Foreigner touched by humility, hospitality of the Kalinga people

Photo Courtesy || Becoming Filipino

Cordillera - "I was really starting to get overwhelmed.  Giving, Caring, Open, Friendly, Trusting, Positive... Manong Teddy is exactly what we should all strive to be. It really touched my heart interacting with him in this small mountain village of Kalinga."

These are the words of appreciation by Kyle Jennerman to a kindhearted Kalinga man who offered coffee and invited him to his house in Lubuagan, Kalinga.

When Jennerman, popularly known as Kulas visited Kalinga for the very first time a few years back, he met Manong Teddy, a 57-year old farmer who happens to be the most hospitable and open person in the village.

READ ALSO: Igorots are the most civilized people - Kulas

In his Facebook post, Kulas narrated how he was inspired to the act of kindness and genuine hospitality shown by Manong Teddy.

Watch the video below of how Kulas meet Manung Teddy in Lubuagan, Kalinga.

Read Kulas' post below:

"Meet Manong Teddy.  I didn't know him, he didn't know me, but we crossed paths and shared moments together I will never forget. 

Here I was in Barangay Upper Uma, Lubuagan Kalinga.  Out of curiosity, I trekked down to this little village nestled under mountains and surrounded by rice terraces... it was just so beautiful.  Alone and unaware of my surroundings, I still felt comfortable.  Heading towards this village I just felt like I was in the right place, and surrounded by good. 

Walking up through rice fields and getting closer to houses, I saw a man sitting on the ground...

"Brother! How are you!"

This 57 year old man who introduced himself as Teddy smiled and spoke beaming with happiness.  He didn't speak much english, and my Tagalog wasn't perfect in the least... but we worked it out.  A simple conversation was had.  As I stood up and walked away I heard Teddy once again:

"Coffee?  At my place?"

I decided to turn back and accept it.  And so I found myself in Manong Teddy's house.  It was a simple house with very few appliances, but filled with love... you could just feel it.  And when he handed me fresh coffee, and apologized:

"Sorry, I have no bread."

That was when it all started to hit me.  

I quickly interrupted him... "Manong... no, no... let me get the bread!"  There was no bread in the village sari-sari store.  But i managed to get some crackers.    

Back in Manong Teddy's house I noticed a picture on the wall.  Turns out his son was away in Sulu.  He joined the military and was away from home, serving the Philippines.  The minutes ticked away... we sat down, talked about life, educated each other about our languages, and I even used my Philippines map tattoo to explain where I was from in Mindanao.  I was a complete stranger... but Manong never hesitated to open up his life, and his home to me.  He even apologized for "not having enough to offer me".  

Excuse my language here. Really I don't swear and I apologize for this, but I want you to feel my emotion here...  I don't F***ing deserve that!  How dare he apologize for giving.  GIVING.  That is all he had been doing the past 45 minutes! But you see, that is the Philippines... a place where giving is a part of life.  Where people pride themselves on JUST GIVING.  

How that needs to spread... Just give.  How I believe it will.  One day at a time if we strive to emulate it. 

As the afternoon ticked away, I realized I wanted to see the rice terraces before it got too late.  I thanked Manong Teddy and left his house... but even then he looked out for me.  Manong sent a group of kids from the village to guide me.  And as I explored and started to head up the far side of the terraces towards my motorbike... Manong was already waiting near the top.  He must have been watching out for me, and making sure I wasn't having any difficulties.  

We met again near the base of the trail up to my motor I noticed he was standing over some watercress:

"Kulas, would you like to take some watercress?"

Grabe!  He wasn't just watching out for me... Manong Teddy now even wanted to give me his vegetables!  I politely declined, and we proceeded to walk up the last bit of trail.  

"Kulas, you are always welcome here.  Your friends can sleep in my house anytime."

I was really starting to get overwhelmed.  Giving, Caring, Open, Friendly, Trusting, Positive... Manong Teddy is exactly what we should all strive to be. It really touched my heart interacting with him in this small mountain village of Kalinga.

I was so touched by all his acts of kindness and giving... I wish I had something I could offer him.

And right before I left I asked:

"Manong, have you ever seen Canadians here?  Ever met one?"

He responded:

"You are the first.  First one I have ever heard of in our place."

I didn't have much on me... but I did have my favourite Canadian jersey. I took it off and offered it to him.  Manongs first reaction:

"No! No!  It is cold..."

Yes it was getting towards night time, and it was cold.  Manong didn't want to accept my gift, because he recognized it would make me feel uncomfortable!  

NO.  NOT A CHANCE I WASN'T LETTING HIM ACCEPT THIS GIFT.  

He took it in the end with a big smile.  

And what I took with me for the rest of my life is a heart full of lessons from this Filipino Manong... on how WE AS HUMANS SHOULD BE.

The Philippines is full of people like Manong Teddy, and I am so blessed to be here learning from them... 

One day at a time.

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WATCH: Kulas shows "biggest waterfall in the Philippines" located in Mankayan

Photo Courtesy || Kulas

Cordillera - Watch Becoming Filipino Kyle Jennerman or 'Kulas' as he shows us his first-hand experience travelling to 'Inudey' Falls located in Mankayan, Benguet. 

