 Edward Adrian-Vallance - EdVallance | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 30th March 2009 evelyn | paano kumuha ng cultural minority - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels paanu po mag apply ng cultural minority for the height waiver |
| 29th March 2009 EdVallance | - From: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu Yes, the place was so special and the people so peaceful that I didn't want to cause streams of other travelers to go there and change their way of life |
| 29th March 2009 EdVallance | - From: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu Sorry, this is the second time I replied to your question Oleg as I mixed up the blogs last time I replied :) I speak 6 language well enough to have a conversation, and a little bit of Tagalog (national language of the Philippines) as a 7th. With this tribe in Espiritu Santo I spoke to them in Bislama. It's the national language of Vanuatu and a few of the men in the tribe knew it. It was easy for me to communicate because Bisama is a pidgeon form of English that developed in the days when lots of different Vanuatu islanders were working together as slaves on the British plantations and had to find a way to talk to one another and their British masters. Examples: we = yumi. I have = me got! my house = haus blong me. Didnt carry a laptop with me, used internet cafes. Carried 24 of the highest power batteries for my camera that I could find, a set of 4 usually lasted a week. Then when I got out of the jungle, back to a town with electricity, I'd recharge them. |
| 29th March 2009 EdVallance | - From: Malekula, Vanuatu The people in that area had been Christians for about 20 years. Missionaries had converted them and then ordained some local tribal people to act as priests after the missionaries left. He was one of them |
| 28th March 2009 Oleg Sakharov | Better than any book - From: A journey through Manila Ed, I was kind of regretting at first time when I arrived to Australia that I have only one book that I brought with me from Moscow. I thought I couldn't find anything interesting to read. Now I really think that I spent my day for nothing if don't read one of your posts. It's much much better than any novel! You definitely has the talent! Write! Please, don't stop. I'm more than sure that all who read your stories want now to visit all that places that you described. It's so amasing to know that some of your friend has such an extraordinary and inspiring experience. Thank you for that! |
| 23rd March 2009 xam | colorful - From: Yap and its Outer Islands, Federated States of Micronesia Nice description of Jesse! Got it on the money...lol |
| 22nd March 2009 Oleg Sakharov | - From: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu Why have you replaces all village names with X, Y and Z? You don't want another curious travelers to bother that peaceful place and that kind people who live here? Do you? When I was reading your post I felt exactly the same feeling with that when I first time was reading The Lost World written by Conan Doyle. Thanks for that. |
| 22nd March 2009 Oleg Sakharov | - From: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu Can't stop read your blog :) How many languages do you speak, Ed? What language did you use to talk with the people from that tribe? Was it easy for you to understand them and for them to understand you? How did you charge your camera batteries and laptop during these traveling? How many additional batteries did you carry with you? More I read, more I want to travel too :) Thank you for that inspiring tale! It's fantastic reading. |
| 22nd March 2009 Oleg Sakharov | - From: Malekula, Vanuatu Ed, you mentioned the priest who was traveling from one village to other during that time that you were here. Does it mean that Western countries still send missionaries? Or he acts on behalf of some local Church that is nearby that place? |
| 22nd March 2009 reina | mangyan tribe - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world EdVallance.. certainly, you gave the most detailed account/story of the mangyan tribe's culture. though i am from the Philippines, i have never been in that place before. reading your story let me imagine that i just came from that place. i am also a travelbogger. |
| 21st March 2009 William | Fascinating Story ..... - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world which is exactly what your posts have been. I am an avid traveller and I must say it does take something special to travel to the difficult parts of the Philippines. It ain't an easy thing to do, red tape, superstiion, fear of outsiders, rebels, health problems the list goes on. The Philippino government will make sure these people are not exposed in the same way that the hill tribes of North Thailand were, the regulations are very tight on this. You were lucky to get through. Thoroughly enjoyed all your posts and wish you the very besy on your next adventure. Well done and thank you Ed. |
| 21st March 2009 Oleg Sakharov | - From: The Nenets - nomadic indigenous reindeer herders of Arctic Russia The most amazing adventure I've ever heard about from the people I know. Edward, you are a real hero in my opinion! Living in Moscow I had no chance to find out what is the live in distant regions of Russia. Thank you for your travelling experience that you share with us. |
