BAUKO, Mountain Province (PIA)–The Department of Tourism-Cordillera in partnership with the local government unit of Bauko recently conducted a creative pottery workshop for the preservation of culture and tourism promotion.
Bauko Tourism Operations Officer Mercesa Abnasan said the training aimed not only to enhance the already existing skills of the potters in the municipality but to preserve the culture of traditional pottery making as well.
Veteran Potter Siegrid Anne Bangyay provided her expertise during the activity called “Pottery as a Tourism and Cultural Experience” at Domog Village Inn, Poblacion, Bauko on May 26 and 27.
The 29 participants learned how to work the potter’s wheel, throwing, trimming and designing as well as having a hands-on work on the basics of pottery including kneading of the clay on the first day.
The hands-on workshop specifically the conduct of trimming, designing and head sculpting. continued on the second day.
“The purpose of it is to enhance the skills existing in the community because they’re doing it traditionally. In doing more trainings, we are enhancing their already existing skills and also adding to their technical knowledge about it and adopting the ways to improve their way of making, and also to make it as a tourism experience for the community, to make it an income generation for the community not just producing pieces of pottery but also for people to come and visit their village or barangay,” Bangyay said.
Bangayay, who has been doing pottery for almost 22 years, encouraged the participants and everyone willing to take up pottery to keep on trying.
“When we make pieces and they break, don’t stop there. You have to make- because in order for you to make beautiful pieces you have to make another one. Don’t stop when things break. You have to get more into it and that will help you get more passionate in doing this art”, she urged.
Bangayay hopes that the new local elected officers partner with the DOT in this livelihood project. It’s not just an alternative income for the community, it will add also as a tourism destination. **JDP/VJLT-PIA CAR, Mt. Province
