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By Johanna M. Sampan, Reporter
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Pristine
shorelines hem
the Camotes Islands. |
Come to a place free of deadlines, hectic
schedules and rush hour traffic. Situated at northeast part of Cebu
City, The Camotes Islands is composed of four islands: Pacijan, Poro,
Ponson and Tulang.
Visitors can reach the Camotes via a three-hour
ferryboat ride from the wharf of Cebu City. The friendly faces of
the town folks regularly greet tourists docking at the port of
Tulang. The available transportation means in the islands are
jeepneys, private vans and motorbikes locally known as habal-habal.
Among the foremost tourist destinations in the
area is Lake Danao, the largest lake in the Visayas with its unique
shape similar to the figure eight. Measuring a total area of 649
hectares, a group of islets are scattered in the middle of Lake
Danao.
Enclosed by a shoreline composed of rocks and
soft mud, the lake’s water remains free of pollution. Another
interesting site is Kalbaryo, located at Barangay Sunog in Tulong,
where one can enjoy a splendid view of the Camotes.
Attesting to the bucolic appeal of the Camotes
is a 54-year-old skilled craftsman named Veronico Muaña. Toiling in
obscurity, Muaña churns out exquisite bags made of soli-soli, a
kind of reed from the lake day in and day out.
Muaña learned his craft from the Department of
Trade and Industry back in 1994. On a good day, he can finish
three bags. His first patrons were teachers who visited the islands.
Muaña initially coined his products Veron’s Bags, selling it at
P100 to P220 each. Besides various types of bags, his product line
later included wine holder, placemats and coasters.
Impressed by his talent and skill, Plan—an
international NGO—recently commissioned him to conduct weaving
workshops in the islands with the goal of giving the locals an
alternative source of income.
Though his products is beginning to sell to
tourists, Muaña hopes to penetrate the market in Manila. He bemoans
that he cannot depend on the locals for the bulk of his sale.“I
cannot hope to sell my goods to locals since they’d rather spend
their money on food than on bags,” he says.
The Camotes group of islands is a unique
must-see tourist destination not only for its picturesque sceneries
but also for its people and their artistry.
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