Phillipine word ID

moose · 21st February 2005, 03:10 AM

I've got what I believe to be a Vishayan Bolo with the word CALACIAO deeply stamped on one side.
Anybody know what this means?

Underneath is a symbol that others have talked about. Maybe two opposing P's except the stem is not long enough to be P's.
A stretch would be stylized diminutive Cockatoo's. One facing each way.
It could be part of the Vishayan Alphabet? Any Help?

Thanks,
moose

Ian · 21st February 2005, 05:55 AM

Moose:

This is most likely a place name.

It may be Calasiao, a well known town in the Province of Pangasinan and located in the Ilocos region of northern Luzon.

I did not find Calaciao or a similar name in the Visayas.

It would be very helpful if you could post a picture of your bolo. Does it have a chisel-ground or "V"-edge?

Ian.

moose · 21st February 2005, 04:21 PM

"It would be very helpful if you could post a picture of your bolo. Does it have a chisel-ground or "V"-edge?"

Yup,
I figured as much but I wanted to see if I could slide by since I hadn't uploaded any pictures yet.

Thanks, Ian for forcing me to give it a try.

So here's my best attempt after several cups of coffee.

This bolo is 24" oa. Blade is 17 3/4" oa measured from the bolster. It's chisle-ground on the side facing in the picture.

The acquisition of this piece is one of those wonderful stories that I'm sure you all have. And it has brought me back to this forum for the last couple of years.

Any and all thoughts about it would be appreciated.

moose

moose · 21st February 2005, 04:46 PM

Well, that went well even though it wasn't without it's problems. But I've got it now. You might come to regret setting me loose to post pictures Ian.

Ok, now for some questions.
First I considered this a Pinuti even though it's not sharpened on the top edge but I may be way off.
How about the "browned" finish? Ever see that on other Indio/Asian pieces? Reminds me of something you would see on a old muzzleloader rifle.
The piece seems to have only been sharpened once "wrong"

A poor job but not too excessive. They didn't seem to understand it was chisel ground. They only hit both sides lightly.

You can't see the worm holes in the butt end of the hilt but you can see the white spots. They are quite stubborn and seem to permeate the handle. They won't scrape off and come back after an oiling. I have seen them before on other grips. I believe this grip and the others with spots to be Carabo horn.

Has anybody seen the spots on other materials?

Thanks,
moose

LabanTayo · 21st February 2005, 05:03 PM

For one thing, thats not Visayan. Its from Luzon. Its a common blade profile and hilt, but its a nicely carved hilt. Maybe less than 50 years old.

Ian · 21st February 2005, 05:52 PM

This one could well be an Ilocano knife, judging from the handle profile. In which case the name is probably an alternative spelling for the town of Calasiao.

Ian.

moose · 21st February 2005, 06:37 PM

Ian,
Can you help me with Calasiao. It's not one of the chartered cities in Pangasinan
Provence. Is it coastal or more inland? What is it well known for?

moose

Ian · 21st February 2005, 08:00 PM

Moose:

I visited Pangasinan in 1999 and stopped in Calasiao for a few hours. Quite a nice little town. It is just inland from the Lingayen Gulf, south of the coastal town of Dagupan. There is a map of the area here: http://www.asiatravel.com/philippine...gasinanmap.jpg

The town is perhaps best known for its religious icon: Sanctuario Del Señor Divino Tesoro is located beside the municipal building of Calasiao. Devotees claim that the enshrined statue grew as a "small boy" to what is now the image of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is also a very old catholic Church built during the Spanish era. The first church, built in 1582, was destroyed by fire in 1736. Today the lovely Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands there, which was built in 1753 and completed in 1858.

For me the real treat was across from the Plaza and diagonally opposite the church wherea row of stalls of the Calasiao Puto Producers is located. The puto (rice cake) from Calasiao is said to be the best in the Philippines. It is sold in markets all over Pangasinan, and is put on a bus to Manila each day to be sold there. Good stuff – moist and not overly sweet.

Ian.

moose · 21st February 2005, 08:20 PM

Thanks Ian,

I was in the right area but it did not show up on several maps I looked at.

Always nice to hear the little side stories to give more flavor to an area you haven't been yourself.

Laban Tayo,
Thank you for your input. I didn't figure it very old. But it has a good sharp blade and a solid peened over through the hilt grip.
I use it as one of my "swingers" for fma practice. Helps keep me from handling my nicer stuff too much.

