Honestly, one post is not enough to cover EVERYTHING about Bayawan, but for someone who wants to have an idea of the lifestyle of the Bayawanon's (from a non-Bayawanon point of view), this article should suffice. But before starting the actual content of this blog, I would like to write a DISCLAIMER that I am in not an expert in the history or of the present status of Bayawan City, I am merely saying what I think about Bayawanons (as I observed them to be) and how I feel about their traditions/culture. So, here it is then...
1. Bayawan City is located in Negros Island (Well, you can just google this one; there's also wikipedia)
2. Puto and Tsokolate is the preferred pre-breakfast (and sometimes afternoon snack)
It's really interesting for me as a non-Bayawanon to observe that Bayawanons have a pre-breakfast routine and that is called painit (though the term painit can also be used for an afternoon snack). Here in Bayawan, you can find a lot of shops serving/selling puto and tsokolate. Also, aside from the puto and tsokolate, they also sell other kinds of food made from glutenous rice like the puto pinalutaw (steamed rice cake), suman, and bodbod (because of this, I should probably do another blog on the native snacks you can find in Bayawan City).
What is puto? puto is actually sticky rice (glutenous rice) cooked with coconut milk. In Mindanao, we call this puto maya while here in Bayawan, they just call it puto.
What is tsokolate? It is the chocolate drink made from roasted cocao seeds.
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| Photo Credits to owner |
3.Bayawan City has one of the best sunsets...
4. The Tawo Tawo festival is celebrated every year
For the history of the festival, check out this website http://www.bayawancity.gov.ph/?mnu=3&flnk=78
The Tawo tawo festival or the scarecrow festival is done to celebrate the bountiful harvest portrayed by the scarecrow. During this event, performers will dance on the streets wearing costumes representing farmers, scarecrows, birds, and carabaos. They also showcase giant scarecrows made out of paper mache to show the importance of scarecrows in guarding the crops.
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| Giant Scarecrow Paper Mache |
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| Street Dancing |
Tawo-tawo 2016 Festival Photos credits to Owner Caryl Riconalla
5. Most of them are very Simple people
I would say that unlike other cities, the people of Bayawan has got to be one of the simpliest people I know. Simple in terms of clothing and appearance. For women, I have noticed that only very few are wearing make up. YOu need not worry if you are on a tight budget because there is no pressure to follow the latest fashion trend and there is no need to stock on make up (basic skincare kit, sunblock, and a lipgloss will do for ordinary days).
I should also add that for the 2 years-and-counting stay in Bayawan City, I have found that most people are not so concerned as to having the latest car model or the grandest houses. Even those who can afford prefer medium-sized homes. But that does not mean that they are poor, it's just that, most of them prefer to spend more on food and not on cars or houses.
6. Bayawanons (MOST) are very superstitious
When we first moved here, I was really surprised at how superstitious Bayawanons really are. I mean, Bayawan is a City so it is really expected that they have forgotten/left many of their ancestor's superstitious beliefs. But, unlike the other cities, the people here have many, many superstitions-- from rituals to avoid pregnancy complications to superstitions regarding certain foods, dresses, colors, places, events, and days of the week/month.
7. Within the city mode of transpo is (GUess what?).... potpot
Potpot is the local term for a bicycle with a sidecar and it runs, not on gasoline, but in HUMAN pedal power. Yes, they use a bike (not a motorcycle!) and this is economical and at the same time environment-friendly.
Got anything to share about Bayawan?
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