Balangay: The last surviving builders of the ancient Balangay boat from the tribe of Sama Badjao in Sibutu. Tawi-Tawi put to test of the replica of the wooden watercraft also known as “Butuan Boat” used by our forefathers in the 15th Century, after seven months of constructing it at a private port near the mouth of Agusan River in Barangay Bading, Butuan City. The 81-feet long and 14 feet wide Balangay Boat which was named “ Masawa Hong Butuan “ sails on Thursday, February 4, 2009 and will circumnavigate the island of Mindanao passing through the major ports of the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis, Dipolog, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi, Davao, Surigao, before going back to Butuan City for the final leg on December 2010. The 20-man crew members are led by former Transportation Undersecretary Arturo Valdez, Jr., Mt. Everest Expedition Team leader. The boat is made of hardwood materials of Philippine Mahogany and Dungon tree species which can be found only in the forest of Surigao del Sur, were donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources out of the confiscated illegal logs. (Eric Gallego and Ronnel Calo, DENR RPAO-Caraga) |
