2007.07.04: July 4, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Pottery: Asian American Issues: INQ7.net: When Reynaldo Pellos, a US Peace Corps volunteer, arrived in Kibungan, Benguet, in 2002, he immediately sought out village potters to observe how they worked

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Philippines: Peace Corps Philippines: Peace Corps Philippines: Newest Stories: 2007.07.04: July 4, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Pottery: Asian American Issues: INQ7.net: When Reynaldo Pellos, a US Peace Corps volunteer, arrived in Kibungan, Benguet, in 2002, he immediately sought out village potters to observe how they worked

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-168-161.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.168.161) on Friday, October 05, 2007 - 2:52 pm: Edit Post

When Reynaldo Pellos, a US Peace Corps volunteer, arrived in Kibungan, Benguet, in 2002, he immediately sought out village potters to observe how they worked

When Reynaldo Pellos, a US Peace Corps volunteer, arrived in Kibungan, Benguet, in 2002, he immediately sought out village potters to observe how they worked

Pellos, 29, is a Filipino-American, which is why a Philippine assignment as a Peace Corps volunteer was close to his heart. He said he wanted to reconnect to his roots in Cavite, his father’s home province. Equipped only with a brief orientation on Kibungan culture and elementary conversational skill in Kankanaey, Pellos blended with the community, now his home for the last five years. Pellos finished environmental engineering at the University of Georgia, but he says he has an equal passion for pottery and photography. He spent a semester studying photography and clay techniques in Europe. His stint as a volunteer officially ended in 2004, but he felt that he had to continue his initiatives in Kibungan. Pellos chose not to return to the United States, where more lucrative jobs await, but instead worked on his papers to extend his residency in Kibungan. Now speaking the language, he is an adopted Kankanaey son. He stays with the Bolislis family, who lost a son several months before Pellos came to town. For Zosimo and Magdalene Bolislis, Pellos is “heaven sent.” He eased their sorrow over their lost son.

When Reynaldo Pellos, a US Peace Corps volunteer, arrived in Kibungan, Benguet, in 2002, he immediately sought out village potters to observe how they worked

Kibungan rekindles passion for pottery

By Donna Demetillo
Northern Luzon Bureau

Last updated 00:29am (Mla time) 07/04/2007

KIBUNGAN, Benguet – When Reynaldo Pellos, a US Peace Corps volunteer, arrived in Kibungan, Benguet, in 2002, he immediately sought out village potters to observe how they worked.

An environmental scientist with a passion for pottery, Pellos looked forward to a stint in the town, where pottery is an old village tradition.

He found the last of these potters at the edge of a small river in Sitio Abas in Barangay Poblacion.

Pacito Kagap, then 89, spent most of his latter years pensively inside his house and its surroundings. “He was not bedridden but he was just hanging out in his house. He was too old to teach,” Pellos said.

In a sentimental moment, Kagap showed Pellos his last remaining clay pipe.

“[Kagap] was famous for his clay pipes. People from all over came to have one,” he said.

Six months later, Kagap died. Pellos felt that it seemed Kagap was just waiting for someone to breathe life anew into the craft he had loved.

Pellos has taken on the task ardently for the past five years. Today, Kibungan is earning a reputation for its clay craft.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has provided Pellos a grant to revive and develop the art of pottery in the town.

Pellos, 29, is a Filipino-American, which is why a Philippine assignment as a Peace Corps volunteer was close to his heart. He said he wanted to reconnect to his roots in Cavite, his father’s home province.

Equipped only with a brief orientation on Kibungan culture and elementary conversational skill in Kankanaey, Pellos blended with the community, now his home for the last five years.

Pellos finished environmental engineering at the University of Georgia, but he says he has an equal passion for pottery and photography. He spent a semester studying photography and clay techniques in Europe.

His stint as a volunteer officially ended in 2004, but he felt that he had to continue his initiatives in Kibungan. Pellos chose not to return to the United States, where more lucrative jobs await, but instead worked on his papers to extend his residency in Kibungan.

