Binibini 2019 hopeful renews golden tara drive

Binibini Dia Nicole Magno of CARAGA Region has renewned the campaign for the return of Golden Tara, a 21-karat Majapahit gold image found in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur in the Philippines in 1918.

This as Magno will wear a national costume inspired by the iconic pre-historic image at the national costume competition of Bb. Pilipinas 2019 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. 

Magno's national costume is designed by Jearson Demavivas who created the winning national costume of Catriona Gray during Bb. Pilipinas 2018 beauty pageant. 

"The Golden Tara is now in the US. I just don't know the authorities will get it back. Hopefully in few years,  it's gonna be back home," Magno said during an interview at Araneta Center.

Magno also said that her national costume is quite heavy because it is made up of brass and it's gold-plated. 

"It's like carrying the people with me but I'm doing this not only for myself but for the Philippines," the former badminton champ said. 

The golden tara was reportedly found near a river in Esperanza, Agusan by a Manobo woman in 1917.

For a while, this gold image became known as “Buwawan ni Baklagon" in honor of then Agusan deputy governor Bias Baklagon.

Governor Baklagon owed money to the Agusan Coconut Company and the golden tara changed hands as payment in 1918. 

Then came Dr. H. Otley Beyer who wanted the golden tara for the National Museum. But he had no money so he did not get in behalf of the Philippines.

Faye Cooper-Cole, wife of American Governor General in the Philippines Leonard Wood and a curator for the Chicago Field Museum, bought the image for P4,000 sometime between 1920-21. 

The Golden Tara of Butuan was then shipped to the U.S. where it has found a permanent home in the Field Museum.

These days,  various groups are seeking for the return of the golden tara or at least allow the Philippines to re-purchase it. 

Discussing more on her national costume, Magno said: "This is the Golden Tara the representation of the Gold in the Veins of every Caraganon. I represent the rich culture and history of where I was born and bred. 

"The Balangay’s true Home is Butuan and so I carry it with me. Before there was the Philippines there was Butuan, prior to any other marine woodencraft in Southeast Asia the Balangay has sailed to and from distant lands for trade a thousand years prior to anywhere else in the Philippines and everyone should know that too.

"I do not want to leave anyone behind I proudly have the cloth bearing the 5 Tribes of Caraga the Manobos, the Mamanwas, Higaonon, Banwanon and the Mandaya Tribes," Magno said. (Robert R. Requintina)

Binibini Dia Nicole Magno of CARAGA Region has renewned the campaign for the return of Golden Tara, a 21-karat Majapahit gold image found in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur in the Philippines in 1918.

This as Magno will wear a national costume inspired by the iconic pre-historic image at the national costume competition of Bb. Pilipinas 2019 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. 

Magno's national costume is designed by Jearson Demavivas who created the winning national costume of Catriona Gray during Bb. Pilipinas 2018 beauty pageant. 

"The Golden Tara is now in the US. I just don't know the authorities will get it back. Hopefully in few years,  it's gonna be back home," Magno said during an interview at Araneta Center.

Magno also said that her national costume is quite heavy because it is made up of brass and it's gold-plated. 

"It's like carrying the people with me but I'm doing this not only for myself but for the Philippines," the former badminton champ said. 

The golden tara was reportedly found near a river in Esperanza, Agusan by a Manobo woman in 1917.

For a while, this gold image became known as “Buwawan ni Baklagon" in honor of then Agusan deputy governor Bias Baklagon.

Governor Baklagon owed money to the Agusan Coconut Company and the golden tara changed hands as payment in 1918. 

Then came Dr. H. Otley Beyer who wanted the golden tara for the National Museum. But he had no money so he did not get in behalf of the Philippines.

Faye Cooper-Cole, wife of American Governor General in the Philippines Leonard Wood and a curator for the Chicago Field Museum, bought the image for P4,000 sometime between 1920-21. 

The Golden Tara of Butuan was then shipped to the U.S. where it has found a permanent home in the Field Museum.

These days,  various groups are seeking for the return of the golden tara or at least allow the Philippines to re-purchase it. 

Discussing more on her national costume, Magno said: "This is the Golden Tara the representation of the Gold in the Veins of every Caraganon. I represent the rich culture and history of where I was born and bred. 

"The Balangay’s true Home is Butuan and so I carry it with me. Before there was the Philippines there was Butuan, prior to any other marine woodencraft in Southeast Asia the Balangay has sailed to and from distant lands for trade a thousand years prior to anywhere else in the Philippines and everyone should know that too.

"I do not want to leave anyone behind I proudly have the cloth bearing the 5 Tribes of Caraga the Manobos, the Mamanwas, Higaonon, Banwanon and the Mandaya Tribes," Magno said. (Robert R. Requintina)