Historian says contested shoals part of Pangasinan

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/06/14/1465650/historian-says-contested-shoals-part-pangasinan
• Sunday, June 14, 2015 12:00 am

By Cesar Ramirez (The Philippine Star)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – A Filipino historian said parts of the disputed islands and shoals in the West Philippine Sea belong to Pangasinan province.

In presenting her books during the 117th Independence Day celebrations here, Cecilia Beltran-Daranciang said she is using ethnographic triangulation and references to folklore in proving her point that the Spratly and Paracel islands and the Panatag shoal are within the province’s boundaries.

“You will find that Pangasinan owns most of them and I will write a book about it in order to reinforce the claim of the Philippines,” she said.

Daranciang said Pangasinan folklore describes the Spratly islands as being composed of so many stones, which are like pouches and bars.

She added that the reefs in the area are named after the fishes of Pangasinan, including the siwi-siwi, alalo, bangus, lapu-lapu, hasa-hasa and ayungin.

“Until now, ayungin and hasa-hasa are present according to fishermen who fish around the shoal,” she also said.

Daranciang also cited Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan explorer who called the islands “bahr arkahil,” which means a group of orange-like stones and reefs.

She said Ibn Battuta is considered the Marco Polo of the East and the one who confirmed the existence of Princess Urduja.

The 87-year-old author and University of the Philippines Alumni Association awardee for outstanding achievement in culture and the arts added that she is willing to testify on her claim if called.

Daranciang presented her books I am Princess, Princess Urduja Am I; I am Commander Limahong, Commander Limahong Am I; and Defending Carlos Bulosan to Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. during a symbolic distribution of books about Pangasinan on Friday.