How Ancient Filipino Swords Are Made by A Royal Blacksmith

My father was a panday. He was a panday. Basilan. Forged in fire, culture, and time-honored traditions, every sword tells a story. And if Filipino-made knives could talk, they would speak volumes about the indigenous traditions, foreign influences, regional diversity, and the country's rich history with unparalleled sharpness. In the time before colonization, our ancestors had their own methods of crafting blades. These early sword makers, often referred to as pandays, utilized local materials and techniques to create tools and weapons for their communities. Distinctly made, these weapons reflect the needs and heritage of various ethnic groups all over the Philippines. When the Spanish first set foot on our shores in 1521, they brought with them new ideas and technologies, evolving how we worked metal locally. Since we are archipelagic, every place or indigenous community developed its own iconic sword-making styles. This is apparent in how the Moro people in the southern Philippines forged the legendary kris, with its wavy blades and intricate form, similar to some blades you might find in northern Borneo. Naturally, aside from agriculture, swords were created for use in battle. Warfare played a crucial role in curving their shapes, with the need for effective weapons leading to the refinement of their techniques. Every piece had to be functional, durable, and balanced. These weapons would also become symbols of power, prestige, and cultural identity. Here's a rundown of some of the Filipino knives and swords that our ancestors invented for various uses. The bolo, a Spanish term that generally refers to bladed weapons. Bolos are used as chopping knives, like a machete, or an agricultural tool. This became popular during the Spanish-American War as Filipino battalions wielded it against conquerors. Andres Bonifacio, one of our national heroes and the founder of Katipunan, led the 1986 revolt against the Spanish with a bolo in hand. Today, it is still used extensively as a farming and cooking tool throughout Luzon and the Visayas. Most recognized for its leaf-shaped blade, the short, single-edged barong was used for slashing in close-quarters combat among Tausug, Yakan, and Samo warriors. The kris, wavy blade, makes it stand out among the other weapons. With supernatural connotations in Malayan culture, the kris was used by tribal warrior for thrusting and slashing. An executioner's sword, the talibong, weighs heavier than most Filipino swords due to its double-curved blade and overall length of about 45 inches. You can imagine the damage this can serve. Made for chopping, the panabas features a wide metal blade reminiscent of a hybrid between an axe and a sword, popular among the Moro people of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago. One of the traditional swords still issued to the Philippine military special forces, the ginungting, which means scissors, uses a thin and lightweight blade ideal for close-quarter combat and navigating thick jungle terrain. Through time, Filipino blacksmiths honed their crafts and passed down their knowledge from one generation to the next. Although traditional swordsmiths have diminished in number today, some masters vow to continue the legacy and strive to preserve this ancient art so that the beauty and history of Filipino swords will never be forgotten. During our trip to Basilan, we met a second-generation blacksmith with a unique story to tell. I have been doing this for a long time. I will continue doing this for the rest of my life. I have been a blacksmith for a few years. I have been in the service for 36 years. And then, at the age of 60, I decided to retire. I returned the sword. How much does this cost? 350 pesos. We finish it every day. The wind is blowing towards that direction. This is a circle. This is a new one. This is where we started making swords. And then, this is our steel. This is a new one. My father passed away. He was the only one left. He started making swords in the 1940s. It was before World War II. We were the only ones left. We are the only Huluhano. Both father and mother are Huluhano. When he came here, he was like a stowaway. If I can mention the past, he was the cousin of Princess Tarhata. It means that we were rich back then, just like the Tagalanaw. The Tagalanaw were beautiful. They were rich when they were told that they were rich. We were by blood. When he came here, he never thought of making his own sword. You're coming back again? What I made is like an eagle. That's his style. Get used to this. No age limit. I started when I was 8 years old. I helped him as a helper. After that, I slowly developed my knowledge in making swords. He was there. I was there too. He was making swords. So, I thought of practicing making swords. I developed what I wanted to do. That's how I started. I was able to make swords. In the beginning, if you're new to making swords, it's hard. Your enemy is fire. Then, you're tired and sweaty. But once you get used to it, it's no longer a problem for you. Even for me. I'm old now. It's no longer a problem for me. Let's go. Let's start the training. They use pira and barong. It's really a ramholo. It's a weapon. It's their self-defense. It's called muslin. It's used to stab. If you don't have a problem, it's there for you. It's a decoration for your body. You put it on your waist. My father left me that barong. He said, this is for you. It's from Hulu. It belonged to the warriors back then. I'm holding a barong. It's from Hulu. It's for the Asakil family of Hulu-Sulu. When my father left, he brought it to Basilan. This barong is more than 100 years old. It's almost 200 years old. It's still here. This barong has been used by many people. It was used by the Hulu warriors back then. You know, because of my father's help, when I was in high school, I only attended school three times. Because my father was the only one here to help. My siblings were all grown up. They were already studying in other places. Since the beginning until now, I never left my father. I never really left him. Because of my parents' love, even when I was studying, they used me. So that I could sleep. Out of my two siblings, eight of us became professionals because of my father's guidance. So it's a great honor that my father left us. With hands strong enough to pound metal for hours on end, Tatay carves out a name for himself and continues his father's legacy. A son humbly honoring his father in the best way he knows how.