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THAILAND
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Philippines |
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SORSOGON
Beyond the whale sharks phenomenon -2 |
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Source: Manila Bulletin |
Author: Aileen Lainez |
Date: 2000-01-17 |
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Festivals
During the whale sharks season, visitors can also stop
by the town of Bulan on the last weekend of May and
join in the celebration of the colorful Bandalaan sa
Bulan Festival. Bandalaan comes from the word
bandala, the Bicolano term of the abaca fiber. Abaca
fiber is the basic ingredient in making the Manila hemp
or rope, a local product whose uses were sought
after all over the world for many centuries in the
past. A simple commodity it is but certainly placed
the Philippines in the world map.
The highlight of the festival is a dance parade
participated by high school students. The male dancers wear costumes composed of
sinamay shorts and an armor made out of pili fruits. Their bodies are covered with
bright techni-colored paint with moon designs. The female dancers, on the other
hand, wear bizarre and eye-catching outfits made out of sinamay cloth, appearing like
grown insect queens. Their dance depicts a farmer ritual of thanking nature for a
bountiful harvest. The last weekend of May 1999 was the first time they performed
before their townsmates, although they were frequently invited before to perform in
other parts of Bicol.
Bandalaan organizer, Nonong Guyala, hopes that this won't be the last. He says that
the festival aims to promote the little town of Bulan as a tourist destination. Since the
whale sharks are rare in their side of the province, they believe they can realize their
aim through showcasing Bicol's own pintados culture and homegrown industries like
the abaca and pili products. He believes that if the local abaca industry will come
back to life, it will definitely help Bulan, Bicol and the whole of the Philippines.
The festivals do not only happen during the month of May. In October, many towns of
Sorsogon are lively with festivities as the local residents celebrate the Pantomina sa
Tinampo, or Pantomine in the Streets. Teachers, students and government employes
put on their best Filipino outfits and dance their own depiction of a dove dance. This
is truly an extra-ordinary display of an old tradition enlivened by the generation of
today.
Historical towns
Quaint towns are another attraction that truly makes Sorsogon one-of-a-kind. They
provide visitors a glimpse of its rich illustrious history. Barcelona town, for example,
houses Bicol's oldest church, St. Joseph's Church built in 1874 by a Spanish friar from
the Franciscan order. It was built huge, the usual Baroque-style dome-like structure,
to accommodate the large number of parishioners. Aside from its age, its foundation
makes the church all the more interesting. It is made of coral stones fastened by
eggs. The Spanish influence is very evident in the church's interior. The windows were
built high and wide for the purpose of giving light and ventilation to the parishioners.
Just as fascinating are the hand paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross inspired
by the art paintings made by a Spanish painter hanging in a Naga seminary.
Fronting the church is the ruins of an old American military headquarters completed
during the war. Strong typhoons destroyed the building in 1947 leaving a small portion
of its foundation. Only big adobe boulders are left. From the ruins is a good view of
the San Bernardino Strait, where the Spaniards often passed by during the time of the
galleon trade. The town reminded them so much of the Barcelona back home, they
named the town after their city of affectionately.
Souvenirs, etc.
Barcelona is also known for the best souvenir hunts. Many women of this town are
very skillful weavers of hats, colorful baskets and native bags in different shapes and
sizes using only local materials like buri palm fiber. They organized themselves 10
years ago and formed a cooperative of weavers to ensure equal division of labor and
profit. Each member worked hard in providing quality products that the group
eventually tapped the export market.
Since then, they have successfully expanded, clinching contracts with permanent
buyers from all over the country and abroad. More job opportunities were given to
many families who find this their main source of livelihood. This job has helped them
put food on the table and brought children to school. The cooperative's shop in
Barcelona is open to all pasalubong buyers during the daytime.
The capital town is the namesake of the province. Sorsogon, the capital, is where
most of the economic activities happen and important building structures are found
such as the provincial government, hotels and pensions, and business establishments,
as well as the pier, public market and the gothic-inspired church.
Sorsogon is a major bus route from Manila all the way to Mindanao, so it is no surprise
that the biggest bus companies have terminals here. Its 85,000 inhabitants are mainly
engaged in fishing, farming, and cottage industries. Great cooks are what they are
also famous for. All-year round, visitors can find here a variety of sumptuous Bicolano
delicacies, like the famous tasty-spicy-hot Bicol express, laing, pili nuts and fresh
seafoods like crabs and prawns.
The people of Sorsogon are grateful to what the whale sharks have introduced them
to, a flourishing tourism industry. However, it is up to them how they can sustain the
industry, and one of their best bets is through caring for and preserving their natural
environment. Risking its health means jeopardizing their main source of wealth.
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