tribe

Melaka, Malaysia: Taman Mini Malaysia Cultural Village [SP]

Posted on January 8, 2014

An Iban longhouse at Taman Mini Malaysia, a cultural park in Melaka The Taman Mini Malaysia is a cultural park located a few kilometers outside of Melaka city center, near the town of Ayer Keroh. This is the perfect place to visit if you are interested in traditional architecture, and have limited time, like most travelers, to extensively tour Malaysia. Artisans from every state oversaw the construction of the houses to ensure their authenticity.Each of the homes represents the architecturalRead More→

Brooke’s Point, Palawan: Mt. Maruyog Farm & Garden Resort, Bakbakan Falls & Pala’wan Villages

Posted on October 8, 2013

The majestic peaks of Mantalingajan mountain range, en route to Mainit and Bakbakan Falls Mt. Maruyog Farm and Garden Resort in Brgy. Tubtub – located eight kilometers inland from the town center of Brooke’s Point, Palawan – was an oasis of countryside calm, after the dusty bus ride from Quezon where I visited the Tabon Caves Complex. My bamboo bungalow was tucked beneath some cashew trees – that occasionally sent apple-sized cashew fruits crashing down onto the grassy lawn. TheRead More→

T’boli, South Cotabato: A Festive T’boli Welcome at Lemsnolon Cultural Village

Posted on August 13, 2013

A festive welcome of T’boli dance and music at Lemsnolon village in T’boli, South Cotabato Before climbing Mt. Melibingoy and Lake Holon, we dropped by the T’boli village of Lemsnolon where the Ehek Lemsnolon Community Group demonstrated hand-loom weaving and showcased their meticulously handcrafted beaded jewelry. They also sell books and pamphlets on T’boli literature and culture, including the Holy Bible in T’boli. I purchased a softbound book on T’boli musical instruments and bought several copies of a storybook onRead More→

Lake Sebu: Support the Newly Rebuilt T’boli School of Living Traditions (SLT)!

Posted on February 5, 2013

My T’boli family at the new School of Living Traditions (SLT) The T’boli School of Living Traditions (SLT) in Lake Sebu I helped raised funds for was finished late last year. Nearly 50 donors made financial contributions to the project, amounting to PHP 60,000. Solar News Network also pitched in to help, donating PHP 50,000. As I was in the USA for more than three months, I unfortunately missed the reopening of the school, run by T’boli cultural worker Maria “Oyog”Read More→

T’boli School Fundraiser: Bong Salamat (Thank you)!

Posted on September 19, 2012

Last September 13, I deposited all the donations to the Kesetifun Cultural Care Foundation, Inc. (KCCFI) for the Lake Sebu School of Living Traditions (SLT) I started raising money for, starting last June 30.  From the very beginning, this endeavor was born out of bayanihan, of working together in whatever way possible. A couple of days after posting my project on my blog, the fundraiser website, www.lakesebuschool.com, was created pro bono by an Australian graphic designer friend. The project also reached a broader audienceRead More→

Taman Negara, Pahang: Exploring the Oldest Tropical Rainforest on Earth! [SP]

Posted on July 31, 2012

Hiking to Bukit Terisek viewpoints Located at the heart of Peninsular Malaysia, Taman Negara – or “National Park” – has been dated to be 135 million years old, and considered by many to be the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. The gateway to the national park is the town of Jerantut, where the Kuala Tembeling jetty serves as a jump-off point for a three-hour riverboat ride to the village of Kuala Tahan in the middle of the rainforest. KualaRead More→