Balisong and the town of Taal

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by harimauhk

The test was performed with the old 1 Piso coin--the new ones are harder I guess. I picked up seven balisongs this time and I'm waiting for them to arrive by EMS and post...hopefully they make it through OK!

The Customs guy at the airport said "kris!" when my bag went through the X-Ray--I had a two foot long kris and a bolo in there too, but he didn't comment on the bolo. A few minutes later, he came up to me and said, "you know, the fan knife in your suitcase is prohibited. The other guy said I should confiscate it." I told him I only had one and he said, "it's probably better you check in early. I'll tell the guys that you're a good guy. Don't worry." He didn't ask me for money (I thought he would), which was pretty cool. Apparently lots of balis get seized at NAIA, but I always seem to get through just fine (although I did get asked for cotong (is that the right spelling in Tagalog?) in January.

The shipment should get to you I'm sure

Because reading the shipping rules thru the balisongs in post no. 31 above, the balisongs don't fall under any of the prohibited items

Those guys at the Manila [NAIA] airport customs & security are inconsistent, but they tend to be more forgiving especially to tourists and foreigners.

PS - "kotong" is the usual spelling, but "c" is also ok. but of course kotong is not ok

On a related matter, I passed by Lipa City, Batangas yesterday. I took that opportunity to go to the public market to look for some utility bolos.

I was with my wife and both of us know the routine -- I check out the sharp and pointed things, while she checks out the household goods which I think we have enough already. The feeling is mutual as I'm sure all can surmise, and the modus vivendi works out very well

The bolos' price range is from US$ 4, to 10 (the latter being the "disubo" [literally, "was made to swallow"], that is, a bolo with a harder steel metal insert along the cutting edge side.

Here's a pic I took of the some of the bolos, with shop assistant taking the opportunity to pose with his goods: