewing machine with its own table and could be detached. 

I ask my father, “Where do we bring our things?”

“To Bontoc Central School.”

We go to the school and place our things in one room, we return to our house; we go to the school and place our things in the same room and return to our house. Forth and back, forth and back---this goes on for an hour or so.   

Later, Uncle Law-ed, my mother’s cousin from Samoki and Uncle Fokleg, her cousin from Chakchakan, arrive. They carry the rattan sala set, dining table and chairs; five beds, sewing machines and its table.

We are able to bring out many things before the fire reaches our house. Lucky for us, I would say now.

The fire eats our house. It’s burned to the ground. Ashes, only ashes. All black. There’s nothing to do now but go to the school.

                                                ************

Recalling the houses near the Cawed residence--- to our left was the Acofo residence, Bontoc Lumber and Hardware, Tio’s store, and Co’s Store and Bakery that was at the farthest end of our block. Opposite these houses and on the left side if you face the Cawed residence were the Bontoc Pharmacy, Calaoa Residence and others, I’m unable to recall now.

In front of our house was the market. Within the vicinity of the market was the Camarillo’s store where they sold school supplies.

To the right of our house was Dr. and Mrs. Alfonso Floresca’s residence where the barber, Mr. Abad, and his family, were renting a part. Farther right was the house of William Faculo and family.

************

The sun is already setting when we finish bringing our things to the school.

We stay in one room with all our things crammed in the place. We go to sleep. We’re very tired. We recall the events of that afternoon. How were we able to carry those things from the house to the school?

Come of think of it now, I still consider ourselves fortunate. Yes, we lost our house. But we were able to bring out most of our belongings. And most importantly, members of our family in Bontoc are still alive.                   

The next day after the fire, there’s a knock on our door. I open it and see a woman wearing a tapis (woven skirt) with a labba (container made of woven rattan) on her head. She requests for a container and when she puts down the labba, she measures about five cans of rice and puts it in the container. 

She says, “Siya na yangkhay nan ma-igwa mi tay sapasap.” (This is only what we could give because many have been affected.)

Salamat (Thank you).

 In hindsight, I should have asked for her name.

There might have been other Bontoc residents who helped us and my story is a way of acknowledging them. 

A week or two after the fire, our parents build a small one-story house on our lot. We bring back the things we brought out from the old house. Our things are still intact but placed in a different setting. 

And so the word “fire” that might have been a subject of private conversation among the Bontoc residents becomes a reality. A part of Bontoc Poblacion disappears only to remain in some residents’ memory.

************

A snippet I heard after the fire was: One of the salesmen of Bontoc Lumber and Hardware carried the box where the “loans” of people were listed.

In April 2014, I shared my story with my sisters and requested for feedback.

Maureen replied and wrote:

“When I went home at the end of summer classes and from some stories that filtered later, some snippets I gathered were---

You were making hotcakes then and there was dough left when the fire was about to reach the house. What you did was place all the utensils together with the dough so when you were in the school, you found out that there was still dough to be made into hotcakes. Can you remember this?

You and Mama also spread out the sheets and dumped clothes into these which were carted away to the school.

Another thing is that, this was the first big fire after the war and Bontoc Municipio did not have any firefighting truck so everything was by hose and “pasa-pasa timba-timba” (passing the bucket.) 

In fact, fire trucks came all the way from Baguio and even Camp John Hay sent their fire trucks to help put out the fire.” 

Fe wrote:

“When I came home, the story goes that Mama just had the new toilet and bathroom built upstairs and she didn’t want anybody to use them till after June 12th. When June 12th came, the fire broke out from the Cawed’s house and spread fast to the Poblacion because it was windy. The fire stopped at the bakery and house of Mr. and Mrs. Co. They had been praying hard to God and they were spared.”YB

About the Author

YVONNE KAY-AN BELEN is a Bontok Igorot from Alab, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines. Presently residing in Amersfoort, The Netherlands and past the retirement age of 65, she devotes her time to writing and helping post articles in the ICBE website: www.icbe.eu.

