Aeta children enjoy the now livable Nabuklod with a steady supply of potable water.
Right photo:An Aeta mother and her child watch as the cable car returns to its base near the view deck of Nabuklod
The scenic portion of Nabuklod, Floridablanca, Pampanga. Photos by Ric Gonzales
FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga – “It’s a paradise in the sky.”
Thus said visitors as they saw for the first time an Aeta village here known as Nabuklod. It is perched in a hilly area whose temperature all year round could be compared to the cities of Baguio and Tagaytay.
The temperature was 16 degrees Celsius as measured by Roy Imperial, consultant-adviser of Gov. Lilia Pineda, when the governor’s team was in Nabuklod at about 6:15 a.m. last week.
“It’s better than Tagaytay and Baguio – because it’s still clean and fresh,” added the first-time visitors accompanied by Imperial and Pineda, including Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo and his son, Patrick.
Gov. Pineda has capitalized on the potentials of Nabuklod as tourism and agricultural area.
In doing so, she wants to maintain the natural beauty of Nabuklod and prioritizes the involvement and welfare of Aetas in the agri-tourism project.
The provincial government allotted some P7.9 million for the development of Nabuklod, particularly its hilly portion measuring at least 1,000 hectares.
The village is home to at least 150 Aeta families, according to Barangay Captain Roger Apang.
PINEDA’S DREAM FOR AETAS
In as many years of its existence, Nabuklod has been deprived of water, particularly in the populated portion of the barangay.
An Aeta mother and her child used to spend almost eight hours of walking just to get three pales of water from the nearest source in the village.
“We are thankful to Governor Pineda for allowing us to have water for the first time. It’s really helpful,” said the mother in mixed Tagalog and Capampangan dialects.
For her part, Pineda said in the dialect: “One reason why the Aetas do not have good hygiene practices is that they have no source of abundant water in their place. Now, we can teach them to clean themselves and their surroundings as more water is now readily available.”
The governor used at least P2.3 million to pump up water from the lower portion of the village.
ADVENTURE ON TOP
Pampanga Board Members Monz Laus and Fritzie David-Dizon braved and tried the first zipline (which was completed last year). They also tried the five other rides, including a cable car which was finished last month and now on a test-run.
“It’s really safe. But more importantly, it’s fun,” said Laus shortly after her ride in the zipline measuring about 480 meters.
Imperial said two twin ziplines and two single ziplines are to be constructed in Nabuklod. The cable car which can accommodate at least five people was recently inspected by Pineda.
Provincial department heads and Edna Vitug, executive assistant of the governor, tested the cable car and described the ride “as a wonderful trip in heaven.”
Provincial Administrator Andres Pangilinan Jr. said the project of the governor “is a venture.”
“It has a great chance of succeeding because it has huge potentials. The area is beautiful and scenic,” said Pangilinan.
More importantly, he added, Gov. Pineda has already achieved her goal and dream of prioritizing the welfare of the Aetas.
Asked by reporters why she gives special treatment to Aetas, Pineda said: “Ala kasing mamansin karela. Ilang minunang tau keng Pampanga (Nobody is giving attention to them. They are the first settlers of Pampanga).
Pineda said her government will assist the Aetas in managing the area until they properly learn.
“In three years, we want the Aetas to be independent and see them managing Nabuklod well,” said Pineda.
AGRI PRODUCTS
Businessman Patrick Pelayo of Farm Fresh said Nabuklod could be tapped to produce high-value crops, including ube and strawberries. He disclosed that a prominent ice cream maker based in Metro Manila wants Pampanga to produce ube and strawberries as the supply is becoming scare.
Mayor Pelayo said local officials and the governor of Nueva Vizcaya are willing to teach Nabuklod farmers of producing strawberries, ube and other-high value crops.
He added that Nueva Vizcaya’s area for high-value crops is similar to Nabuklod in terms of temperature and landscape.
“The area for high-value crops should be cold like Nabuklod. We will conduct soil test to determine what other crops can be planted here,” said Pineda in an interview on one of the two view decks constructed last year.
Gilda Padua, president of the Alliance of Travel and Tours Agencies of Pampanga, recently sponsored a civic action project in Nabuklod with the Rotary Club of Paranaque East (RCPE) headed by Ramil De Mesa.
The project was in coordination with the 7th Tactical Fighter “Bulldogs” Squadron (7TFS) of the Air Defense Wing (ADW) at the Basa Air Base here.
Padua said the ATTAP members will support the project of the Pampanga provincial government.
But Padua stressed that the preservation of the Aeta culture and the natural beauty of Nabuklod “are its major attraction.”
“An immersion with the Aetas that ends with a relaxing spa is a real joy and attraction to visitors both foreign and local,” said Padua, who is being considered by the governor to help train Aetas as spa workers.
Nabuklod is indeed a paradise in the sky. But it is the Aetas that will greatly benefit from the agri-tourism project as designed and envisioned by Pineda, better known as “Nanay (mother)” among her people, notably the then neglected Aetas.
