Taloctoc - the far-flung paradise in my childhood

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As I have previously mentioned, I belong to a cultural minority called the I-Kalingas. People also call us 'Igorots' because our forefathers originated from the far-flung mountainous regions of the Cordilleras. In the Kalinga village of Taloctoc, Tanudan, daily life was rooted in simplicity and communal connection. Christmas celebrations were modest. Children performed school programs, caroled through the night, lit bonfires, and sang the Salidummay, while some elders would douse carolers with cold water in jest Kitchens used only minimal seasoning. The fresh fish is simmered in water with garlic or ginger, sometimes wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in bamboo to infuse it with a natural aroma. Vegetables and meats were similarly boiled, sans the spices. Diners dipped boiled meats into rock salt and red pepper rather than cooking with condiments to preserve the natural flavor. People dressed practically, and cleanliness mattered more than style. Torn or patched clothes weren’t a sign of poverty: even wealthy individuals might wear tattered garments despite owning gold or vast rice fields Throughout the year, life lacked complexity. Festivities were communal and low-key, governed by tradition rather than ceremony. Ownership and status were reflected in community values rather than outward displays. While this post is rooted in my childhood memories of older times, it highlights a cultural ethos of honesty, mutual respect, and unpretentious living in Kalinga villages like Taloctoc. I have not been there for almost 40 years. I wish I could go back and enjoy once again a refreshing dip in the clear river waters, and taste the fresh flavor of guavas growing in the wild, while waiting for the others to catch fish in the river for food. Those were the days! The photo is of Taloctoc. Photo credit.