CULTURAL BACKGROUND

            Antique. The people of Antique, known as Antiqeuños, speak Kinaray-a, which is their local language. Antique has a lot of traditions and cultural heritage. It was passed on by their ancestors, and they still practice it up to this day, such as buri-making, patadyong-weaving, pottery-making, brick-making and cooking butong-butong and bandi.

            Art of Buri Handicraft Making. There were ‘nanays’ who demonstrated the proper way of making buri. Our team, Team Maparapag-on, didn’t actually succeed in making buri because we sometimes get confused how to. However, we respect the ones who make buri every day. You have to make sure that it goes in here, then there, because if not, you wouldn’t get the desired outcome. That’s what happened to us. But we had fun.

Buri-making (source: LakadPilipinas)

            Patadyong Weaving. We didn’t try patadyong-weaving. However, we were taught how to use the patadyong in particular situations. We participated in the game Paint Me a Picture. Our imagination and, possibly, our intellect were truly tested during that game. We may not have done the actual process of weaving, but we were shown the steps how to. That is why I absolutely respect those who weave the patadyong daily. It’s a difficult task. However, they have passion, and I think that’s reason enough to keep on making.

            Brick-making. The hardest part of making bricks is creating the candle. Since I have a small build, have low manpower, and admittedly, a short stature, thus low exert of force, I find this part difficult. It took me minutes to achieve the desired shape, the rest of the process was kind of easy, but it was really fun. And I’m proud to say that Team Maparag-on won on this contest! :D

            Pottery-making. I didn’t get to experience pottery making but I was able to grasp the instructions of the maker to my classmate. I only watched them perform it, but I somehow understood how it works.

To the town of Lauan! In the muscovado sugar capital of Antique, we were to observe the making of famous delicacies such as butong-butong and bandi. When we arrived, the cauldron was already prepared. They demonstrated the natural and less processed method of making butong-butong and bandi. It’s almost the same, but with peanuts added to the mix.

            We also stopped by Patnongon, Antique, where the historic Spanish convent is located. It is presently known as the St. Augustine’s Academy, built in the late 19^th century. The former convent was now turned into a school.

Former Spanish Convent

            Another structure found in Patnongon is a roofless, stone building near the aforementioned academy. It’s now in ruins, but still awaits to be explored.