The Diwata ng Lahi, a replica of the ancient Balangay boat, went out for a test sail in Manila Bay on July 11 2009. A group of Filipinos, partly made up of the Philippine Everest Expedition team members, reconstructed the Balangay and will attempt to sail it around the Philippines, through South East Asia, and eventually across the Pacific Ocean all the way to Africa. The reconstruction is based on a relic that was excavated by archeologist from the National Museum during the late 1970s.
The boat was launched in Manila last June 27 2007, and will go on a test sail for several weeks, before the crew sets on its voyage that will take them around the Philippines. It will visit several ports all over the archipelago on a route that will cover around 2,108 nautical miles or 3,908 km, ending in Tawi-Tawi at the tip of the Sulu Archipelago, before it embarks into foreign waters.
Erik Lacson
The story on the boat's construction at http://www.demotix.com/news/voyage-balangay





































New: You got some interesting
You got some interesting shots here: an ancient boat sailing and skyscrapers in the backgrownd. You don't see that too often. I realize now how difficult was for people centuries ago to sail such boats.
Donny, Donate Boat
New: The boat is most made out of
The boat is most made out of wood made from a tree indigenous to the area of Tawi-Tawi in Southern Philippines. Bamboo was mainly used as flooring and parts of the crew shelter.
New: Thanks! Will be following the
Thanks! Will be following the boat's journey and will post the updates here on Demotix.
New: JAIHIND! JAIWORLD! GOODDAY,
JAIHIND! JAIWORLD! GOODDAY, GOODLUCK! REPLICA OF THE BOAT STORY IS VERY WELL COVERED AND TOLD. ANCIENT FESTIVALS AND FAITH IS THE SUBJECT TO LOOK INTO. NICE EYES SOOTHING PICTURES. THANKS ELACSON
New: Great images, I notice most
Great images, I notice most of the construction is bamboo?