Davisol: Master of Magkono Woodcraft (The Fate of Philippine Iron Wood)

Small lagoon of Davisol with lush green mangroves 

Davisol or Divine Arc Victory Instituted in Sion Omnipotent in this Latter Days of Christ wasn’t familiar to me until I was assigned to tour our guests in Surigao del Sur. Not much of high end resorts to be found in the area, we end up checking every establishment we passed by along the national highway. Unaware of what to see, we just let ourselves be surprised with anything we find.

On one side of the road along San Agustin, heading to the Municipality of Lianga, I saw a writing on a waiting shed as “Tourism Area of Davisol”. I thanked the day that I finally found a place to tour our guests. We registered and welcomed ourselves into the vicinity thinking that it was some kind of a park.

The house of Davisol , build from finest wood
with no nails used

I saw not much compare to a common park; the place was an ordinary peaceful sanctuary with trees, boulders of rocks, lush mangrove trees, small houses and countless roosters ready for cockfight. The  small community is headed by a  master (APO) and seven housewives, resulting to more than 5 dozens of children and grandchildren. Someone told me that they are some kind of a cult, but I don’t believe in such only if they publicly confessed .

We parked near the community school located along the shore. After I alighted from our vehicle,  a huge 4-storey wooden house caught my eyes. According to a local, the house was built using the finest of Philippine wood without a single iron nail pinned on it. WOW!

Magkono seedling. Photo courtesy of Alexis de Manuel

We entered the “souvenir shop” and I was surprised with dozens of marvelous Magkono pieces that even in my wildest dream I wasn’t hoping to see. The woodcraft range from vases, chopping boards, tables and chairs with price ranging from few hundreds to hundred thousand of pesos.

For the information of everyone, Magkono is known as the Philippine Iron Wood or Xanthostemon verdugonianus .   Materials made from this wood can actually last without decay for thousands of years just like the wooden coffin of Balangay recovered in Butuan.


This tree is actually almost nearing to its extinction and can only be found in the Philippine Magkono Triangle that includes Surigao Province, Dinagat and Samar Islands. This is actually a problem among forest loggers because it can break the blade of chainsaws due to its compactness and hardness.

To create a masterpiece from the raw material, a huge investment on patience, power and time is required to even make a scratch on the surface of a slab.  

Master pieces from the wood of Magkono 

Amazed with my discovery, I looked around and  suddenly found myself becoming a tour guide, explaining to our visitors about the amazing source of wood. Our visitors, blown by my description and stories, end up buying some pieces of vases and some house decors. In my case, I didn't mind spending few thousands of pesos on some wooden cups and chopping boards. These would definitely end up as  collector’s item as not everyone has the opportunity to own a rare authentic craft made out of Magkono tree.

Houses build on top of mudflats fronting the Britania Group of Islands

Concern also on the status of the tree, I asked one of the wives regarding the source of their raw materials. She replied that these centennial trees are available in the forested land given to them by the government.

I even requested if seedlings are available for sale since I wish to have my own Magkono tree planted in our yard, preserving its genetic existence for future generation. Sad to know, the community at that time wasn't concern about replanting or replenishing the said species of tree.

From that day, I was thinking that if this pride tree species our country is on its dwindling numbers, why is it that I haven’t heard of any Magkono conservation program in Surigao Province  done by any organizations or at least by the local government?

It would be a lost on our heritage if this species of tree become extinct from wilderness. The crafts made out of Magkono only show how ingenious the craftsmanship of the Filipino ancestors. I just hope that this pride would not perish just because of some individuals wish to profit from converting our forest land into some money producing undertakings.

Note: The second time I visited the place in early 2012, Davisol temporarily suspended their production in compliance with the total log ban ordered by the Philippine president.



What's Next?

Magkono: A Rare and "Hard" Encounter
Gumasa, Sarangani: Life is a Beach

Tinuy-an, King of Philippine Waterfalls

Fish Cage and Sandbars

Gallery:

The production site of Davisol

Even sheds are made of wood in Davisol

House decors and kitchen utensils made out of Magkono

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