Now speaking the language, he is an adopted Kankanaey son. He stays with the Bolislis family, who lost a son several months before Pellos came to town.

For Zosimo and Magdalene Bolislis, Pellos is “heaven sent.” He eased their sorrow over their lost son.

School of living traditions

Pellos went around Kibungan soon after his conversation with Kagap to test the clay quality from every area.

He found at least 50 kinds of clay, of several colors and grades (from ordinary to high quality). He even discovered a white to bluish clay that matches the characteristics of the most expensive clay used by the Chinese for their enduring porcelain treasures.

Pellos tried to look for funding, a mere P30,000, to jumpstart a workshop and a modest kiln.

The opportunity was on his side. The NCCA heard of his project and asked him to submit a proposal, which eventually earned a grant of over P100,000 to revive the town’s traditional pottery.

The nearby community of Bila in Bauko, Mt. Province, still had women doing traditional pottery so he brought them to Kibungan for a workshop.

But knowing that pottery had died in Kibungan because it was labor-intensive and with little returns, Pellos taught modern techniques using the potter’s wheel and brick kilns.

The community’s products were first exhibited as part of a graduation program from the NCCA grant. Pellos said the NCCA officials were impressed by their serving bowls, teapots, cups and saucers.

All the items would have been bought, if not for the fact that the residents wanted to keep their work.

Today, a core group of six potters and the occasional participation of local children and other villagers, compose the “Ulnos di Linang” (clay organization). They display their wares in exhibits and festivals like the yearly Adivay in La Trinidad, Benguet.

The town’s “School of Living Traditions” is on its third year and has offered rice wine and “bubud” (native yeast) making, and production of indigenous instruments to locals. The old women serve as teachers in the school.

Message for environment

Pellos also used his pottery to deliver an environmental message in a recent exhibit staged by the Cordillera Green Network (CGN), a nongovernment organization focused on the protection, preservation and promotion of the Cordillera environment.

The exhibit, which featured 157 clay monkey masks made by Kibungan residents, wanted to send a message about the rate of deforestation in the region.

Mariko Sorimachi Banasan, CGN director, said the activity, with a special focus on clay work, hoped to give the young a view of nature through the arts.

The masks were exhibited at the Victor Oteyza Community Art Space (Vocas) in Baguio City last month to celebrate Environment Month. The show was called “Where have all the monkeys gone.”

Banasan said big monkeys or apes used to roam the forests of Kibungan. In fact, Kibungan derives its name from the word “kibeng,” which means big monkey or ape.

These creatures, however, have long disappeared from their forests. Banasan quoted old folks as saying that they last saw these creatures roaming the forests in 1965.

“Their extinction was an indication of how we have failed to protect and preserve their forest habitats,” she said.


Copyright 2007 Northern Luzon Bureau. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: July, 2007; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Asian American Issues





When this story was posted in October 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:


Contact PCOLBulletin BoardRegisterSearch PCOLWhat's New?

Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers RSS Feed
Senator Dodd's Peace Corps Hearings Date: July 25 2007 No: 1178 Senator Dodd's Peace Corps Hearings
Read PCOL's executive summary of Senator Chris Dodd's hearings on July 25 on the Peace Corps Volunteer Empowerment Act and why Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter does not believe the bill would contribute to an improved Peace Corps while four other RPCV witnesses do. Highlights of the hearings included Dodd's questioning of Tschetter on political meetings at Peace Corps Headquarters and the Inspector General's testimony on the re-opening of the Walter Poirier III investigation.

Peace Corps News Peace Corps Library Peace corps History RPCV Directory Sign Up

What is the greatest threat facing us now?  Date: September 12 2007 No: 1195 What is the greatest threat facing us now?
"People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing? I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there - ones that we can take advantage of?" Read more.

September 2, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Date: September 6 2007 No: 1193 September 2, 2007: This Month's Top Stories
Blackwill has contract to undermine Iraqi government 29 Aug
Frank Delano returns to Ghana 31 Aug
Mike Honda's comfort woman resolution passes 28 Aug
Margaret Pratley at 81 is oldest PCV 23 Aug
"Pepo" Saavedra Iguina sings with heart of poet 23 Aug
Campbell's mother recalls her daughter in testimony 22 Aug
Ex-Americorps head appointed Associate Director 20 Aug
Tschetter in Paraguay for 40th anniversary of program 20 Aug
Niki Tsongas is front-runner for Congressional seat 19 Aug
Mike Sheppard announces Peace Corps Wiki 16 Aug
Mark Schneider writes: Getting answers on Pakistan 15 Aug
Al Kamen writes: A Little Iraq Nostalgia 15 Aug
Victor DeMasi studies butterflies 14 Aug
Obituary for Morocco Country Director Everett Woodman 13 Aug
Carol Miles helps increase African seed production 13 Aug
Bruce Anderson back at Anderson Valley Advertiser 13 Aug
Joe Keefe writes: Dodd deserves the Oval Office 13 Aug
Malaysia RPCVs find each other after 35 years 10 Aug
Molly Brown monitors farms from space 10 Aug
Colin Gallagher writes: Surveillance of US Citizens 8 Aug
Scott Lacy starts African Sky 6 Aug
Charles Murray to address Centre for Independent Studies 6 Aug

Paul Theroux: Peace Corps Writer Date: August 15 2007 No: 1185 Paul Theroux: Peace Corps Writer
Paul Theroux began by writing about the life he knew in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His first first three novels are set in Africa and two of his later novels recast his Peace Corps tour as fiction. Read about how Theroux involved himself with rebel politicians, was expelled from Malawi, and how the Peace Corps tried to ruin him financially in John Coyne's analysis and appreciation of one of the greatest American writers of his generation (who also happens to be an RPCV).

August 4, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Date: August 5 2007 No: 1182 August 4, 2007: This Month's Top Stories
Peace Corps reopens Guinea Program 19 Jul
China beating US in public diplomacy 4 Aug
Shalala continues fight for wounded soldiers 4 Aug
Sue Hilderbrand's goal is stopping funding for Iraq war 3 Aug
Matthew Barison went from Uzbekistan to Romania 2 Aug
Peter Chilson writes "Disturbance-Loving Species" 31 Jul
An RPCV remembers Texas Tower Tragedy 29 Jul
Daniel Balluff films documentaries on Niger 28 Jul
Renewing the Bond of Trust with PCVs 27 Jul
Carol Bellamy to chair Fair Labor Foundation 25 Jul
Delay in Julia Campbell trial 24 Jul
PCV Brian writes: Secondary Projects - First Priority 23 Jul
Dodd says no easy election for Democrats in 2008 22 Jul
John Smart writes: Bush's palace in Iraq 20 Jul
Bill Moyers eulogizes Lady Bird Johnson 15 Jul
Social Justice ranks high on Dan Weinberg’s agenda 15 Jul
PCV Tait writes: Good-bye to my village 14 Jul
Amy Smith organizes Development Design Summit 13 Jul
Cameron Quinn to head PC Third Goal Office 11 Jul
Josh Yardley brought Red Sox to Burkina Faso 11 Jul
James Rupert writes: Islamabad's Red Mosque 11 Jul
Sarah Chayes writes: NATO didn't lose Afghanistan 10 Jul

Dodd issues call for National Service Date: June 26 2007 No: 1164 Dodd issues call for National Service
Standing on the steps of the Nashua City Hall where JFK kicked off his campaign in 1960, Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd issued a call for National Service. "Like thousands of others, I heard President Kennedy's words and a short time later joined the Peace Corps." Dodd said his goal is to see 40 million people volunteering in some form or another by 2020. "We have an appetite for service. We like to be asked to roll up our sleeves and make a contribution," he said. "We haven't been asked in a long time."

