The bulalo is a small, glassy stone tool used by the Fortugana family in Miagao for almost 200 years to polish pottery and enhance its shine. Measuring just 2 cm high, it was discovered along the Cagbang riverbank and found to produce a distinct luster not seen in other stones. It has been passed down through six generations and remains a vital part of the family’s pottery-making tradition. The stone’s ability to make pots more visually appealing helps increase their market value, making it economically significant. Today, the bulalo is rare and hard to replace, with few similar stones found elsewhere.
Photo Credit/s:
Nedula
Mappers:
Stephanie Muriel Elupre, Jesus Nagpaton, Romel Fermaran, Rey Cabatingan, Dona Morandante, Connie Labastida, Ella Rose Nuevacobita, Helen Alice Nedula, Kenneth Jan Fernandez
Tags:
200-year-old pottery tool, antique polishing stone, bulalo stone tool, Cagbang riverbank discovery, cultural pottery tool, economic significance pottery, Filipino family heirloom, Filipino pottery traditions, Fortugana family legacy, Fortugana family pottery, glassy stone tool, heritage craft tools Philippines, Miagao traditional tools, pottery craftsmanship tool, pottery finishing stone, pottery market value, pottery polishing heritage, pottery polishing stone, pottery shine enhancer, rare Filipino artifacts, rare polishing stone, stone polishing artifact, traditional craft preservation, traditional pottery making
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