Copyright©18June2014YvonneBelen

3rd Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK Europe (ICBE) Consultation

5-8 May 2005

Thank You Letters

Ric Cuyob and Peter Agnaonao

To the members of BIBAK Switzerland and to all the delegates of the 3rd ICBE consultation, Peter and I would like to express also our gratitude to everyone and congratulate the BIBAK Switzerland for doing all the most backbreaking jobs before, during and after the whole affair that made our 3rd ICBE consultation a unique and unforgettable one. For all the wisdoms imparted to us, the exchanges of experiences and the overall joyful and enjoyable consultation, we (Peter and I) are back here in Belgium and in our works safe and sound. We also would like to tell you that after the consultation we became wiser, more experienced, more joyful and consultable, but most of all more enjoyable than before ... he, he, he.

Would you like to know a proof of it? Okay... When we arrived at the train station in Brussels, it was already passed 11 p.m. because of some delays and so in order to come home quickly we decided to take one taxi dropping by Peter's place first and then I will continue to my place. Upon arrival at the place of Peter, Cristobal must have been there still awake waiting for his father that late because when we rang the bell he immediately opened the door before his mother and to his awe he seemed to have not seen us for so long that he called the attention of his mother laughing and saying, "Look mama! They have two different hair styles, one has brush up and the other has brush down. That's genial!" Such feeling of surprise prompted one of us to quickly tell him with a wink of an eye, "This is it. To go to the Swiss Alps, you have to go down in order to get up and you have to go up in order to get down. The same with our haircuts, they may either let you up or let you down!"

(Hey! Don't think of other things with your green minds you down there!)

Ric Cuyob

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Dominga Webber

Dear Everyone,

Just arrived from Switzerland to attend the 3rd Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK Europe Consultation and I wished I am still there.  The consultation was Hosted by BIBAK Switzerland and the venue was held in Hotel Friedegg, Aeschi (May 5-8, 2005).

I am just about to leave for work so I just want to congratulate the BIBAK Switzerland team for a job well done.  I salute you all for all your hard work and efforts and for making us so welcome, specially to Lolit and Juerg, Claire and Martin, Violeta, Fred and all the others involved in the planning for making this event very memorable. Especially the gala night which I think is exceptionally unique. The very supportive talk of the ambassador followed by the exceptional presentation of the yoddelers of the Swiss Alps made this consultation very unique and unforgettable.  I would say this must be the best yet ICBE consultation if not the noisiest that I have attended.  The intercultural exchanges of the Igorots and Swiss through music and dances were a true example of East and West integration.

I will report my account of the consultation later, but I just have to say THANK YOU!!!!!!! BIBAK SWISS FOR A JOB WELL DONE. Your hard work and effort is greatly appreciated.

And Thank you fellow delegates for the fellowship of sharing and exchanging your ideas and  your wisdom  which we hope to have gained knowledge and better understanding of our culture and the friendship which we will treasure and the laughter which we hope to share again next time we meet.

"CONGRATULATIONS BIBAK SWITZERLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU."

Dominga

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Mia Apolinar Abeya

To the organizers and hosts of the 3rd ICBE,

Thank you all for a superbly organized 3rd European Igorot conference! It was indeed one of the most memorable conferences that I ever attended. I was quite impressed with the way we were met at the airport by Fred L, met at the train station  by the welcoming committee, the active participation of your European spouses, the beautiful venue of the conference, the tour of the Swiss valleys and mountain gorge, the very inspiring cultural exchange that transpired between the IGorots and the Swiss community, the tour that Milo gave us to Bern (the beautiful old capital city of Switzerland) and the care that Flordeliza S. and Fred L. gave us all the way to the Zurich airport in the wee hours of the morning of Mother's day. Thank you everyone - that was a very wonderful experience that will always be a part of me. Thank you also for the opportunity to share with you my thoughts on our culture. As promised I have attached copies of both the narrative and the powerpoint presentation that I have delivered during the convention. I hope that it will help in all your future gatherings.

