CDC-ME

CDC - Middle East Activities

Saturday, March 12, 2005

"Ilos"

Ilos

March
5, 2005: near Talatin Area, Riyadh, KSA. While brainstorming plans for CDC GRAND MOREY and AGTA AWARDS,
Senan (Angara) came-up with the suggestion to use "Ilos" for the plaque design to be awarded to distinguished Casiguranins (Agta). "Ilos" si a root crop found in the mountains eaten by Agtas. It is a sticky crop that can be prepared as cake or as bread dough. There was a
bounty of these before the logging proliferated. This is one trade secret of the agtas for their survival in the forest. Certainly, if you can eat this, you can survive, imagine Tom Hank's character in Cast Away. It is a fitting symbolism for the Agta Awards.

Ilos being ugat depicts Casiguranins' attachments to their mother town and kababayans. Though away, we cannot be uprooted as we remained concerned and goes back to our hometown. Its being available and useful in the most hostile environment symbolizes our resilience in the face of the strongest typhoons and blatant corruption. For 400 years now, we are the true survivors.

Agta Awards is Casiguran.com's way of giving tribute to distinguished Casiguranins in several areas of endeavour in public service. We wish to honor and recognize selfless Agtas who have dedicated their life to a mission that benefited many or simply as an exemplary example that inspired others. By looking up to our forebears we hope to set a good tradition and exemplify the good virtues of our tribe - Casiguranin, a special minority group distinct from the nomadic Casiguranin Agta. Details and mechanics for the awards will be published in Bandilyo.

Labels: 2004-2006, cdcme, riyadh