of the National Museum to initiate an
organized archaeological study for
these caves but these were not carried
out possibly due to lack of funds and,
as a Bulalacao elder explains, “Bawal
galawin ang mga libingan sa kultura
namin” (It is forbidden in our culture
to disturb the graves.) The limestone
cliffs ringing Coron Island are dug for
kapari and kurut or burot in Tagalog,
the edible roots which were staples
of the Tagbanwa diet before rice was
preferred and are still depended on
when rice is scarce. Kurut is poisonous
if its toxic sap is not hydrated and
extracted. Another plant that can be
foraged from the cliffs is the patuyu
which is collected in May and tastes
like biscuit. The Tagbanwa also collect
medicinal plants found in the crags of
the limestone cliffs as well as in the
interior forest.
Though Bàto extends to over 7,000
hectares, it is covered by mostly Map 1. Coron Island also known as “Batu” the line shows the extents of the ancestral
limestone cliffs, forestland and the waters while the dark blocks show the coral reefs that are managed by the Tagbanwa
community.
awuyuk or lalaguna (interior lakes
found in sinkholes atop the cliffs). The latter are features unique to this island and are viewed by the
Tagbanwa as “sagradu” or “kinatatakutan” (sacred or feared). Indeed, community leaders stressed that
the awuyuk are pinaka-sagradu sa mga sagradung lugar (the most feared among the forbidden places).
In crossing the awuyuk to gather swiftlet nests, the Tagbanwa either remain silent or talk in a special
language reserved only for conversing in areas within the awuyuk. In their experience, gigantic octopuses
live at the bottom of the awuyuks; and a Tagbanwa who uses forbidden speech while in the awuyuks will
be pulled down by these octopuses to the bottom, never again to see the light of day.
There are similar observances for the panyaan as well, the Calamian Tagbanwa equivalent of marine core
zones. A high taboo is attached to these sea areas where giant octopuses or the manlalabyut have been
observed to prey on Tagbanwas using forbidden speech or otherwise act immoderately. The panyaans
around Coron Island, as in other areas are generally avoided, and Tagbanwa who deign to fish or dive in a
panyaan usually offer some form of appeasement to the spirits residing in the panyaan, such as gin and
coins.
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