RICE TERRACE FISHPONDS? Japanese Eel Farming in Mayoyao, Ifugao (Cordilleras E09)

I'M BACK IN THE CORDILLERAS!
Today I ride from Isabela up to Mayoyao, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Listed stone-walled rice terraces.
But they aren't just rice terraces - they are also being used as FISHPONDS!
Well, kind of - during the Japanese occupation, the Ifugao people were taught how to grow Japanese eels, also known as loaches, picaw, yuyu, and countless other names, in the rice terraces.
And this legacy lives on - there is even a local hatchery and nursery here!
Mayoyao, one of my new favourite towns!
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[@KumanderDaot]

This was made possible through Mayoyao Tourism! They are really great if you want to arrange a trip here! ("Mayoyao Tourism" on Facebook)

[@juanitocacao8837]

Cheers Mate tnx…

[@forevadivamergal7260]

Great memories ..

[@floranteguron3513]

Interesting to know... the male eels are sacrificed for their sperm sack. KD, sometimes us males can't just win, lol..

[@mkito1796]

Hope you could climb Mt. AMUYAO from Barlig.

[@Resdep2001]

Kudos to the Tourism Office Lady ( I think Kumander mentioned her name as Mam Dechee) and her staff for a warm welcome and showing you around their town. Mam Dechee's way of welcoming you and the people from Mayoyao are very friendly, this will inspire many locals and tourists alike to go visit that town. Excellent video.

[@wanderingmatcha8136]

KD and Kulas are different in a way that they have different goals in vlogging but same message to their audience, and that’s the love and appreciation to the Philippines

[@annabelleinfantado1624]

KD, not just an ordinary blogger, content creator but truly the best documentary creator... Thank you so much KD for sharing the historic scenario of Mayoyao, Aurora and Ifugao all in the northern phils.

[@mbeeler33]

Beautiful presentation. Top notched vlogger! Thank you my friend for featuring our humble province including Ifugao. My mom and my relatives will definitely miss you. You got an Auntie in Isabela. We truly appreciate what you are doing. It gives us a chance to learn more about the Philippines and also showcases the beautiful characteristics of Filipino culture and that is their "happy and humble" nature. So much to appreciate about the Philippines! Thank you for sharing and definitely thank you for coming!

[@binca4439]

Again and again, you do not fail… you continue to do your homework in order for us to be better informed. Your presentation is sooo unparalleled… You have once again( and again) raised the bar higher… exemplary , excellent! Kudos KD!

[@reinnicolas8119]

Salute to 🫡 Kumander Daot and the Tourism Department. What an educational content... Thank you for letting the world see the real beauty of the Philippines 🇵🇭

[@AaronNervar]

dumaguete negros oriental oo jan

[@ahguerrerolasereye]

Thanks do much for your extremely relevant content. Keep going strong.

[@Neal_only1]

Wow Kumander, you have really left your Lilly a legacy to be so proud of your involvement of sharing the teaching of cultural Filipino traditions. TALLAGA !

[@mylahbarreto5265]

This is absolutely full of history most of us probably don’t even know. Thank you!

[@celinadin8361]

this vlog is really an eye opener. hope they can teach rice farmers all over the country esp in mindanao. food insecurity will be solved in a way. thanks KD for this vlog.

[@floranteguron3513]

KD! This is another interesting docuvlog under ur belt. Raising eels from a scientific lab to the rice fields to the table is extremely resourceful. And i'm always amazed how the locals interact with you in English fluently and cordially. Seems like they want you to feel at home. Really love this kind of video. Keep up with the amazing job, sir!

[@floranteguron3513]

I watched d video again, and I can't help but notice the lady ma'am, Detchie's assertive personality. She is very well spoken and charming. Kudos to her she's definitely an asset to the community 👏...

[@FeliTongson]

This is the first time that there is Mayoyao, courtesy of our favorite Vlogger, Anselm and immediately I am smiling because you just have to love and appreciate KD, he is so friendly and his attitude is just incredible and inspiring ❤❤❤ ❤❤🤪🤪🤪🤪⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Gops1990]

Kumader Daot, thank you for visiting our humbling place, you are always welcome

[@FeliTongson]

Your fans are impressed with your ability to bring Mayoyao on the screen to our Delights!!! Stunning views and you captured it thru your stunning drone shots and stunning, majestic green terraces equal to more traveled Banaue terraces!!’ WELL DONE ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂

[@ianendangan7462]

Watching your video first thing in the morning brightens my day. I believe the japanese eels were introduced before the WW2. Lots of Japanese worked as laborers and probably businessmen in the 30's. They provided the Intel they needed before invading.

[@fredguerrero6531]

Congratulation for the amazing video presentation you made it was so interesting and very educational learning about the japanese eel and also the drone view of one of the 7 wonders of the world.This kind of vlog will interest many filipinos who live abroad like me.Thank you my friend.

