Lake Mainit... Philippines' Deepest Lake

Three-dimensional representation of Lake Mainit basin derived from GPS marked bathymetric and coastline data collected from September 2003 – February 2004 using Surfer V 7.0 (Golden Software Inc.).

Source: Tumanda, MI Jr., EC Roa,JG Gorospe, MT Daitia,SM Dejarme, RD Gaid (2005). Limnological and Water Quality Assessment of Lake Mainit. Mindanao State University at Naawan. (Thanks to LMDA for sharing the report).

Pidjanga notes: Indeed, at 219.35 meters maximum depth and 122.48 meters mean depth, Tumanda et.al (2005) confirmed that Lake Mainit is the deepest lake in the Philippines. The study says that the mean depth is a reliable morphometric indicator of trophic conditions of the lake with mean depth inversely related to production. It adds that shallow lakes are more productive than deep lakes. Lake Mainit is considered a deep tropical lake hence its water volume available for biological productivity is quite small.

Sige lamang... scientific facts like this are of great importance for planning. Let's hope that brilliant Mainitnon minds (or that of Lake Mainit communities) can find some ways to make the above fact bring positive developments to our beloved lake. We'd appreciate your comments and suggestions.

Anay pa... have you noticed the deepest parts of the lake? An mga kantil jaon banda sa south- west part. An study nila Prof. Tumanda (2005) nagsuporta na kun hain an baybay na wayay mga river tributaries, jaon an mga lagyom na parte nan danaw... jaon sa area nan Malimono range. An baybay na suod s Mayag River (northwest), sa Suba nan Mainit (north), sanan Magpayang River (northeast), mga mabaw.

Next feature: Lake Mainit as the CLEAREST lake in the Philippines, beating the 1974 record of Lake Lanao in Secchi disk visibility scale.

By: Zimmbodilion Mosende.
Jul 29, 2006

Categories: photos, references, lake, mainit, surigao, caraga, mindanao, philippines

Related link: www.lakemainit.com

Update: In early 2012, I discovered that at 600+ meters, Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake became the deepest lake of the country.

MonyxL Photography: Okra

(Photo by: MDOer John Mark (Monyx) Libarnes. This photo is also published at: http://screwface.multiply.com/photos/photo/13/8)

Locally known as okra (especially in Mainit).

Also known as Lady’s Fingers, Gombo, Okro, Ochro, Okoro, Quimgombo, bhindi, bindi, bamia, bamiya, and bamieh, this annual, herbaceous shrub originated in Africa, where it has been cultivated since antiquity and has been naturalized in the region. It belongs to the Malvaceae (mallow) family, along with cotton, hollyhock, hibiscus, etc. and is readily identifiable by its beautiful, pale-yellow flowers.

The pods and leaves are edible, and young pods can be used in stir-fry and soups either blanched or pickled. When cooked it resembles asparagus, yet it may be left raw and served in a cold salad.

Fruits have a very agreeable taste, but the fact that they are mucilaginous, which makes them suitable for soups, can be disagreeable to some while appealing to others. The ripe seeds have been used as a substitute for coffee; the seed can be dried and powdered for storage and future use. Stems have also been used to manufacture paper.

Source: http://www.geocities.com/pelionature/Okra.htm
Nov 28, 2006

Lake Mainit by Lewis (1973)

The map of Lake Mainit, Philippines, showing depths in meters, location on fisheries, and effort sampling as reported in the comprehensive limnological study of Lewis in 1973.

Source: Lewis, W.M. Jr. 1973. A Limnological Survey of Lake Mainit, Philippines. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. Hydrogr. 58(6): 801-818.

By: Zimmbodilion Mosende.
July 17, 2006

Categories: photos, references, lake, mainit, surigao, caraga, mindanao, philippines

Tree Planting Anniversary 2007

Hapit na an One Year Anniversary nan ato Tree Planting (September 16, 2006). If you can recall, more than 350 trees (http://pidjanga.pbwiki.com) were sponsored mostly by Mainitnons. We got international sponsors too, through the blog and of course through the referrals of Overseas Pidjangas.


(Souvenier photo, 16 September 2006. Click photo to enlarge)

I've been constantly in touched with SNCAT and LMDA and had been bugging them with my request to update us about the status of the planted trees. I have uploaded these updates in some of my posts e.g. more than 90 percent of the trees survived despite the Guob threat towards the end of 2006. Unfortunately, most of the tree guards got destroyed. I've asked friends to take photographs of the tree planting site, waya pa may nakalugar. Busy.

Now that the election is over, I hope LMDA, through the leadership of Engr. Kaiser Recabo, will be able to monitor the growth of the trees. This has been the task assigned to them during the division of labor identified during the planning of the Tree Planting Project in May 2006.

I also wish to contact our Tree Planting financial Manager, Didik Reliquette, and revisit the financial status of the project. I think that there is still money in the bank and there are still collectibles. I would suggest that if this money is still enough, we should hire someone back home to religiously monitor the trees.

What do you think?

Here are some of the related posts:
The Prime Movers
Tree Planting Photos [1] [2]
Tree Planting Partners
Partnership with the LGU
The Bangkal Tree Cuttings
Tree Planting Part 2 - Brgy. Quezon
The Tree Planting PIDJANGA Shirt
The Trees after 3 Months

Post: Zimm (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Jun 17, 2007

Mamanua, Mamanwa, Kongking, Kongkista ONLINE

Here are some of the links to write-ups about the only existing indigenous tribe of Mainit, Surigao del Norte - the Mamanua or Mamanwa also known locally as Kongking, Conking, Kongkista, or Conguista.

