UNESCO inscription for asin tibuok took almost 2 years; Bohol LGU hopes for tradition to endure

Asin tibuok has made it to UNESCO’s urgent safeguarding list after nearly two years of work, and the Bohol local government unit (LGU) hopes the recognition will boost efforts to keep the tradition alive.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Thursday, asin tibuok is a rare type of artisanal sea salt made through a long, labor-intensive process that has been practiced in Bohol for centuries.

It is known for its solid, egg-shaped form, often compared to a dinosaur egg, and is produced by only a few remaining families in the town of Alburquerque.

According to UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Secretary-General Ivan Anthony Henares, the recognition took almost two years of work.

“‘Yung nomination na ito ay inumpisahan ng komunidad noong 2023. Bago pa noon, nagkaroon na ng cultural mapping nung 2018 doon sa sa LGU ng Alburquerque. Then, itong nomination ay na-submit noong 2024,” he said.

He hopes that the recognition will encourage more supporters and buyers of asin tibuok. 

“Sana ay dumami rin ang mga tumangkilik doon sa produkto ng mga taga-Bohol at maraming bumili ng asin tibuok,” Henares said.

Meanwhile, Bohol Provincial Tourism Office OIC and Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark Program Manager Joanne Pinat said the recognition serves as a reminder of their shared responsibility.

“This is a reminder of our shared commitment towards preserving our traditions and promoting it, as well for people to appreciate and raise awareness on our local traditions,” she said.

Asin tibuok salt maker Felix Pinlac, Jr. shared that the recognition means a lot to their community.

“Sa UNESCO, maraming-maraming salamat na nasali kami sa inscription niyo. Isang karangalan sa mga mang-asinay,” he said.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News