Anybody else had the white specks show up on horn grips?

moose

21st February 2005, 03:10 AM	#1
moose Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portage, Michigan USA Posts: 44	Phillipine word ID I've got what I believe to be a Vishayan Bolo with the word CALACIAO deeply stamped on one side. Anybody know what this means? Underneath is a symbol that others have talked about. Maybe two opposing P's except the stem is not long enough to be P's. A stretch would be stylized diminutive Cockatoo's. One facing each way. It could be part of the Vishayan Alphabet? Any Help? Thanks, moose

21st February 2005, 04:21 PM	#3
moose Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portage, Michigan USA Posts: 44	"It would be very helpful if you could post a picture of your bolo. Does it have a chisel-ground or "V"-edge?" Yup, I figured as much but I wanted to see if I could slide by since I hadn't uploaded any pictures yet. Thanks, Ian for forcing me to give it a try. So here's my best attempt after several cups of coffee. This bolo is 24" oa. Blade is 17 3/4" oa measured from the bolster. It's chisle-ground on the side facing in the picture. The acquisition of this piece is one of those wonderful stories that I'm sure you all have. And it has brought me back to this forum for the last couple of years. Any and all thoughts about it would be appreciated. moose Attached Images

21st February 2005, 04:46 PM	#4
moose Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portage, Michigan USA Posts: 44	Sucess!! Well, that went well even though it wasn't without it's problems. But I've got it now. You might come to regret setting me loose to post pictures Ian. Ok, now for some questions. First I considered this a Pinuti even though it's not sharpened on the top edge but I may be way off. How about the "browned" finish? Ever see that on other Indio/Asian pieces? Reminds me of something you would see on a old muzzleloader rifle. The piece seems to have only been sharpened once "wrong" A poor job but not too excessive. They didn't seem to understand it was chisel ground. They only hit both sides lightly. You can't see the worm holes in the butt end of the hilt but you can see the white spots. They are quite stubborn and seem to permeate the handle. They won't scrape off and come back after an oiling. I have seen them before on other grips. I believe this grip and the others with spots to be Carabo horn. Has anybody seen the spots on other materials? Thanks, moose

21st February 2005, 05:52 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Ilocano knife This one could well be an Ilocano knife, judging from the handle profile. In which case the name is probably an alternative spelling for the town of Calasiao. Ian.

21st February 2005, 08:00 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Calasiao Moose: I visited Pangasinan in 1999 and stopped in Calasiao for a few hours. Quite a nice little town. It is just inland from the Lingayen Gulf, south of the coastal town of Dagupan. There is a map of the area here: http://www.asiatravel.com/philippine...gasinanmap.jpg The town is perhaps best known for its religious icon: *Sanctuario Del Señor Divino Tesoro* is located beside the municipal building of Calasiao. Devotees claim that the enshrined statue grew as a "small boy" to what is now the image of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is also a very old catholic Church built during the Spanish era. The first church, built in 1582, was destroyed by fire in 1736. Today the lovely Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands there, which was built in 1753 and completed in 1858. For me the real treat was across from the Plaza and diagonally opposite the church wherea row of stalls of the Calasiao Puto Producers is located. The *puto* (rice cake) from Calasiao is said to be the best in the Philippines. It is sold in markets all over Pangasinan, and is put on a bus to Manila each day to be sold there. Good stuff – moist and not overly sweet. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 22nd February 2005 at 12:14 AM.

21st February 2005, 05:55 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Moose: This is most likely a place name. It may be Calasiao, a well known town in the Province of Pangasinan and located in the Ilocos region of northern Luzon. I did not find Calaciao or a similar name in the Visayas. It would be very helpful if you could post a picture of your bolo. Does it have a chisel-ground or "V"-edge? Ian.

21st February 2005, 05:03 PM	#5
LabanTayo Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 177	For one thing, thats not Visayan. Its from Luzon. Its a common blade profile and hilt, but its a nicely carved hilt. Maybe less than 50 years old.

21st February 2005, 06:37 PM	#7
moose Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portage, Michigan USA Posts: 44	Ian, Can you help me with Calasiao. It's not one of the chartered cities in Pangasinan Provence. Is it coastal or more inland? What is it well known for? moose

21st February 2005, 08:20 PM	#9
moose Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portage, Michigan USA Posts: 44	Calasiao Thanks Ian, I was in the right area but it did not show up on several maps I looked at. Always nice to hear the little side stories to give more flavor to an area you haven't been yourself. Laban Tayo, Thank you for your input. I didn't figure it very old. But it has a good sharp blade and a solid peened over through the hilt grip. I use it as one of my "swingers" for fma practice. Helps keep me from handling my nicer stuff too much. Anybody else had the white specks show up on horn grips? moose