Lizardo, Racelle DJMZ P.

BSECE-2

Engl4 2:00-3:00 MWF P-707

February 9, 2015
'THE TWO EXTRAORDINARIES'

Good afternoon! Isn't it amazing? Isn't it surprising that I, Racelle DJMZ

Pontanosa-Lizardo, an Ilocano-Pangasinan student of Saint Louis University, is
standing in front of you with dignity and pride wearing this attire made of hardships
by a Cordilleran. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you my Ifugao tapis,
'TOLGE'!
Tolge is a wraparound skirt used by Ifugao women as their clothing to cover
and protect their bodies. My parents, Rofredo Lizardo and Ma. Relissa PontanosaLizardo, are just like this skirt who protects me from harm. My sisters, Ziane and
Roxanne, always wrap their arms around me similarly to this skirt. They cover me
up whenever I lose track. Having this kind of family, how can I not be so proud?!
Look at me, what do you see? My life is made up of two: happiness and
sadness. I get 'black'. I turn 'white' and so I dance while singing. Whenever I
encounter a fight, I get 'red' and become so bad, not bad meaning bad but bad
meaning good. For at times like this, I always see the light so I turn 'yellow'. Now,
look at this skirt! What do you see? Are we the same? Yes, we are! Just like me,
this skirt is made of two equal pieces, with black and white threads which alternate
with red and yellow, and the edges hemmed.
The belt, it is also made of colors black, red and yellow wrap around my
waist. I wore it to keep in place my skirt, so whenever I walk, squat or sit, I will be
able to cover my thighs. See? The belt helps the skirt to function well. Other than
my parents, my friends are like this belt who helps me in times I need them the
most. They inspire me to achieve my dreams and goals in life. They made me what

I am right now. They made me function well.

This upper garment is known as 'LAMMA'. This lamma is used to be a working
garment. It is a short sleeveless jacket of white cloth which barely reaches the
waist. The logic of wearing this garment, people will see you as a worker. I am a
worker. I am not an easy going armchair critic. I act for my family and serve for our
country. I care for my neighbors and work hard for my studies. Indeed, I am a
worker just like what this upper garment is signifying for.
This is a TOLGE and it is no ordinary! It takes not only a creative hand but
also an imaginative mind to finish a quality of this kind. It needs hardship to weave
every single part. Just like this TOLGE, I am no ordinary! My parents molded me
into a person who gives quality of respect and love. My teachers taught me
knowledge and wisdom of understanding things in life. Even my beloved Father
from above sacrificed Himself just to weave every piece of me. Now, look at me! I
am no ordinary. You can only search one person in the internet with a name
capitalized with four letters D,J,M and Z. That's me! Ladies and gentlemen, look at
me and look at this attire! What do you see? May I tell you now, you are witnessing
a 'the two EXTRAORDINARIES'! Isn't it amazing?