Balangay Chronicles: Week 2

February 11, 2010 - Salay, Misamis Oriental

Team Balangay left Benoni port for Salay at around 8AM. It was another windy morning and Balangay Masawa Hong Butuan was sailing beautifully. But Diwata ng Lahi broke one of her rudders which slowed down both boats.

The two balangays arrived in Salay a little after lunch. The boats docked at the beach and we settled in the bamboo cottages along the shore. Dinner was hosted by the Salay LGU. Again, I pitched my tent beside one of the cottages and had a good mosquito-free rest.

The following morning, we were joined by the news crew from ABS-CBN -  Cagayan de Oro and Mr. Jun Sy and company of TAO Corporation, one of the major sponsors of the Voyage of the Balangay. They would be the team's guest crew for the grand entry to Cagayan de Oro.

February 12, 2010 - Cagayan de Oro City

Team Balangay arrived in Cagayan de Oro City with a grand welcome from the local government and representatives from the different regional offices. Among those present were officials and staff from the Mayor's Office, DOT, DILG, PPA and PCG. There were also representatives from the media who attended the mini-press conference right after docking. Mama also came in from Butuan with Tita Linda.

The team was billeted at El Reva Suites, courtesy of TAO Corporation. Our first night was spent eating Korean food with Mr. Jun Sy and company. The following day, the crew did some minor repairs on Balangay Diwata ng Lahi. Others joined the tree-planting activity with the Philippine Coast Guard. The third day was Valentine's Day, a Sunday. It was liberty time so some of the crew went white water rafting while the others spent the day at the mall.

On Monday morning, Sir Art and some crew members attended the flag ceremony at the City Hall before the team departed for Initao.

Balangay Masawa Hong Butuan being towed to the pier in Cagayan de Oro 

(Special thanks to the personnel of Philippine Coast Guard - Northern Mindanao, headed by Commander Eduardo Gongona, for their assistance at our port stops and during our entire stay in Cagayan de Oro. Thank you also to the crew of Philippine Navy vessel PG-389, headed by CDR Emmanuel Bello, for escorting Team Balangay from Butuan to Cagayan de Oro.)

Balangay Chronicles: Week 1

My recent involvement with the construction of Balangay Masawa Hong Butuan pushed me to volunteer as a ground crew for Team Balangay. Together with Everest summiteer Carina Dayondon, I was tasked to help coordinate with the locals at the ports of call in Northern Mindanao.

February 4, 2010 - Carmen, Agusan del Norte

And so our trip began at Carmen, Agusan del Norte. After the send-off festivities in Butuan, Carina and I joined Atty. Vincent Fortun who kindly drove us to Jurassic Park Resort where we would meet with the rest of the team in the afternoon. At the resort, we were assisted by the staff from the Municipal Information Office and the Municipal Tourism Office.

The balangays, with around 20 guest crew from Butuan, arrived around 5PM. The boats had to be anchored offshore because the coast was too rocky. Good thing Tiririt was there to bring the passengers to the resort.

After the guest crew left, the team shared a simple dinner of rice and seafood, courtesy of the resort owner. The team then rested early for another day of sailing the following day.

February 5, 2010 - Gingoog City

Team Balangay had an early breakfast followed by a quick briefing by Sir Art Valdez. The team was in high morale as we left Carmen for Gingoog City.

From the resort, Carina and I took a habal-habal to the highway where we flagged down a Bachelor bus to Gingoog. 

At Gingoog, we coordinated with the City Tourism Officer, Mr. Audie Ocampo, whom I met by chance last month at the airport in Butuan. The team from the Department of Agriculture - Region 10 also arrived from Cagayan de Oro. After a quick lunch, we proceeded to the docking site of the balangays. It was a beach area in Barangay San Juan, right beside the elementary school. The pupils were glad to see us and they were all excited to meet the rest of the crew.

At around 2PM, Team Balangay arrived in Gingoog City amid the cheers and waving flags of the pupils of San Juan Elementary School and the local people of Gingoog. The team members were introduced to the public in a mini program. Then, we proceeded to the City Hall for a courtesy call with Mayor Ruth Guingona.

There was power outage at dinner time so the crew decided to eat at the beach cottages. We were joined by the Barangay Captain and the local CVO team.

That night, I pitched a tent at the beach and slept there while the others slept inside the classrooms.

The balangays in Gingoog City

(photo courtesy of Andy Maluche)

February 6, 2010 - Balingoan, Misamis Oriental

I woke up early the following day and took a quick dip in the calm waters of Gingoog Bay while some team members did their morning exercises at the beach. Breakfast was served soon after and then we were ready to leave for Balingoan.

For lunch, we stopped at Duka Bay Resort upon the invitation of the Pelaez family. The whole team enjoyed the sumptuous lunch but had to board the balangays for the rest of the trip to Balingoan.

It was a good windy day for sailing, and for the first time, Balangay Masawa Hong Butuan registered 8 knots per hour on the meter. I guess the wind was too strong for Balangay Diwata ng Lahi because she was dragged towards the shoreline, forcing her crew to drop anchor a few kilometers away from Balingoan. Masawa Hong Butuan arrived first and Tiririt had to go back and tow Balangay Diwata ng Lahi to the port.

Once settled in Balingoan, the team trooped to the Municipal Hall for the courtesy call and dinner with Mayor Perlita Espero. After dinner, some team members stayed at the Municipal Hall to spend the night there. Sir Art, Andy and Lito checked in at a nearby lodging house, compliments of the Mayor. The rest of us enjoyed a few rounds of drinks, courtesy of Chief Ojie, before settling in our tents right there on the pier.

February 7, 2010 - Camiguin Island

After breakfast, Team Balangay proceeded to Benoni in the island of Camiguin. Carina and I took the local ferry and arrived there just before noon. The local Coast Guard served us lunch, after which, we checked out our living quarters at Benoni Elementary School while Ma'am Cora, Jojo and Kuya Manits of DA-10 went to Mambajao to do some marketing. This awesome threesome from DA-10 would be doing all the cooking for us while we are in their jurisdiction and if there are no LGU-hosted meals for the team.

We stayed in Camiguin for four days. The crew had to do some work on the sails in between courtesy calls, island tours and emergency rescue operations. We also had the chance to feast on two lechons, all-you-can-eat pastel, and super sweet lanzones, courtesy of Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo.

Alas, our Camiguin days had to end and soon, it was time to leave for the next port of call.

Balangay Diwata ng Lahi at Mantigue Island, Camiguin

(photo courtesy of Andy Maluche)

Launching of Balangay Masawa Hong Butuan

Congratulations to Butuan Global Forum for the successful launching of Balangay Masawa Hong Butuan! This is the Butuanon version of the balangay replica. She will join Balangay Diwata ng Lahi in the historic voyage around Mindanao, Southeast Asia and China. Kaya ng Pinoy!

(Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Morano Enriquez)

"Diwata ng Lahi" in Butuan

Balangay Diwata ng Lahi finally arrived in Butuan City today at around noon. Team Balangay docked safely at the PPA port after braving Typhoon Urduja on their way to Cabadbaran from Surigao earlier this week.

My first glance of Diwata ng Lahi

Docking at PPA

A big crowd of mostly students and government employees gathered at the PPA port to welcome Team Balangay. After the welcome ceremony, the team was whisked off to Almont Inland Resort for lunch and a press conference.

Team Balangay

After the press conference

Later this evening, Mama, Kuya and I had dinner with the whole team at Aling Cora. It was a historic day for Butuan!

Voyage of the Balangay Update

Team Balangay has finally set sail aboard Diwata ng Lahi towards an epic journey from Manila Bay to Mindanao and later on to Southeast Asia. For more updates from Team Balangay, visit the official website. Lawig balangay!

Note: Diwata ng Lahi will be joined by another balangay once it docks in Butuan City. The balangay construction in Butuan will be paid for by private citizens.

Diwata ng Lahi

This is an update on the Voyage of the Balangay Project led by Art Valdez. The balangay, named "Diwata ng Lahi", is now finished and it was officially launched yesterday, June 27. Team Balangay will set sail on the first week of July, if weather permits. Below are some pictures taken during the launching. Pictures courtesy of Butuan Global Forum.

The balangay before the launching.

Fr. Joesilo Amalla of Butuan City officiating the Catholic boat blessing rites. (Tausug and Protestant rites were also conducted).

Art Valdez cutting the rope to release the balangay into the water.

The balangay finally on the waters of Manila Bay!


Diwata ng Lahi ready to set sail!

Click HERE to see the complete list of Philippine ports which will be visited by Team Balangay. For more pictures, visit this Multiply photo album.

A Journey Into History

On June 27, 2009, the Filipino Mount Everest Team, led by Art Valdez, will embark on another journey. This time they will travel by sea aboard a balangay. A balangay is a wooden boat which was used by our ancestors to travel around Southeast Asia to as far as Polynesia in the East and Madagascar in the West.

Balangays, also called Butuan Boats, were dug up in Butuan City in the 70's. These balangays were carbon dated 320 AD.

