A sport that revives Negrense tradition

IF YOU are into unique adrenaline-pumping adventures, Ligiron is for you.

Ligiron is an extreme sport that originated in Barangay Bongbong in Valencia town, Negros Oriental.

Ligiron comes from the vernacular “ligid” (to roll). Before it became a sport, the term has been used since early 60s. According to history, farmers in the said town used “ligiron” cart to bring down their harvest as fast as they could to the lowlands. They used “ligiron” cart as a mode of transport, too.

The “ligiron” cart is made of indigenous materials. It is crafted out of bamboo and other wood materials with wheels resembling that of a skateboard/scooter.

The original carts did not have any braking mechanism; thus, the rider solely uses “foot brakes”— literally.

In June last year, a group of environment advocates led by Nicky Dumapit revived the tradition by staging the first Ligiron race in the country.

It had gathered hundreds of people and attracted the attention of netizens when photos and videos became viral online.

Ligiron racers and enthusiasts fearlessly participated in a heart-pumping race which starts on top of a hill, cascading down the rugged hillside, up to the final jump at the finish line where riders soon find themselves hitting, or in some cases kissing, the dirt.

Last week, I was able to participate in the “ligiron” race upon the invitation of a friend from Dumaguete.

The race had 54 participants including two girls. It gathered a thousand viewers and attracted the attention of local and national media.

What surprised me was that even little kids, as young as five years old, already know how to ride a “ligiron” cart.

This exceptional activity surely symbolizes the ingenuity of people in Negros Oriental. This sport, more than anything else, revived one of the oldest traditions of Negrenses. (Alaine Noelle Borja)

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