Dedicated to the Brewers of Basi and Sake
Classic Presentation of Premium Wines:
Basi and Sake
On display at the Living with Nature Center
San Vicente, Ilocos Sur
Dr Abe V Rotor
“Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, and makes weariness forget his toil.” - Lord Byron
Its label old and faded, forgotten,for ten years in an unknown cellar,hidden from sun and curious hand,Eureka! Eureka! to a lost friend.
"Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures." — Michael Broadbent
Tradition, tradition alive, legendary;cheers of the pioneers in prehistory,though nil remembered and honored,they live with their crowning glory.
What then is man's goal in life, we ask,but friendship in sobered harmonywith basi and sake, other wines untold?
Hurrah! wine is man's great discovery.
Age appears to be best in four things: old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read." — Francis Bacon
Basi and Sake - trade marks to be proud of,imprimatur of your travel to Ilocos region,the other to ancient and modern Japan;each one deserves a classic presentation.
“Ask not what wine has done for you, but rather what you’re willing to do for wine.” - Anonymous
Sunset brings tired bodies and souls to pray,in simple rituals to thank the day;happily from field with friends and family,find the world kind and aplenty.
"Wine is bottled poetry," - Robert Louis Stevenson, author and poet
Japanese guest Takehito Kabayashi visits 18th century basi wine cellar at the Living with Nature Center in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur. Right photo, author presented a ten-year old bottle of basi. In return his guest complemented it with a premium sake. Both bottles became the subject of this article - Classic Presentation of Premium Wines - their indigenous manufacture, importance to local culture and industry - and their ancient origins, which remains a subject of continuing research.
Basi is a traditional Filipino fermented alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane juice, deeply rooted in the culture of the Ilocanos in Northern Luzon. It is fermented in earthen jars (burnay) using samak bark and leaves, resulting in a 10-13% alcohol content, often described as having an earthy, sweet-to-strong taste. It has been produced in Northern Luzon for centuries, predating the Spanish regime. Although then President Ramon Magsaysay did not formally declare basi as the official national beverage of the Philippines during the 1950s, historical records from the period indicate that the President was a major proponent of the local drink. Magsaysay, known as the "Champion of the Common Man," frequently used basi to exchange toasts with foreign diplomats, showcasing the local drink in state functions. Serving basi and wearing the Barong Tagalog became a symbol of Filipino identity.
.
Sake, saké, or saki, also referred to as Japanese rice wine, is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Japanese people drink sake (nihonshu) for its deep cultural, spiritual, and social significance, treating it as more than just an alcoholic beverage. It is used to strengthen social bonds, celebrate occasions, and honor traditions—often acting as a bridge between people and the gods in Shinto rituals. Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)/ Wikipedia/InternetANNEX
Basi Revolt 218th Anniversary, September 29, 1807:
Living with Nature - School on Blog
The Basi Revolt took place 400 km north of Manila where Diego and Gabriela Silang heroically fought Spanish rule 50 years before. It was precipitated by the declaration of Wine Monopoly by the local Spanish government that virtually took from the hands of small cottage brewers an industry the Ilocos region enjoyed long before Spain colonized the islands. Basi was a major item carried by the Galleon trade plying Ciudad Fernandina (now Vigan City) and Europe via Acapulco, Mexico (1565-1815).
The final battle took place along the Bantaoay River that runs through the town of San Ildefonso down to San Vicente, some 4 km from the capital where the industry flourished. Scores of Spanish soldiers and natives were killed. Although the revolt spread to as far as Ilocos Norte, and Pangasinan to the south, it culminated on September 29, 1907 with the public execution of the captured rebels.
Fourteen big oil paintings depicting the Basi Revolt, also known as Ambaristo Revolt (named after its leader) can be seen today at the Vigan Ayala Museum, which is housed in the original residence of Filipino priest martyr, Fr. Jose Burgos. The painter, Don Esteban Villanueva was an eyewitness of this historic event.
Today, the Basi Revolt lives on with the fine taste and tradition of this unique product standing among the best wines of the world. Nine of the paintings in colored photos are shown in this article. The original paintings may be viewed at the Burgos Museum* in Vigan.
The final battle took place along the Bantaoay River that runs through the town of San Ildefonso down to San Vicente, some 4 km from the capital where the industry flourished. Scores of Spanish soldiers and natives were killed. Although the revolt spread to as far as Ilocos Norte, and Pangasinan to the south, it culminated on September 29, 1907 with the public execution of the captured rebels.
Fourteen big oil paintings depicting the Basi Revolt, also known as Ambaristo Revolt (named after its leader) can be seen today at the Vigan Ayala Museum, which is housed in the original residence of Filipino priest martyr, Fr. Jose Burgos. The painter, Don Esteban Villanueva was an eyewitness of this historic event.
Basi Revolt 1807 - Paintings by Esteban Villanueva
Rotor Basi won the distinct BIDA (Business Incentives Development and Achievement ) award in 2000. It was an encouragement in the revival of a sunset industry in the Ilocos Region. Top photo, the late former administrator Jesus T Tanchanco (right) of the National Food Authority and Mrs Alice Tanchanco pose with the author after receiving the BIDA Award. Right photo, members of the winning team led by the author receive the cash award from BIDA, a joint project led by DOST and DTI (Small and Medium Industries), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Planters Bank of the Philippines.
.jpg)
----------------------------
*The structure known as the Burgos Museum is an ancestral house constructed in 1788, which was declared as a historical building owing to its association with the martyred priest, Fr. Jose Burgos (1837-1872), whose death along with two other priests sparked the anti-Spanish colonial resistance.Basi and Local Fruits Wine
Signature of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur Philippines
-01.jpg)
Basi wine keeps up with the evolving market. Related wine products from chico, mango, caimito and other native fruits), and the famous Ilocos Vinegar (Sukang Iloko) proudly stand among local and imported brands. Samples of San Vicente products in tourists shops in Vigan, UNESCO Heritage City, and recently one of the new seven wonder cities of the world. San Vicente town 3-km west of Vigan has been recently declared Heritage Zone of the North under RA 11645. **
--------------------------------------------
** Under RA 11645, the DOT, in coordination with the Province of Ilocos Sur, the Municipality of San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, and the NCCA and its affiliated cultural agencies, will also immediately prepare the development plan involving the preservation, conservation, restoration, and maintenance of cultural and historical landmarks, shrines, establishments, etc. 
Personalized basi labels: Left, historical sites of the Ilocos
region labels; wedding gift
-01.jpg){kind=link}
No comments:
Post a Comment