[@maffisakuraba1805]

Thank you Kumander Daot another epic documentary about our country history and letting the world 🌎 see.keep safe always in all your endeavors and Godbless brother 🙏💞💞💞🇯🇵🇵🇭

[@soofarsoogood4059]

You do such a fantastic job of narration. This kind of thing is a calling. This series of isolated barangy is great. Loving it. Thank you Kummander❤

[@chainSm0kr]

You've come a long way, KD. and a Long way to go. We're with you all the way! 💪 DAOT NA!

[@tinaraphael9783]

Another DAY with Kumander hi lovely people thank you for welcoming KD.

[@unoblock3296]

The rice terraces are still the same as before. The walled steps from up the mountain going down is a very scenic view. But the place has more houses and buildings now. Hope the people continue to preserve this legacy.

[@bisayanqueen1st]

This was a fascinating video!💙

[@atlantafan1156]

Very informative! Hope this video is shown in social studies classes in school.

[@julmiergeronesagnep2576]

Wow amazing showcases u have shown bradah..i wish i can travel with u..galing mo!.my fellow filipino bloggers never attemp those..parang mas pinoy kpa sa kanila panay pa cute na lang ginagawa samantalang ikaw mas maintindihan q pa ngaun pano nabubuhay ibang mga pinoy..salamat!!

[@geraldineheimy7748]

Beautiful places, beautiful views, beautiful history. Thanks for showing it to us we’re planning to visit there when I come home.

[@aminahforever4277]

Amazing!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Mayoyao to me is the main jewel of The Cordilleras. Those Japanese eels are interesting but the Pigeon peas (Kardis or kadyos) is what I miss. Wholesome meal you had. So easy for every Filipino to understand your English pronunciations. Thanks for the education, KD.

[@KumanderDaot]

I was so surprised to see the pigeon peas! Made me happy! Really such a jewel!

[@jakepineda10]

I was so pleasantly surprised that the Dept of Agriculture actually went out of their way to build and finance a Japanese eel breeding centre! Great work!

[@darlingdenez116]

Another great vlog by Kumander Daot .❤️ thank you

[@Ann70544]

Love this video

[@jserenity]

Now this is vlogging. Exploration with education and information dissemination that helps promote locals livelihood

[@gg_Javier]

Another AMAZZING, educational, historical docu-vblog, Anselm!! Congratulations and THANK YOU!!👏👏👏

[@joevergara1433]

This is a very educational and entertaining video!!!!! MORE!!!!

[@jenniferpitas3782]

Love this vlog! Teaching us history. Make more like this 🙌

[@christopherturco197]

Had to laugh when the woman from the Mayoyao Tourism office joked that she made all the items in the tourism office that you liked there.😆🤣 Couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. (I was smitten at first sight!😍🥰) This was such an informative vlog, KD. to the average person, finding out how Japanese eels are cultivated might not have seemed very interesting, but your interest and experience in fish ponds told you otherwise. Thanks for showing us all about this, and, of course, thanks for the local history lesson. I'm a sucker for WWII history, especially in the Philippines!🤙

[@shinxified]

whoa🤭 *on being smitten @firstsight, nyahahaaa..😬why that's my sweet friend Detchie over there! ohh, It's no surprise if you were attracted to the beauty that she is--as she is truly charming--a beautiful soul, indeed! 😍😍 Let me thank you for the compliment you gave to her btw! 🙏🏼 (was just scrolling on comments to see if she cudav dropped a line or two when i read yours wc happen to catch my fancy)🤭 I sure hope she'd see this, too! So she perchance would know how beautiful she truly is--both inside and out! 🥲 Cheers ✨💖

[@christopherturco197]

@@shinxified Thanks for your reply. I hope she sees this, too. Unfortunately, it seems too many Filipinas don't recognize their own beauty, which is a totality of their inner and outer beauty. Your friend seems to be a truly sweet lady who comes across as a well educated, beautiful woman with a wonderful sense of humor. Your word "charming" to describe her suits her best. If she is not already spoken for, I can't understand why. She would be a great catch for any man. I guess I'm having a kilig moment seeing her. 🥰🤭😅

[@albertdizon9660]

I thought I was the only one who noticed her beauty until I saw this comment

[@christopherturco197]

@@albertdizon9660 Not a chance that you would be the only one. I would go to the PH just to meet her, and I bet others would, too. (They're just embarrassed to say so publicly.)

[@shinxified]

@@christopherturco197 i am pretty sure she'd be as gobsmacked as i am reading a reply here!😅 if she is not already spoken for, i don't understand why>> hmn, i guess bec it takes mightily courageous men/Menelaus to pursue some 'Helens of Troy' (of sorts) amongst us.🤭 i guess i'm having a kilig moment seeing her😍>> waaahaha..surely, this cud be another amusing topic for the nxt coffee date I'll have wid her in the nearest future!😬 (haha, sorry not sorry)!✌🏻

[@vickypalod3860]

Thank you for the journey. Amazing content. Thank you once again for taking us to the roads less travelled. I love your journey. Pls. continue with these contents.