The Culture of the Mamanua (Northeast Mindanao) as Compared with that of the Other Negritos of Southeast Asia. by Marcelino N. Maceda
Review author[s]: Frederick L. Wernstedt
The Journal of Asian Studies, Vol. 25, No. 3 (May, 1966), p. 549
doi:10.2307/2052053

Bio-Socio-Cultural Factors Affecting the Nutritional Status among Preschoolers of the Mamanua Conquista Tribe in Barangay Cantugas, Mainit, Surigao del Norte
Imelda G. Sabandal-Sario, MSPH-Nutrition, U.P.-Manila

Mamanwa - A language of The Philippines [Ethnologue Report]

Our Father [in Mamanwa]

Mamanwa by NCCA

Mamanwa by Kulturang Karaga

The Mamanwas by Cantilan Tribes

Feb 28, 2007

Lake Notes: Secchi Disk

Here's a note about Secchi depth measurements as supplement to the 7 August 2006 post: Lake Mainit... Philippines' MOST TRANSPARENT Lake

In 2004, Lake Mainit grabbed the Philippine record of 6.65 m Secchi depth and declared as the Most Transparent Lake in the Philippines.

SECCHI DISK
Source: LaMotte Company

The Secchi Disk provides a very simple means of making transparency determinations in natural waters. Water that is clear has a high transparency. Transparency usually decreases in the summer when plankton, silt and organic matter are more likely to be prevalent. The most transparent lakes are usually seepage lakes as this characteristic greatly reduces the amount of silt bearing influents. Drainage lakes carry more silt and usually are less transparent. For example, a drainage lake may be in a class of 1.0 to 1.4 m but a seepage lake in the same area may give readings of 3.0 to 4.0 m. A high reading in the class of 19 to 21 m would indicate extreme clarity. That same lake in the summer may read only 10 m.

The Secchi Disk is a black and white circular plastic plate, 20 cm in diameter. A measured line is attached to the center of the disk by means of a special fitting that stabilizes the disk so that it will be parallel to the surface. Best results are obtained in the shade of a boat or dock. The best readings are usually obtained after early morning and before late afternoon.
1. Lower Secchi Disk into water until it just disappears. Read depth from calibrated line.
2. Raise Secchi Disk until it just appears. Read depth from calibrated line.
3. Add readings from Steps 1 and 2. Divide by 2. Record as Secchi Disk Transparency.

LaMotte CompanyHelping People Solve Analytical Challenges ®
PO Box 329 • Chestertown • Mary land • 21620
800-344-3100 • 410-778-3100 (Out side U.S.A.)
visit us on the web: www.lamotte.com

Photos: www.fisheries.org and www.geoscientific.com
By: Zimmbodilion Y. Mosende
Sep 26, 2006

Tiutoy na, gisnga pa

Salamat www.photovendo.ph and Globe Run for Home for the free downloadable photos.

I seldom see my running form during actual races (unless I hire an official photographer who is willing to run along with me, hehehe). Hence seeing myself here in action helps me to identify what to correct in my form. Sagdi rakan lamang kun...

... nangisnga na an ako ilong...


... nagtiutoy na pangita nan hangin sanan pamahaw!


Balitaw, ali na ka-Pidjangahan... mandjagan kita.

This Sunday (26 July), we will do a 10k renegade run at the Ateneo de Manila campus. Aya kami magparehistro kay, Hesus, tag P500 man an registration. Basin magkitakits!

Jul 24, 2009

Tinapsing 2008: Malangka

Duyom, Huybes, Pungod, Kwarto

Litoy: Kalangka ba anhi. Di man sab kita makatuyog.

Litay: Tala man badja kaw. Hibayo na kaw na mapaso, aja kaw magsan haboy.

Litoy: Ikaw kay ganahan man kaw magpabanga nan hilam. Taglang-an ta kaw na magpalit nan moskit, aja nimo ipalit nan balde. Si pare Nabel, may wagner na taghatag, hiwaon ko na adto.

Litay: Bungoy man badja kaw. Taglang-an ta na kaw na magpakopras man kita kuman Domingo, makabale na ako silom para ipalit nan moskit. Tabo sa lungsod.

Litoy: Aw amo. Paypaji rakan ako Lit.

Litay: Paypaji sa imo utot.

Litoy: Sige na...

Litay: Katuyog. Aruy.........

(TINAPSING is an attempt to chronicle snapshots of daily life conversations in Mainit. Volunteer English translators are welcome)
Jul 22, 2008

Hilario "Yonie" Simchico Mosende (1942 - 2008)

Salamat karadjaw dijo hurot sa ijo suporta sanan simpatiya... hilabi na sa:
Local Government of the Municipality of Mainit, Surigao del Norte; the Municipal Council (Sangguniang Bayan) of Mainit; the local government of Barangay Magsaysay; our neighbors and friends in Purok Camia...

Sa mga first cousins ni Daddy:
Kan Lola Inyang (Inocencia Simchico Patagan) - Masuhay, Guiral, Patagan families.
Kan Lolo Amon (Ramon Libarnes Mosende) - Mosende, Mosote, Labrador families.
Kan Lolo Olong (Teodulo Libarnes Mosende) - Mosende, Reliquette, Precilda, Manliguez, Balandra, Reyes families.
Kan Lola Kikay (Francisca Libarnes Mosende-Mozar) - Mozar, Avila, Rivera families.
Kan Lolo Otik (Jose Modanza Mosende) - Mosende, Reyes, Sombito families.

Sa mga second cousins ni Daddy:
The families of Mosende, Moleta, delaCosta, Behagan, Salino, Modanza, Canseko, Libarnes, Calang, Montaner, Villamon, Mupas, Banzon...

Daddy was honored by the local government by giving a Necrologial Program at the Mainit Municipal Gym on 12 April 2008.


The following sat at the presidential table: Rev. Sten Labrador, Vice Mayor Jessnar Mosende, Former SB Member Pepe Odtojan, Mayor Ramon Mondano, Former Comelec Officer Tony Sannoy, my bro-in-law from Cagayan de Oro Manong Nonoy Palabrica, Manong Fred, the three of us (Peter, Kirk, and Concon), Tita Flor (partly hidden) and Brgy. Captain Jorge Banzon.


