Choose a local place, preferably undeveloped but with potential.
San Joaquin, Iloilo is a town which has undergone many changes in every facet of it’s development and now proudly boasts one of the most beautiful plazas in Panay Island’s western coast. This town is ready to further it’s tourism. It is a very old town which is steeped in history. The most important being the landing of the Datus in Siwaragan who were involved with the “Barter of Panay” with the Negritos.
San Joaquin is bordered in the northeast by the Municipality of Miag-ao, Iloilo; the Municipality of Anini-y, Antique in the southeast; the Municipality of Sibalom, Antique in the north; and 24 kms of pristine shoreline to the west. “Short and long mountain ranges, rolling hills, high and low plateaus, deep and shallow valleys, wide and narrow plains. Level lands along the shores and river banks, low-flat lands at the foot of the mountains, small level lands in the valleys and on the plateaus, deep lands in the valleys and on the plateaus, deep and steep ravines and gorges, big and small caves, groups of forested spots in the same mountainous areas dominated by tall, young and old tress, and five long-winding rivers with their tributaries and numerable long and short creeks or brooks snake their way towards the sea dominate the land features of San Joaquin. (Selibo, Juanito Siena. San Joaquin in a nutshell. 2010. )”
The story of the Barter of Panay is as follows. In the first Tigeoak in the year 605 of the Muslim calendar (1212 AD) on the southeastern shore of Aninipay a group of Malay vessels called biniday were spotted. On the biniday were 10 Malayan Datus from Borneo (Indonesia). These 10 Datus were forced to leave Borneo because of the hostility of their chief, Makatunaw.
The 10 Malayan Datus and their wives were:
“Datu Puti and his wife Pinangpangan, Datu Bangkaya and his wife Katurong, Datu Paiburong and his wife Pabulanan, Datu Sumakwel and his wife Kapinangan, Datu Padohinog and his wife Tibongsapaw, Datu Dumangsol and his wife Kabiling, Datu Lubay, Datu Dumangsil, Datu Dumalogdog and Datu Balensuela were bachelors. (Selibo, Juanito Siena. San Joaquin in a nutshell. 2010. )”
The Datus worked their way up river. The first Datu to step of the vessel spied a big, brown snake and exclaimed, “Suaga”. “Suaga” means “caution”. This word developed in time to “Suagan”, then “Swaragan” and finally “Siwaragan” which is the name (as it is known today) of the river and the area where the Datu’s originally landed.
These 10 Datus brought along with them Malayans who had previously explored this region of Panay island. They encountered a Negrito (name of the local inhabitants) and inquired where the leader of their tribe was located. The Negrito replied, “Ransohan (the area of Sinogbuhan today) which the Datus’ guide was familiar with. The Malays continued their journey up river.
The Negritos fled from fear when the Datus arrived Ransohan. The Chief Marikudo was left alone with only his bow and arrow and spear for defense. He faced the Borneans and asked what their purpose was for coming to his land. The leader of the group, Datu Puti, replied that they wanted a blood compact to live as neighbors with the Negritos of Ransohan. He made it known to Chief Marikudo that he and the other Datus wanted to purchase land in the island of Aninipay if he was agreeable to it and if the price suited him. Chief Marikudo asked the Datus which area and the Datus replied, “the village of Ransohan.” The Chief said he had to confer with the old man of the village and the Datus would be notified of the decision via a messenger.
So, Chief Marikudo assembled his people and told them about the Bornean Datus and that they wanted to purchase their land. He asked them if they were willing to sell their land because they could not farm all of it. The Negritos agreed and a feast was planned for the meeting w/the Datus.
Chief Marikudo invited all the Malays back to Ransohan village. The Datus and their retinue were garbed in their expensive, fine attire with the men bringing their cutlasses and kirs in their scabbards. The women brought gifts as a token of their goodwill. Much eating and drinking ensued. The Negritos entertained their guests with their native musical instruments, songs and dances. The Borneans also entertained their hosts with a war dance where the drums played a rhythm which scared the Negritos as they believed it really was ‘a war’.
Marikudo and Datu Puti talked and the former told the Datu that they agreed to their offer. He asked the Borneans the amount they were willing to pay for the land. Datu Puti inquired as to the extent of their land. An old Negrito man answered, “if you round the whole island from the shoreline starting from your farm that you just planted with rice, it is ready to be harvested when you arrive at your starting place.” Datu Puti told his servant to go back to the boat to get a sadok made of gold and one batiya of gold. He handed them to Marikudo and asked if he was willing to exchange their land with these objects.
The Negrito Chief was astounded by the sparkling gifts. He placed the golden sadok on his head and danced around with it along with the karis gifted to him. Maniwantiwan, Marikudo’s wife, saw that her husband was sporting a golden sadok on his head. She declared that the barter would not be finalized if she is not given a necklace like the one worn by Datu Puti’s wife. Datu Puti commanded his wife to give her necklace the Chief’s wife and she complied. Maniwantiwan returned the batiya in favor of the necklace. Datu Puti’s wife asked that she would be given one big basketful of crabs, a wild boar with long fangs and one white deer that was cross eyed. Maniwantiwan agreed but asked to be given some time to find these items. The celebrations continued with the Negritos dancing with their new gifts.
And thus was the “Barter for Panay”.
Another cultural aspect of San Joaquin which sets them apart from the rest of the Philippines is the “Pasungay kang Baka kag karbaw” and the “Sayaw”. This is the only place in the Philippines where this event is “allowed”. The Pasungay (bullfight) is the highlight of the San Joaquin fiesta which is held during the 3rd week of January on the feast of the Santo Nino (the town’s Saint). The Sayaw is a ritual dance performed by a single male. He uses a spear or cutlass during the dance. This dance was performed when the newly married couple approaches the bridal house.
San Joaquin is a town rich in centuries of historical significance and surrounded by an unspoilt landscape which offers both the mountains and the sea. San Joaquin is where the old and the new are harmoniously blended. This is the Philippines.
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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