Embassy of the United States in Manila

About the U.S. Embassy

Office of the Ambassador

Office of the DCM

Management Section

Economic Section

Political Section

Public Affairs Section

Other U.S. Government Agencies

The American Residence in Baguio

Speeches & Remarks

Media Resources

Electronic Journals

About the Consular Section

Key Consular Officers

Contact the Consular Section

American Citizens Services

Immigrant Visa Information

Immigrant Visa Priority Dates

Immigrant Visa Appointment

Non-Immigrant Visa Information

Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment

Non-Immigrant Visa Appointment Wait Time

Library of Congress

First Gov

Official US Executive Branch Web Sites

Judiciary Branch

Legislative Branch

US Mission to the Asian Development Bank

Contact the US Embassy

U.S. Ambassador Helps Construct Native Boat Following Centuries-Old Design

U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney (right) tries her hand at an indigenous carpentry tool during a May 20 visit to the Kaya ng Pinoy project at the Manila’s reclamation area to build a balangay, a boat used by the ancestors of the Filipinos as they moved around Asia to as far as Polynesia and Madagascar. With the Ambassador are Cultural Center of the Philippines President Nestor O. Jardin (center) and Voyage of the Balangay expedition leader Art Valdez (left). Mr. Valdez headed the same team that put the First Filipinos on the summit of Mt. Everest in 2006. The Voyage of the Balangay team plans to use the boat to retrace the migration of Filipinos’ ancestors by sailing around the Philippines and Southeast Asia, and eventually around the world.
Some of the native tools being used to build the balangay rest on a plank of the boat under construction. To the extreme left are wooden pegs that are used as nails, while resting on the boat’s floor is the mallet. The project team include master boat builders from Tawi-Tawi whose skills were handed down to them through generations. Aside from proving the seaworthiness of the balangay of ancient times, The Voyage of the Balangay project aims to increase awareness and knowledge on Philippine history and culture.
Clad in traditional attire, a boat builder from Mindanao region’s Tawi-Tawi island shapes the prow of the balangay using an authentic chisel. U.S. Ambassador Kenney visited the boat construction project beside the Manila Bay to express the U.S. support for the project which seeks to increase public awareness and appreciation of Philippine history and culture.
The ribs of the balangay are exposed as the boat takes shape in the hands of master boat builders from Tawi-Tawi and following the design and construction methods in the 4th, 13th, and 14th centuries.

Last Update :: 05/20/2009

This site is produced and maintained by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Manila.
Links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.
Privacy Notice and Disclaimer