The Product Detective

Pagsanghan is a place where creative deligent folks can be found.A “Banig” is a handwoven mat usually used in East Asia and the Philippines for sleeping and sitting.This type of mat is traditionally made in the Philippines.Although has been more widely used too.The leaves are dried,usually dyed,then cut into strips and woven into mats,which may be plain or intricate.Technically,it is not a textile.Depending on the region of the Philippines,the mat is made of Buri(palm),Pandanus,or sea grass leaves.”Banig” weaving is the common source of income of people in almost any part of Samar,most especially by the housewives.                            –Ruffa Mae Mara

                Pagsanghan Samar has a massive amount of production of coconut that’s why the locals used this as a great source to boom their business. Copra is a dried form of the meat of Coconut(Cocos Nucifera). Copra is classified into two types/classes. The milling copra and edible grade copra, when we talk about milling copra, this is the one that is

used for oil extraction while edible grade copra is used as dry fruit, sometimes as an ingredient in cooked cereal, etc. But the Pagsanghan locals produces milling copra because the buying price of it is much greater and producing it is much easier than the edible grade copra. The locals are not capable of producing enormous amount of edible grade copra because they lack knowledge to make it. Copra can be made by sun drying, smoke drying, or kiln drying. In this process the coconut meat becomes dry and brown. The product of drying the coconut meat is now what we call the copra. Now this product is ready to be sold in local copra buyers.

-Kyla Reales

          Talking to Pagsanghan’s best handiworks and basically peoples source of income,’Takuyan’ is one of which. Pagsanghananon really values their nature and make the best out from it. Since the Municipality is abundant in ‘Nila palm’,Pagsanghan folks discovered its significance and hidden uses. Wondering how “Takuyan” is made? Well, its just a matter of patience, assiduous, and love towards your work. Out from the native “nipa”, its fibers and/ or twigs that are round, flexible or flat will be the fountainhead of “Takuyan” making. These round rods are usually woven among other rods and run on ’til such time  that you’re greatfully made your best (Takuyan was made). It is perhaps uneasy and a mind-blowing right? But if you are already used into it and knew its importance to you and to the community; then there’s actually no reason especially for pagsanghan folks not to do it.                      ‘Takuyan’ is part and continuously be a part of Pagsanghan heritage. It is certainly an ethnic and cultural icon filled withwith motif  and different uses. One of which is, as fruits and vegetables holder (put into it) which is common in the community  and to other places. It could be used as bottom  cover of pans, cauldron and other tools. Definitely, it will help for the dirt at the bottom of the tools not to transfer on the table mantle or even on the tabletable itself. That’s how useful and helpful  “takuyan” really is! It is also used when people are drying fish and vegetables under the sun. More over, when celebrating festivals(e.g sinulog ,etc), dances and eveneven at school purposes, takuyan is used as part of the costumes and props. Any way little enhancement can do, by applying colors, and the entire presentation will be the best.                             “Takuyan”, is one of the source of income here in Pagsanghan, Samar, it is very useful to folks and is significant into our lives (pagsanghananon), indeed! Preserve,love, be proud of and lives it in a heritage!

-Rina Prudenciado

    Pagsanghan is a place where crops and other ways of livelihood are abundant with. One of is vinegar out from coconut tree.

         Vinegar in Pagsanghan is made by natural sour liquid. Vinegar or suka produced from coconut tree where Pagsanghan has a lots of coconut trees. Vinegar is an alcoholic liquid that has been allowed to sour. It is primarily used to flavor, preservation or pickling of meat, products, fish, fruit, vegetables and as ingredients in any foods. Vinegar is also used for cleaning agent.

       It is important to Pagsanghananon because it is one of the common livelihood in Pagsanghan.

                                             -Ross Ann Tan

Pagsanghan is a simple place but
it is rich in resources in terms of the different crafts. One of the example of this crafts is the PAWID commonly known as “pawod”.

Pawid is manually made and composed of basic materials coming from nipa palm or “sasa” bamboo “kawayan” and rattan string “turok”.This pawid is very important because it is use by the local population’s as roof material for thatched houses or dwellings. Many people use this pawid because during summer season you can’t really feel the heat from the sun compare to galvanized iron sheets “yero” and also even during rainy season it will survive from heavy rainfall.

Pawid is the one common livelihood of the people live in pagsanghan.

                                       -Ivyjane Libarbas

     Pagsanghan is known for its rich resource in different crafts. Many people use nipa for their livelihood . One of its use is making baskets.

  

       Baskets are made up of nipa. Baskets are generally woven by hands.

       Basket is one of the livelihood of the people in pagsanghan. Baskets are typically used for storage. It is more convenient to use baskets when marketing. Baskets are useful..

-Lavella Mañozo

 Tuba is from coconut tree the color of this wine is red and it has no alcohol,it is pure coconut.And they said that if you drink tuba it will add blood to your body.Most of the people here in pagsanghan the work is tuba gatherer /farmer,because there are many coconut tree in pagsanghan,and pagsanghan has 13th barangays so that most of the people here the work is tuba gatherer/farmer.

         Coconut wine is very popular in the Philippines and many people often refer to coconut wine as tuba.Unlike most wines this wine is made when it is fresh,because it turns sour very quickly.If a more potent wine is desired then often times it can be distilled this will bring out a more desired stronger drink.

          The fresh sap,”sugar water”, was also so drunk.It is fermented to make the alcoholic beverage and can also be made into vinegar.Palm wine seller in bali (1929).Taken in southern Leyte,Philippines where a tuba gatherer climb the coconut tree to harvest some tuba.Sitting on the coconut palm while gathering tuba. 

 

 

– Jamby Pontillano