Much Ado About Rice Terraces

I was a little disappointed knowing the facts below ... I have that mistaken notion that there is only one rice terrace in the world ... and that is the Banaue Rice Terraces in Sagada in Baguio.

I was a little dismayed and disheartened ... because I thought we were the original. Whoever made it first is immaterial ... now we should not take credit that our ancestors were a genius bunch because other countries have also thought of putting the same novel idea into reality. 

I don't think they have internet access several centuries back ... or they have cellphones where Igorots talk to other Asian counterparts and compare notes ... so we can't accuse anybody of copying the works of others. That would be the first work of plagiarism ever recorded in olden times (if that was really what happened)- a practice where a country takes someone else's work or ideas and passes them off as one's own.

I did my own research and I found out that rice terraces are not our Igorot ancestor's brainchild ... other Asian countries have their own version of it too ... as rice terraces exist in the following locations. Who made it first ... and who copied ... is the 24-dollar question.

1. Banaue Rice Terraces - Philippines

2. Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces - North Vietnam

3. Sapa Rice Terraces- Vietnam

4. Yuanyang Rice Terraces - Yunnan Province China

5. Tegalalang Rice Terraces - Ubud Bali Indonesia

6. Rice Terraces Facing The Ocean - Hamanoura Saga Japan

7. Rice Terraces With Hillside Villages- Annapurna Nepal

8. Rice Terraces With Stilt Houses - Jiabang Guizho China

9. Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh Rice Terraces - India

10. Pa Pong Piang Rice Terraces - Thailand

11. Hong He Hani Rice Terraces - China

12. Houshitogue Tanada Niigata Rice Terraces - Japan

You see ... I can't believe Rice Terraces are a dime dozen ... even Miagao Iloilo in Barangay Cabalaunan has its own rice terraces (I only know it today). The fact that Banaue Rice Terraces was heralded as the eighth wonders of the world is losing its substance. 

The once Stairway To The Sky ... which is a rare experience is fast becoming ordinary and common ... passe and becomes of little value. It is even eroding its mystery and the enigma of the story behind the story. 

What was worse was ... browsing images of the other rice terraces just like the image above ... Banaue pales in comparison beauty-wise, grandeur-wise, or splendor-wise.

Guys don't bash me for feeling this way. I am no spoiled brat who felt rice terraces were losing its charm and magic. It is just one of those days when information overload strikes from nowhere and siphons whatever appreciation or patience left of you.

Don't worry ... this is just temporary ... it will pass!

If A Picture Paints A Thousand Words

Pictures don't lie.  We have been inundated with lavish words like Stairway To Heaven and Eight Wonders of the World by our elementary school teachers but do the generous and unselfish words commensurate to the hype?

I don't trust words ... I trust pictures ... unless it was photoshopped. I hate extravagant and extensive publicity and promotional stunts (they can be subjective) ... I hate hyperbole and conditioning the students' minds in the classroom as if what the teachers are preaching is the gospel truth,

Truth in advertisement and hyping ... and truth in the teacher's use of words in his lectures. When consumers see or hear an advertisement, whether it's on the internet, radio or television, or anywhere else, the law says that the ad must be truthful, not misleading, and, when appropriate, backed by scientific evidence. We demand the same thing with the teachers' pronouncements. The student's minds are malleable and they always believe what is being fed to them.

Truth in tourism advertising is a valued principle in brand development and management. Good marketing includes authenticity and truth ... and these two factors can always help sell your brand.

Now compare the pictures and see who will win the eighth Wonder of the World (if there is one).

1. Sa Pa Terraces Vietnam

2. Yuanhang Terraces - China

3. Hong He Hani Rice Terraces - China

4, Guang Xi Province China

5. Mu Cang Chai Terraces Vietnam

6. Tegalalang Terrace Ubud Indonesia

7. Rice Terraces in Nepal

8. Hamanoura Terraces Japan

9. Hashitougue Tanada Niigata

10. Banaue Rice Terraces Philippines

What The Hell

I just remembered that I must turn on the aircon before sleeping. And when I woke up at midnight I had night sweats. I was almost soaking wet.

