WORLD PREMIERE: That Red Tank Top

As mentioned in the prior entry, being garbed in red and/or ethnic accessories is a great demonstration of partaking in the Talaandig festivities. Inasmuch as I would like to cram every red clothing I possess into my luggage, particularly the ones that hardly made it past our main gate, I had to select wisely. I'm NEVER known as a light traveler but, considering our 6-day travel that would require us to lug our belongings around Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Camiguin (NOT in that order), it's about time to get in touch with one of my father's best talents.

For this big day, I already knew that I must wear the Bontoc skirt I once bought from Kultura in SM Department Store and my Mangyan headband and bracelets. But what to wear in between? Heard a tiny voice urging me to leave my casual red t-shirts and red tube top behind. I'm sure you will agree.

Remember this entry? I saved that red tank top with a flashy bib design for a team building that never happened. Imagine my high-pitched shrieks of excitement when I unearthed this forgotten favorite. Problem solved!

We were truly blessed to have witnessed a tribal wedding. Aaaaand I must admit a part of me started fantasizing of my own. I'm blushing here in recollection.


Have I told you that, for the Mangyans of Mindoro, that headband symbolizes a person's search for his/her mate?


Outside Hall of Peace


With a soil painting. Photo by Lakapati


Love the skirt you're in!

Later that evening, I expressed that I can no longer stand the blistering cold. Datu Alimuwan, standing next to me, was not surprised since I was wearing a skirt. What really impressed me was how he specified it was a Bontoc skirt. In the metro, it was easy to dismiss someone who makes such comment as metrosexual or gay, right? In Bukidnon, it was all about cultural awareness. In fact, this trip proved that indigenous groups hardly confine themselves within their own tribe. They have this strong bond with others.

That being said, do not be surprised that I had to cover myself with an equally red jacket on top of my tank top. Bukidnon boasts of this centralized air conditioner that just won't turn off. No amount of tiis ganda will let a poor vata like myself get away with it.

***


Handa...awit! Photo by Gerald Rago.


Out hosts Datu Muilaw-ilaw (aka Datu Anilaw) and Senyora Magawgaw Bai Manduhin-e (aka Lorie). Happy 1st wedding anniversary!


L-R: Moi, Kat, Lorie, Datu Anilaw, Mikey Bustos este Alvin and Lakapati Basa. Photo by Gerald Rago.


Lorie while getting her headdress done. Photo by Gerald Rago.


The entourage. Photo by Lakapati.


While the negotiation for dowry is ongoing, the bride is hidden from public view.


The wedding ceremony. Photo by Gerald Rago.


The newlyweds get media attention


The tribal wedding cake!


Fifth wheel? With the newlyweds Sagyawan and Charlyn Saway and recently married Mikey Bustos este Alvin and Lakapati Basa

WORLD PREMIERE: That Red Shawl

I'm not sure if my longtime online-turned-offline friend Lovelove would be delighted to hear this: It took me at least 6 years before I get to world premiere her sweet present all the way from Davao. My bedroom walls could serve as a witness how I wanted to use it as soon as I received it, but never really found the perfect attire to go with it. If it weren't for Kat's reminders to bring red outfits to appear festive for the Talaandig's festival, I wouldn't have racked my brains for mix-and-match possibilities for this shawl. [insert apology here]

Per my pre-travel outfit plans, I was supposed to wear a tube top underneath the shawl. I imagined how cute the slightly peeking sweetheart-cut of the top will be. But this idea went to the backseat upon realizing that it was brrrrrrreally cold in the foothills of Bukidnon! When I showered the morning after our arrival, I immediately fished for this long-sleeved tan top for apparent reasons. However, I felt incomplete not to don anything red. It was just the eve of the tribe's big day, but I really felt compelled to match the elders' dominantly red clothes.

Out of curiosity, I slipped this shawl and the ethnic necklace on top of the long-sleeved blouse and posed in front of my newfound friends Kat and Lorie for comments. In spite of their nods of approval, I felt the shawl should go with something tight-fitting. But, heck, I decided to go with it.



That's me against this soil painting about breastfeeding. Photo by Lakapati.


Plurkers Lakapati, moi and Kat with the Kublai Millan sculpture.


Talaandig soil painting


Talaandig soil paintings


Talaandig soil painting


Talaandig soil painting


Talaandig soil painting


Believe it or not, the artist behind this soil painting was a 3-year-old Talaandig. He's now 5 years old.


Lunchtime with Kat

When the temperature dropped even lower by nighttime, I opted to convert the shawl into a scarf. Believe me, it felt worse than what I had endured in Sagada! I had trouble falling asleep as I felt the chills penetrate my every core. But then again, I was far from prepared (i.e. except for one jacket, everything else is practically beachwear). Lesson learned!






Dinner time! Photo by Gerald Rago

***

We were lucky to have met Nanay Ipa. She treated us to a lengthy recollection of her life and experiences as a baylan and generous explanation to all queries that we have about their culture and tradition. I remember her say biblical passages like "Men can't live on bread alone" and wise reminders like "Sa langit, walang paligsahan" and that we must offer a prayer before taking any of God's creations for our nourishment. I felt my heart broke into pieces when she said angels play with our hair, hence we must not subject these sacred strands into damaging medicines or chemicals. She had this contagious smile that makes us all feel light and loved whenever she flashes a smile. I just sighed after recalling her sweet aura.


Nanay Ipa and her betel nut offerings


Gabfest with Nanay Ipa

We were part of history. Happening before us was the peace pact among tribe leaders in Mindanao who agreed to review the peace treaty with the Bangsamoro. Our brothers and sisters in Mindanao find it difficult to assert their own rights, particularly their territorial rights, as this treaty was made orally and passed likewise from elders to today's generation.

However, there's light at the end of the tunnel. In our conversation with Datu Anilaw, he mentioned of how a certain Cariño (if I remember correctly, movie star Robin Padilla's uncle) fought for his rights in Camp John Hay in Baguio that was sold to the Americans. He inherited such property from his ancestors and had no recollection of selling them to foreigners. He lost his case and appealed to the Supreme Court in the United States and was granted ownership due to its similarity to the case of American Indians.

In a nutshell, this peace talk roots from their burning desire to reverse historical injustice brought about by colonization and fight for authorship of our own development. And this matter concerns us all Filipinos, not just the non-Islamized indigenous people of Mindanao.


Photo by Lakapati.


The tribe leaders in attendance. Photo by Gerald Rago.