Biala, Christine Joyce G. 10 March 2016PI 100

Pre-Hispanic Industries (gold-working, textiles, farming, etc.) boat building and Philippine Maritime Tradition

Different revolutionary epochs have passed, along with the evolution of production lines, from labor-intensive production, which were more specially crafted but in minimal quantities, to labor-extensive assembly lines, which began through the movement of mass production, and eventually, overproduction and commodification of goods. And yet, methods of production of some industries remain in practice, as if about five centuries hadn’t passed, as these industries retarded themselves from the assimilation of foreign approaches with higher levels of productivity. With these practices remained still, artisan work on industrial craft remains alive as well.

In spite of a very wide availability of Chinese products in the market, blacksmithing is still apparent in different spot areas, even from Davao City alone. I usually happen to pass by a wide blacksmith shop adjacent to a copra factory in my route to and fro home in Barangay Ma-a, which production line may have slightly evolved from Father Alcina’s so-called “primitive” approaches back in the 16th

century, yet still performed through craftsmanship which might have been compromised by the raw materials used. Among the specialized tools used during the 16th century, only a few have remained in use at present, as well as only a few types of tools to be relied on to blacksmithing for long-lasting durability.

Then a domesticated activity, pottery is rather a hobby or a means of livelihood at present. Outputs according to use are very much limited due to wide availability of more durable and non-

cracking kitchen tools made of various other materials as evidently found in different markets. Moreover, the process of pottery-making has remained, also due to the availability of natural clay in various areas.

Gold is still appreciated at high value, with some having access to products with purer gold, while others only having access to commodified products with lower carats. Mining industry remained booming, especially in Surigao, although shared by foreign entities at present.

Our neighboring Lumads and Moros remained to have a kin on weaving with the same process as of the sixteenth century, which uses backstrap loom. Aside from personal and household uses, LGUs, such as Davao City, have paved a way for them to create a livelihood out of their inherited age-old skills. Weaved cloths can be found in government-initiated souvenir shops, such as one between People’s Park and Cinematheque Davao in Palma Gil St., as well as in other private-owned souvenir shops, such as T’boli Weaving Center in Lanang, Davao City.

Textile industry in the Philippines has rather adapted to the industrialization due to capitalization as well as the increase of demand of clothing, including barong tagalog. The use of abaca cloth is only limited to particular types of clothing, as well as by special requests.

Domestic trade remains crowded and alive in the Philippines for as long as there are natural resources available from the environment to household consumption. The exchange of foodstuffs

popularly occur in public markets where there may be spotted fresh finds. Public markets have wider selections at present due to mobility, thus finding goods from as far as Luzon restocked on a weekly to daily bases. And even until now, Filipinos love to haggle as they “fight” for cheaper prices.