Story and photos by Emmanuel Canto

Palawod is a Hiligaynon term for fishing or to go fishing. It also refers to a different mode of fishing that sustains the economy of the community; the word encompasses pamulaw, panagat, pangasag, pang lukos, pangitang, and even panginhas during low tide.
Before the era of modern fishing and the transient migration from neighboring provinces, the marine ecosystem of the community was so abundant that fishermen did not need to go further out to the sea for a bounty.
On the other hand, the community had to compete with development that began to encroach a few years back－tourism.
The barangay had to equate itself between the boon and bane of the development of the tourism industry. Tourism competes with the need of locals that, further down the lane, placed the community in a compromising situation wherein the government had to devise ways to reduce its impact on an already struggling community .
People needs to protect and preserve marine resources which are their only means of livelihood.
The Palawod-Lawod Festival seeks to sustain the natural livelihood while strengthening and enhancing development of the community in the advent of growth in the tourism industry.
The festival reminds locals, though life is a daily struggle, there are still reasons to celebrate and be happy.
Barangay Granada, located on Isla de Gigantes, celebrated their first Palawod-Lawod Festival with the theme “Kadagatan Amligan, Pasanyugon Turismo kag Palangabuhian, Palawod Festival Ugyunan,” which aimed at showcasing their colorful palawod culture and the locality’s bright and lovely individuals.
It is time to send a message to the world that, above all else, mother nature should never be compromised./WDJ