PASS ON CULTURE
We used to have fluffy foams on our bedrooms but far beyond the drifts and changes are the mats our grandparents put down when we were all innocent and wily. But do you ever wonder where those mats or localy called “banig” you slept on came from?
Before Aladdin and Jasmine played magic tricks with the mats, we had already established livelihood on making those. Known from the weaving industry, the town with 58 barangays is rearing from its town product and a source of income. The town of Bacacay which is a simple land that bores natural beauty of places and reach out its best for talented Bacacayanos had the main materials of it called Karagumoy.
Karagumoy is a palm grass similar to a pineapple plant inlaid and abounds in the hills around Brgy. Cabasan in Bacacay, Albay. This plant comes from the forests of Cagraray Island and people have to travel far without any means of transportation. This raw material is dried under the sun for at least one day and it runs a heavy coconut trunk over it to soften before being processed for weaving. It is by then the recognized product of Bacacay and it seeks to promote homeland celebration of "Karagumoy Festival" on August 29-30.
Along the market of Bacacay, Estella Barcelona, 70 years old from island of Namantao is selling banigs of different sizes and price. She has 7 children and it served a sustainable livelihood that send her children to school and to her companion in the market, Shiena Mae, her granddaughter. It is also with the help of her sisters, Nenita Bania and Nora Barrameda who are on weaving business also since their childhood days.
Aling Estela said that it is tedious and tiresome when weaving and difficult for new comers. You will push the round coconut log through the strips hat that is six to eight long. Afterwards, you will dye it with water mixed with colored designs that you can buy in some local stores.
Shiena Mae watches her lolas as they weave so that little by little she can also learn it and it is a paid off to her lola. She said that when she learned the process of making the mats, she will continue the culture of their town.
The product they made is delivered in the public market of Bacacay, included in trade fares, town fiestas but mostly delivered in Manila. The "One Town, One Product" project is consistent with Local Government Unit (LGU) and Department of Tourism, as they built a commercial store known as Pasalubong Center and the Bacacay Womens Federation managed by Rosario Sibalucca who has been helping to promote the product.
Aside from banigs, they also have baskets, fans, hats, handmade bags, gowns and other karagumoy products that can serve as your pasalubong when you visit the town. Bacacay has all the right to show and marvel at all its tangible beauty — natural or even man-made.
Aling Estela said that they are still optimistic that karagumoy products will never diminish because the mountains and forests of Cagraray are filled with karagumoy and as long as tourists will still buy their products. Indeed, it is a great help to the community.