[@freddiemariano7220]

Crisp editing and professionally done video!

[@arislawas6494]

KD and Kulas's vlog are very impormative and educating, and its like your travelling also with them.. keep it up guys!! Rs always

[@toothsayer21]

Hi Anselm. Nice videos of Cordilleras. Congrats on your vlogs. Was the Japanese eels good? It looked nice and crispy as u eat it. That technology of eel breeding and science should be preserved and promoted. Does it breed only in cold high places? In tagalog we call eels igat. Ugat in the Mayoyaos language?

[@anxiousdog]

This is good documentary stuff. You’ve outdone yourself, KD.

[@marloualegata7293]

What a beautiful mountain view 😮

[@jakedels4561]

Thank you KD you have highlighted their culture and the beauty of the place the tranquility and the natural landscape is amazing….I’m not promising but will my list to visit…

[@melindadomingoburton7046]

WOW that red rice peas green leafy vegetables looks exquisite

[@daniels.2720]

Great + thanks do much for sharing this KD !! Definitely on my 'go-to' list ...

[@keithknightly7625]

Wow, thank you for featuring my home town, i saw my house.. 😂😊😊...Thank you

[@muning1995]

The Best Documentary Vlog

[@larrylearlangbayan5200]

Thank you sir for featuring our place

[@Braven_Aj]

U got us kumander…amazing episodes-very unique astonishing- Twas more on hands on than talking-keep it up

[@mayquestadio2759]

Amazing amazing scenery of mountains!!!♥️♥️♥️

[@urbanspaceman2007]

WOW Natural Aquaponics!

[@pieroripp]

Best adventure/content creator/documentarian here in the PH! keep it up Anselm! you are doing great! :) GOD bless you

[@melportillo2517]

Thank you kumander D.👍🇵🇭

[@darthbiker2311]

Mayoyao is amazing. All I ever know about rice terraces are about Banawe and Batad. Will definitely check out Mayoyao once I get to ride again.

[@rafaelmanueljr]

@kumanderdaot there used to be lots of original old narra huts there before but it was burned down by the japanese in retaliation to an ambush by the locals , so to rebuild new huts the locals took narra wood from Lagawe area and other lowland areas

[@bataching4392]

Quality content support from Japan to Mindanao 😂❤

[@gbinongo]

Kumander D, please visit Hagpa in Impasug-ong Bukidnon. I google maps, the place also have a large rice terraces or vegetable terraces.

[@PeteEvangelista]

Thank you, Kumander for the educational video. You are the best !!😍😍🤩🤩

[@zoraidacalomenteyanggod1076]

Enjoy and be safe KD😘🙏

[@thestevecbr]

lots of rumors of “yamashita gold” in Ifugao. try passing by Batad rice terraces, hike through the terraces on the way to Tappiya waterfalls. bring some packed lunch with you and picnic there 😊

[@KnH07]

Treasure hunters damage some of the intricate stonewalls and stone pavements and stone seats in ifugao. I visited my ancestral village and the beautiful stone pavrments and the the stone seats placed by my grandfather in his youth was broken by dynamite and turned over by some treasure hunters. It was beautifully arranged and made and it was within our ancestral house. They thought that some yamashita gold is burried beneath those beautifully made stone pavements and seats.

[@thestevecbr]

@@KnH07 that is so sad to hear. is there a legal recourse? lots of rumors of yamashita treasure even in remote islands in quezon province. and yes, digging holes in the ground. i find it ubsurd since they have no concrete historical facts.

[@elieandmevideos4077]

Thanks for visiting our homeland:)

[@eagleofthenorthmacroexcell6843]

We also catch those "YoYO or JoJo" in the mud ponds of carabao in La Trinidad, Benguet

[@agatth]

the places in the northern part is one of the best for adventure like cycling or by motorcycle

[@moscow487]

Galing Naman!I'm from.ifugao but since 1998 my last visit to mayayao the road is scary and on going construction before,now it's concrete na pala..thank you nasilip k ang mayayao through your blogs .keep safe always

[@juanitocacao8837]

Awesome vlog Mate... in a future after here in Perth dreaming to travel on that place... in Gods Grace....Cheers K.D

[@Rogerla62]

Very interesting content! I am always fascinated by how and why things are done in the Philippines.

[@diDaN75]

The best part of the adventure is tasting the local foods, with their unique recipes available in the area. 😆

[@janerodriguez5068]

Thank you KD! Very informative!!!

