Blogs from Cordillera, Philippines, Asia

8 avril (Toujours à Sagada) Je quitte rapidement le nid à backpacker de bonne heure ce matin. Je devais prendre le bus pour Baguio aujourd'hui mais j'ai apprit hier soir tard, entre deux bières "Red Horse" au karaoke de l'hostel, qu'un festival annuel doit avoir lieu aujourd'hui même à Bontoc. C'est un 45 minutes de route qui sépare Sagada de Bontoc, la capitale de la Mountain Province de Luçon. L'excursion en vaudra certainement la peine: le Festival Lang-ay célèbre la diversité folklorique des tribus montagnardes des régions environnantes. Le voyage nous réserve parfois des surprises. Il faut apprendre à se laisser guider par les événements ponctuels. "Bontoc?" que je demande à une casquette qui expire la fumée d'une demie clope, accoté sur un jeepney orange et bleu qui crache sale du diesel. C'est le moyen de ... read more

Our thirst for adventure brought us to the Sumaging and Lumiang caves in Sagada. Once we entered there was no turning back! We spent 3 hours "rock climbing" in bare feet over stalagmites and stalactites. The sound of water trickling underground and the squeaking of a thousand bats made this adventure heart racing and worth every moment.... read more

Le hasard (mais existe-t-il vraiment ?) m'a fait recroiser un CS de Beijing qui me croyant aerophile m'a appris en dix secondes comment voler pas cher jusqu'aux Philippines. Ca m'apprendra a lui rire au nez en lui declarant mon mepris pour la chose volante, toujours est-il que grace a lui j'arrive a Clark, pres d'Angeles, pas mal au nord de Manille ce qui tombe plutot bien parce que je n'ai pas vraiment prevu d'aller y trainer mes guetres. En sortant de l'aeroport je musarde, avise un stand de nourriture locale et en decouvrant le gout du Philippin pour le vinaigre, la friture et le piment j'apprends que faire du stop sera impossible. J'ai repere sur un depliant touristique consulte a la volee a l'aeroport qu'une ville s'appelle Baguio ; qu'y a-t-il a Baguio c'est ce que ... read more

We got to Sagada on an hour long jeepney trip from Bontoc which snaked up and up into the mountains and cloud with it growing ever colder as we went. The last time we'd really needed our fleeces & hats was at Mt Bromo a few months ago back and could easily count on one hand the number of times we'd needed them in our year in Asia. This time we were very glad we'd kept hold of them as they were very needed up here after getting a little too used to the Asian climate! People rave about Sagada and some travellers stay for weeks and weeks but when we arrived we really couldn't see what all the fuss was about. It was really low cloud so we couldn't really see much past the small ... read more

Dear Friends, As we further the search for our missing colleague, Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) founding member and indigenous leader James Moy Balao, the CPA, along with the Balao family and the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), again appeal for your support by joining us in an International Day of Action to Surface James Moy Balao on November 28, 2008. This day marks the 72nd day of James’ disappearance while November 29 is the International Day of Human Rights Defenders. As advocates and defenders of human rights, let us take action on the said dates by paying tribute to human rights defenders around the world, and seek justice for the victims of human rights violations and enforced disappearances such as James Balao. The International Day of Action involves primarily the simultaneous sending of letters of concern ... read more