This is just a preview of what to expect this summer. Ito rin ang pre-trial ng impiyerno ... na malapit ng magkaroon ng premiere night ... say 2 weeks from now? Are you excited?

Definition

Definition of Maritess: a true "tsismosa" who judges a person without batting an eyelash based on the made-up stories by others taken from questionable sources. 

Who cares about the truth ... what is important is the juicy lies and salacious innuendos spread against the victim. That is the GASOLINE that FUELS and drives a roving Maritesses of the world to continue what they do best.

The Gossip Culture

 

Why do people gossip?

Aside from being a favorite pastime... talking about the life of others has high entertainment value. You can ask Cristy Fermin, the high priestess and a guru of chismis, chica-chica, and rumor-mongering.

Talk is cheap and gossip is considered the cheapest of all recreational activities. A friend from America admits, that gossiping using the internet maintains her sanity ... a good scandal perks up her energy  ... it is like a blood transfusion - it gives color to her otherwise anemic existence and a much-needed breath for another lease of life.

Gossiping can be a simple chat on Facebook, ... or browsing political dirt on YouTube and keeping yourself updated with what's going on in the lives of your favorite actors and actresses.

For your mental health, gossiping is socially connecting with friends, and talking with them gives you some feel-good emotions recognizing you are in a better situation - that makes you feel good about yourself.

When you indulge in an idle talk with your group ... it gives you the green light to be human. It allows you to embrace your imperfections and learn from your mistakes. It permits you to laugh and cry ... and gives you the freedom to tell stories that you enjoy ... and share details and knowledge with people you are bonding with ... and the group you can trust.

While behavioral scientists and social pundits believe that gossiping is harmless and generally thought of as healthy ... some people cross the line and go beyond what is proper and unacceptable.

When rumors are being spread in a workplace maliciously and the rumor-monger's intention is to destroy the person's name ... that is where gossip turns around from HARMLESS to HARMFUL. 

When one feels happy about the misfortune of the person he loathes ... that's a big turnaround. This is when gossip bloom and metamorphoses from being HEALTHY to UNHEALTHY.

The mere fact that you are happy ... is SICK.  And being petty and vindictive. 

There Oughtta Be A Law

Gossip is a spice of life. 

But when can one realize that the culture of gossip you indulge in (especially the way you disseminate information ... and the motives you have sharing its juiciest details) is paving you the way to the Twilight Zone.

Some people think that spreading fake news and painting the town red by spreading hearsay information from unreliable sources is harmless and normal.

I am sorry to burst your bubble ... but when gossip is done to tarnish and blemish the reputation of another person ... you can't have your cake and eat it too. You are either liable for a fine, pay damages, incur civil liabilities or in the worst-case scenario ... you can land in jail.

Intriguing against honor ... is gossip in the real sense of the word. So the operative word here is that when the principal source of the gossip is undisclosed or concealed yet the individual continues with liberty and perked up renewed enthusiasm to peddle his gossip wares ... and his motives are transparent that he just wants to discredit the little guy ... destroy his credibility ... and drag him to mire ... "pwede ka maghimas ng rehas." 

Gossiping is not a criminal offense but if the hearsay and innuendos are commensurate and are equal to cyber-libel, oral defamation, slander, and unjust vexation ... be prepared to pack your bags.

You heard it right. So if you are a hometown CCTV ... or to put it bluntly you are a Marites inside and out ... where you thrive on dishing out hearsays and gossip ... be careful because a lawsuit may just be a stone-throw away. It is just a matter of time ... before somebody teaches you a lesson or two.

So if you are a restless and compulsive hometown peddler of gossip ... be careful. KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT ... and mind your own business.

USC Thornton Chamber Singers: “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” by San Pedro