MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/20 June) – Bukidnon should engage in the processing of its agricultural produce and not rely solely on selling these to traders, a speaker told city and barangay officials during the city’s 134th foundation day celebration on June 15.
Interestingly, the advice came not from a businessman or a farmer but from Dr.
Carmen Unabia, a researcher on Bukidnon history and literature.
Unabia cited that local palay producers have been selling to traders but that it’s about time to reclaim the people’s enterprising way of life by putting up manufacturing or processing
industries.
“Our ancestors were traders and entrepreneurs, a value which they learned from a long history of trading with the Chinese,” Unabia, who was the guest speaker of the anniversary program, held at the Freedom Park, said.
She added that the Lumads traded with the Chinese during the pre-Hispanic era through the Tagoloan River which connects Bukidnon to the coastal province of Misamis Oriental.
Among the local goods traded were abaca hemp and honey which the Lumads bartered for wares such as jars used in rituals.
Unabia cited that aside from trading relations the Chinese left an influence in local culture as can be seen in the designs of native clothing, food, and music.