Thank you Mano Tony (Sannoy) for highlighting your admiration to Daddy and for reminding us of the quotes from the comments of his fellow Mayors during his time, Daddy being "most eloquent, active, and handsome Mayor of Mindanao... who speaks like a Professor, a Lawyer, a Pastor, and a Priest". Thank you too for reminding us that within few months of his term, he was able to deliver significant accomplishments, among these are the long bridge in Barangay Mabini, the Mainit Municipal Abattoir (Slaughterhouse) and the surrender and reconciliation of around 300 NPAs.

Thank you too Mano Sten (Labrador) for highlighting Daddy's vision and love of Mainit. That because he was often misunderstood of his large-scale plans, he calls many Mainitnons as "turudo" which was actually meant challenging the Mainitnons to go out of their shells and think beyond the ordinary. Thank you too for highlighting that Daddy, though he had many failures and downfalls, he showed everyone how to try to stand up and rise again, and with these, his greatest achievements are the many people he has taught to be strong, to lead a good life, and to bring goodness in others... as manifested strongly in his greatest achievements... his children.

Thank you Mano Pepe (Odtojan) for sharing your brief moments of being Daddy's Sangguniang Bayan Member (you mentioned for only 18 months)... and for your gratitude, that if you were not identified to be one of his SBs, you won't have your political career... retiring undeafeated SB member of Mainit and Barangay Captain of barangay Matin-ao. Thank you for highlighting too your many joys and experiences as OIC officials of Mainit especially when Daddy led the entire LGU in getting the Municipal Firetruck. It was already meant to be given to another town, but with Daddy's leadership and push, the firetruck was given to the Municipality of Mainit. With God's blessing, after 22 years, the Municipal Firetruck is still in tack and whistling every noontime and 5 o'clock. So whenever you hear the whistle, you should be hearing "yoooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnniiiiiiieeeeee". Thank you for sharing that because you had a dynamic leader who "almost does not sleep", you were able to accomplish more projects than expected (submission of proposals to finish the Mainit Public Market, the Mainit-Magpayang Road, the rehabilization of Mapaso hotspring, etc).

Thank you Mano Banoy (Vice Mayor Mosende) for sharing your admiration to the man both as a town official like Uncle Felix and as an uncle. Thank you for sharing how his presence can command laughters and giggles among his cousins and relatives. And thank you for promising to emulate the examples of the Mosende's in the tradition of leadership and service.

Thank you Mano Ramon (Mayor Mondano) for sharing your significant moments with your lumon Yonie. And thank you for being challenged, together with your Vice Mayor, to accomplish good things for Mainit during your term... "Maradjaw badja kun jaoy ato agi, maradjaw badja kun jaoy ato nahimo sa lungsod".

Salamat karadjaw... sa mga nag-text, nag-email, nag-comment, nagpadaya nan contributions sanan mass cards, nagpahimo nan flowers, sa Pidjanga Blog readers, sa Bisaya Blog readers, sa Multiply Journal readers, fellow bloggers, sa ako ka-opisina sa United Nations.

Salamat Fr. Rey Maldo, and the entire parish, for administering a very solemn funeral Mass for Dad.


As my brother Concon shared during the Homily, Daddy's only reminder to him is to "always thank everyone and be grateful of deeds others has done to you". I was also touched when he challenged everyone who was caring for the sick... "do not surrender, tabang lamang bisan ikaw mismo tabangunon, kay an grasya sa Ginoo jaon dimo". Unlike me and my other brother who were most of the time in Manila, because he served Daddy in his bedside, he had the blessing of knowing more our Daddy, of becoming Daddy's very close friend... a blessing and a grace shared by no one else.

Salamat sa Mainit Police Force (PNP) for honoring Daddy with 21 gun salute and for honoring him with the Philippine Flag.

For those who does not know Daddy, here's his short biography:
Daddy was the youngest of the seven children of Bitoy Libarnes Mosende and Tisay Mongado Simchico. He was born on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier on 3 December 1942 during the Japanese Occupation. His great grandfather, Don Saturnino Libarnes Mosende, was a cabeza or teniente of the Pueblo de Mainit in 1850s. Don Saturnino must have been part of the founding of the Town of Placer in mid-1800s together with Capitan Felipe Custodio and Capitan Luis Patino. His Grandfather, Don Capitan Hilario "Ayong" Villamon Mosende (he was named after him), was teniente del barrio of Barrio of Mainit in late 1800s (when Mainit bacame a barrio of Placer under the American Occupation). His father, Vedasto "Bitoy" Libarnes Mosende, was the first Vice President (Vice Mayor of Mainit). Together with Ceferino Lozada and Antonio Mozar (First Mayor), Bitoy spearheaded the founding of the Municipality of Mainit whose Executive Order (290) was successfully signed by Governor General Dwight Davies on 27 December 1930.

He graduated Valedictorian at Mainit Elementary School in 1954. Since most of his siblings studied in Surigao City, he took up his high school at San Nicolas College (now St. Paul University) and graduated Salutatorian in 1959. He studied Civil Engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Intramuros, Manila, where he showed academic excellence and has been consistently elected representative to the Student Body Organization in every year level.

He married Victoria Alvarez Yap in 1973 where he had 3 children: Peter Zimmbodilion (married to Ma. Teresa Palabrica), Paul Kircheultz, and John Karachi.

He had been a public servant and political leader of Surigao del Norte from the 1970s to late 1990s. He became mayor of Mainit after the EDSA revolution of 1986 during the administration of President Cory Aquino. He help found a local NGO, the Mainit Concerned Citizens for Development (MCCD).

But as I have said... Dad's life can be summarized into just two lines "Love of God and Love of Country".

He showed us how to pray, and he lead people to pray. He taught us that one must love God above all. His aura of prayer has even brought people from all over Mindanao to believe that he was the new Pabling Quino, the new Ruben Ecleo, or even the new Jose Rizal. But he refused and told his fanatic followers to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, now and forever. As young as 3 years old, I learned my first prayers from him. All of my cousins, learned their prayers from him.