Kindly share with Dono of the Austrian delegation - I believe she wants to use the presentation soon.

Manang Yvonne, would you kindly ask any of the participants if they could share with me any video recordings taken of the 3rd ICBE proceedings? I would like to include it in my file of Igorot conferences.

Thanks again for a lovely conference. Ed and I are looking forward to the next one in Ireland. This time, he will not miss! By the way, you asked me what would be a good topic for your next convention - I was thinking along the lines of "Getting Deeper into the Igorot Culture" as a follow through of our discussions in the 3rd one. There is so much to learn about our culture that our youth would really need to dig deeper to find the beauty of it all and the application of these values learned to their daily lives.    

More Power to you all and May your tribe increase!

Mia Apolinar Abeya

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Cristabel Olat Bounggick

Kasin ya kasin ya kasin, CONGRATULATIONS!!

Although Patrick and I extended our gratitude personally and then calling you upon reaching home again sala-salamat. Patrick and I were really impressed of the BIBAK-Switzerland “Egay da napupunok.” As we have seen considering the geographical situation, but was not a hindrance of attaining the consultations objectives – planning, organizing etc. were done greatly!!

Kabunyan was with us during our affair. Every participant was motivated and involved in one way or another making the affair successful. Our group from Austria had a long journey by car, but our presence was more than worthwhile. We had a tremendous experience, gained and increased our knowledge not only of our culture but an “Igorot as a whole”.More power to all of us Igorots!

Cristabel Olat Bounggick

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Sabina Kuenzi-Luninang

After reading the different feed backs of the consultation. I am happy that some were eager to share their opinions about it. I would like to thank all of you who  came to join us and to make our consultation a success. I met the Phil.Amb. in the church after the mass and she said that she learn a lot about our culture and she likes to attend gatherings if she learn something out of it. She said we have a wonderful group and she extend her greetings and regards to all. She gave me her speech and a photo of hers for the souvenir program.

This is an opportunity to thank the different committees - program , decoration, transportation, invitation, transportation, invitation and snacks donated by Rebecca Riesterer and of course the finance. You all did a great job and thank God for the unity, patience, love and understanding which bind us together to come with the 3rd ICBE Consultation.

MATAGO TAKO AMIN.

Sakon,

Sabina

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Lolit Hafner-Monico

Dear ICBEans, kakailians and friends,

Good day to all, it is so wonderful sending you off with all those happy, smiling faces after the consultation. For us BIBAK Switzerland, it is the best evidence we could have of what the spirit of this consultation has been. We have been inundated by messages from all of you telling us what a good time you had during our affair. We have to believe then that this meeting was indeed a success and had created a general feeling of satisfaction. Whatever will be reported by Ric from the evaluations, we still think that part of the success of this consultation lies - among many other things - in the active participation of all, hence we share the compliments/salutations to all the delegates. We did it all and we hope to carry on the teamwork to the next consultation.

Updates in our web site (http://homepage.swissonline.ch/Swiss_BIBAK) will follow soon. We are working gradually on it. Please give your comment, input, critics (hi Ric ;-) ) etc. for the web site directly to

There has been clamor for pictures and video recording during our program, so may we ask those who made films and photos to share them by prints, emails, CD or DVD. Juerg will then post the photos in the internet and Henry will produce a DVD out of the films.

Wishing you all the best,

lolit hafner-monico

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Natascha Passerini

Dear auntie Mia

I hope you enjoyed your stay in Switzerland and you had a pleasant journey back to America.

On behalf of Swiss-Igorot youth I want to thank you for your wonderful presentation you held during last weekend’s convention in Aeschi. For us it was very helpful to understand more about the Igorot culture although we couldn’t stay the whole meeting. But we are now eager to learn more about it and hopefully there are more occasions in the future to do so and to be close to our elders so that you can tell us about your experiences. That’s why I completely agree with your suggestion about the topic for the next convention: “Getting deeper into the Igorot culture”. As you said: What should we tell our children about the Igorot culture if our elders don’t teach us about it? We’ll certainly keep that in mind and we’ll make sure that we can tell your grandchildren about that wonderful culture.