| 19th March 2009 mark and chrissie | Simply amazing! - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world An amazing community and an equily unique and memorable experiance for you. Thanks so much for sharing it. Mark |
| 18th March 2009 Eva | - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world But JC how to protect them and make sure they are not wiped out (for example by mining activities) if people do not know they exist or even deny their existence? |
| 18th March 2009 EdVallance | - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world I had thought about this a lot. Anyone who wanted to follow in my footsteps would have to go to SERIOUS efforts to do so. It took me 2 months to organise that trip. No tourist guide or anyone at all would take anyone to this area because they simply aren't allowed to. Anyone who wanted to go there would have to be screened by the Church and the Alangan leaders first. If anyone tried to go independently they would have a very hard job of it because the Batangan area is absolutely enormous. If they somehow did find out the right area to go to, the most accessible, Christian, cloths-wearing communities they'd have to pass through on their way to the isolated ones might allow them in but they certainly wouldn't allow them any further. I deliberately did not mention any place or area names in my article. |
| 18th March 2009 Richard | Thank you for being respectful - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world Thank you for being respectful with this community and for sharing it with the outside world. Your film and pictures are truly a treasure. Its good to know that there are still people living in a more traditional society. In a way, exposure to us will be like eating them. |
| 18th March 2009 TinNiE | Stone Age - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world I never realized there are stilll people stucked in Stone Age somewhere. This is a beautiful story. And mining does pisses me off, i hate what it does to the community and to the environment ... instant money for a few, prolonged ordeal for the rest ... greed, that's what it's about! |
| 17th March 2009 JC | Moral Obligation - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world Although I have enjoyed reading your educational blog, I can't help but to worry about the safety and maintenance of peace of these primitive people you just exposed on Travelblog worldwide making them a potential tourists attraction. If the Batangan are afraid of the outsiders, would rather keep to themselves and isolate themselves from the civilized world, then wouldn't it be your moral obligation to help protect them and their culture ? |
| 17th March 2009 Evadne | - From: Isolated tribal community receives first visit from outside world Thankyou for this most extraordinary account Ed. I am sad in a way that this is the end of a chapter. But I have no doubt that the next will be just as exciting! |
| 10th March 2009 mark and chrissie | Amazing! - From: Psychic surgery and healing with a double-edged sword A fantastic blog and what a fascinating experience! Well done ofr giving it a go, very brave I think! |
| 9th March 2009 the soul cultivator | A gripping read! - From: Psychic surgery and healing with a double-edged sword This is my kind of blogging, I have been captivated from start to finish, incredible story and fantastic pics. Cant wait for the next one! |
| 9th March 2009 TinNiE | - From: Psychic surgery and healing with a double-edged sword That was brave to try it. Although i should say it's a bit unsafe. Such things have been the topic of several tv documentaries here in the philippines and no one could prove that it's true...i myself is too skeptic regarding such things. But faith, I believe, actually can do mircles... |
| 6th March 2009 TinNiE | - From: The Nenets - nomadic indigenous reindeer herders of Arctic Russia wow, seems that they got a really tough life in there ... |
| 6th March 2009 Gary Winnick | http://www.winnickfoundation.com/ - From: Tinker, tailor, soldier, rebel, Mangyan, tourist, miner, priest Nice sharing. And you have really good memory. |
| 5th March 2009 Johanna | Mining and Mudslide disaster - From: Tinker, tailor, soldier, rebel, Mangyan, tourist, miner, priest Years of mining operations in the province of Southern Leyte has been blamed for the mudslide disaster that burried a whole village causing major damage and as many as 1800 souls perished 3 years ago. Although torrential rain is said to be one of the obvious cause, the locals and environmentalists believe that it was the deforestation and mining activities precipitated the disaster.... I wonder if this is what Tinnie is also talking about....cheers ! Johanna |
| 5th March 2009 TinNiE | NPAs and Mining - From: Tinker, tailor, soldier, rebel, Mangyan, tourist, miner, priest Back in my hometown, there's lots of talks about NPAs but I haven't seen one, or wasn't aware that I was already seeing one. It's true, you'll really never know which one is which but I'm sure there's lots of them back home. This also reminded me of a Mining site we visited back in high school. It had cost alot of troubles in the community, and people had been killed because of that Mining operation. I hope I'll get to visit there again so I can write about it ... or help a bit ... |
