Tara! Abra: Before Kaparkan, there was THIS Waterfalls

TRUTH be told, the province of Abra has no organized tourism effort, as a whole or individually by its local government units except for one. This is Tineg, where Kaparkan Waterfalls is found. 

If you have seen trending photos of this unique, multi-tiered waterfalls over at Facebook, you'll know why. But it wouldn't even come to our attention if not for "Biyahe ni Drew," a popular travel show by TV host Drew Arellano.

As someone who considers Abra as my other home--it is my father's hometown--I believe this is good development. Other municipalities can replicate Tineg's tourism, and maximize their natural hidden treasures for the better. In the long run, they can make it sustainable for both the locals and the environment. That's what eco-tourism is all about.

One town I am hopeful about is San Isidro, which is just an hour away from the capital of Bangued. There lies the waterfalls of San Marcial (named from the sitio it is located) with its own personality and beauty. And unlike Kaparkan Falls, it is easier to access as proven by its popularity among locals! This only means that it has been known and patronized long before Kaparkan came to be.

I am witness to this last October during my unplanned and biglaan visit to our province. My cousins and I decided to visit San Marcial Falls, albeit unexpectedly taking the road less travelled.

Towering and imposing, San Marcial Falls is almost three storeys high with smooth, cream boulder protruding at the top, on its side the lushest and greenest fauna, and then at the bottom, two levels of natural water pools. 

Upon arrival, there were already a lot of people enjoying a shower or a dip in San Marcial Falls. It was towering and imposing, at almost three storeys high with smooth, cream boulder protruding at the top, on its side the lushest and greenest fauna, and then at the bottom, two levels of natural water pools.

But there's so much, and I mean much, more to it than meets the eye! Below is our wonderful discovery:

The entrance to the waterfalls is a tiered river with a cream floor and green-tinted water. This continues to flow down a low and tiny bridge that marks its location. 

At the upper level pool below the main waterfalls.  

Inspired by the locals we see taking pictures at the protruded rock atop the waterfalls, we decided to make our way there. Since it isn't a regulated destination, there was no established trail making it slippery! But, just look at the view that greeted us! The waterfalls sits on an elevated hill overlooking the mountains! 

We kept going up until...

...we got to where families had already made their way. There, a a series of falls were found! 

Like this one.

And then more waterfalls were flowing from up the hills. Many, people could climb up to but carefully since there are no established trails. We had to crawl up rocks and use roots as holdings. 

The reward after all the hard work: picturesque spots! 

And because there were waterfalls, there were also tiny caves (or crevices) were one could explore. 

And there were more falls further up! If only this could be developed so people could explore safely! 

As tip, when going to San Marcial Falls, make sure you waterproof your gadgets or bring waterproof gadgets if you have so you're not limited in taking all the photos that you like. 

As a warning though, expect to see litter in San Marcial Falls, the result of no proper organization taking care of it. In the next visit, Traveling Journo Ph hopes to be able to address this.  

So that in the next years, San Marcial Falls will still be as awe-inspiring.

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©EUDENVALDEZ)

RELATED STORIES: 

Tara! Abra: The Road Less Traveled to San Marcial Falls
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Relive Your ‘Swan Lake’ Experience on Stage

Principal dancer Katherine Barkman as Odette

BEAUTIFUL Odette is Swan Princess by day and a young woman by night. Under the spell of Rothbart, she can only turn back into human form for a few hours after midnight. On one such occasion, she meets Prince Siegfried who falls in love with her. However, the prince is deceived by the same sorcerer Rothbart into getting engaged Odette's lookalike, Odile or the Black Swan. In some versions, the ill-fated lovers die together; in others, they break the spell and live happily ever after.

Thanks to an Oscar-winning film adaptation, we all know this as timeless tale of “Swan Lake.” But it is originally composed by Russian Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1875 to 1876, and first performed by renowned Bolshoi Ballet company of Russia in 1877.

Relive all this as Ballet Manila presents “Swan Lake” as the second offering in its 22nd performance season dubbed Flights of Fantasy. The last two shows are slated on October 14, 6 p.m. and October 15 at 3 p.m. at Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

Here’s what to expect with Ballet Manila’s 11th restaging of “Swan Lake” as released:

“No self-respecting company steeped in the classics can forego the challenges of staging this classical warhorse, which has been one of the world’s most favorite ballets in over a hundred years,” declares Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

She also refers to “Swan Lake” as the ultimate test for a classical ballerina. “To dance the dual roles of Odette and Odile is one of the most difficult roles to do because you need to be vulnerable and lyrical as the White Swan and sharp and steely as the Black Swan. Simply put, Odette needs to be innocent, a pure soul; Odile is dark and evil.”

