Traditionally during the November 1 and 2 are the days where most of us Filipinos visit our loved ones in the cemetery. It is usually on the first of November where thousands flock to visit the cemetery, light a candle and offer some flowers. But I go there always on the 2nd of November, the main reason is that it is no longer very crowded and I usually go there early in the morning.
More on the aricle after the jump! Click read more below.
Since I now live in Digos City and my parents are laid to rest in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. I still have to take a bus which is just 20 minute ride away. The intersection leading to the cemetery is where the traffic usually stops since getting out and riding the buses, jeepneys and private vehicles goes in and the people walking through the streets.
Vendors selling candles,flowers, snack items, beverages, candies, toys and even ukay-ukay are there selling so as to make a little profit for the occasion.
A temporary chapel was put up with just a tent as a roof inside the cemetery and on the side is what the local calls the "condominium" units for their loved ones. It is a 3 storey high (sort of) where those people who cannot afford to lease a lot in the public cemetery lay their loved ones.
The cemetery in Bansalan is undergoing a major facelift courtesy of Mayor Edwin Reyes. I am very impressed, the mayor is just less than two years and already he has done a lot to develop the town and of those is developing the public cemetery. And their perspective is seen below.
This year's 56th anniversary of Bansalan, Davao del Sur -- called Bansaulog (from the words "Bansalan" and "saulog," the Visayan term for celebration) -- was colorful, more unique, lively, and weeklong.
"Unlike the past celebrations, we are celebrating our town anniversary this year for one week," said Edwin Reyes, the town mayor. "Before, we only commemorate the celebration on the town's anniversary."
Read the rest of the article click read more below>> "Bansalan, Padayon sa Pinasahi nga Pag-uswag" was the theme of the celebration.
"Our town is fast developing but we have to move further to fully develop," said Reyes, the youngest mayor of the town ever and a businessman. "I am hoping that by 2010, we will have improved economically."
Bansalan used to be a barrio of the municipality of Santa Cruz. When Digos (now the province's capital) became a town itself, Bansalan was part of it. The town lies 22 kilometers west of Digos.
On June 6, 1952, Bansalan was separated from Digos and under Executive Order 506 became a town itself. (In 1957, Matan-ao was created out of the territory of Bansalan. Ten years later, Magsaysay followed suit.) The Bagobos were the town's aborigines.
But it was not until Apolonio Ilagan, a captain in the Philippine Constabulary, that the town celebrated its anniversary. On September 18, 1952, Ilagan assumed office the town's first mayor.
How did the town get its name? Richard Ortiz, writing for the municipal comprehensive plan, recounted: "Datu Mandu, the adventurous tribal chieftain whose exploits were the first to have been recorded in the local historical data, established along the banks of the Miral River a village that grew so rapidly during his time. His successor, Datu Tumanas, relocated the settlement of his people to the nearby carambulig (a wide patch of cogonal meadows, where cultivation of crops and domestication of animals were started)."
"It was Datu Tumanas who named the place Dansalan, after valiant Datu Dansalan who ruled the tribe some decades past and whose valor and chivalry were legends that came to be passed on by word-of-mouth through generations."
But how Dansalan became Bansalan is an interesting story in itself. When Americans came to resettlement area, they asked the natives what the name of the place. They replied, "Dansalan."
Ortiz surmised: "The initial plosive consonant must have been misheard by the Caucasians for they used the term 'Bansalan,' and the name stuck from then on."
However, the Provincial Tourism Development Plan has a different version: "Bansalan got its name from the one simple farmer named Bansalan who one day dug the earth in search of potable water to quench his thirst. Fortunately, he dug a spring that didn't only satisfy his thirst but also his other companions. Rain widened the spring and the constant erosion of soil led to its formation into a creek, and later into a river. Bansalan did not live long. His companions, who were recipients of Bansalan's labor, named the river after him."
As part of this year's celebration, Bansalan celebrated the event with street dancing called "Sayo tut dalan." "Street dancing here is much better than in Digos," said a spectator.
According to Geraldine Batal, the municipal tourism officer, the first winner in the high school level (Category B) was Marber National High School, a grand slam since it had won the top prize for three consecutive years.
The three other contenders settled for runner-ups: Nazareth High School, second; Don Pedro Arches Memorial High School, third; and Holy Cross College of Bansalan, fourth.
In the elementary level (Category A), there were six contenders. The best among them was Bansalan Central Elementary School. The runners were the elementary schools of New Clarin, Dolo, Villa-Doneza, Marber, and Kinuskusan.
Part of its unique celebration was the launching of its "one barangay, one product." And the town has chosen coconut as its pride. "Coconut has several uses and we found out that we can make several products out of it," said Julian Albores, the municipal agricultural officer.
An investor from Thailand is keen on putting up a world class beach resort in Sta. Maria town of Davao del Sur. The project is not yet registered with the SEC and processing of the papers are underway and as soon as the requirements are set. The project cost around P500 million and the registration will be finished before the year ends.
There are other areas in Davao del Sur that has potential for beach resort and the investor have seen the quality of the sand in Sta. Maria that is comparable with that of Boracay beach.
This is a very good news indeed a world class beach resort in the province. It will surely boost tourism in this part of Davao del Sur and will surely improve the lives of the people in that area. And also good for me too, I don't have to go any further for my rest and relaxation.
12:15 PM
Charles