July 9, 2007: This Month's Top Stories Date: July 10 2007 No: 1172 July 9, 2007: This Month's Top Stories
O'Hanlon says "soft partition" occurring in Iraq 9 Jul
Eric R. Green writes on coming oil crisis 8 Jul
Why Dodd joined the Peace Corps 5 Jul
Jim Doyle positioned for third term 5 Jul
Michael Adlerstein to direct UN Master Plan 3 Jul
Shalala says Veterans report will be solution driven 1 Jul
Blackwill says: No process will make up for stupidity 30 Jun
Allan Reed creates a Diaspora Skills Transfer Program 29 Jun
State Dept apology ends hold on Green nomination 28 Jun
Call for stories to celebrate PC 50th Anniversary 25 Jun
Michael Shereikis is singer and guitarist for Chopteeth 25 Jun
Christopher R. Hill Visits North Korea 22 Jun
Tschetter at JFK Bust Unveiling Ceremony 21 Jun
Kiribati too risky for PCVs 17 Jun
James Rupert writes: US calls for free Pakistani elections 17 Jun
Colin Cowherd says PCVs are losers 7 Jun
Tony Hall Warns of Food Shortages in North Korea 7 Jun
Youth Theatre performs Spencer Smith's "Voices from Chernobyl" 7 Jun
Ifugao names forest park after Julia Campbell 6 Jun
Anissa Paulsen assembles "The Many Colors of Islam" 5 Jun
Obituary for Nepal RPCV Loret Miller Ruppe 2 Jun
Forty PCVS to arrive in Ethiopia 2 Jun

Public diplomacy rests on sound public policy Date: June 10 2007 No: 1153 Public diplomacy rests on sound public policy
When President Kennedy spoke of "a long twilight struggle," and challenged the country to "ask not," he signaled that the Cold War was the challenge and framework defining US foreign policy. The current challenge is not a struggle against a totalitarian foe. It is not a battle against an enemy called "Islamofascism." From these false assumptions flow false choices, including the false choice between law enforcement and war. Instead, law enforcement and military force both must be essential instruments, along with diplomacy, including public diplomacy. But public diplomacy rests on policy, and to begin with, the policy must be sound. Read more.

Ambassador revokes clearance for PC Director Date: June 27 2007 No: 1166 Ambassador revokes clearance for PC Director
A post made on PCOL from volunteers in Tanzania alleges that Ambassador Retzer has acted improperly in revoking the country clearance of Country Director Christine Djondo. A statement from Peace Corps' Press Office says that the Peace Corps strongly disagrees with the ambassador’s decision. On June 8 the White House announced that Retzer is being replaced as Ambassador. Latest: Senator Dodd has placed a hold on Mark Green's nomination to be Ambassador to Tanzania.


Peace Corps Funnies Date: May 25 2007 No: 1135 Peace Corps Funnies
A PCV writing home? Our editor hard at work? Take a look at our Peace Corps Funnies and Peace Corps Cartoons and see why Peace Corps Volunteers say that sometimes a touch of levity can be one of the best ways of dealing with frustrations in the field. Read what RPCVs say about the lighter side of life in the Peace Corps and see why irreverent observations can often contain more than a grain of truth. We'll supply the photos. You supply the captions.

PCOL serves half million Date: May 1 2007 No: 1120 PCOL serves half million
PCOL's readership for April exceeded 525,000 visitors - a 50% increase over last year. This year also saw the advent of a new web site: Peace Corps News that together with the Peace Corps Library and History of the Peace Corps serve 17,000 RPCVs, Staff, and Friends of the Peace Corps every day. Thanks for making PCOL your source of news for the Peace Corps community. Read more.

Suspect confesses in murder of PCV Date: April 27 2007 No: 1109 Suspect confesses in murder of PCV
Search parties in the Philippines discovered the body of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell near Barangay Batad, Banaue town on April 17. Director Tschetter expressed his sorrow at learning the news. “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said. Latest: Suspect Juan Duntugan admits to killing Campbell. Leave your thoughts and condolences .

The Peace Corps Library Date: July 11 2006 No: 923 The Peace Corps Library
The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. FAQ: Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL.

He served with honor Date: September 12 2006 No: 983 He served with honor
One year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.


Read the stories and leave your comments.






Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: INQ7.net

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Philippines; Pottery; Asian American Issues

PCOL38057
84


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: