Last on our list of what to buy in Batangas is Batangueño craftsmanship. Suppose there is a Batangas pasalubong product that is true to Batangueño’s form of being bold and brave, aside from kapeng barako. In that case, it is Balisong, also known as Batangas blade, butterfly knife, or pocket knife. It is also commonly known as bente nueve (twenty-nine), which refers to the 29-centimeter length of a Balisong when fully opened. Considered the Batangas version of the Moslem kris, the origins of Balisong are dated back as early as 800 AD, one of the Malaya-Polynesian weapons.
Going to the city isn’t just all about the Batangas’ sweet delicacies; they also have other pasalubong to offer that you can bring home. Balisong is not just a piece of a deadly weapon and just a Batangas pasalubong; it is also a craft that goes through an intricate process that involves an assembly line not made of machines but humans. The whole tapestry of making Balisong consists of a blacksmith who produces the blade and several craftsmen whose basic skills involve the sharpening of the blade, making the handle and polishing it, and putting together the blades, grips, and clasps. Finding what to buy in Batangas for someone who likes crafts and swords, Balisong is a great Batangas pasalubong for them!
Buying pasalubong for loved ones and colleagues has become a pleasant de rigueur part of a travel itinerary. Batangas pasalubong items are not just unique and representative of Batangas’ life and culture but are also affordable and readily available.
Prices may change without prior notice.
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on April 30, 2020.
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