Thank you also for sending your presentation of the topic on Igorot culture. We will use this precious information for future references about sharing our culture.

Gratefully yours

Natascha Passerini

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Yvonne Belen

Hi All,

I just arrived from Switzerland last night and read my mail. Also read the letters written by Fred, Dominga and Ric.  

So for me, this is what I have to say.

Congratulations again to BIBAK Switzerland for our successful conference. You prepared and planned well for our activity.

You made our arrival at the hotel easy by fetching some participants in Spiez, the nearest train station. Some participants, who were met at the the ariport, appreciated this act of hospitality. 

The conference site was cozy and the view around it was breathtaking. At the hotel entrance, we saw the snow-capped peaks of Niessen. From our room, we could have a glimpse of Lake Thun. And from the dining room, we could see the green meadow with yellow flowers scatttered in patches. 

The letterings placed on the cloth were original. It must have taken a lot of time to make those letterings.   

The Igorot artifacts used as room decoration made us feel like we were in the Cordillera, even if we were in the Swiss Alps.  

The participants were very much animated during the group discussions. Our second generation participants were also very interested in the group discussions, especially on our culture.

I thought we have to go to the mountains to hear someone play the Alphorn but he was right there, outside the conference hall. That was really a surprise. 

Our sightseeing tour was a real break from our talking sessions. We saw more of the snow-capped mountains and had a closer view of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Of course, the ladies enjoyed the time allotted for shopping. 

The presentation of the jodlers was exceptional with their entrance. They got the attention of the audience. I remember Mia saying the night before when we were rehearsing, "We should make our entrance impressive.

I tasted the some of the cake you baked. Naimas. 

Thanks very much again to all members of BIBAK Switzerland.

For the Proceedings, I will write later a draft of the acknowledgement and will request BIBAK-Switzerland to help finalize it.   

Siya et na kasin,

Yvonne

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Cecille Cobcobo

Hello again. I for one totally agree with mng. Yvonne's comments regarding the consultation. When we were met at Zurich airport and Spiez train station, we all felt the warm welcome from  members who were assigned or shall i say volunteered to do the tasks. Thanks once again.

Everybody at work envy me having been to such a place like Switzerland and my response was, if not for this event i would not have been to the place or i might have but would have been different. Our having such gatherings like these have made a great impression to other filipinos as these reflects how united Igorots are "So i say agbiag dagiti igorot".

regards,

Cecille

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Elizabeth B. Ut-utan

hello there from us here in Bristol, U.K.

Well we are back to work but still the memories of Switzerland is still fresh in mind.

The consultation as a whole, from the workshops, the discussions and topics, speakers, cultural show with the participation of the Swiss jodlers, the venue at the hotel with its friendly manager and staff and good food service and superb scenic view of Aschei and the tour guide is a memory to cherish.

Both of you and your colleagues were excellent hosts.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to all of you. The consultation was well organized and sucessfull. You did a brilliant, fantastic and great job, very well done. Keep up the good work and keep up the good unity that

you have. In unity we stand and divided we fall, as the saying goes. I hope that the suceeding consultations will be as sucessful as you had.

CHERWAI!!!!!! TO BIBAK-SWISS!!!!!!!

Lastly a million thanks.....God bless all of youthere.

sak en si,

elizabeth (beth) b. ut-utan

igo-uk

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Judith Balangyao

Dearest all,

warm greetings to each and everyone of you from Ireland...I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you and a big salute to BIBAK-Switzerland for such a successful consultation...I know that others have expressed their appreciations and gratitudes to the group the minute they land in their homes....but of course there's always the so called late bangers and we're one of them :-)

BIBAK-Ireland is quite busy at the moment in preparation of our 2nd Filipino Day which will be on the 12th of June...and BIBAK pres. Dave Aragones is the overall chairman of the activity. And yesterday, our organization here meet up as our first general meeting and it was our chance to give our announcement about us being the next host of the 4th ICBE....of course at first myself and Jane had talked about how grateful we are to be there, learn a lot of new things and having fun at the same time (permi ti apal  da :-) esp. when they saw the pictures....and from that when we say about the good news, positive responses had outnumbered those 2 or 3 people with negative outlook...whom we understand of course as not everyone thinks in the same way....

