MAISIE KATE V. RIZARDO

A GLIMPSE OF A RED-SOILED BARANGAY:

HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY 

and LIVELIHOOD

As our feet steps into the soil of the beautiful island of Guimaras, the cold Sunday breeze of January welcomes our heart warmly with joy, pride and excitement. We have travelled so far before we reach the red-soiled Barangay of Calaya, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. Its beauty was one of a kind and breathtaking. The people of Calaya welcomes us warmly.

It was our fifth day of staying in Calaya when we were tasked to learn and know the history of such a beautiful place. Barangay Calaya is about 8 kilometers away from the Municipality of Nueva Valencia and is located at the North Eastern part of Nueva Valencia which are bounded by the Municipality of Sibunag on the North East, Barangay Oracon at the North, Barangay Lanipe at the West, Barangay Igdarapdap at the Southwest and Barangay San Antonio at the South.

Barangay Calaya is composed of eight sitios namely Poblacion I & II, Taras, Dawo, Colanos, Salong, Natanud and Sitio Badiang. Most residents are engaged in mat and bag weaving and farming. One of the main attractions in Calaya is the two big rocks found in Poblacion II. Sitio Colanos has a wide portion of rice land and the rest are planted with corn, coconuts and wooden trees.

According to the oldest residents of Barangay Calaya, the barangay is formerly named Baladiao due to so many Badiao birds flying in the area but was later on changed to Barrio Calaya and it was changed to Barangay Calaya. The name Calaya was adopted as “dried” (Laya) due to the condition of the pale. That time cogon grasses were seen all over the place but on the early part of the dry season, these cogon grasses turned brown and had an appearance of dried grasses (laya).

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Last January 9, 2013, we had our school activity in Calaya National High School as we are tasked to make bulletin boards and signage. My team, Tributes gave each other hands as we do our task. I was assigned to make bulletin board with Chrizl and Imee while the others make some signage in school canteen and comfort rooms. We are pleased to do each and every task under the scorching heat of the sun. As the hours passed by, we didn’t mind that it was already past noon and we haven’t eaten our lunch yet. But we are still eager to finish the task as possible. 

We haven’t finished our bulletin board so we decided to bring it to our house and each of us contributed in making this. We developed a strong foundation of camaraderie and friendship, as we exchanged silly jokes while working around. It was another moment to be cherished of.

            In the morning, we deliver it back to school, where Ma’am Sarabia appreciated the beauty of our work. It was so heart-warming experience and such a relief because we stayed late at night just to finish it.

            I really do hope that someday we will see them again and shared every moment. It was really a great experience while doing the tasks given to us. In spite of some difficulties and obstacles, we still managed to do everything we can. I hope that every student who would see our work will remember the little things we have done for their school and also for their community.