He made serving Mainit as his personal mission. He joined politics to realize his dream to lead and to serve. He joined and lived with the poor, with the mamanwas (indigenous people), the drunkards, the fisherfolks, the farmers, to understand them and to help them. On countless occasions, he provided legal help to those who had no access to justice. He was an icon of strength for the Mainitnons who were marginalized.

Thank you Dad for showing us Love of God and Love of Country...

With those, this Pidjanga Blog was born, and I dedicate this to you.

Farewell Mayor... farewell Dad. See you!

Apr 20, 2008

Mas

Everyday, during my elementary days in MCES, we start the day by having a class program. I often get to be the emcee, and the first words of the day will be "the first part of the program is..."

I miss those days...

Henewey...

I think we have a shortage of elementary songs (Guavas are ripe; Negritos of the mountain; Katipunan; Flowers in June; uno pa adto?) and so even "street songs" are also rendered. Here's one popularized by Inggoy (will feature him later), and with the lack of title, my classmates call it "Mas".

Okay, Pidjanga class, the first part of our program is a group singing by everybody. The title of our song is Mas:

Masbate, siyudad ang Manila
Manila, atbang sa Tacloban
Iloilo, Agusan, America, Cagay-an
Mainit, Surigao, among puluy-anan
Ikaw ra day, ang akong pinili
Ikaw ra day
Ikaw ra day
Sumpay sa kinabuhi

Clap, clap, clap!

As soon I generate enough courage to sing it and record in MP3, I will make it available for you to download. I asked around the kids born in the late 90's... hmmm, dili na sila kahibayo!

Post: Zimm (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Jan 19, 2008

Pagkanindot

I've been looking for the complete lyrics of this very beautiful Visayan song which I first heard in the hinterlands of Mount Kitanglad of Bukidnon. I was there in 1997 on a month-long mission with the now Jesuit Priest, Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico, SJ.

Here's an excerpt:

Kay luyo sa mga panganod, Nagasidlak ang adlaw....

Pagkanindot palandungon
Ang mga nangaging panahon
Kaguol man kun kalipay
Ang tanan ay lumalabay

Pagkanindot nga mabuhi
Kun adunay ginamithi
O gugmang way katapusan
O gugmang hilabihan

I would love if an MP3 version is also available.

Post: Zimm (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Jan 19, 2008

An ato pidjanga badja...

(Our pidjanga is also called...)

Bia, Bakla, Bal-la, Batug, Biyang mapute, Biyang puti, Bunog, Bunog, Bunor, Dapal, Dolog, Durogbatang, Ipon, Kapalo, Pidianga, Sagunayon, and Tabula.

Quite a number of other names! But among them, bakla (tagalog for homosexual) seemed very striking!

Read more: http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de or here.

Post via email by: Ybong Garrido - Cagayan de Oro City


May 17, 2006

Categories: articles, references, fish, lake, mainit, surigao, mindanao, philippines

Bugwan (Hypseleotris agilis)

Response letter of LMDA to a graduate student of Oregon State University conducting a research on Hypseleotris agilis (locally known in Mainit as Bugwan)

Greetings from Lake Mainit!

The species you mentioned "hypseleotris agilis" is locally known as "Bugwan". According to Dr. P. Escudero a professor from MSU, Marawi City who visited the Lake Mainit in early 1994 that "bugwan" is endemic in Lake Mainit and was accidentally introduced in Lake Lanao when they took some species like Carpa and Tilapia from the BFAR hatchery in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte for fish dispersal in Lake Lanao. According to him, the Catalog of Philippine Fishes compiled by an Americans as early as 1910, Bugwan was only found in Surigao when Lake Mainit was still part of Surigao District.

Dr. Escudero was amazed to find out that Pidjanga (Glossogobius giurus) and Bugwan (Hypseleotris agilis) co-exist in Lake Mainit and they were caught at the same time and of the same fishing technique, without being a threat to each other. While in Lake Lanao, the native fish was declining due to introduction of Bugwan. This needs further research, indeed.

This phenomenon could be possible in Lake Mainit because it is the deepest lake in the Philippines with an average mean depth of 150 meters. Lake Mainit is also classified as an oligotrophic lake based on its physico-chemical, natural productivity, optical properties and morphometric characteristics (Tumanda, et. al. of MSU-Naawan Research Team).

I had a photocopy of the study by Mr. Galicia and Mr. Lopez of BFAR, Inland Fisheries and Aquatic Division which was presented to International Workshop in Muruay Garden Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand in Feb. 2000 entitled "The Biology and Fishery of Indigenous Gobies of Mainit Lake". The paper presents the results of a 17-month study on the biology, fishery and population structures of Gobies (Order Gobioidea), Glossogobius giurus "Pidjanga" (Family Gobidea) and Hypseleotris agilis "Bugwan" (Family Eleotridea) caught by beach seine in Lake Mainit from August 1997 to December 1998. The study is a component of a research grant funded by the Spanish Government.

For more information you can visit the MSU-Naawan Reasearch Team at Naawan, Misamis Oriental.

They had also an ongoing research entitled "The Sustainability Fishery Management Program for Lake Mainit", The phase 1 is about stock assessment and species inventory of aquatic life.

Thank you.

Kaiser
Project Director, LMDA

Pidjanga notes: Salamat karadjaw Mano Kaiser for responding promptly to the inquiry of the researcher. We have successfully linked her too to the BFAR, MSU Naawam, MSU Marawi, and DOST. Salamat karadjaw Ngay Peter Sy for referring the researcher to me. The study and the relevant researches on this will greatly help in promoting sustainable development for our beloved Lake Mainit. This subject is also of very special interest to me as I hope to build up a substantive database of information about our lake and hopefully store them online at www.lakemainit.com, which I singlehandedly maintain. In the near future, I will personally request the Pidjanga Blog community to contribute any information or write ups or photos about Lake Mainit and make its online presence a real and substantive Cyber Danao. I trust that you'll help me on this. Zimm

Post: Zimmbodilion (www.pidjanga.blogspot.com)
Oct 15, 2007

Patatas, Asukarada... anyone?

