BEHIND BORACAY (The Ati's Struggle)

 They were the original settlers of the island. When Boracay is not yet famous as it is now,  their ancestors had already been in the island. But now, they are fighting for a "piece" of land almost only 2 hectares located in Barangay Manoc-Manoc at the eastern part of 1,032 hectare Boracay Island, of which had already been awarded to them by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) last January 21st 2011. The NCIP issued the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) in the name of 200 members of Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (BATO), however, the Ati were not able to enter the property because powerful and influential people are contesting the awarding of CADT.

On April 17, 2012, some 200 members of the Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (BATO) have taken the risk of installing themselves inside the 2-hectare CADT'd area. The installation was initiated by the members who are forced to protect their Ancestral Domain from influential families of Boracay who are continuously opposing the CADT issued by the government.

"We are following due process. And yet due process is giving undue advantage to the rich claimants who continue to build structures inside the Ancestral Land of the Atis in Boracay. We might end up without a land of our own"-Delsa Justo

The battle is on for the Atis and this might be forever battle for them when those rich claimant wont honor the CADT. Will the battle of the elderly Atis will also be the same battle of this young Ati Kids? Will this  will be a lifetime struggle? This the sad reality that is happening in Boracay. Behind Boracay's incomparable  and uncontested beauty, the Atis had been struggling to own a piece of land which is due to them. Their ancestors once called the island theirs, but now, its a whole differnt thing.

"STOP LAND GRABBING, SAVE THE ATIS OF BORACAY!"

SUPPORT THE ATI CAMPAIGN FOR LAND, DIGNITY AND SELF DETERMINATION.

the islander invades BOHOL

When this islander visited the Tarsier's Island just recently, I trusted Kuya Eugene's connections and power on scouting for a place that we're going to stay. True enough he booked us to a place that everyone, six of us agreed, that the place is the hidden paradise in Tagbilaran Bohol.

Entertainment Hut

The Main House

The Girls Room

and this one for the Gents

Masterpiece

another work of Art

How long?

crystal ball by the Garden

owners fave

and another owners fave

Tito Remy's place has 3 nipa huts that can accommodate at least 4 persons or even more, per room. We took two rooms, 1 room/hut for the girls and 1 for gents. Whats interesting to note is that I never imagined that Im actually in the city, for the place is surrounded by different fruit trees, flowering plants and the owners collections of old bottles from different countries.

Booking are on referral basis as the owner would like to preserve the the serenity of the place. This place is actually good for team building activities, recollection and the like.

top of the world (Boracay)

Just recently, me and the rest of the Finance people had this rare bonding moment within the island of Boracay. Because the hotel we are working with is right on the front beach and the ever famous super fine sand, and crystal clear water are just an ordinary  sight for us, we decided to go to the mountains. Mountains? Yeah you read it right. For those who have been in Boracay maybe some or most of you had heard Mt. Luho, the highest viewpoint in the island where you can have the 360 degree view of the whole Boracay and its neighboring island.

This was taken couple of months ago in Mt. Luho viewpoint. Because I am such an Acrophobic, we just took picture on that point, at least I had reach that second level view deck. Theres another deck higher than this.

 

 

 

The Mt. Luho view point had been in Boracay years ago. But we just had discovered a new property of the same type adjacent to Mt. Luho. OCEAN TOWER allows you to have the 360 degrees view of the whole island. Under Boracay sun and the cool breeze, why dont you try Ocean Towers signature fruit shakes from their Mini Bar located on top of the mountain or just under their view decks. They also offer fresh buko. 

obey thy thirst. have this fresh buko juice 

who says that Im an Achrophobic?

 a sight to behold. The Fairways and Blue Water Boracay

The Gang.

for Php. 20.00 you can use this gadget to have a closer view of everything.

and The Philippines is on top of the world

and the next time you will be in Boracay, why not try also the beauty of the mountains? Its as good as the white beach too. Have that breath taking view of the whole Boracay Island and the neighboring Islands from these two view decks offered by Mt. Luho View Point and Ocean Tower.

Ibajay Ati-Ati 2012

     More than just an annual festivity, Ibajay Ati Ati is Ibajaynons way of celebrating of Infant Jesus' blessing for the past year and the years to come. Unlike in Kalibo, it is not only the street dancers that are being waited in anticipation by pilgrims and spectators but also the fabulous floats of each barangay. The floats are creatively decorated by agricultural products to showcased their main sources of livelihood.This is another reason why IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES

its really more fun in Philippines. This flag stands high and proud in the town of Ibajay.

Stained Glass window in Ibajay Church

Ibajaynons creativity is unparalled.

The winning float in the 2012 Ibajay Ati-Ati 

Ang Bungo

This float Goes Green and healthy

Obey Thy Thirst

The Coconuts. This had been my fav shot :-)

The traditional "Palapak" or "Paeapak" in Aklanon term

Candles in the wind?

bought and lighted 5 white candles. One for each family member. Prayers goes with it too.

Farming is more fun in Philippines. As the song goes "planting rice is never fun" but its the other way around for Ibajaynons, they always find joy in everything they do.

Abaca Fiber Processing up in the float

Black is beautiful

Deboto halin pa kato (devotee since then)

creativity of people of Ibajay can be seen in this costume. Its way better in person :-)

Me, Mitch and Malou. College Classmates and Friends

An old House in the area

ItsMoreFun in Ati-Atihan

Blazing red, sunny yellow, screaming blue, dominating orange and more eye catching colors, energetic street dancers, heart pounding sounds of the drums, and perfectly complimenting music of lyres greeted me in Makato and Kalibo on the day of 15th of January as the two municipalities celebrates their versions of Ati Atihan Festival.

Once again the the two towns of  Aklan, burst in beautiful and übër bright colors. Drums and lyres gives life to the week long celebration of the feast of the Child Jesus. Devotees and visitors alike are once again one in shouting Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño!!!

The municipality of Makato celebrates its version of Ati-Atihan every 14th and 15th of January, while Kalibo celebrates it every 3rd Sunday of the same month. This year, the celebration of the feast of the Child Jesus or popularly know as the Ati-Atihan Festival of both municipalities falls on the same date, thus, giving locals and foreign visitors a choice to choose where to spend their Ati-Atihan experience. It is expected that in Kalibo, many groups will join the street dancing contest (modern, tribal, balik ati) as it is the capital town of  Aklan but Makato also, is very spectacular in its own special way, as how the capital town celebrates its festival. In fact, most of the tribal group in Makato also joins the tribal contest in Kalibo.

This once a year spectacle is considered as the "mother of all festivals" in the Philippines, Ati-Atihan means "to be like Aetas". According to history books, aetas are the primary settlers of the island. Maybe you're wondering why the participants wear black make-up and or charcoals to cover most part of their bodies, thats because, aetas basically, had short curly hair and is dark skinned.

Unlike any other celebration (sinulog of Cebu and dinagyang of Iloilo) honoring the Sto. Niño, in Ati-atihan, everyone, devotees and visitors alike, can join the street dancing parade of the participating groups. No marshals and everyone is welcome, as they say "the more the merrier, happier and better"

So as everyone is on mardi gras mode despite the scourging heat of the sun and the pounding of the drums and beautiful lyre exhibition is giving beautiful music all around the place, I was also busy playing with my favorite toy, my camera. Let me share you some :-) Disclaimer: this trying hard blogger is not a professional photographer so please bear with me. :-)