The word “Bayong” connotes of being a Filipino . It represent the Filipino values spirit of hardwork and bayanihan . It is also a national icon that is distinctly Filipino ,and brings an appreciation of our country's cultural heritage .Bayong is usually made of indigenous materials like buri leaves, water hyacinths ,rattan strips , which grow abundantly in the Philippines. It also considered as income generator since it is easy to grow and produce. The demand is high either local and export( e.g Japan) . Since, waste problem in the Philippines is less than 9% are paper (bio-degrable materials and 50 % are plastic of plastics and cellophane's-clogging in the water ways.(non-biodegrable materials.)
This picture was taken during our visits to DTI Office Regional Butuan City.
The Department of Trade and Industry -DTI advocates the use of bayong. In this year 2011 with the theme “The Bayong Rediscovered “ its shows all the different style of bayong bags in their desk calendar. The Bayong Flagship Project (under the One Town, One Product (OTOP Program) of DTI continues to address livelihood and environmental concerns. The project focuses on the bayong as the centerpiece of sustainable livelihood with the aim of boosting the economy and diminishing ecological imbalance. OTOP-Philippines supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer, and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents. Bayong reduces toxic wastes.It helps support micro and small enterprises in the countryside.It also represents the strong spirit of the Filipino.
Steps in Making Bayong
According to Jason Mercado, a businessman of handy-crafts here in Butuan
City , there are 4 steps in making a bayong.
1st- Prepare the materials.
In our school we have bulletin board place in specific area. Topics are all about Bayong like why we should use bayong ? Benefits of using it. Why we should promote the use of bayong.
A part of promoting the use of bayong pupils and teachers were required to use bayong in coming to school. We have also one day a room to room campaign to promote bayong in our school.
Even the parents, pupils and Ma'am Lidwina Calo (ES Supervisor of Science) use bayong..
Teacher
Parent
 | |
| Pupils Say goodbye to backpack and roller bags here comes BAYONG..... |
A part of promoting the use of bayong pupils and teachers were required to use bayong in coming to school. We have also one day a room to room campaign to promote bayong in our school.
The Journey Begins
The Journey begins all at our School (BCES) Butuan Central Elementary School-Science and Technology Education Center-STEC. It was 10:00 in the morning on the 4th day of October when we second met at the computer room. We gathered 'round the chairs and chatted all along. But then, things started get serious. We planned on what we were going to do and where we could locate a place where we could find a place swarming with people who carry along with them proudly their Bayongs.
So, first we went to Madyaw Kadyaw Souvenir Shop and Caraga Product Shop both located on J.C. Aquino Avenue. We interviewed the Sales Officers and sought out how they made the Bayong, Where they got the suppliers and What made them think why the Bayong could be a great investment in Business opportunities. But what captured our attention most is the commitment and passion of the store faculties to the promoting of the Bayong to the Butuanons and to the whole Philippine Country.
After all the hard work and perseverance to take pictures of Bayongs and interview the Sales Officers, we went back to school.We were off to the computer room. There and then, we worked at our hardest and broke our necks just to come up with our write-ups to atleast start on some words and stuff. Uploading a partial half of the pictures was done.
The team decided to wrap it all up and call it a day. We made half of the work and did our best. We then decided to meet again on the next day on 6:30 in the morning on the same place.
The first step to success was made all in a day. Everyone worked hard and made sure to do their part. Imagine that! all in a hard day's work. Right?
That can be use to carry such objects and goods bought from wet markets.
For others, the word bayong is a bag that we can only use for wet markets, but actually, there are also a lot of fashionable kinds of bayong bags featured on many fashion shows and now on display in most of well-known stores.
While traveling to Madyaw Kadyaw Souvenir Shoppe…..
It was a fine weather of October 7, 2011 when the group started to take pictures for the blog “Ipasiatab Ang Paggamit Hong Bayong” by selected pupils of the Grade-VI STEC. At first, the group went to “Madyaw Kadyaw Souvenir Shoppe” located at J.C. Aquino St., Butuan City.
When we arrived we met their Sales Officer and let us take pictures with their bayongs. We had fun taking pictures and knowing more about the bayong.
On our way to Caraga Product...
After we took pictures while we were on our way, we went to a small shop called “Caraga Products” located near Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).We interviewed their Sales Officers and let us took pictures with the bayongs.
After all the information we gathered, we went back to our school and ate lunch. After eating lunch we continued doing our write-ups. While everybody was busy doing their write-ups and continued doing the blog, three of our members (Pearl, Ella and Claire) room around inside the campus to take pictures of teachers using bayong.
When the sun was about to set, 5 of our members namely Pearl, Jed, Claire, Ella and Angel went to Butuan City Hall. But sad to say they haven’t found people using bayong. After going to Butuan City Hall, we helped finished the write-ups for today.
The following day, we went to Butuan City’s wet market in the morning to take pictures for the people who use bayong instead of plastic bags. According to what we’ve seen 6 out of 10 buyers and vendors were using bayong. We asked them why they use bayong than plastic bags they answered “Well, it is conducive to our nature.” Even, the vendors use bayong to carry their goods. With this, we are more encouraged to use bayong as a replacement for plastic bags to contribute to our Ecosystem.
We had an on-the-spot survey to find out if bayong is still existing. 
Then we were on our way to Mr. Jason Mercado's house...
When we got to Mr. Mercado's house...
He showed us the basic way of weaving the bayong. He explained to us the different kinds of bayong. There's the "Synthetic Bayong" which is made out of plastic. There is also a bayong that is made to be eco-friendly like ones made out of paper and water hyacinths. We asked him how he promote the use of bayong then he responded "I'll start using it myself to encourage other people to use bayong instead of plastic bags."
We took a group picture with Mr. Mercado and the whole crew.
Here we are heading back to school...
When we got back to school, we focused on the work. We understood more about the bayong and how it was made and where it came from. The experience to be with the owners was unforgettable. We aspired to do our best and gave it our best approach of efforts. We learned more than we aimed for. This was a moment we could never forget.