| 5th March 2009 EdVallance | NPA - From: Tinker, tailor, soldier, rebel, Mangyan, tourist, miner, priest Hi Johanna, thanks for your comment. I'm very sorry you had to live through such hard times. Yes there are still NPA in many provinces in the Philippines. It's particularly bad in Mindoro and remote parts of North Luzon and Panay. Although they were theoretically given amnesty many of the ones who believed this and came down from the mountains were assassinated, so the others are scared to come down. Also, the amnesty does not cover rape, torture, human rights violations, even if claimed to be committed with a political aim |
| 4th March 2009 Johanna | New People's Army (NPA) - From: Tinker, tailor, soldier, rebel, Mangyan, tourist, miner, priest I am deeply moved by your interest in our culture and injustices done to the native people of the Philippines. Since you're curious about the NPAs, I would like to share with you a personal story. My very own grandfather who used to be a barrio captain was killed by the NPAs when I was just a baby. My uncle's father in-law who was a barrio captain as well back in the 80's also shared the faith as my grandpa. Any government officials who doesn't bend to their rules and wishes gets killed. The NPAs were very active in the province where I grew up. I even attended funerals of my schoolmate's brothers who got killed by the military because they were NPA supporters. I still remember the sheer horor living through a couple of nights of an all out gun battle between the NPA and military. I clearly remember lying flat on the floor with my hands covering my ears. Our neighbours who lived in flimsy nipa huts took shelter in our home because it's made out of bricks and concrete. I'm very surprised that the NPA are still active to this day because when the corrupt government ruled by a dictator Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown back in the 80's, the new reigning president Corazon Aquino gave the NPAs amnesty and urged them to come down from the mountains and go back to their normal life. |
| 4th March 2009 liliram | How do you remember all these? - From: Tinker, tailor, soldier, rebel, Mangyan, tourist, miner, priest Amazing how you are able to remember all these details such as the places, names and the conversations! Been following your blogs and your interest in our local tribes, but I bet some people here would think you are a CIA spy! Lol. |
| 4th March 2009 TinNiE | quite educational ... - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels hope to go someday... |
| 4th March 2009 EdVallance | - From: North Palawan - El Nido, the Bacuit Archipelago and the Calamian Islands Unfortunately my photos for that trip really didn't come out well. I lost my good camera just before I arrived in the Philippines and my back up optical camera is a bit temperamental. Still as of late february I have a new digital one so there should be no more probs with pics! |
| 4th March 2009 EdVallance | - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels Yeh, taught me a lesson that trip did :) Won't be making the same mistakes again |
| 3rd March 2009 liliram | Still waiting........... - From: North Palawan - El Nido, the Bacuit Archipelago and the Calamian Islands Ed, we are still waiting for your photos! |
| 1st March 2009 liliram | What a scare! - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels Wow, Ed, you put me to shame. Here I am, a local, learning from you. (Thanks!) Even knowing what you did and still do, I do not think I have the guts to join you in any of your adventures. I can imagine how your presence in those remote villages made them curious. I pray for your safe travels. Take care :) |
| 26th February 2009 Jane | great!! - From: Tablas to Mindoro by pump boat - just don't do it. I really love touring around, and Mindoro was a wonderful place. Thanks for the information :) |
| 25th February 2009 grantcorp | A great read to ponder on - From: Yap and its Outer Islands, Federated States of Micronesia A very informative and likeable narrative from one of those seemingly out of reach places on the blue planet. I know how you feel about wanting to return and yet somehow days turn to months, months to years and only the nostalgia remains. I do hope you will be able to return one day. I harbour some romantic notions about disappearing among nondescript faraway Pacific islands myself, but it remains a pipe dream for now, apart from a brief stint to Guam I did a few years ago. The development of Guam into a miniature America with luxury hotels, shopping malls, gun shops and massage parlours stands as a somewhat dystopic vision of the things in store for the pacific islands. Anyway, job well done, keep up the sightseeing! |
| 25th February 2009 wmpopper | Interesting information.... - From: Tablas to Mindoro by pump boat - just don't do it. and well written too. Thank you for posting it here. I would think that your written narrative would be of interest to some travel editors out there. Travel by ferry boat by visitors in that region should receive the proper attention and circulation, as a informational alert to other travelers. Thank You for taking the time to submit your interesting and well written narrative. |
