Learning Culture and History

We usually learn culture and history through books, videos or films but one of the best ways on learning them is also through exhibits. Now let me continue on the part 2 of my previous article - Kid's First Visit in Subangan Museum and focus on the culture and history.

One of the corners of the Museum has the Bahay Kubo, as we all know, Bahay Kubo is one of the first types of house built by our ancestors and until now, there were still Bahay Kubo here in Davao Oriental.

Then we moved to exhibit of the Mandaya Tribe. The natives here in Davao Oriental were the Mandaya and they have colorful clothings and accessories.

The information on process of weaving the "Dagmay" is shown. Dagmay is woven from abaca and its design shows the feelings or emotions of the one weaving them. No Dagmay can be totally the same, each one is unique. It can be used for clothes and decorations. Also we saw some early weapons for hunting like the bow and arrow. We also saw some of their products, the ways of fishing and some "BANGA".

Near it was the musical instruments of the Kalagan tribe, there was a recorded audio playing in that area. Aside from the musical instruments, there was an exhibit of the traditional Kalagan Tribe with picture of one of the first Sultans.

Then we went to one of the rooms which usually made me emotional. In this room the pictures and videos of Typhoon Pablo was kept.

Typhoon Pablo hit the east coast of Davao Oriental in year 2012, it is one of the strongest Typhoon that made landfall in the province. They also created a corner which mimics the actual scene during that time, you can see through a window, and its like looking back in the past.

Amidst the natural disaster, Davao Oriental survived by working hand in hand and there were also other LGUs, NGOs and individuals who helped that time. I can still remember that we go to the Provincial Capitol and helped pack relief goods. We also conducted some activities in my high school alma mater since the schools that time in Mati were used as temporary shelter of the evacuees. Looking back into that day, I can remember sadness but it is always a comfort that our province was able to surpass it through time with the help of God.

Through this Subangan Museum tour with my kids, they learned a lot of things. They learned about the natural resources, they became aware of the tribes of the province and became knowledgeable about Typhoon Pablo. I am happy that I was able to bring them in the museum. Now, everytime we pass the museum, Eila my 2 year old child will always say "Museum! Museum!". It made me happy that she remembered that place that we had our tour.

8.30.2022

~MizLhaine