People who had been there always highlight their travel experiences, their feeling of satisfaction when they travel to this amazing place but today, let us pay attention to what Camotes Island can offer, the story untold in the community, the craft that is almost forgotten to be given honor. Let us be astound by their culture which made the locals unique in their own way.
Hello there Steemians!
It has been a long time since I posted my last blog for you. Today I am going to share to you an unforgettable experience in the perspective of a first-timer in an island full of surprises. Without further ado, let's begin!
I have always been wanting to visit the Island of Camotes since college days. I had a classmate who was from there who kept inviting everyone to come to her hometown. Many of the people I know of have been talking about how beautiful the sceneries are from its pristine white beaches to its gorgeous caves that the travelers have been crazy about. On thursday, @indayharagwapa and I finally got the chance to visit this most talked about island in Cebu.
On the night before the trip, I thought of the things I wanted to do in the island and the topics I wanted to write about. I've been to other islands before but I was with my relatives so I relied on their plans all the time but this time, I had to think of the things to do since it was just the two of us. So I looked up in the internet and checked some bloggers' write ups on what they usually do when they stayed in the island. As expected, they focused on the traveling experience itself, how they get there, what transportation to take, what food to eat, what tourist spots to visit, etc. What I saw never satisfied me.
Different Perspective
While thinking of these thoughts, I remembered @ybanezkim26's words that states, "when you write something, try to look on a different perspective; write the things that have never been written before". I paused for a second and brainstormed for a moment. The daylight came and it was time to go I still had no answers to my questions. What will I write? What do I feel to write about? How should I supposed to see things in a different way? Is there some sort of energy that would suddenly struck me from the sky and give that idea? I just didn't know.
The moment of truth had arrived. We were on the way to the pension house that we were about to checked in when I saw people along the highway making "Amakan" in English it's "Bamboo-weaved walls" made from the skin of the bamboo. There were about 6-8 people who were working, doing the same thing on both sides of the road. I ignored them and never thought of anything special to that. It was a common way to earn a living among the locals in the town, I thought.
The Family Business - The Brains
We settled our things and called the front desk to take our first-ever day-tour in the island. We were very excited to discover the places we've never been. We were able to make a deal with the tour guide/ motorcycle driver who happened to be the husband of the receptionist. Along the way to our destination in the same town, I thought of having a small talk/short interview with the driver. When I asked him about the "Amakan-makers" I saw earlier, I was intrigued of his answer. They were the only people in the entire island who are running the business and what's more intriguing, they are family!
I was flabbergasted! Immediately, I asked the driver to bring us to the place where this family manufactures their craft. In my mind, I thought that they have this workshop or a small indoor area where they make these things. I had a chance to chit-chat with these young ladies about what they are good at doing - bamboo weaving and I found out that this small yard outside their hut is where they make these high-quality bamboo-weaved walls.
Bamboo-weaving is a skill that has been passed on by their forefathers. The fathers of their fathers started this family business and it is still progressing until this generation up to the next. The process of weaving the bamboo is a technique which only them know about it. They know how many bamboo strips to be weaved at the same time until they make a whole piece. I asked them why only their family line is doing the business, one lady said she doesn't know. The other one stated that nobody in the neighborhood dared to approached them asking how is it made. The older lady said that probably it was too difficult for the people to do the same because of the scrutiny of the job.
How the Amakan wall panels are made?
Step 1.
Cut the whole bamboo across in the same size with the others.
Step 2.
Cut it lengthwise into 6-8 pieces depends on the size of the bamboo.
Step 3.
Cut it into thin strips.
Step 4.
WEAVE!
Step 5.
The Finished product.
It looks easy isn't it? No, it's not as easy as you think it is.
The Houses
Camotes Island is composed of 2 islands. It has 4 municipalities namely, San Francisco, Todela, Poro and Pilar. San Francisco which the locals pronounced as "Samprans" is the biggest town in the island while Pilar is the only municipality that is separated in another island. I went around in the morning and was stunned by the view of the villages around. Most of the houses in San Francisco, Todela and Poro are made of - guess what? Yes, "Amakan" that the family were making for decades now.
Do you agree that houses are one of the expressions of our identity? It has been an extreme significance in people's response to satisfy our needs which based on the characteristics of our environment and socio-cultural beliefs. It is one of the most important aspects of our lives. These houses give the place its uniqueness which reflect the uniqueness of the inhabitants.
