The Tumatarok Museum of Minalabac

Our world has its own amazing history.

We were taught in school, how it is formed or created.

And so, is my town.

As the TUMATAROK MUSEUM was officially opened last April 24, 2016 at the 2nd Floor of Suarez Bldg.,San Lorenzo, Minalabac, Camarines Sur, guests and visitors were brought back to the old, golden times of my town.

The official finds were curated by my aunt, Fabiana Alcala Arejola, the former curator of the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Museum in Naga City and was viewed and presented into public by the Minalabac Cultural Society (MCS).

Latest archaeological finds reveal that Minalabac is one of the early settlements where trade and commerce flourished during the pre-Hispanic period.

Many of the artifacts unearthed came from Bagongbong, a barangay near the riverbank. Some of the finds on display were chinawares during the Ming Dynasty of China and earlier than that were kitchenwares from traders from Thailand.

Well, no doubt, our local dialects are products of Chinese languages and Thailand, too. Even traces of Indonesian's Bahasa language are apparent in Bicol laguage, my native tongue.

Items on display at the newly opened Tumatarok Museum are collections of my demised aunt, Leonor Rojano-Dy Liacco, book author-English teacher at the local high school in Naga City.

How important is our local museum?

As explained by the prolific local historian Dr. Danilo Gerona of Ateneo de Naga University, ït is important to study the history of your town through this museum because you can visibly recall the life of your ancestors by just looking at the finds being displayed."

He added that the present generation should never ignore the importance of these amazing discoveries as it linked us to the past and how rich the local culture by just studying those finds.

Why would the Minalabac Museum be named as "TUMATAROK MUSEUM"?

Considered as one of the most colorful and interesting fiestas in the Bikol region which takes place at the old, sleepy town of Minalabac . The Tumatarok Festival is celebrated every 11th of May which is done in honor of their two patron saints, Sts. Philip and James. Main highlights of the festive occasion include the evening tide fluvial procession where colorful floating pagodas crowd along the banks of the Bikol River ; the religious dancing of little boys who are called here as the Tumatarok ni San Felipe-San Tiago or the Rice Planters of Sts. Philip and James. These little boys, ages 8 to 11, sing the traditional Bikol hymn to the two saints.

Likewise, after the celebration of the mass the next morning, the ten tumatarok once again performed another ritual, this time a sacred dance, in the sanctuary of the Church. It was said that their dance was a prayer to God, thanking Him for blessing upon the coming rice planting season which then and even now is the main source of income to many Minalabacueños.

Equipped by just a handy mobile phone, I documented the important displays inside the museum while we're waiting for the guests/visitors from the academe (teachers and even local politicians) being invited by the officers of Minalabac Cultural Society (MCS)

Excited just like the others, my handling of my mobile phone produced varied results, from candid to fuzzy photos.

What I'm gonna share with you, right now are not edited yet.

I may just replace it if I can still borrow the DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera at the Mayor's office once I visit the museum again.

I photographed the following items:

• Philippine fossils
• Stone tools
• Household tools/equipment
• Black & White photos of early Minalabac settlements (people, church, etc.)

Although in Bicol dialect, Dr. Danilo Gerona's short but concise talk about opening a museum opened the minds of his listeners, my fellow Minalabacueños.

I included this unedited video for documenting such an important event in the lives of the residents of my town, Minalabac.

1. My aunt, Fabiania 'Fabi Alcala Arejola, for letting me capture the display of Tumatarok Museum without restrictions.
2. The Minalabac Cultural Society officers
3. Mr. Leon Lademo of LGU-Minalabac

and the people of Minalabac and the world as well, of the Hubpages community.

If one day, you have a plan of visiting our place, you can drop by at our local museum, the TUMATAROK MUSEUM.