Thousands of years ago, the ancestors of the Filipino people, the Austronesian speaking people traveled from the Asian mainland by land bridges across the continental shelf to the South East Asian archipelago. They then sailed onward to as far East as Polynesia, and as far West as Madagascar, aboard the ancient vessel: the Balangay.

The Kaya ng Pinoy Inc., launches an exciting, new undertaking that will retrace the migration of our ancestors across the oceans using only the native Balangay, built faithful to the craftsmanship and materials used during the ancient times. Navigation will also remain accurate to the method that was used by the earliest mariners – steering by the sun, the stars, the wind, cloud formations, wave patterns and bird migrations.

What is the Balangay?
Early Filipinos were a people of the sea, living in coastal villages or near rivers. Boats were linked to many aspects of Filipino life: fishing, trade, warfare, “piracy” (trade-raiding for goods and slaves), travel, communication, and dwelling.

The Balanghai or Balangay or Butuan Boat is a plank boat adjoined by a carved-out plank edged through pins and dowels. It was first mentioned in the 16th Century in the Chronicles of Pigafetta, and is known as the oldest Pre-Hispanic watercraft found in the Philippines.

The first wooden watercraft excavated in Southeast Asia, the Balangay is only found in the Philippines where a flotilla of such prehistoric wooden boat exists throughout the world. Nine specimens were discovered in 1976 in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte, Mindanao and 3 of which have been excavated. Examination and extensive investigation reveals that the extant boats found in the excavation site date back to 320, 990 and 1250 AD.

The finely built boat, made without the use of blueprints but was taught from one generation to another, uses a technique still used by boat makers of Sibutu Island. Made 15 meters long and 3 to 4 meters wide, the Balangay is propelled by sail of buri or nipa fiber or padding and is large enough to hold 60 to 90 people. With the Balangay’s size, it was used for cargo and raiding purposes, giving proof that Butuan played a central role in trade.

Voyages

Current Voyages :

* Starting Date – Ending Date:
* Days of Voyage:
* Number of Places to Visit: 75 Places
* Grand Total Distance: 2,108 Nautical Miles = 3,908 Kilometers

Itinerary:

* 1st Leg(Manila – Boracay)
* 2nd Leg(Kalibo – Mactan)
* 3rd Leg(Argao – Cagayan De Oro)
* 4th Leg(Iligan – Zamboanga City)
* 5th Leg(Panubigan Island – General Santos City)
* 6th Leg(Glan – Davao City)
* 7th Leg(Zamboanga City – Siluag)

Future Voyages :

* South East Asia 2010
* Madagascar 2011

CORE CREW
* ARTURO T. VALDEZ
* LEO ORACION
* ERWIN ‘PASTOUR’ EMATA
* JANET BELARMINO-SARDENA
* CARINA DAYONDON
* NOELLE WENCESLAO
* DR. TED ESQUERRA
* FRED JAMILI
* VOLTAIRE VELASCO
* IBRAHIM A. ABDULLA
* JUBAIL S. MUYONG

BADJAO GROUP
* HJI ABIDIN A. BARIHATI
* APDALI M. TANJUNG
* BENJAMIN S. HAWARI
* MOHAMMAD NUR M. USMAN
* TIGUEY S. MUMMOH
* ZANDRO K. MALABONG
* EDIE M. KARANI
* HJI. MUSA S. MALABONG

Contact details :
Mailing Address:
Kaya Ng Pinoy c/o Everest Pharma
18th Floor Multi Corp Building 6805
Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Philippines

Email Address
balangay.voyage@gmail.com

Website
http://www.balangay-voyage.com/

Telephone Number:
(02) 856 3142
(02) 856 3143

info taken from the official website of www.balangay-voyage.com