Final call for the CRA-CAR Assemblymen to convene this April 2018

IT is now final. The CRA (Cordillera Regional Assembly will hold its mandated annual session (EO220, Sec.9) this April 2018 to signal the reactivation of the hitherto deactivated Cordillera Bodies, namely, the CRA and the CEB (Cordillera Executive Board) with the latter’s CBA Commission (Cordillera Bodong Administrative Commission).

The CRA, in particular, will convene for five days “starting April 24…”). The opening day (April 24, Tuesday) will be open to the public. It will be opened with a grand pañgili, an ethnic welcome celebration, as is customary in Cordillera social affairs like the bodong celebration among tribes of the binodngan areas. All members of CRA are expected to come with a contingent, preferably attired ethnically, from the sector they represent. Media coverages will surely look for identifiable Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Baguio, and Abra audio-visual presentations in dances and melodies to tide over any boredom that might arise from serious deliberations and reviews.

Food and lodging will be taken care of by the organizing body and the host community. Possible reimbursement of actual transportation expenses have also been taken into account. This should be properly rationalized as to the real purpose, distance and means of travel.

As contained in one of our recent midweek articles in this column, since the CAR is directly under the Office of the Philippine President for being a special administrative region, President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte will be “thirstily” awaited to address the gathering of the Cordillera people and be seen, if not touched, in person even for limited sacred moments.

Come one, come all to this march of Cordi history! Resound with former but now seasoned CPLAs who should rather now join the Cordillera Bodies for regional development. Shall we?

Abra, Benguet, Baguio and Ifugao

Mountain Province, Kalinga and Apayao

From your grandiose lofty mountains

Down to the mighty flowing rivers Calling, calling for your brave sons and daughters To tell the world, to tell the world: God has rejoined us together Let no man put asunder Cordillera, Cordillera,Cordillera, March on, march on to greater destiny Well unite, work and pray For our full regional autonomy Towards full federal autonomy! ing because it was very steep in some areas, we reached the top.

The view was breathtaking. The shadow of Adam’s Peak was so like the phantom quartz formation, symbolising growth, unlimited.

Reaching the peak, seeing the view, is not the reward. It is knowing that we made it to the top despite the fear, the inner struggle, the wrenching pain.

What made success possible was the focus. Being in the now, taking each step one at a time, counting the blessings, being grateful.

The climb had been a meditation experience. An exercise in gratitude.

When we began the descent, Chiara was near tears. What we climbed all the way up, we had to walk all the way down.

About a quarter of the way, Chiara had to literally lift her pants to move. She was in so much pain, her legs had stopped responding.

Nearing the bottom, where the stairs ended and the path was a gentle slope, I saw two women. One had a basket on her head. The other had a bright orange skirt.

To the left was a waterfall. The foliage around were shades of green, and orange, and purple. This scene was familiar. I had seen this before, in a dream. And then I understood. We were meant to be there. It was meant to be . . .

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