Patatas is a local biscuit in Mainit, together with asukarada, rolling bayan, bagong bayan, etcetera. If you are a true-blooded Mainitnon, you will know how delectable this piece of food is. It is best partnered with a hot coffee or a ice-cold Coke during the afternoon snacks.

I am just amazed that this is now commercially packed and available in pasalubong (take home) centers and grocery stores. Wow!

This one in the picture though is a product of the Province of Iloilo.

By: Zimmbodilion Y. Mosende
May 15, 2006

Categories: products, business, mainit, surigao, mindanao, philippines

Largest Ever Mainitnon Gathering in Manila!!!

A number of Mainitnons personally approached me expressing that last night's Kasama Ka Christmas Party was the LARGEST ever gathering of Mainitnons in Mega Manila! The registrations reached more than 200 (nahutdan na nan forms) but according to Mano Eddie, he prepared 350 seats and 27 large tables. Certainly, the attendees reached more than 200!!!

Congratulations Mainitnons for the wonderful turn-out and support!

I did the impromptu emceeing (which I hope everyone appreciated my necessary adlibs). Camanava, Marikina, Dagat-dagatan, Las Pinas, Manila, and Fairview chapters prepared fantastic and professional-level performances including a group (Free Breakers) coming fresh from Japan and who were back-up dancers of Gary V's recent concert (25). Some of those who joined came from as far as Laoag City (Mano Jaime Dejolde) who really felt at home because he has not gone home for almost 40 years! There were many, many, many reunions - there were some who last met when they were still elementary students!

Mano Eddie Mojar graciously welcomed everyone to Marikina. Indeed, the venue was perfect! Large, complete with facilities, more than enough parking space, very good lighting... just perfect! We got it all for FREE! Thank you Mano Eddie.

The sound system from HM Audio Mobile of Mano Andy and Mana Weng Mordeno, also for FREE, was a showcase of lights, sounds, and effects... may aso (smoke) pa as background and foreground!

Mano Borming shared the history of Mainitnons in Manila and Mano Locloc challenged us on how to further enhance the fellowship of Mainitnons and inspired us of his commitment and that of the Board Members to keep this momentum going.

We were also very privileged to have the been graced with the presence of Court of Appeals Justice Jafar Dimaampao, the husband of Mainitnon Mana Gina Villapane, who also brought their entire family!

Basta arang ka-bibo! Arang kalipay! Puro nag-ngisi! The food was "almost" enough... well, we can improve next time... but overall, it's worth thanking ALL the chapters who brought their shares (may kinilaw, sinugba na agok-ok, pansit, biko, puto, etc) and those who sponsored the 3 lechons (Mano Cenon, Mano Locloc, and Mano Sammy).

I will upload all the 200+ photos to the Pidjanga Album (here) and of course, the videos at youtube. You won't believe how many talented, as in professional level talents, Mainitnons have, some as as young as 5 years old.

Here are some snapshots as teasers! ENJOY Pidjangas and hope to see you again in the next gathering! (Click photos to enlarge)

The crowd!


The largest contingent - Mainitnons of Fairview, Quezon City


The second largest group - Marikina, etc!


The Board Members rendering the handog pasasalamat sa Mainitnon - Bayang Dinarangal!


With Justice Dimaampao and other brave Mainitnons who went for the kodakan, just before the dinner!


Read entire post...

The Lincunas and Dignos

Cubelo, Mosende, Lincuna, etc

Dinner... labjog!

The Kasama Ka Interim Board of Directors (l-r standing) Boy Mosende, Tony Mondano, Charlo delaCosta, Eddie Mojar, Locloc Juan, Pepe Elsisura, Sammy Dignos, Zimmbo Mosende, Cenon Japay. (l-r seated) Brando Juan, Inday Dimaampao, Vilma Agravante, Jeejee Reyes, Vicky Moster, Borming Modanza (Not in the photo: Lolong Calang, Arnold Villapane)

Ayozzz...

Solbbbb.

The Free Breakers of Dagat-dagatan, led by Cybil Juan (daughter of Brando Juan)

The Sans Gen (Generation) of Fairview

The board offering a song to all Mainitnons... with Mana Vicky and Mana Vilma leading the interpretative dance!

The crowd stood up to join the singing of Lungsod na Pinayangga (download song here)

Feel na feel an kanta!


The invocation led by Mana Lucring.

Justice Jafar, Mana Inday and kids.

Lechones

Posing!

Mano Jaime Dejolde from Laoag City

Manila Group (Tondo, Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, etc)

A fourth of the parking area!


The secretariat, led by Mana Vicky Moster prepared well the registration.

Mana Gloria and the volunteer Luyabs during the registration!

Mano Locloc leading the filling up of membership forms.

Iya Piding and bodyguards!

Dec 14, 2008

Is Water Hyacinth a problem of Mainit Lake?

A Pidjanga Blog reader sent a comment that Water Hyacinths, though ornamentally beautiful, are in fact harmful to lakes. (Read here).

Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) Director, Engr. Kaiser Recabo, replied through post in the LMDA blog that these water plants, although it is generally a problem, are not causing problems because of Maint Lake's limnological characteristics being an oligotrophic lake. (Read more here).

By: Zimmbodilion Y. Mosende
May 14, 2006 

Categories: news, lake, projects, mainit, surigao, mindanao, philippines

The Mainitnon Gihapon (MG) Facebook Group

Created as a Facebook Group (subscribe HERE) in August 2011 by Mana Mary Lincuna "Daday" delaCosta Castro and Mana Wilhaida "Haidz" Mondano Elsisura, Mainitnon Gihapon, rapidly grew into a throng of Mainitnons around the world. It went viral after the pioneering member-subscribers added fellow Mainitnons (or those with Mainitnon roots) into the group... where exchanges about anything and everything Mainitnon were rapidly posted online. As one member commented "way puas na mensahe, amora nan resibo sa grocery". Posting ranged from archival photos linking one family to another, to Mainitnon words which some were already considered "extinct"... from sharing of trivial experiences of the past to mere blabber (pagsanjawjaw nan tinurapwak).

