Elmar Aceboque

One of the characteristics of people living at Barangay Calaya, Nueva Valencia Guimaras is being creative. They can weave bags, sling bags or knapsacks, wallet, mat, even costumes whenever there are festivals and they use only dried leaves of pandan and pineapple which are abundant in the said place.When I have a short conversation with Aling Eulilia, one of the experts in terms of weaving, she said weaving is not simple task or job to be done. One needs to know the proper way on how the threads that are made of pandan and pineapple leaves have to be inserted in proper hole. “EXPERIENCE” a booming word coming out from the mouth of Aling Eulilia which caught my attention. According to her, experience is her foundation in having a high quality product. It’s been ten years  Aling Eulilia spent in weaving. For those years of weaving it became source of her living and income until now just to support the study of her children. Aling Eulilia also shared to me on how her hands become numb in every job that she had to finish but Aling Eulilia proudly says that, “numb hand is nothing for the sake of my family”. Many people also ordered her finished products, they reach even the island of Boracay and anywhere else.

Being creative, hardworking and loving to family are some of the characteristics of Filipinos which make us on top compared to others. Aing Eulilia is one of the people here in the Philippines having those real Filipino attitudes. She proves that Filipinos possess those characteristics. Therefore, being Filipino we must patronize our own products and nurture our own product.

“Tying on coconut leaves”

 Filipinos believe in many superstitious belief. This is  one of the reasons why we have a wonderful culture. This was part of Filipinos culture in  believing in these superstitious belief. Like in Barangay Calaya, Nueva Valencia Guimaras, there are beliefs that they followed especially going to Bato Atong, one of the boulders there in Calaya. Tying a knot on leaves of coconut are observed or practiced to avoid “tuyaw” which can cause illness whoever disobeyed. Knowing it, makes our immersion more meaningful. As we merge in their culture and beliefs we understand their way of living especially on how they behave in such.