33 complete journey from southern Phl to China in balangays

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Thirty-three people survived a 22day journey on a replica of an ancient wooden boat, sailing from southern Philippines to China.

The crew of 32 Filipinos and one Chinese arrived here Saturday on three wooden balangays after sailing a total of 2,700 nautical miles crossing the South China Sea.

The crew led by Environment Undersecretary Arturo Valdez said their mission was to commemorate Sultan Paduka Batara’s voyage in 1417 from southern Philippines to China to pay tribute to the emperor of the Ming dynasty in Beijing. The sultan died on the way back to Sulu and was buried in Dezhou, Shandong province in China.

The balangay is a wooden plank boat and is the oldest watercraft found in the Philippines, first mentioned by Pigafetta in his 16th century chronicles. Nine balangays were discovered in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, in 1976, three of which have been excavated. Extensive examination revealed the boats date to as far back as 320 AD.

Replicas of the balangay were made by traditional boat builders from Tawi-Tawi using ancient techniques.

The crew’s original plan was to travel to China last year but the date of departure from Poro Point here was rescheduled to April 28.

They spent six days in Xiamen, China and then took a train to Dezhou in the eastern province of Shandong since the Grand Canal link to the city was reportedly no longer navigable.

“The significant message of Balangay Expedition is to bring back the true identity of Filipinos… The waters across the Philippines, Southeast Asia and China never divided us but unified us. Our nation shares a long and colorful history with our neighboring countries,” Valdez said.

“This enduring friendship has contributed to our rich culture, stimulated trade between our nations and fortified the foundation of our continuing quest for economic development,” he added.

This is not the first adventure of the Expedition Team.

In 2006, the team completed their quest to climb Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.

In 2009, the team set sail from Tawi-Tawi on a 17-month voyage on the balangay with port calls in Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Their original plan was to continue on to China but they had to abandon this part of the trip because of bad weather.

“That was the first attempt to mark the 600th anniversary of the historical journey of Sultan of Sulu,” Valdez said.

The crew were given arrival honors at Poro Point pier and given supplies as they sailed to go back to Manila.