Principal dancer Katherine Barkman and soloists Joan Emery Sia and Abigail Oliveiro will make their debut in the role of Odette/Odile in the full-length ballet. Dancing as Prince Siegfried are Ballet Manila guest artist Joseph Phillips, principal dancer Rudy De Dios and soloists Mark Sumaylo and Elpidio Magat.

Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso, who has performed as Siegfried in Russia and the Philippines, says the prince role is challenging for the danseur too. “At first, he is a jolly prince who goes to the forest to hunt, meets and falls in love with Odette, then is devastated to learn that he has sworn his eternal love to someone else. So there is a range of emotions that he has to convey, but he must also be subtle in his portrayal.”

Swan Lake features music by Peter Tchaikovsky performed live by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alexander Vikulov of Russia’s Mariinsky Theater, and the original Lev Ivanov choreography for the white acts. It will also showcase a new set design by Miguel Faustmann and new costumes by Michael Miguel.

***
Tickets to Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake are available at all Ticketworld outlets; call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information, call 525-5967, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

9 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Miss the 9th ManilArt

"GJM Eroc" by Eufemio Rasco IV and "Dalangin" by Velasco 

BECAUSE of the Philippines’ rich history, diverse influences and unique cultures, its art is as equally rich, diverse and unique.

This is what ManilArt has been showcasing since its first outing in 2009, a time when the modern-day Philippine art revolution was just beginning.

As it opens its ninth edition come October 12, the international art fair portrays the role of Philippine art in expanding the artistic frontiers of Southeast Asia, said the National Commission on Culture and Arts in a press statement.

So whether you’re an aspiring or established artist, an art collector or just an enthusiast, make sure you don’t miss the 9th ManilArt. Here are nine reasons why:

1. The Philippine as artistic powerhouse

The consistency of the Filipino artist in the past decade—both in the local and global scene—has been a key factor in re-establishing the Philippines as a cultural powerhouse in the region. As such, ManilArt is themed “The Philippines as an ASEAN cultural powerhouse.”

2. Mindanaoan art takes spotlight

This year, the art fair highlights Mindanao region and gives the spotlight to Mindanaoan artists and artworks. Among the Mindanaoan artists to be featured are Kublai Millan whose life passion has decorated Mindanao in various monumental sculptures; and Romulo Galicano, creator of “The Modern Holocaust” depicting the Maguindanao Massacre, to unveiled during the event.

 Rey Mudjahid “Kublai” Ponce Millan (Photo from Rappler.com)

3. Foreign guests holds shows, workshops

Taverne Gutenberg International Residency Guest Artists Henri Lamy, Alexandre Beretta, Chufy, Abdul Khadre Seck will be featured in a live mural painting performance headed by project director Maia d’Aboville. This happens on October 13, 2 pm to 7 pm at the workshop area, to be culminated by an auction.

Happening on the same day at the ManilArt Lounge is Italian Vivianna Ricelli’s workshop on figurative painting of Live Dance (pre-registration required).

4. A digital showcase

With the substantial following of Filipino talent abroad, ManilArt amplifies its presence internationally by showing selected works both in digital space through its website, http://manilart.org/.

5. Art appreciation via walking tours

Just like in previous years, the art fair will hold art appreciation walking tours for walk-in registrants. These will be held on October 13 and 14 at the following schedules: 12 pm to 1 pm, 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

6. A focus on the youth

Also looking to develop the local identity is Roberto Lolong who has created digital background painting for popular animes such as Slam Dunk, Dragon Ball Z, and One Piece. He pays it forward by giving the Filipino youth a chance to be trained in and perhaps develop an interest in digital background painting. He will conduct a free watercolor painting workshop at the fair.

7. Over 30 galleries under one roof

ManilArt 2017 is participated by selected 37 bonafide galleries including local ones like vMEME Contemporary Art Gallery, Artphile, Espacio Manila, Galeria Lienzo, Ysobel Art Gallery, among others, and international ones like Taverne Gutenberg, Lyon, France and Singapore International Contemporary Art Society.