Although we have said it already during the endorsement back in Switzerland, we want to shout it loud again that BIBAK-Ireland is happy to host the 4th ICBE (I'm talking now with the consensus of our organization)...

have a nice day everyone (^-^)

judith balangyao

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Julius Banban

Greetings!

We are so grateful for your warmth welcome during the consultation. We really enjoyed the consultation with the beautiful Aeschi. Our Austrian delegates feedbacks was supper. They said they all enjoyed every minute of it. We learn many things and we want to learn more so we booking for the 2006 4th ICBE at Ireland. The only little problem was the weather but it was not a hindrance at all. We arrived home safely. It was a long trip but we did not encounter any difficulties on our way home.

With best regards,

Julius and family

Igo-Austria

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Claire Koller

Hello everybody. This is Martin and I expressing our thanks for all  the excellent and gratifying feedbacks we BIBAK SWITZERLAND are rerceiving from all of you. It was indeed a very successfull consultation from the beginning to the end. We ourselves were surprised how smoothly it went. Our conclution is that the theme of the consultation was fullfilled to the joy and satisfaction of each and everyone.  The diff. workshops were all satisfactorily tackled according to the reports.

Thank you Ric that you did not find a black cat in that dark room because as you said there was none in the first place.

Now, in the Betreff of this e-mail I wrote honesty. I would like to share it to all of you. Yesterday morning at  6.20 A M ,we went to pick  Nelly and Henry Pitog up arriving by train from Vienna. Arriving home she was missing her digital camera and cell phone, both were in the same bag. She was sure she forgot it in the train as she took some pictures on the way. Martin called the respective office and was told to let him know when they find it. After dinner Donno called from Vienna to inform us that she received a call from the States that the the bag with the camera and cellphone were found and can be picked up from Daniela in the reception of Hotel Sofitel in Zürich. What a relief for Nelly that her allergie got even better. How did it land in the reception of the hotel?--The cabin personal who found it asked the receptionist of the hotel to see what she can do to find the owner as he does not have much time before going back to wotk. (The train staff stay in Sofitel when in Zürich)She then openned the cellphone,got the sim card put it in hers and could call the first nr stored and that is the one in the states. The states called Donno in Vienna and Vienna called us, Martin called Daniela of Sofitel and at about 10 p m Nelly got her camera and cellphone back with the documentation of the consultation and her vacation all intack as they left Switzerland this morning at 7 A M.

It is very satifying to know that there are still honest people around. So come to Switzerland for vac. but make sure to have an honest person find whatever you loose. (Daniela did not even want to accept the token Henry gave) She was happy herself that Nelly got her camera back.

Claire

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Caridad Fiar-od

Dear Lolit, Juerg and All Others,

How are all of you? I miss all of you. I just sent my report to Yvonne after so many attempts to do so because I cant understand computers in French which are used in internet cafes here in Geneve. Finally, right within the junction where my cousin Nancy Cretinnand and family live, here is an Indian gentleman who is patient enough to explain so I was able to send my report. It was unedited. Anyway, I gave Yvonne the blanket authority to edit such report. I know very well that documenting, editing, summarizing, moderating and all other good 'ings' is Yvonne's forte.

Aaaaaaay apo, ICBE, WOW, Ay apo, HOW HAPI! When will there be another ICBE? Everything exciting. Included in my report is my personal impression of the ICBE and a brief article on the Gala Night as a cultural integration per se. Lolit, do include me in your ICBE network so I get updated through my email.

