‘Balangay’ construction starts

[Rene Abad]

magaling din ang mga sina unang pilipino humina lang nang nakolonya naimperialismo at ngayo'y ginoglobalismo Sea voyage: ‘Balangay’ construction starts Erika Sauler Philippine Daily Inquirer April 27, 2009 MANILA, Philippines—An ambitious sea adventure to trace the migration route of the ancestors of Filipinos has started to take shape, with the construction of a pre-colonial boat that would be faithful to shipbuilding methods employed by the Badjao seafaring tribe. The first Philippine expedition team to Mt. Everest officially marked on Friday its latest endeavor, “The Voyage of the Balangay,” through the laying of the keel, where the bow (the forward part of the boat) is linked to the keel (the boat’s spine). The age-old tradition, which signals the start of a boat’s construction, invokes good fortune and safe voyage. By adhering to ancient seafaring technology and nature-based navigational techniques—observing the migration of birds, location of the sun, formations of the stars and patterns of clouds and waves—the team plans to sail along the migration route of the Austronesian-speaking people using the balangay. Replica The balangay will be a replica of the ancient boat excavated in Butuan, Agusan del Norte, in 1978. The boat was used by the early Filipinos for maritime trade and migration from mainland Asia to nearby islands. Former President Fidel V. Ramos graced the launch of the project which, he said, was full of patriotic symbolism. “It showcases grit and determination, the never-say-die spirit of the Filipinos. This is a challenge to us. All of us are onboard the ship of the Republic of the Philippines and we must not allow that ship to sink,” he said. Art Valdez, Everest team leader and head of the Kaya ng Pinoy Foundation, said that after living the dream of conquering Everest, “we didn’t stop dreaming.” “It’s unbelievable that we are here and the boat is there when we were just talking about it last year,” he said. Tawi-Tawi boat builders Valdez tapped Badjao boat builders from the islands of Sibutu and Sitangkay in Tawi-Tawi to craft the balangay. The Voyage of the Balangay, targeted to set sail on June 12, aims to rekindle the Filipino maritime consciousness that was disrupted by Western colonizers. At the same time, “it will put into correct perspective the image of the Badjaos, that they are great shipbuilders with great tradition and culture,” Valdez said. “Their skills have been handed down through generations of master-boat builders.” Cultural Center Anyone is free to observe the boat’s construction at the harbor side of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City. Valdez said the cost of labor and materials for the boat would be about P2.5 million. “I feel thrilled and fulfilled that the boat was constructed in the ancient way and we are able to learn these things,” Valdez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net). “For me, it’s worth all the effort.” Rey Santiago of the National Museum said that the shell-first construction was a typical Southeast Asian technique, which lays down first the keel, the stem and the planks before the ribs or the frame. The modern way employed by Europeans puts up the skeleton first (the keel and ribs) before the planks. Guide Santiago said the National Museum provided the formula for the boat construction according to the excavated Butuan boat. “But it’s only a guide. The Badjaos are crafting the boat from memory; they are working without a blueprint,” he said. The coordinator of the Badjao carpenters, retired school district supervisor Musa Malabong, said the 15-meter by 3-meter boat (the same length of about four lined-up cars) could be finished in 20 days. He said the wood used for the planks was called “lupanga” while the bow was fashioned from “ubyubi.” Nature-based schedule Malabong said that even the schedule in constructing the boat was nature-based. The team takes into consideration the weather and the shape of the moon to ensure that the boat will bring good luck and a progressive voyage. Mindanao State University professor Jubail Muyong, who is also working with the Badjaos, proudly said that the team would use wood nails and there would be no iron nails in the boat. Even the tool used for hammering the nails, which looked like an oversized bowling pin, is made from wood. When finished, the balangay will stop in every major port of the Philippines and Asia. Crew members plan to conduct coastal clean-ups and historical presentations and interact with the local communities to foster unity and promote tourism around the country. Around the world The expedition is projected to cover Southeast Asia by 2010, Micronesia and Madagascar by 2011, and navigate across the Pacific onward to the Atlantic, all the way around the world by 2012 and back to the Philippines in 2013. The core of the balangay crew will be made up of members of the Everest team: Valdez, Leo Oracion, Erwin Emata, Noelle Wenceslao, Carina Dayondon, Janet Belarmino-Sardena, Dr. Ted Esguerra, Fred Jamili and Dr. Voltaire Velasco. The rest of the crew will be composed of master sailors, academicians and scientists. Valdez thanked Agatep Associates Inc., Tao Corp., Holcim Philippines, Jollibee, the National Museum and the CCP for supporting the project. “It’s every Filipino’s project. It’s universal and democratic. Everyone has a contribution to make,” Ramos said in his inspirational talk. “Even at times of crisis, we are resilient and optimistic which manifests our long struggle against colonizers. We’ve been through all that. I have no doubt that [this project] will succeed.” Valdez said the team would be guided by the principle of harmony with nature, harmony with the boat and harmony with people. “Then we will be able to reach our destination,” he said.