All This Talk

The Russian Federation currently has the floor. And the Co-chair interrupted him to ask what he meant by BPOA - to which he replied "The Bali Plan of Action - it came out funny, somehow, generating laughs from the people inside the conference room. It was usually referred to as BOP or the Bali Action Plan. Australia is now speaking, chuckled when she said she would express the principles she had in mind in sixty seconds.

It's hard to be distracted, on such a time like this, actually. I have the bigger urge to listen to what the speakers are saying, rather than trying to write this - fearing I might miss something -  something that will definitely be historical and worldwide in scope - and missed it because I was not paying attention.

It is already overwhelming being a spectator as all these talks go on. On some other circumstance, I would have been very cynical, having such an aversion to "so much talk." With the news of typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis that have recently rocked the world, this gathering of 4,000 people has become more real to me, and I am actually appreciating it, even the tedious process. As part of the delegation of an observer NGO representing indigenous peoples, I am even in more awe of the thought that what we are here for can make a difference on the lives of millions of people who have historically been marginalized, and are placed in a most vulnerable position, despite being least contributory to climate change.

There is yet more talk to happen, until deals are sealed at Copenhagen in December. Bangkok has its place in this process. And as I watch, I can only hope that "all this talk" will amount to something that people in here, including me, would be proud of.

News of Manila in Bangkok

"There's a typhoon now. Floods all over this am. But seems to be fading."  Got that as a text message, and just took note of it. Because the day was far from done, there was more to talk about, by this group of around a hundred indigenous peoples all over the world. I do not think the arguments became much hotter than the warmth of the Bangkok sun, and as I strained to listen, I was more concerned with those 34 pieces of translation equipment that my colleage and I issued to the participants. I had a lot on my mind. Including, how to get all of them back.

At the end of the day, in the restaurant, we finally had a chance to talk about the flooding in Manila, but we became engrossed on the bouquet of greens that was brought to our table - which happened to be my dinner.

The following day, the flooding in Metro Manila was all over the news. I finally got the details of the situation from the Bangkok Post paper that I picked up from the hotel. It did look bad. It looked even worse when I was finally able to view videos of the flooding.

Now, as the talks on climate change start here in Bangkok, many of the speakers, representatives of the different countries who are here to negotiate on what to do with the changing climate,  have already expressed their sympathy for the disaster that has befallen the Philippines.

It feels strange being a recipient of these sympathies, and having to respond to people from other countries asking what the situation in the Philippines is now, when I have also been merely a spectator of the news that has come.

I feel that things are okay, because I have contacted family and they have assured me of their safety. But I know it is not, because when I watched TV this morning, the Metro Manila flooding is still in the news.  "Worst flood in 20 years. " "A month's worth of rain, in a day."  Tell me this is not climate change?

“GO COUNTRY IN BANAUE”

“GO COUNTRY IN BANAUE”

The annual Oktoberfest celebration sponsored mainly by the San Miguel Beer Corporation will be held in Banaue with the purpose of enhancing tourism in the said municipality. The Ifugao Provincial Government in partnership with the Banaue Hotel & Banaue Youth Hostel and the Local Government Unit of Banaue prepared series of activities with the “Go Country in Banaue” concert featuring professional folk and country bands and the winner of the weekly amateur folk and country band competition as the focal event.

The said celebration will start off with a massive information drive on the first week of October in the different colleges and universities, local government units, other concerned agencies, and business establishments through a caravan to be participated by the sponsors and participating agencies and establishments. The caravan would be traveling to the northeastern part of the Cordillera and some municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya to encourage local bands to audition for the weekly competition. Winners will have a chance to be featured as front acts during the main concert aside from the cash prize that they would be receiving.

The “Go Country in Banaue” concert differs in that it will be presenting country songs which is the music genre of the Cordillerans aside from their indigenous music. This activity primarily aims to discover and develop local talents in the entertainment industry. It also aims to promote Banaue and the Banaue Hotel as the future premier destination of the North by institutionalizing the Oktoberfest celebration as part of the annual activity of the province.

Local amateur bands interested to join the weekly competition may contact the resident manager of Banaue Hotel, Ms. Ma. Zenaida Quinahan at the following numbers: (074) 386-4087 or 09184441931. Tickets for the “Going Country in Banaue” concert which will be held on October 27, 2007 at the carpark of the Banaue Hotel can be bought from the following ticket outlets:

Reference: Robie Halip