[@captainbackfirejr]

I'm really hoping your trip culminates in/includes Ilocos Norte - parts you missed last time; pagudpud - cagayan etc, cause IMO its a different feeling place altogether almost like a different country with whimsical weather matching the positive optimistic air of the landscapes. A lot of history as well. Also just "touristy" enough to prove how people all over the country really put it in their bucket list to make this trip to the ends of the country! Also I have very fond memories as a Kid visiting there, great beaches but most of all I love the atmosphere something you can't put into words. But that's just me. I guarantee you'll see a few interesting things a long the way

[@KumanderDaot]

I want to go up there for a good month soon. It won't be this trip because I've got other plans, but definitely want to go there!

[@captainbackfirejr]

@@KumanderDaot Fair enough!! Okay Im excited for that haha! And thanks. Please enjoy and take time man! You're really raising the bar 🍻

[@jenuinefer3365]

welcome to Mayoyao po. hope you enjoyed your visit.

[@hilin2799]

Kumander Daut, healthy na kamote tops. I miss that.

[@diDaN75]

Yes, besides the grass, the most significant predator is the golden snail, which can eat the young roots of the rice plants and it can destroy a large area overnight.

[@diDaN75]

In the early days, the stone walls (in tagalog, Pilapil) were merely coated with mud, relying on sunny days to fully set and become sturdy. However, this method proved to be unsustainable, as it easily deteriorated during the rainy season. As a result, they came up with the idea of using concrete.

[@nolarc5809]

wowza! nice nice speechless nice!!! GOD BLESS always

[@lurdzmatias381]

Nice vlogs very educational thing, go go go dont stop discovering. God bless.

[@nate.s406]

@Kumander Daot, since you are still in Luzon why not visit Baler, Aurora province.

[@bevrogers1412]

You are such a lovely soul, KD! This was a wonderful vlog, informative and beautiful landscape. Lol, stick to your Western finger food but the local food seems to be more healthy 😂😊

[@enigma5014]

Awesome travel kumander D ✨✨✨✨

[@rickyph5320]

Very educational content. Thank you for sharing us their culture and history.

[@unoblock3296]

I have seen Mayoyao terraces on a cold week in January. The rice terraces are breathtaking. You can actually go down the terraces to experience the trek from up the Municipal Hall to down near the creek. There are native huts that you pass along the way downhill. People should see this place because it will be a different experience for them. YOu are tight Kumander D for coming to this place so that many people will appreciate it. Thank you.

[@darrellbrixey5341]

Awesome video Kumander

[@clayton1851]

We used to catch yoyo,or kaling in Sagada during my childhood,bring it home and cook it with rice wine,we call it SABENG..Masarap..🙃

[@almha9593]

Cooking with rice wine is SIGTIM yata, sabali gamin ti sabeng ti ammok☺️

[@clayton1851]

@@almha9593 ah wen gayan,sabeng is another dish from Bauko,made of small crabs..Its Sigtim,rice wine and jojo..Tnx.🙃

[@almha9593]

Sabeng is traditional suka, the one made of small crabs is baklay😁

[@cesarvillegas9903]

Thank you again for this very interesting story!

[@dadzneoh8176]

😮😮😮 my hometown kumander D,watching from taiwan.

[@azph4105]

majestic views

[@samstar1729]

Best picture ❤

[@jersonalfredo9150]

I wander why you did not enter into that traditional house. Did they not show to you the ladder to climb on? You should have asked also how they broke those stones into chunks. Anyways, I enjoy your presenting our Cordillera culture. Enjoy your tour.

[@jdulawan5583]

Iba k tlga kumander👌..watching from ifugao

[@jinggeorpames3273]

That lady looking for KULAS, while KULAS vlog is looking for KD, its a vice versa.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@atlunamelgar292]

God bless sir, from mayoyao ifugao 💞

[@daphnedeolazo7585]

Beautiful as in...

[@kevinnashskitchen3517]

Excellent stuff 😎👏👏

[@miracletechshooter]

thanks bro from coming in ifugao

[@rafaelmanueljr]

@kumanderdaot Hungduan is also stone walled. i used to go around those areas (banaue, hungduan, mayoyao, aguinaldo, tinoc) when it is still rough road way back in 1995-96

[@whatyourlifestyle998]

Yes a very interesting place. I earn alot about those eels from Japan

[@ambrosiokurdaba751]

Mapho, maphod! Inmoy ah bho di Mayaoyao ot tinigom an Yoyo hiya? ohhh' GOD bless!

[@jakepineda10]

God bless you!

[@Omega-ys9bi]

Great job KD.

[@bradqi5067]

Thumbs up boss!!!👍 nice information vlog 🥰❤️

[@smileskindheart1085]

Your eating clip with the hands was priceless 😂👍🤣🤣🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭☝️

[@ethanpuddunan5551]

Welcome to our province KD

[@Bomer-Bomer]

grabe tlga 2 kumander.