The postings were so Mainitnon that subscribers from outside Mainit (migrants) felt a virtual home... a cyber space of merrymaking and reunion of kababayans and relatives (kalumunan). The online festivity was so alive that people were online 24/7... where some (Mano Noli?, etc?) even thought people did not bother to sleep already. Someone (Mana Ofelia Mondano Krones) branded the members as witches (mga ayok!)... Mainitnons who never sleep! But since calling the members "ayok" is a curse (as Mainitnon tradition tells us)... Mana Pinky Mozar Chang and Mana Zoraida "Zoraits" Mondano Sudweeks suggested that subscribers be called "Yokers" - a slang modernized name of "ayok" ala New Yorker! Thus the new name... Mainitnon Gihapon Yokers or MG Yokers. To insert MG in the names, male members are called MYokers while females were GYokers.

After a month of kukabildo (serious conversations, char!), some members felt the need to be serious (weh!) and help our kababayans! Several projects were on the virtual table for brainstorming (I'll devote a separate write-up for each of those). The first and most successful was the Christmas Gift-giving Project called 2011 Pail of Joy (POJ) - Mainitnong Gasa (MG).

The 2011 POJ generated a whooping P172,856 cash donation from MG's month-long (Nov 4 to Dec 9, 2011) fund-raising drive from 43 donors both within the MG and from among generous friends and sponsors. Donations in kind (lechon, goods, pails, time, effort, smiles... were unquantifiable. I would regard the project to be worth P1million in cash and in kind! POJ provided a pail of goodies worth P400 to selected Mainitnons in Mainit whom our partner barangay officials (Barangay Quezon and Magsaysay) identified as indigents. The Pail contained: 1. bugas (rice); 2. sardinas (can of sardines); 3. noodles (instant noodles); 4. kape (coffee); 5. milo (chocolate drink); 6. udon/miswa (rice noodles); 7. sabon humot/ panlaba (soap); 8. asukar (sugar); 9. bread/biscuits; and 10. star margarine.

The distribution were done on December 17 and 18 in Barangay Quezon at the residence of our generous host, Mano Toto Mozar and Mana Malu Mozar. The entire Mainit operation-packing-distribution was headed by organizer par-excellence Mana Maria Liza Villamon Cortes (clap clap clap!). The following were among the ever-dedicated volunteers (Nimrod Elsisura and family, Luna Borinaga-Labrador, Maria Lorena Mozar, Bumbum de la Costa, Irish Elsisura, Luz Vida Salvalion, xxx, xxx, xxx, xxx).

Claim stubs (provided by a donor from Manila) were numbered and were the basis for identifying the recipient of POJ.

The initial target was only 200 recipients... but because of the overflowing donations, the number of beneficiaries doubled.

MG Yokers gratefully acknowledges the donors for their selfless generosity (some requested anonymity):

1. JAYAN - Ferdinand & Mary Castro - P10,000

2. Donor "PANTAT" - P10,000
3. KARAB - Cesar Mozar - P10,000
4. AGOK-OK - Stella Marie Doyungan - P4,000
5. Madam Teresin Mendezona - P2,000
6. IGI - Fidel & Wilhaida Elsisura - P10,080
7. Engr. & Mrs Hermie & Ning Odiada & family - P5,000
8. Naids A. Eroma Bulawin - P1,625
9. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Relliquette - P1,000
10. Kagang - Bobot Tagbuyawan - P5,000
11. Bunog - Tanie dela Costa - P1,000
12. Madam Merian Tirol - P2,000
13. Kasili - Ranulfo Lincuna & family - P20,000
14. Bayanak - Zoraida Sudweeks - P8,000
15. Gurami - Alda Mondano Ame - P4,000
16. Gabot - Sylvia Rivera - P4,000
17. Bugwan - Ferdinand & Mary Castro - P2,295
18. Uyang - Ofelia Krones - P5,000
19. Mrs. Rufina Montaner - P700
20. Gingaw - Flora Farell - P5,000
21. Isik - Rowena Mosende Windsor - P2,000.00
22. Lambuyo - Gaudencio Mondano - P10,000
23. Kyambuay - Loida Mondano Acker - P10,000
24. Hayuan - Vetopete Mora - P2,000
25. Koyot - Brando Juan - P2,000
26. Susu - Jo Libarnes - P1,000
27. Bakupo - Jessica Libarnes - P1,000
28. Balolong - Brenda Mondano - P2,000
29. Bajun-on - Albert Juan - P1,500
30. Palaka - Enan Echin - P1,517
31. GAkit - Ching Mondano - P2,000
32. Bangkuk - Ening Villamon-Luares - P1,500
33. Donor "Karpa" - P4,000
34. Kuyabutan - Maribel Mosende Gallado - P2,000
35. Buyabudhan - Joy Mosad - P8,000
36. PidjangaZimmbodillion Mosende - P500
37. Wati - Paolo Mordeno - P1,000
38. Uhipan - Jennifer Salino Antonio - P1,000
39. Uyod - Gina Villapane Dimaampao - P1,000
40. Pijanga - Suzette Mondano - P1,000
41. Saguyon - Gemma Mongado Toledo - P2,139
42. Linta - Audie Relliquettee - P2,000
43. Kohol - Glenda Caberte - P3,000

Grand Total P172,856

(November 4 to December 9, 2011

Hanggang sa muli (matud pa).

Photos will be uploaded later!

Dec 31, 2011

Trivia: The 17 places in the Philippines named "MAINIT"

(Click image to enlarge)

The MAINIT of the PhilippinesAugust 2005
Source: Microsoft Encarta 2005

MINDANAO
1. Mainit of Surigao del Norte (ato ini - see map above)
2. Mainit in Davao Oriental (Near San Alfonso and the Municipality of San Rafael, Davao Or.)
3. Mainit in Camiguin (near Lawigan and the Mun. of Catarman and Sagay, Camiguin)

VISAYAS
4. Ma-init in Cebu (Between Minglanilla and San Fernando, near the Mun. of Carcar, Cebu)
5. Mainit in Southern Leyte (near Pigut and the Mun. of St. Bernard, So. Leyte)
6. Mainit in Negros Occidental (near Cambairan, and the Mun. of Santo Nino, Negros Occidental) 7. Mainit in Cebu (near San Sebastian, near the Mun. of Santander, Cebu)

LUZON
8. Mainit in Quezon (near Manasa and Alsam, near the Mun. of Sariaya, Quezon)
9. Mainit in Lagawe (near Pides and Anabel, near the Mun. of Bontoc, Lagawe)
10. Mainit in Palawan (Near Ipilan, near the Mun. of Barongbarong and Lara, Palawan)
11. Mainit in Camarines Sur (near Maragni and the Mun. of Pasacao, Camarines Sur)
12. Mainit in Rizal (Near Sandalan and Tinukan, and the Mun. of Real, Rizal)
13. Mainit in Mindoro (Palicayan and Tubigan, and the Mun. of Paluan, Oriental Mindoro)
14. Mainit in Romblon (at Banton Island, Romblon)
15. Mainit in Marinduque (near Balimbing and Hadiagan, near the Mun.of Boac, Marinduque)
16. Mainit in Romblon (near Batiano and Tablas Island, near the Mun.of Odionan, Romblon)
17. Mainit Norte and Mainit Sur in Alabat Island, Quezon (near the Mun.of San Jose and Atimonan, Quezon).

Jun 12, 2006

Categories: photos, mainit, surigao, caraga, mindanao, philippines

Kongkista

By: ZYMosende (Taga Barangay Magsaysay, Poblacion Mainit)
April 10, 2002

“Hala gadjud kamo, iton na an mga kongkista, pamanaw pa kamo… aja gadjud kamo panhigabai.” Lolo Bitoy (Vedasto Villamon Libarnes Mosende, 1886-1994) to his grandchildren.

My old folks use the word “kongkista” referring to the old indigenous mainitnon “kongking” or known in Philippine anthropology as the “mamanwa”.

“Kongkistas” resemble that of the “aetas” or “negritos” of Central Luzon, one of the most known indigenous tribes in the Philippines, also known to be the first Filipinos. They are short, black in complexion, with kinky hair, and with round heads.

My Lolo Bitoy, as clearly indicated in his comments above, and together with older Mainitnons (I believe), strongly believes that kongkings could “makagaba!” “ Aside from “gaba” they are believed to cause “suuk” and “saak”.

Gaba and suuk seem to be the same. When you get the smell these natives as they pass by you… you develop nausea and/or unusual internal trouble… that eventually will give fever and tiredness (panhawoy nan mga joints). Then the “tadjhop”, “tawas” and/or “atuyob” will be prescribed to you by the old folks!

“Saak” is a specific “suuk” (according to Lola Tisay). When you get “saak”… you vomit a lot and oftentimes you get the other symptoms of the “suuk”.

So, when we were young (as if again grabe na katiguyang kuman, hehehe), when we see “kongkistas”, we go hide for our lives.

Aside from associating these people of “gaba”… we, who have lived longer in Mainit, will remember them as “roaming” people. We see them roaming around the town during special occasions, right! These “mamanwas” are mostly prominent during fiestas – in any barrio in Mainit. Although they are seen during Christmas, New Year and other festive holidays.

Especially during fiestas, the “kongkings” (I am using mamanwa, kongking and kongkista interchangeably), visit houses, like any other “mamis” (mamistahay), to join the household in celebrating the feast of the place through sharing a meal. But unlike the “dumagat” or “civilian” (hehehe, meaning dili native), they go to houses whose residents they do not even know – well, not as acquaintance. And, usually, after the first group (or first few mamanwas) receive a “good” treatment – meaning, they have eaten well (bisag nagtindog didto sa ilayom nan kasagingan suud sa abo) and that they got some “BH” (bring house) – news will spread of that house. One will surely expect endless groups of mamanwas coming in and shouting (some will just yell in a gentle way) “lumon, maayong pistah!”. One will notice that the groups have already gone to several households because you will see them carrying plastic bags (usually transparent) filled with cooked rice and viand.

As I have said, they visit houses not only during fiestas but also during holidays. Basically, they can be considered beggars… they beg for food… money… clothing… or anything under the sun.

In the earlier times (circa 1960s), aside from the not-so-nice-image about mamanwas, according to my Titas, these Mamanwas come to town and bring goods to exchange for food, clothing or money. Usually these include wild orchids, “kamangyan”, “kayape”, “uway”, “lagos” and etcetera. My folks usually look forward to the coming of the mamanwas. Kayape is the fruit of the uway (rattan). Although I have neither tasted nor saw it myself, according to Lola Tisay, its golden (yellow) in color and tastes very sweet. Lagos is the stripped skin of the uway and usually used for tying nipa shingles (a local roof material common in Mainit).

I have already outgrown the fear of getting near these Mamanwas. When I got older, I realized that they are normal human beings just like me… but in several aspects different because of their culture. For me, the “suuk” (and other sickness believed to be caused by Mamanwas) which my Lolo really feared for us were, in fact, true. Well, at least for me, it is…. because these people have a very peculiar smell or body odor. And this odor is usually horrible that little children get sick. Well, that is over an above the reality that they too are potential carriers of diseases common to people who do not have the proper hygiene.

Going back to their odor… My family, especially Daddy Yonie, has a special bond with the marginalized people (or the unusual ones e.g. Enggoy, Aming, Rizalians, migrants, etc)… one of them are the Mamanwas. And so, in several occasions I had opportunities of going with Daddy and friends to Sito Gasipan, Brgy. Cantugas, where the Mainit-based Kongkitas usually reside. I met a number of them, but I could particularly remember the families of “Mauinon” and “Boboy”, the former an elder member of the community, and the latter a younger tribal-leader who had also a chance of joining the Citizen Arm Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU). I fondly remember them because they call or describe us (Mosende brothers) in kinongking as “dagmirawan oryental” – meaning handsome human beings (hehehe, bukad isab an atay)! In those exposures, I have learned that these people do live in very small houses. Think of a regular-sized rectangular table (around 4’ X 10’), put a four (4) arm-sized poles as support, cover it with netted bamboo sheets used as walls and roof it with nipa shingles… amo na iton an ila bayay! And in the field, during the night, they do burn leaves and other smoke-producing materials to keep them warm and away from mosquitoes during their sleep. Here where their odor comes from. They seldom take a bath or if they do, they just use laundry soap (Mr. Clean bar). When they go down to the town (kun mulugsong sa lungsod), they just walk under the heat of the sun. And so odor that causes “suuk” comes out.

I have one final memory about this interesting group of Mainitnons. Remember in the early 90’s, during the happier and earlier times of the money pyramiding scam in Surigao, otherwise known as ABM? Because of the “easy” multiplication of money (an investment of P100 will yield around P5,000 in 45 days – or more like to that effect)… the business spread all throughout Surigao and that has reached the Manmanwas. Aside from getting the full cash reward, one could also opt to get appliances like refrigerator and others. Here is the story… the first few mamanwas did the wise move. They too opted to get appliances and one family got a ref because they were told that they could store fish, vegetables, and meat for days without getting it foul. And when they reached their beloved Mainit, prior to their going home to Gasipan… hala gadjod… kinumprahayay nan amo ra kay kutob… to their hearts content they bought kilos and kilos of balolong, luyab, pijanga… ayna tanan. But after a few days… all the goods in the ref got spoiled. Investigation revealed that the Mamanwas in Gasipan do not have electricity at that time (kuman jaon na?).

I do not mean anything to downgrade or discriminate the Kongkistas. I am writing this because I am sure that you have all sorts of accounts about your encounters with them, who are also “Mainitnons”. I believe that you, in one way or another, do have the same beliefs about them. And the truth is, not many among us Mainitnons have seriously considered knowing this indigenous treasure of ours. There is so much to learn about them… their language, their culture… a lot! I hope this will ignite a soul to devote a time in doing research about the kongkistas. And by learning about them… we will also know their concerns… their problems, their vision… which, we could do something about to make better their lives. (Amen hehehehe)

Atuyob and Tawas

By: ZYMosende (Taga Barangay Magsaysay, Poblacion Mainit)

April 10, 2002

"Toy, (referring to Lolo Bitoy), taghilantan man inin bata, kataas raba, ato na ini ATUYOBan, nan dispis (despues) TAWASan kay dakan mawaya an hilanat". Lola Tisay (Teresa Mongado Simchico-Mosende, 1906 -1994)

During my childhood in the early 80's (sounds dugay na noh, hehehe),
oftentimes when I get sick (usually fever), my grandfolks bring me upstairs and let me sleep in their room! This is true to all of the grandchildren of the Mosende family. I, together with the grandchildren, consider this as a very precious experience.

Initially, I am given all sorts of "tiniguyang" medications. I am given a specialized drinking water. It comes from our "banga" that contains two special stones, a fist-sized "carbon" and a half-fist-sized "sulfur". To me, the water was refrigerator cold. When put in a long drinking glass ( I think a Nescafe glass with "giring-giring sa kilid"), all sorts of herbs, all "hamot" and "inday-uno-an-baho", were put. I remember the names of some - "tamok", "busikad", "hilbas", "sagbong"... gee, I can still picture them while writing this.

I am also sponge-bathed with "suka na aslom karadjaw" to cool myself. My regular morning and afternoon bath are suspended. Just imagine how one smells-like after three days.

All my meals include a "bisaya na itlog". Lolo or Daddy makes a small hole on the egg, puts a little salt and mixes it using a toothpick. Gwark... I eat the eggs raw... "para sustansiya kuno". I almost developed an egg phobia.

When the fever gets very high... ATUYOB and TAWAS come in! Upon Lolo Bitoy's signal, Lola Tisay opens her metal box (old square biscuit container with round cover - resembling that of Skyflakes). All sorts of stuff come out - to name a few - "panit nan page", "kilyawan", "tawas na puti and tapuy", "dahon nan buli", slices of tree barks, wood picks (bagan "hilono" an ngayan), "kamangyan", "pili" (incense) etc. Lola cuts some parts of my unwashed clothes (samoy-samoy nan baro) - "sobra na hilo (thread)" or "gisi na laylayan" etc. She then mixes in a used coconut shell these "personal things" with the "atuyob" ingredients. Lola then murmurs some prayers while I sit in front of her partly wrapped with a thin blanket. She lights the mixture and puts last the incense powder. The house usually smells like the church... this is done every 6PM for three days.

For three days too, during the "atuyob" days, a small white tawas is tied in my shirt. The shirt is not usually changed during the whole duration of the ceremony (whew!). At the end of the third day, the tawas is put on a metal container and heated using a candle. The tawas melts and it comes in different forms. Most of the time, if it looks like a circle with some few small circles in it, Lola will describe it as a face of a man. The usual conclusion was "nabujagan" or "tag-gabaan". "Ah, an kongking man bagan ini na nubisita nan isa ka adlaw kay an tawas jaoy malagat na mata sana bagan kulot an buhok!" sometimes, the melted tawas resembles a tree, a pig, etc and, of course, the interpretation differs. On the fourth day... in the final atuyob, the melted tawas is included... with prayers that the cause of
the "bujag" or "gaba" will spare me from its scourge.

The whole process cures me, well, us.... fantastic, isn't it!