In his video, Kulas travels one of the most exciting mountain plateau in the Philippines. Using his drones, he captures the massive waterfall right on the boundary of Mt. Province and Benguet called the 'Inudey' Falls. 

According to the elders' story, Inudey falls is believed to be the tears from siblings "Gatan and Binayat" who cried endlessly out of sadness. 

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Canadian and his Igorot friend take crazy motor adventure to see the best Philippine sunrise in Atok.

Photo Courtesy || Becoming Filipino

Cordillera - When Kyle Jennerman or popularly called "Kulas" decided to visit Cordillera a few years back, he started his journey in Benguet. 

Joined with his Igorot friend, they took of a motorcycle ride and went straight up to the top of Mt. Timbak in Atok to see the best Philippine sunrise. 

He wrote, "I woke up early and found myself standing in a beautiful sunflower patch looking out towards Mt. Pulag and massive valleys. This was an incredible place to catch a sunrise."

"Then I met my new local Filipino friend Jerol, who joined me on a hilarious  scooter adventure up the side of of Mt. Timbak. Turns out this mountain is actually the 9th highest in the Philippines! It only took a little bit of walking, but we found ourselves totally immersed in beautiful views and lots or terraces of vegetables!, he added. 

"Benguet has so many good vibes, and I am making so many Filipino friends!" Kulas said.

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"People of the Mountains are full of beautiful energy...MUSICAL ENERGY" - Kulas

Photo Courtesy || BecomingFilipino FB

Cordillera - "I used to think that Igorots tended to be a bit more shy... but wow am I ever being proven wrong time and time again on this trip! Filipinos in the mountains are full of beautiful energy... MUSICAL ENERGY!"

These are the words by Canadian vlogger Kulas that he shared on social media when he visited Bedbed, Mankayan, Benguet and had a little time jamming with the Igorots by playing the gongs.

Kulas had an amazing experience learning to play the gongs in the mountains of the Cordilleras with the backdrop of vegetable gardens and rice fields.

Igorots are one of the most civilized people

He also met with a local blacksmith Marlon who showed him his workshop for fabricating hand made gongs.

Gongs had been the town's One Town, One Product and the municipality had manufactured the biggest gong in the Philippines which measures about 7 feet (2.133 meters) in  diameter and weighs 175 kilograms.

The construction of the gong signifies the town as the source of the best gong in the Philippines. 

Locals of Barangay, Bedbed fabricated gong made up of brass and bronze. 

Last year the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) put up a Gong Fabrication Facility and Equipment in the said barangay to make it easier for the locals to make gongs. 

Demand for gongs over the past years had been increasing mainly from token collectors with one gong priced at P8,000 to P27,000. 

Watch this video from 'Kulas' who went to Bedbed and documented what he learnt from one of the local manufacturer of gongs.

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Canadian vlogger says Sagada and Kalinga are the most beautiful places he had visited in the Philippines

Photo Courtesy || Becoming Filipino FB

Cordillera - A triumphant and memorable journey from the south all the way to the north passing through seas and mountains, Kyle Jennerman or popularly known as 'Kulas' had successfully concluded his road adventure in Batanes using his motorcycle he named 'Cindy'. 

When he arrived in Batanes, he was met by Rated K TV crew and conduct a short interview about his journey. 

When asked about his top 5 most memorable places in the Philippines, Sagada and Kalinga are his top one choice. The reason - the views of Sagada and Kalinga are incredible. 

"We literally drove from Manila up to Sagada and then Sagada to Kalinga. Sobrang malaki ang mountains, crazy roads but the views are incredible", Kulas said. 

In his travel diary in his BecomingFilipino Facebook Page, he shared what he learned about the Apayao Province. 

READ ALSO: Canadian vlogger "Kulas" admires the toughness of the Igorots and had a message to people discriminating them

"Driving trough Cagayan Valley, I realized I was near the Provincial Capital of Apayao. So, I decided to take a little detour. Even though I haven't explore the Province, it was great to learn a little and better understand just how big and diverse Luzon is! Did you know that Apayao is only 23 years old, and split from "Kaling-Apayao".

Yup, nestled away amongst  farmland on the foothills of massive mountains...Apayao's Provincial Capital kind of looks like a heart. Make sense! Because for the brief moments I spent there a lot of love was thrown at me...

It was such as beautiful simple experience outside the Capital, and without a doubt it made me realize..in the future I MUST explore this Province in the mountains."

Staying in Sagada is an incredible experience for Kulas. The cool temperatures and natural climate, the delicious local brewed coffee and Blueberries and the hospitality of the people, these are all the things Kulas will never forget about the town of Sagada. 

READ ALSO: WATCH: Canadian Vlogger "Kulas" travels to the vegetable terraces in Atok, Benguet

"Sagada, your environment is incredible, and you offer so many simple things that truly add comfort and happiness to days spent in your charming town", Kulas wrote in his FB page. 

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