8. Coincides with the Museums and Art Galleries Month

ManilArt also coincides with the celebration of Museums and Art Galleries Month this October by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 798 (s.1991). It is spearheaded by NCCA through its National Committee on Arts Galleries (NCAG), Bonafide Art Galleries Organization (BAGO) and the ManilArt Foundation Inc. (MAFI).

9. Visually enticing and mentally stimulating

ManilArt’17 Team Members Delan Robillos (NCAG Head), Danny Rayos del Sol and Rio Ambrosio (Execom Members), with Amy Loste of the Bonafide Art Galleries Organization, and Tess Rayos del Sol, Overall Director and Curator, envision a showcase of the different aspects of Philippine art that will not only visually entice but also mentally stimulate.

***

Happening from October 12 to 15 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier in BGC Taguig, ManilArt is in partnership with the City of Taguig, SMX, SM Aura Premier, Lifestyle Asia, Ladder Events Productions, Hyperdigital, Inc., BDO, Art Plus, Art Friend, the Artisan Gatherer, Museo Orlina and Taverne Gutenberg.

For the full activities schedule and ticket information, visit manilart.org or for inquiries, call 0977-8073369.

(TEXT AND PHOTOS LIFTED FROM manilart.org)

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Tara! Abra: The Road Less Traveled to San Marcial Falls

WHEN something familiar turns into something unexpected, then one, unforgettable adventure is in store.

Traveling Journo Ph’s experienced this on its visit to Abra in September. Accompanied by my cousins residing in the Cordillera province, TJPh set forth to San Marcial Falls in the town of San Isidro.

San Isidro is located just southeast of San Quintin, the municipality where my paternal family hails. So our group of nine boarded our motorbikes—or habal-habal locally—confidently believing that would arrive at our destination within an hour of riding via entry on Pidigan.

But little did we know that we actually took the road less traveled to San Marcial Falls. It turned out to be a difficult yet exhilarating one as you will see in the photos below:

It was such a beautiful morning. 

The ride started out smooth with us even complementing how good the road of San Isidro was. 

After about 30 minutes, we entered a community with this chapel at the center. It was here where we first asked for directions. We were told that we need to make a roundabout into another town and reenter San Isidro again. From that alone, we got the idea that our journey would take longer than we expected. Later on, we found out that we asked the wrong question, and such, directed to the said route.  

The bridges we crossed indicated that rivers were big from downpours on previous days, and so would be the waterfalls. Another local we asked told us there was one bridge we'd pass in which the river had overflown. "Mag-ingat kayo," said the manang in Ilokano. 

She was right. This was the bridge she was cautioning us to. With much care and jitters, we braved the strong river. 

Thankfully, we survived.

And from there on, we appeared to have arrived at the base of a mountain with no signs of commuters at all, saved for the continuous passing of miners! Yes, some on mini tractors while others on foot, their shovels on their shoulders. It gave the feeling that we were entering the fortress of NPAs. (The Cordillera is a favorite hiding place and headquarter of these rebels.)

Besides the dense fauna surrounding the rough road or trail if we must call it, it was also rocky and slippery. This made the climb a struggle for the habal-habals, which were not customized for the off-road! Once, we pondered carrying on foot and leave the bikes and just back to them. Good thing we didn't because our destination was much, much farther away. 

We had respite on this rustic and aged bridge, a sign that people truly rarely pass the path we took! Thankfully, there was one miner on a tractor who was going back to their camp. He revealed to us that the waterfalls we were looking for was accessible in a different highway via Bangued, the capital of Abra.

But our journey gave a sense of excitement because everything we see, like the flowing river below, was so clean! It indicated that the water from the mountain would be as clear. 

And so we continued and from here, we climbed higher, the surrounding mountain exposing itself to us. We also passed by some little waterfalls along the way! 

Finally, we arrived at the end of our long and winding road where a small community awaited us. A little ride and finally, we entered the ark of Brgy. San Marcial. Around 30 minutes more and we saw parked motorbikes and tricycles before a small bridge. We had arrived.

Indeed, our journey became one for the books. And fortunately, our destination too! San Marcial Falls proved worthy of all our eagerness and exhaustion. It was not just a sight to behold but a wealth of surprises to discover. More of that on the next post.

To be continued... 

(TEXT AND PHOTOS ©EUDENVALDEZ)

RELATED STORIES: 

Tara! Abra: Tayum's Treasures
Tara! Abra: Lagayan Spring

Tara! Abra: La Paz Weaving

STAY UPDATED: