People from all walks of life witnessed the geba, an indigenous cooking of clay pots in barangay Bila. Bila is one of the barangays of the famous vegetable producing town of Bauko.
As part of the process, the women potters arranged some stones where the fresh pots were laid. They tested the desirability of stones by placing and burning dried grasses and pine needles on top of the stones until fully covered. Small holes (kawkaw) were made around the base of the covered pots. Simultaneous burning was done thru the kawkaw. Accordingly, synchronized burning is needed.
While some of the pot makers continuously turned the unburned materials to ensure that all parts were burned, the others prepared the glazing material. Said varnish material was processed from the sap of almaciga trees.
The pots were glazed after the pots were burned. To test the pots for any leaks, these were filled with water and were left overnight.
According to some elders, diwin di banga was the major economic industry of the people of Bila in the past. These were brought to other places to be bartered with sugar, salt, and other household needs.
They recounted that the Igorot God Kabunyan appreciated the artistic and perfectly made clay pots of Bila, hence, he bequeathed the best clay to them, which is found in Kebasan located between barangays Bila and Otucan Norte.
Prominent Bila personalities who joined the event were Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit, DTI-CAR ARD Juliet Palpal and Bila barangay chairman Rodrigo Payacda and his council members. **By Francis B. Degay