| 25th February 2009 EdVallance | - From: Tablas to Mindoro by pump boat - just don't do it. yeh you're thinking of Apo Reef and Pandan island. Spent a week there too and it was really awesome (spent a month total in Mindoro but left 10 days ago) |
| 25th February 2009 TinNiE | sounds tough - From: Tablas to Mindoro by pump boat - just don't do it. I hate travelling through the sea, it makes me sick. But i wanna go to Mindoro. I don't think the part of Mindoro I'm thinking of is the one you went to. There's a couple of great diving sites out there; maybe one day i'll be able to go ^^ |
| 22nd February 2009 EdVallance | Reply to Liliram - From: The social food chain from top to bottom on Sibuyan Island Yes, it really is a very sad situation. But I wouldn't say it's poverty that corrupts people, I'd say it's power. The poorest people I've met in the Philippines are the best and most honest, whereas many of those with power are the most corrupt. It's the fact that much of the population lives in poverty and has no time or doesn't know how to complain that allows them to get away with being corrupt. The Philippines is indeed unfortunate in this respect but very fortunate in others. Filipinos have managed to retain a deeply spiritual side to their culture which has been almost completely lost in the West, as well as having the ability to laugh and joke even when circumstances are so bad that they would drive most Westerners to suicide |
| 22nd February 2009 liliram | Breaks my heart........... - From: The social food chain from top to bottom on Sibuyan Island I am from here, and I'm in shock too. And helpless. If the tentacles of crime and corruption have reached the remotest islands here, we're in big trouble. Poverty corrupts, but I put more blame on those who corrupt and take advantage of our poverty and seeming helplessness. Those vampires should be put behind bars, yet it comes as no surprise that not too many are willing to come forward and point the accusing finger. Your blog breaks my heart, Ed, but it is the sad truth and I know you wrote it with as much compassion towards our land and people. |
| 22nd February 2009 liliram | Breaks my heart........... - From: The social food chain from top to bottom on Sibuyan Island I'm from here, and I am shocked too. And it is the kind of shock mixed in with feelings of helplessness. If the tentacles of crime and corruption have reached the remotest islands in our country, abetted by local politicians who are motivated by power and greed, we are truly in trouble. Drugs (shabu) in Sibuyan? These people have no conscience. I put as much, if not more blame to those who corrupt and take advantage. Poverty corrupts, more so if there are vampires lurking around. Sob........( i emailed ur blog to as many Filipinos) |
| 8th February 2009 liliram | you got me there! - From: A journey through Manila A very unexpected ending........now I want to know what happened. But really, I am from Makati and reading your "adventures" with all its details got me nodding throughout the read. You have an eye for details. And I am now suddenly made more aware of how life truly is in this part of the world. |
| 6th February 2009 Sonia | - From: Armenia Hi Eddy, I really enjoyed reading about Armenia! It refreshed a lot of things in my memory. I like the way you describe nature and people, the photos are very beautiful and reflect the spirit of Armenia. They made me Armeniasick. |
| 3rd January 2009 phaedrus | Excellent blog - From: The Tao't Batu - cave dwellers of South Palawan I enjoyed reading this blog. It refreshing to read about the remote villages that hardly no one writes about. Keep up the good work. |
| 3rd January 2009 julie | - From: The Ati, Negrito people of Panay The detail of the origins and practices of the different cultures is fascinating. It is shocking that what to us is such a small sum is beyond people's means to educate their children. How do the people who can send children to secondary school manage to do this? Is it something that everyone would aspire to or is it not thought particularly worthwhile? |
| 3rd January 2009 julie | - From: Wars, weddings and horse fights in Mindanao This is really interesting and all the detail in the descriptions and dialogues make it compulsive reading. What did Christie, Anthony and Grace do for a living? It would be very nice to be able to find someone to invite the Tboli dance troupe to perform, as repayment for all the kindness that was shown to you. I will see if anyone has ideas that might help. |
| 4th December 2008 Sunny Hapolsi | Pintaflores Festival History and Culture - From: Pintaflores Festival, San Carlos, Negros Been there also in San Carlos City for the Pintaflores Festival way back in 2006 and it was fun. Here is the added information about the festival in this url http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/events_festivals/pintaflores_festival.htm |
| 13th November 2008 Vinovat Sudarynya | Thanks. - From: The Nenets - nomadic indigenous reindeer herders of Arctic Russia An informative and charming story - thanks. J. |
| 6th November 2008 Mell | - From: North Palawan - El Nido, the Bacuit Archipelago and the Calamian Islands What a fascinating blog. :) |
