For most people the world has indeed started to take drastic turn towards many changes – online shopping, internet, online games, computers, cellular phones, videoke, website designs, business process outsourcing, etc. - those that you don’t basically see everyday before are now one of the most dominant things that people indulge in these days.

However the world change, to whatever direction, to whatever extent, still, some things don’t just go away and fade with the onslaught of change. Our past dictates histories and traditions. Traditions that will forever live on the hearts of the people, lodge like bedrock of our own sense of identity and will continue to thrive despite changes and time’s dynamism. One of which is that classic tradition of molding and shaping using our own bare hands! The one true measure of craftsmanship that even time won’t wash away – pottery!

It is said that the production of pottery is one of the most ancient arts. The earliest pottery wares were hand-built and fired in bonfires. The first constructed kilns for pottery-firing purposes were actually trench-kilns, made up of holes dug in the ground and covered with fuel. History traced pottery back to 8,000 years ago in Japan, Iran and China. And some contends that it even started in the Philippines 6000 years ago. The art of pottery ranged from primitive fired-clay vessels to jars and vases, to bricks and ceramics, from the most basic mound of clay to the very artistic and creative designs and concepts that adorn our homes and offices these days.

Defined, pottery is made by forming a clay body into objects of a required shape, after which, heating them to high temperatures in a kiln that will lead to permanent shapes and increased strength (strength hardens and sets their shape).

If Rome, Greece, South Africa and North Africa are known for their craftsmanship on pottery Filipinos are not in anyway, alien to this craft for a lot of our regions here are into it. In Luzon, Vigan is known for their creative designs of burnay (strong and sturdy, unglazed jars created to serve a purpose), In Visayas, Leyte in particular, a place that is not only known for their world-class binagol and roscas and even lechon – is also a haven for most inventive potters. Tanauan, Leyte, for example, is a home for ingenious and intricately-crafted pots and jars since the place is known for its pottery and ceramics. Another home for pottery in Leyte is Maripipi, Biliran – which is not only popular for their pristine beaches and coves but also for its authentic and nifty family-based pottery. In Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro’s pottery pride is Bulua, the home of beautifully-crafted ceramics, made precious by the women who had made these products with their own loving hands.

Indeed time had spanned humanity into different levels of trends and breakthroughs but as they often say, there are still some habits which are hard to break, among them is every individual’s craftsmanship and skills that have made them a certain sense of identity and have created a bond that forever etched belongingness in their hearts. Just like pottery! Regardless of time, place and variety – the simple fact remains, in pottery what is essential are — the balance of use of materials, experience, judgment, technical skill and the passion for creativity — needed for this tradition to be carried on for the generations to come!