#kalibo

A photograph of an old Kalibo Jetty Port at New Buswang Beach. Taken from Kalibo, Aklan, Phillipines.

Here is the link to the products available @redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/173723647

18/365

Engkanto sa Bukid Tigayon (The Fairies of Tigayon Hill)

Tigayon Hill is a place in Kalibo, on the island of Panay in The Philippines; it is covered with many trees, and rocks that are covered in moss. Resting on the hill, on the way to the topmost point, is a balete tree, with branches spreading everywhere; it would be easy to get lost in it, and one almost expects a Kapre--- a tree-dwelling giant--- to step out, for the balete tree is said to be their natural home, according to Philippine folklore.

All over the hill there are signs of the Christian Church--- a Santo Niño at the entrance, the Stations of the Cross dotting the side of the hill, illustrated with images of the Crucifixion, and a statue of the Virgin Mary standing at the top, in a white building. Also of note are the caves, located on the sides of the hill; there are at least two--- dark, damp, and filled with bats. The caves are also believed to be the home of the engkanto, the fairy folk. It is believed that in the past, the fair folk would lend out golden plates and utensils for fiestas and other celebrations, on the condition that the borrowed items would be returned; for a while, the people honored this agreement. But soon the people near the hill would tell other villages of the fair folk, and more and more would borrow the items for their own use; overtime, some people began to keep the items, admiring their golden color. Eventually, the fairies had had enough, and withdrew into the hill, no longer lending out their items; at the same time, the golden utensils and items the people kept for themselves turned to ash, becoming worthless.

It was 6:30 in the evening, strapped in my seat, and looking at the window as the sky slowly turns pink, when the airplane plunged through clouds on approach to Kalibo International Airport.  Once the plane was on the ground, we stepped down and appreciate the cotton candy sky for a little while. Seeing the sky, it never fails to send amazement to me. 

A photograph of the Mangrove Trees in Bakhawan Ecopark. Taken from New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.

Here is the link to the products available @redbubble: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/173764133

Earlier this February, my friends and I had gone some vacation trip away from our busy working schedules. Booked and stoked since last year, here’s a video of our 1-day tour in Kalibo and a 3-day stay in Boracay.