Quiapon, Aureen Mae A.

PE 2 - Camping
2019 - 05465 Prof. Ronualdo Dizer

Knowlegde on bolo handling is a vital skill one must have especially when exploring the
outdoors. Traditionally, we know the bolo or machete to be commonly used in agriculture by
various farming communities especially in countries like that of ours. Despite this, even in the
most urbanized areas, many Filipino households still own a bolo due its utilitarian purpose. By
this, I mean to expound on its various uses in our daily lives.

As discussed in class, the bolo is used for many activities like chopping, bucking,
splitting, lopping, and trailblazing. All of these are activities that many of us taking part in even
within the comfort of our homes. Some of them may even be daily occurrences that we have in
many of our circles. That being said, this goes to show the importance of knowing how to
properly handle a bolo not just form our own safety but also to ensure that we are executing these
activities correctly.

Personally, I have yet to use a bolo myself but this is still an interesting learning for me
because I do see the value in knowing how to handle tools that may be dangerous. Knwoing that
the bolo is an all-purpose tool that can be used in activities like clearing bushes, chopping wood,
and tilling the soil, learning how to use the tool will also help us in accomplishing these tasks.
Additionally, when a self-defense situation comes, the bolo may also come in handy as a
formidable weapon.

Aside from this, I am also very much interested in the bolo itself for its cultural meaning.
Commonly know as the Filipino utility tool, this is an object that has been used by our ancestors
even way back in time. Furthermore, the bolo, which is the most popular knife at our disposal
even to date, is perceived as giver of life and a defender of life by our heroes and fellow
countrymen. This goes to show that learning how to properly handle the bolo is not just an act of
individualism but also helps us connect with our people one way or another.