My experiences in that ICBE will always be remembered as long as I live. Thank you to all of you for the many excellent things extended to us in terms of your time, treasure and talent. Even if I am sleeping, I keep imagining the Alps, the train, bus rides, the good people, the refreshing environment, the cheese esp. the raclet, the chocolates, the swiss knife, etc. Of course, I will not forget your support in buying my books. Kabunyan is Great!

I am still here in Geneva and will be going back to the Philippines on May 30 and then to Guam May 31 to June 6, 2005. Just yesterday we came from Zumikon to attend the wedding shower party for the loving newly-wed Frederic and Daniela. Another added enriching experience. Another amusing experience and a real exposure to social integration of culture between the Igorots and Swiss cultural practices.

More next time. God bless all of us.

Layad,

Caridad

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Susan Kilakil

To the Members of BIBAK Switzerland and the ICBE participants,

CONGRATULATIONS to all of you for a job excellently done.

I can imagine how everybody enjoyed the gathering.

Long live the EUROPEAN Igorots and their supporters.

Susan

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Fritz Portenier

Liebe Lolit und Jürg

Besten Dank für die sehr erfreulichen Zeilen im Mail vom 14.5.2005. Entschuldigt bitte die etwas verspätete Antwort; Es ist viel los gegenwärtig.

Es freut uns alle natürlich sehr, dass dieser Abend offenbar bei allen Anwesenden gut angekommen ist. Wir hatten diesen Eindruck ja schon am Anlass selber.

Es ist mir offenbar gelungen, unsere bodenständigen Leute auf den Abend optimal einzustimmen und offen und neugierig, aber auch mit der nötigen Portion Humor die Zusammenkunft anzugehen. Vor allem war mir auch wichtig, dass unsere Leute die Kultur der Igorots auch "ernst nehmen", obwohl sie auf den ersten Blick weit von unserer entfernt ist. Die Zusammenkunft, welche von Martin Koller sehr geschickt und mit viel Gespühr geleitet wurde, hat aber sofort gezeigt, dass die Bergvölker trotz der grossen Distanz viele Gemeinsamkeiten haben, gerade auch im Umgang mit der Musik in verschiedenster Form.

Kurz: Unsere Leute waren auch beeindruckt von diesem Zusammentreffen und haben "euer Volk" als sehr warmherzig, freundlich und sehr kontaktfreudig und offen empfunden. Für uns war es ein Erlebnis besonderer Art. Wir sind sogar ein wenig stolz, mit euch zusammen einen so lustigen und aufgestellten und trotzdem feinfühligen Abend erlebt zu haben. Dieser Anlass wird bei uns in die "Vereinsgeschichte" eingehen.

Also, besten Dank für diesen schönen Abend!!

Nun zum Schluss wünsche ich alles Gute und auf ein ander Mal!

Freundliche Grüsse

Fritz Portenier und die Jodlergruppe Alpengruss Aeschiried

                                                                                                                                              

Translation:

Dear Lolit and Juerg

Thank you so much for the very pleasant words in the mail of 14th May 2005. My apologies for this delayed response, right now, there are lot of works to do.

We are very happy that the gala night was clearly enjoyed by the participants. We had already these impressions on that evening.

Obviously, I was successful in bringing our local folks to the right mood and let them start the evening with openness and curiosity, but also with a good portion of humor. It was important to me, that our people will take the culture of the Igorots seriously, even though on the first sight, it may seem to be very different from ours. The performance, which was smartly and tactfully moderated by Martin Koller showed us that the mountain people have a lot of things in common, mainly the music in its different form.

In short: our members were also impressed about this meeting and experienced your „people“ as warm hearted, friendly, outspoken and open. It was a very special experience for us. We are even a little bit proud that we were able to have such fun, exciting and yet sensitive evening together. This event will go down in our club’s history. So, thank you very much for this nice evening.

Finally, I wish you all the best and see you some other time!

Best regards,

Fritz Portenier und die Jodlergruppe Alpengruss Aeschiried