Ancient balangay replicas now in Manila for stop over
Philippine Coast Guard welcomed the 48-man crew balangays Sultan sin Sulu, Lahi ng Maharlika, and Sama Tawi-Tawi Thursday noon at their headquarters in Port Area, Manila. The said replicas of ancient balangays are in the Capital City for several days, dry docking in the mean time Lahi ng Maharlika and Sama Tawi-Tawi.
Poro Point in San Fernando City, La Union will be the next stop over of the balangays before proceeding to Hong Kong and China to begin the retracing of the journey to the ancient China of the 15th century Sulu sultan Paduka Batara. Kaya ng Pinoy, the brainchild of the epic expedition, will also visit the replica of the Motto Stella in Jinjiang, Fujian province, China and the birthplace of the Philippine National Flag in Hong Kong.
Project Saysay also collaborated with Kaya ng Pinoy in delivering via the balangays 60 of its posters to the 99th and 100th beneficiary schools of the advocacy in La Union. Another 10 posters will be delivered as well to the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong, along with the presents of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Mama Sita Foundation.
Also joining on the balangays' journey are several historical and cultural items identified and curated by Project Saysay.
Former Environment undersecretary Art Valdez heads Kaya ng Pinoy's Balangay Voyage Expedition.
The Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters is open to all the Filipinos who want to see an actual balangay replic, at least the Sultan sin Sulu. A valid identification card is needed at the main gate of the headquarters.
