The recently concluded Tam-awan International Festival also featured some local wine makers and distributors. The wines were made out of fruits and sugarcane. They offered “free taste” of their products throughout the festival period. Oftentimes, if you will look for “the boys”, you will find them at the wine booths offering free taste and free picture with the models.
In Feature: Wine makers from Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur.
According to the Basi makers, there is an event called “basi revolt” in Ilocano history and accordingly the bloody revolt was led by two Ilocano fighters – Salarogo Ambaristo and Pedro Mateo – after the Spanish colonial government issued an oppressive decree expropriating the manufacture and sale of basi in favor of the Spaniards.
The decree strictly banned the private manufacture of basi which was then already a popular drinking native wine of the Ilocanos. As a result, the Ilocano drinkers of basi have no other recourse than to buy their favorite basi from government-controlled stores. Their love of basi had actually fanned the Ilocanos to raise their arms against the colonial ruler.
The Basi Revolt actually started in Piddig town, Ilocos Norte and spread to other towns of Ilocos Sur. The fierce and bloody battle ended near the river banks of Bantaoay river, now known as barangay Gongogong, in San Ildefonso town (that is why most of the basi wines were labeled “Gongogong”.
More details to this wine adventure will follow, as of now, enjoy watching the pics. Just Click on the pictures to enlarge.
