A Balangay Independence Day celebration anyone?

Art Valdez sharing the dreams of the Balanghay

Like many of you I want to raise my children as proud Filipinos, so I jumped at the chance for my kids to join OAP in the Balangay journey.  It was a disappointment that the weather was not in a good mood for any actual work to be done, to help in the actual building of a historic boat.  But it did make the whole experience more memorable!

Our Balangay adventure thanks to Anton and Rache of OAP

My kids were quite confused why would a boat be on land?  It should be in the water!  So with the storm forcing us to seek shelter in the living quarters of the boat, the kids were able to experience the boat they would not be able to do so otherwise.

Balangay living quarters that will house a crew of 20

Kids have fun in the Balangay during the storm

That was a week ago, and to this day, they keep reminding me to take them back to finally see the boat in the water, which was supposed to be today but was moved to June 27.

So what is does a boat have to do with Independence Day?  Nothing, right?.  Nothing in terms of actual or implied or official Independence Day ceremonies… perhaps.  But in its core, philosophy and spirit, a whole lot… more than its master woodwork would on the surface reveal.

Former DOTC Usec Art Valdez and head of Kaya ng Pinoy Foundation, talked about teamwork, about the harnessing the Filipino spirit as a collective to achieve more than anyone can imagine.  They have done it with the Everest Expedition, now they are once again undertaking another adventure and advocacy so that Filipinos will remember.  We are a proud nation, a proud people and we need to reclaim that pride with conviction.

“The balangay will become the catalyst to stir up historical consciousness among Filipinos today, a sine qua non in transporting our people to our cherished goals.” – Mr. Art Valdez from The Philippine Star

For me, this simple boat means a lot more than all the pageantry that any political party can orchestrate today.  To my kids, I hope one day it doesn’t have to be anymore.  One day, we would really be the nation our forefathers have sacrificed their lives for and Independence Day will once again have more meaning than a red printed date in the calendar.

What other endevours have you encountered, spearheaded or joined that would make us proud?  Do share the good news so we would all feel the pride a little more each day.

You can still spread the spirit to your children and visit the historical Balangay at the CCP grounds on June 27.

Remember the spirit and have a Happy Independence Day!

Directions:

Go to CCP complex, straight towards Folk Arts Theather, past Jollibee.  They are on the left side with a big banner of the Balangay at the entrance.