Biala, Christine Joyce G.

PI 100

10 March 2016

Pre-Hispanic Industries (gold-working, textiles, farming, etc.) boat building and Philippine
Maritime Tradition

Different revolutionary epochs

have passed, along with the evolution of
production lines, from labor-intensive
production, which were more specially
crafted but in minimal quantities, to
labor-extensive assembly lines, which
began through the movement of mass
production,
and
eventually,
overproduction and commodification of
goods. And yet, methods of production
of some industries remain in practice, as
if about five centuries hadnt passed, as
these industries retarded themselves
from
the
assimilation
of
foreign
approaches with higher levels of
productivity.
With
these
practices
remained still, artisan work on industrial
craft remains alive as well.
In spite of a very wide availability
of Chinese products in the market,
blacksmithing is still apparent in
different spot areas, even from Davao
City alone. I usually happen to pass by a
wide blacksmith shop adjacent to a
copra factory in my route to and fro
home
in
Barangay
Ma-a,
which
production line may have slightly
evolved from Father Alcinas so-called
primitive approaches back in the 16 th
century, yet still performed through
craftsmanship which might have been
compromised by the raw materials used.
Among the specialized tools used during
the 16th century, only a few have
remained in use at present, as well as
only a few types of tools to be relied on
to
blacksmithing
for
long-lasting
durability.
Then a domesticated activity,
pottery is rather a hobby or a means of
livelihood at present. Outputs according
to use are very much limited due to wide
availability of more durable and noncracking kitchen tools made of various
other materials as evidently found in

different markets. Moreover, the process

of pottery-making has remained, also
due to the availability of natural clay in
various areas.
Gold is still appreciated at high
value, with some having access to
products with purer gold, while others
only having access to commodified
products with lower carats. Mining
industry remained booming, especially in
Surigao, although shared by foreign
entities at present.
Our neighboring Lumads and
Moros remained to have a kin on
weaving with the same process as of the
sixteenth century, which uses backstrap
loom.
Aside
from
personal
and
household uses, LGUs, such as Davao
City, have paved a way for them to
create a livelihood out of their inherited
age-old skills. Weaved cloths can be
found in government-initiated souvenir
shops, such as one between Peoples
Park and Cinematheque Davao in Palma
Gil St., as well as in other private-owned
souvenir shops, such as Tboli Weaving
Center in Lanang, Davao City.
Textile industry in the Philippines
has
rather
adapted
to
the
industrialization due to capitalization as
well as the increase of demand of
clothing, including barong tagalog. The
use of abaca cloth is only limited to
particular types of clothing, as well as by
special requests.
Domestic trade remains crowded
and alive in the Philippines for as long as
there are natural resources available
from the environment to household
consumption. The exchange of foodstuffs
popularly occur in public markets where
there may be spotted fresh finds. Public
markets have wider selections at present

due to mobility, thus finding goods from

as far as Luzon restocked on a weekly to
daily bases. And even until now, Filipinos

love to haggle
cheaper prices.

as

they

fight

for