Small lagoon of Davisol with lush green mangroves |
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.
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The house of Davisol , build from finest wood with no nails used |
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!
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Magkono seedling. Photo courtesy of Alexis de Manuel |
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.
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.
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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 |
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.
What's Next?
Gallery:
Cool , I miss the place ...
ReplyDeleteThe wood from the tree is beautiful. This must be preserved. Great find.
ReplyDeletewow! those are pretty much native. and the place.. i find it lonely. but seems refreshing! :) whew! the wind..
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know that something is being done to preserve the magkono tree although the products made from it are really extraordinarily beautiful.
ReplyDeleteit's sad to know that we have no programs on preserving and replanting this type of tree. i hope it will not be too late for the people to realize its importance since it is the source of their livelihood..
ReplyDeleteembarrassing but this is the first time I heard of magkono tree. ;( hopefully our government will exert effort to preserve these trees.
ReplyDeletesame as violy! first time to see, hear, read about this tree! simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMaganda ang may ganitong display sa bahay nakaka pag palamig!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be feasible to have a Magkono preservation site in Surigao since most of the forest is already booked by mining sites. It's sad reading about this, I hope we can at least preserve some of these trees in other locations.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful works of art! I am sure it is pricey! Good thing there was a ban too, I hope they would take the initiative to replant or save Magkono tree! I guess, you are called to make the "conservation thing" happen! Ready for the challenge?
ReplyDeleteWood work is the hobby of my dad. Most of our furniture are made out of woods made by him. But If he could make one to start make a living, I think he could do well for another business.
ReplyDeleteWood works are great ancient stuff. By the way it is my first time to hear about MAGKONO Woods. Nice woods isn't it?
ReplyDeletebeautiful. one of God's creation, but be sure to preserve some because wood from trees are very important with nature
ReplyDeleteMe, too. First time to hear about Magkono... I hope this wood species survive. Can this be grown in non-forest sites and back yards?
ReplyDeleteI've been to Surigal del Sur but never got a chance to visit this place; I was just passing by Lianga and San Agustin. I'm hoping that the government can provide such programs to maintain and preserve magkono. Tree plantings and clean and green will be helpful too.
ReplyDeleteNever heard this tree species before, At lalo na yung finish hand-crafted products. Hope local NGO's will find a way to preserve these trees.
ReplyDeleteI only visited Davao. I will love to travel in Mindanao. I am planning to buy a folding bike and use it there
ReplyDeleteI've been to Surigao del Sur, but never been to Britania Island. I guess, I have to travel here.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.anythingonthebuzz.com
I really love your post and all about Mindanao! Plenty of great views, trees, handicrafts materials! :)
ReplyDeleteFirst time I heard about this tree called Magkono and its wonderful characteristics but sad to know that its coming to extinction. Hopefully we can educate our countrymen such they will re-plant this very rare kind of plant specie.
ReplyDeleteIndeed there are still hidden beauties in our country just waiting to be explored.
ReplyDeleteAmazing wood products made only by hand... The government and the locals of Davisol should initiate a program for the conservation of Magkono trees. This type of wood is so marvelous that the Filipinos should be the first to uphold and safe-keep our natural resources.
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing! No nails used! Panalo naman eto!!
ReplyDeleteLovely place I would really be visiting this place. Such a beautiful view and I must say that the photography is amazing. Can you just help me with accomodations there. I have been amazed with Vanderbijlpark Accommodation in South Africa last season.
ReplyDeleteNice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
ReplyDeleteMatt Levine
I have gone to Tandag In last October 25. I have seen this Cathedral in the middle of the city and I agree that renovation of this cathedral is already not feasible.
ReplyDeleteThe Diocese is constructing a spacious and modern Cathedral for the catholics of Tandag. A cathedral with a very grand design, worthy to be called a Cathedral of Faith. I hope I can share some views of it. And I hope people of faith, and those who love this part of the Philippines can share their resources for the completion of one of the most beautiful Houses of Worship.
Hi Noria. I am glad you like history and that you have come to know about Tandag. A very quiet place blessed with rich natural resources and interesting history. The beaches are some of the bests, though unexplored. Mining though is threatening its present beauty. I will inform you regarding the plan of the diocese, and will take into consideration your thoughts regarding preservation. I hope you can visit Tandag and Surigao Sur in the future
ReplyDeletehow much po ung seeds ng mgkono sir/maam
ReplyDeletewe/ i am not selling seedlings po @Bonn Anoche
ReplyDeleteI could personally nickname Tandag as a "silent land with hidden gems". It might be out of everybody's expectations that this silent city has a very rich history buried herein. In fact, if you could read a book about Mindanao's Christianization history, it would be impossible not to mention Tandag. There are numerous bits of Tandag's history that had affected the story of Mindanao.
ReplyDeleteI am a student, a native in Tandag, who has great affection to study the our province's local history.
Your city indeed is very silent. But just enough for a relaxing life without the rush. How I wish to know more of this place when i come back and get some folklores from the elderlies. I have visited many times but don't have the enough time to wander around. Hope to meet you there one of these days @Ton@Tonie Jade M. Mendez
ReplyDeleteHope to meet you too, sir.
ReplyDeleteMany would have assumed that the present Cathedral of Tandag, by its hispanic or somewhat renaissance-like architecture and its very olden appearance, is as 390's old as Tandag Parish is. However, the church was actually erected from 1940's through the initiative of Fr. John Nicasio Jansen, a Dutch MSC priest who was then the parish's curé. The parish churches of Tandag since 1622 has just gone several relocations, renovations, (natural) destructions, and the like. I could frequently visit the cathedral and just idly sit there since it is just too near to my school, Saint Theresa College. I would even still wonder how could I exactly describe its architecture which seems to have an 18th or 19th century European elements.
ReplyDelete