I was amazed thinking of how this family of "Amakan" manufacturer had changed the lives of the people in the entire island. I was bewildered thinking of how this family made every home of every family in the island become more comfortable and a better shelter to live in. Their hardwork have been a great impact to the lives of the locals and a great example of creating high quality crafts.
As you can see, the houses are quite old but the walls are still intact. The architectural structure of these houses reflect the culture of the people in the island. The role of these amakan walls have been a trademark and created a big impact to all the locals in Camotes.
Security is not an issue in this island. As you can see there are no gates or fences around the houses. No security cameras, canines, no security guards, nothing. I asked our tour guide about the security in the place and he said, robbery is not even a concern. Illegal drugs do not exist too. The place is too peaceful I can't even put into words.
It is very captivating to look at all the houses because they are in harmony. They have common features. They are about 6 feet tall, they have small windows - some of which do not have window panels. Each of them has a small garden in front or at the backyard, they use woods as the main building material, and most of the roofs are made from coconut leaves and thatches. The same design, the same materials and the same hands who crafted to make their homes look great.
The Locals
Going around Camotes Island for the first time was a priceless experience. Meeting the locals, seeing their smiles every time they greet you is a thing that would stay in my heart forever. The culture of the locals are eminently bestowed upon us as they've shown their hospitality, warmth on our visit.
You'll see the locals along the street busy talking with each other whether they're doing business or just chit-chatting. We approached them with a picture taking and they were very much willing to do so. Some of them expressed their shyness because they haven't taken a shower yet which was funny to me. I used to react like that too when I was still young. Growing in the countryside makes a person less confident when meeting people from the urban area. I had this belief that city people are higher than me but I was wrong. We are all the same no matter what our social status is.
The locals in Camotes and the locals in Cebu are quite different in interacting with their guests. I've observed that Camotes people are not very talkative when they are ask questions. They are "one-question, one-answer" type of people. I feel like they are really shy people - not all of them but majority. While Cebu people tend to jive more with their guests. We they are ask something, they feed you information that might be helpful to in going around the place - well, even not so helpful ones. They are just more talkative.
The people are living a very simple life. Their main source of income is fishing and farming. People living near the commercial area drive motorcycle to fetch the tourists back and forth and earn a living thought it. Some drivers are taking their multicabs as a transportation to both locals and tourists. Some of them have stalls near the port and sell goods such as snacks, drinks, viands and other commodities. Their income rely on the number of tourists who visit their island.
There are several income sources in the island. It might look really small and less populated, but there are plenty of simple jobs to do to earn a living. Camotes has no SM malls or Ayala malls unlike Cebu but they have a small grocery shop called Fiesta mall. I think they do not usually get their goods from there but from the supermarket which offers lower prices in all goods.
Dragon Fruit and Grapes
Another thing that captured my attention was the field of "Pitaya" or better known as the "dragon fruit". This is a native plant from Mexico, Central and South America. Little did I know that Camotes island produces it too! This was a real surprise for me. There are some people who have a vast private land cultivate this fruit. I was in doubt if this is really a dragon fruit because it looks like a cactus to me but I found out that this is a "night-blooming-cactus" which means it belongs in the cactus family. Funny.
The dragon fruit grow on a climbing cactus plant. They build pillars on the field to let the cactus grow freely. If it crawls on the ground, you know what will happen. I wanted to count all the pillars but I was running out of time. This is really a breath-taking view, a once in a lifetime opportunity.
This exotic fruit is mouth-watering light sweet taste, its intense color and shape add its beauty. Based on a study, dragon fruit contains a lot nutrients and minerals that it becomes suitable for all diets. Some people who have diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity have attested to the fruit's goodness.
What's more interesting is that beside it, is a vineyard. I have never seen a field of grapes and a field of dragon fruit in my entire life. Unfortunately, it is not a season to harvest so I didn't see any single fruit in the vineyard. Summer is the season for grape-picking.
I have known that aside from planting rice and corn, the locals also grow different kinds of crops. I've never heard a place in Cebu which cultivates these unique fruits. I realized that traveling isn't just about enjoying oneself but it is more about engaging to the community, connecting to the people, discovering cultures and appreciating the lives of people who have not been recognized by the world.
Camotes Island is notably marvelous and great. It has so much to all the people in the world. Its unique features is something that you can admire and something you can be proud of as a Filipino. This is a perspective of a first-timer who always wants to love and appreciate every art and culture of every place in the world.