A sketch of the balangay at the National Museum

One of the original Butuan balangays on display at the Balangay Shrine in Butuan City

Here is a detailed list of places in the Philippines which will be visited by Team Balangay:

1st Leg: MANILA TO BORACAY
1. Manila to Sangley, Cavite 5.3 nautical miles (nm)
2. Ternate, Cavite 17.4 nm
3. Nasugbu, Batangas 19.5 nm
4. Calatagan, Batangas 16.5 nm
5. Batangas City 29.0 nm
6. Puerta Galera, Or. Mindoro 14.2 nm
7. Calapan City, Or. Mindoro 16.0 nm
8. Pola 27.0 nm
9. Maestre de Campo 26 nm
10. Calatrava, Romblon 26.2 nm
11. Odiongan, Tablas 16.7 nm
12. Looc, Romblon 30.0 nm
13. Boracay, Aklan 20.7 nm

2nd Leg: BORACAY TO CEBU CITY/MACTAN
13. Boracay, Aklan
14. Kalibo, Aklan (Port Batan) 38.5 nm
15. Roxas City, Capiz (Port Capiz) 12.5 nm
16. Estancia, Iloilo 51.0 nm
17. Barotac Viejo, Iloilo 42.0 nm
18. Iloilo City, Iloilo 30.8 nm
19. Bacolod City, Negros Occ. 23.3 nm
20. Silay City, Neg Occ 7.5 nm
21. Sagay City, Neg Occ 23.3 nm
22. Bantayan Island, Cebu 40.o nm
23. Daan Bantayan, Cebu 23.4 nm
24. Bogo, Cebu 16.4 nm
25. Danao City, Cebu 35.2 nm
26. Cebu City, Cebu 10.7 nm
27. (Mactan - Cebu Departure)

3rd Leg: MACTAN TO BUTUAN
27. (Mactan - Cebu Departure)
28. Argao, Cebu 27.0 nm
29. Dumaguete City, Negros Or. 38.5 nm
30. Siquijor (Port Canoan), Negros Or. 16.5 nm
31. Panglao, Bohol 28.7 nm
32. Jagna, Bohol 31.5 nm
33. Maasin, Southern Leyte 43.0 nm
34. Limasawa, Southern Leyte 16.6 nm
35. Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte 56.3 nm
36. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte 6.3 nm

4th Leg: BUTUAN TO ZAMBOANGA
36. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
37. Gingoog, Misamis Or. 25.7 nm
38. Mambajao, Camiguin Island 34.0 nm
39. Cagayan de Oro City 49.7 nm
40. Iligan City, Lanao 48.2 nm
41. Ozamis City, Misamis Occ. 10.5 nm
42. Oroquieta, Mis. Occ. 29.5 nm
43. Dapitan, Dipolog 37.6 nm
44. Liloy, Zamboanga 54.0 nm
45. Ciocon (Port Sta. Maria), 49.0 nm
46. Sibuco, Zamboanga 31.0 nm
47. Zamboanga City 34.8 nm

5th Leg: ZAMBOANGA CITY TO GENERAL SANTOS
47. Zamboanga City
48. Panubigan Island 15.7 nm
49. Bangaan Island,Port Banga 24.2 nm
50. Bagalamatan 16.0 nm
51. Suba Nipa 29.5 nm
52. Limbug Cove 43.6 nm
53. Pagadian City 22.2 nm
54. Port Baras, Cotabato 35.0 nm
55. Cotabato City 25.0 nm
56. Linao Bay, Mati 40.0 nm
57. Port Lebak, Kalamansig 17.0 nm
58. Milbuk Harbor, Milbuk 35.3 nm
59. Kling , South Cotabato 41.5 nm
60. General Santos City 41.5 nm

6th Leg: GENERAL SANTOS CITY TO DAVAO CITY
60. General Santos City
61. Glan, Saranggani 16.0 nm
62. Butulan Cove, Butulan 36.0 nm
63. Jose Abad Santos (Caburan) 22.3 nm
64. Malita, Davao 33.2 nm
65. Digos, Davao Del Sur 25.0 nm
66. Davao City, Port of Sta. Ana 25.3 nm

7th Leg: ZAMBOANGA CITY TO SILUAG
67. Isabela, Basilan
68. Jolo/Patikul, Sulu
69. Siasi, Sulu
70. Tumbagaan Island, Tawi-Tawi
71. Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
72. Sibutu, Tawi-Tawi
73. Sitangkai, Tawi-Tawi
74. Siluag Island, Tawi-Tawi

While on port, Team Balangay will conduct several activities in the area which include medical missions, school visitations, coastal cleanup, awareness seminars, and visits to local places of interest.

From Tawi-Tawi, Team Balangay will trace the migration of our ancestors and the ancient trade routes of Southeast Asia.

Catch Team Balangay in your area and be a part of this historic endeavor!