Chamber Newsletter November 2009 Volume VI No. 11
November 28, 2007 at 11 a.m., the Diwata ng Lahi, replica of the Balangay or Butuan Boat, arrived at the PPA to a rousing welcome with two school bands continuously blaring out their martial music, while the colorful Butuan Artists Group kept dancing their welcome tribute. There were plenty of people lining the pier as they cheered the arrival of the historic replica vessel. The boat came near the wharf as it proceeded to the landing prepared for it.
As soon as it had landed, out came Butuan Historical & Cultural Foundation president Greg Hontiveros, Fr. Josilo Amalla, and Madam Daisy Plaza, Tourism Council Chairman, followed by Voyage of the Balangay Team and Team Everest Leader former Usec Art Valdes and members of the team. They were loudly cheered and welcomed as they walked towards the grandstand where Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II, Congressman Jose S. ‘Joboy’ Aquino II, Vice Mayor Dino Claudio M. Sanchez and most of the City Councilors, Tourism Council members, and City Officials waited for them.
The leaders proceeded to the grandstand while the rest of the Team was seated under the two huge tents set up in front of the stage. The program of Welcome started with Mayor Plaza, Rep. Aquino and Daisy Plaza, giving their Welcome Remarks, and Usec Valdes giving his Inspirational Talk. The latter talked about the Return of the Balangay to its original home, Butuan, and the team had become emotional as they entered Butuan Bay and Agusan River and were cheered by bands playing and school children waving flaglets. He said it was for the children, the very link of the future to the past, that they dared the odds, conquered Mt. Everest, and now are challenging the seas, with the Butuan Boat, an excellently crafted boat, constructed by skilled craftsmen and mariners. From the time it was launched from the Cultural Center of the Philippines to Butuan City, it had braved eight (8) typhoons including ‘Urduja’ by seeking shelter in safe ports. It rode the waves well compared to other vessels that suffered much.
Team Balangay leader and members were treated to the full presentation of the Butuan Artists Group. Later, they were presented with native fruits and delicacies such as kayam and palagsing, after each member of the Team was introduced and acknowledged to the cheers of the welcoming crowd. As soon as the program ended, the photo sessions took over, first Art Valdes with the City Mayor, Congressman, Tourism Council Chairman, and Vice Mayor. Then with the City Councilors, later with other Officials down the line. Everybody wanted a remembrance of the occasion and many had pictures with the other members of the Team, individually or in groups of three or four.
It had taken the boat six hours to negotiate the stretch from Cabadbaran to the Agusan River. Whenever there was a favorable wind they used the sails, otherwise they had to row. They had a short stopover at the Luna Compound where the second Balangay replica was being constructed. There, the three local personalities boarded the vessel as it continued on its way to the pier.
Earlier the previous evening, the team had been feted at a Birthday Party for Madame Daisy Plaza, which was a grand celebration attended by invited guests, Engr. Aniceto Bonpin, Jr. and ourself included. After the individual team members had been properly introduced, Usec Valdes explained his concept of the Pinoy braving the odds, such as Mt. Everest, the formidable peak never before done by a Filipino. They proved that Kaya ng Pinoy, which not only a Pinoy did conquer but even a Pinay, as well. They are now out to prove and duplicate the skill, endurance and prowess of the ancient Filipino mariner as he braved the seas to visit and trade with other lands and cultures.
Dr. Ted Esguerra also spoke and presented a Video documentary, with detailed explanation. They had planned to build the first replica boat in Butuan, but it was in Tawi-tawi that the skilled boat builders were found so the craftsmen were brought to the CCP where the Balangay boat was constructed. After three months at sea, some planks had been attacked by marine borers. These damaged planks will be replaced in Butuan with planks of the original wood as these could only be found in Butuan in abundance. He continued that the boat was so seaworthy that it had withstood eight typhoons in its initial journey to Butuan. As soon as both boats were ready, they would be visiting other major Philippine cities together next year before leaving for foreign shores such as some islands in Indonesia, then Micronesia, and even circumnavigating the world.
That afternoon, Christine Young and some friends visited the Balangay Boat replica and had boarded it. Team Everest Erwin ‘Pastor’ Emata related to them that as they entered Agusan River from Butuan Bay, they had gotten emotional, and tears welled up in their eyes, as the Diwata ng Lahi entered its original home; much more when they saw children lining the banks of the river, waving flaglets to welcome them. He said we have to remind the people especially the children that we can regain the respect of the world, that the Pinoy is not just an expert mariner but a master boat craftsman as well.
We were curious about the Balangay Boat ourself, and the next day we visited the PPA. There were four crewmen there, the rest were elsewhere, maybe giving talk to people about disaster preparedness. They said we may have a look inside the boat and ask questions. We were curious how 14 people could be crammed inside especially at night since there were just four bamboo slated beds attached to the sides, not too wide but long. They said they moor during the night and set up tents on land. They use gasul for cooking, they urinate into containers and take turns at night moving their bowel. As there is no engine, they take turns rowing, six on each side, when there is no favorable wind, even the ladies who are as strong as men. (The paddles are big and heavy.) They bathe and wash their clothes in the river or sea. The more difficult task would be when they start visiting foreign lands. They would have to spend days and nights crossing oceans and seas. Though this will be more difficult but they are out to prove that the ‘Pinoy can do it’.
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