THE local government of Isabela de Basilan, through the City Tourism Office, is launching Sakayan Festival 2025 on Friday, April 25, 2025, marking its 24th year cityhood anniversary.
Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman said they will present "Pusaka Series: Sakayan Boat Info Drive" to provide information about the several Sakayans plying and dancing in the waters of Isabela City, Basilan province.
"Sakayan is a term shared by most of the ethnolinguistic groups living in harmony in the City of Isabela de Basilan," Hataman said.
"It means a boat, a water craft, an outrigger boat or a vessel. It can also mean as a station or a terminal for transportation or vehicles," Hataman added.
For the first wave of the Pusaka Series: Sakayan Boat Info Drive will proudly highlight -- Jungkung, Basnig, Parao-Paraw and Tempel.
The Jungkung, also spelled as Jungkong, is a small wooden motorboat used by Tausug, Sama-Bajau, Sama Banguingui, and Yakan people of the Philippines. It is a fast cargo ship and is commonly used before as a "smuggling" vessel in the maritime borders of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Eastern Indonesia. But today, it is used to move faster from one island to another.
The jungkung is smaller than the Tempel and can accommodate around 25 to 30 people. This type of boats are still being used for transportation of Isabele os going to other neighboring islands in the province, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Islands in Sulu Archipelago.
Its pointed tip is strategically made to cut through big waves which enable the jungkung to move fast in the course of big waves and tides.
The Basnig or Balasnig are lift nets operated by a large outrigger boat call Basnigan. They use a large bag net suspended directly below or beside the ship. This net is attached to multiple temporary booms projecting from the ship's outriggers and detachable auxiliary masts.
Basnigan are usually made up of wood with a small cabin wherein the crew sleeps and also where the ship's wheel is located.
It also has outriggers (katig) composed of three huge logs and bamboo.
The word Paraw or Parao refers to outrigger boats propelled by sails. It is a type of sakayan with outrigger or katigs, the wider term used for boats (with or without outriggers) in the Philippines.
Paraw's can sail between 11 and 17 knots. Until now, Paraw has primarily been used by some Bajaus in Isabela City for household consumption by personal or family fishing. The wind is directed by the cloth attached to the Paraw.
Paraws paint the water of Isabela City Channel like big mosaic of colours.
Tempel, also known as temper, is a type of wooden motorized boat used by the Yakan, Tausug, and Sama-Bajau people in the Philippines. It is commonly used in the Sulu Archipelago and in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
It is around 48 feet long, 11 feet deep, and around five feet at the widest point. It has a V-shape cross-session at the front, though it is flat-bottomed on the stern for stability.
Tempel is commonly made from thick marine lauan plywood attached to the boat's ribs and caulked or sealed with heavy duty epoxy or resins. It can also be made of fiberglass, though wood is preferred.
Tempel boats are still utilized as cargo ships in Isabela City, transporting various items to the other islands of Basilan. It also serves as a mode of transportation for certain Isabele os who are visiting or working on the different islands of Basilan and neighboring islands in the Sulu Archipelago.
Hataman said this year's cityhood anniversary is anchored on the theme "RelationSHIPS: 24 Years of City's Journey Anchored in Inspiring Stewardship Towards Sailing Resilience."
"This year's Sakayan Festival reflects the collective spirit and unwavering commitment of the people of Isabela de Basilan to navigate challenges and celebrate the progress we have made," she said. (SunStar Zamboanga)