“A woman with a missionary heart, committed to a legacy of honest governance with Integrity, Character and environmental sensitivity”

FAMILY BACKGROUND

PHILIAN IS THE THIRD child of Councilor GALO Dapiosen WEYGAN of Panabungen, Besao, Mountain Province and the late Maria Cuanguey Weygan of Padangan Besao Mt. Province. PHILIAN was born and raised in Baguio, her seven siblings are:

Galo Jr. married with Grace Almacen Weygan of Sablan, Benguet; Joyce; John; Evangeline  married to Aquilino Antolin of San Jose, Nueva Ecija ; Andrew married with Yora Kiako of Bila Mt. Province; Marlene married to Simeon Baluyut of Lubao, Pampanga ; and Jennifer.

EDUCATION :

Candidate for Doctor of Philosophy- University of the Cordilleras

Integrated Course in Higher Education Insti Mgt –Ateneo de Manila, 2008

Relief and Development DTS –Univ of the Nations, the Netherlands, 1998

Masters in Business Management- University of the Philippines, 1983

Bachelor of Commerce major in Accounting- BCF now UC, 1978

University of Baguio-Science High, 1974

Easter School – 1969-1970

Lucban Elementary School, 1964-69

PHILIAN WEYGAN AS A MISSIONARY AND DEVELOPMENT WORKER

- continue to do cross culture mission focused on church planting and administration, strategic missions, ministry to women, youth, children, elderly and specially able. She works with  Organizations like:

YWAM-Youth with a mission     Campus Crusade for Christ

ULLIM Mission- Korea   Frontier Missions in Asia and the Himalayas

Bhutanese Bible School             Episcopal Church in Micronesia

EDNCP Commission on Children Youth & Students

As an advocate and community development worker her experiences include developing and implementing projects on moral recovery, spiritual enhancement, barangay health programs, spring water development, human resource development, advocacy of women, youth and indigenous peoples, environmental advocacy, culture preservation and awareness, indigenous peoples concerns, scholarship programs and curriculum development. She works with these organizations

Association of Young Igorot Professionals (AYIP)

Episcopal Church Women (ECW)           Bangan – Besao Women

Katengan Association                            Galeled Clan Association

Cuanguey Clan  Association                   Siloken Clan Association

Upland Dev’t Institute, Inc.;       Bhutanese Nepalis Capacity Bdg Proj

Development Asso. Intl-Switzerland        Caritas Australia

Japan Fund for Global Environment       CORDNet & PEF

Alay sa Pamilya  by Dept of Health        BC Young Adults

Community Volunteer Missioners           Weygan Realty Corp.

Association of Foundations       Young Mens Christian Assn (YMCA)

Igorot Global Organization         Bibaknets Educl Scholarship Fund

Cordillera News Agency             Bag Beng Citizens Press Council

Philippine-Canadian Human Resources Dev’t –Philippines

International Waters                   And other coalitions

PHILIAN AS AN EDUCATOR

is presently the Academic Dean of BSBT COLLEGES and Executive Director of BSBT Foundation, Inc. and also involved in  education related work with: TESDA- RTSDC; As president of CARAPTI- Cordilla Asso. of Private Technical Institutions;  NEDA CAR TWG for Education; University of the Philippines- Alumni Association;  UB Science High School Alumni Association ; and is a lecturer in various colleges, seminary, and universities here and abroad like the Univ of Victoria, Katmandu Bible College and others.

Theme: “Remembering, Reminiscing, Reconnecting”

Date: Dec 19, 2009

Venue: UB Centennial Bldg.

B. Registration fee: 150 pesos early bird until Nov 15,2009 and regular at 200 pesos. Overseas registration is US$5. (this covers your snack and souvenir program copy) Contact: Filipinas Lumabas Lubrica, chairperson

C. Souvenir Program: This will include greetings, historical data, directory and advertisement. Size will be 8 1/2 x 5.5 of good paper material. Colored print for cover and inside is black and white.

We encourage individuals, groups, and batches to advertise.

Rates of advertisement: Inside back/front cover – 5000 pesos or US$100 One page @ 1000 pesos or $ 25 1/2 page @ 500 pesos or $15 Deadline for text and payment is Nov 15, 2009 please sent in text to: reydacones@yahoo.com or philianweygan@gmail. com or ayipphil@yahoo.com For payments please sent to the BPI account for the reunion(details to follow)

D. There will be a raffle for door prizes We encourage donors and ideas Contact: Clarita Casuga-Tabin, chairperson

E. Program starts at 1:00 to 6:00 (details will be posted separately) contact for details: Philian Louise C. Weygan, chairperson

F. Memorabilia: We will start a portion for memorabilia of the Science Hi for the past 40 years. Portion of this will be the clippings of photos taken through the years. We are requesting the following to join Rey Dacones in coming up with the power point presentation and the memorabilia: Ramon Dacawi Diego Bautista VJ Cawis Larry Laranang

G. Invitation is still on for coordinators who like to join the working committees

For more details please contact: Benilda Zaragosa-Narcelles ; Re-union Event Coordinator Filipinas Lubrica-Bugante: Secretary or the Science High thru Director Erlina (note: posted in FB, Yahoogroups, WordPress) We request all batch to post in their own groups. Thank you – Philian Weygan and Linda Carino/ press release committee)

(as printed by Cordillera Today Sept 6, 2009)

For this edition, I take the chance to give a small space to Emmett Brown Asuncion, a talented man who touched many lives in his teaching and mentoring. Science High Class 1974 has been a love hate relationship in those four years we spent in the G-rooms as we passed on from being Scientist and graduate as Chemist. There were 35 of us who graduated now scattered but always find time to come together to reminisce those four years as those kept us connected and close even after 35 years. Our batch will be coordinating the grand Alumni homecoming this December 19, 2009. This will definitely be a tribute to Emmett and the memorabilia of the past years will surely be a must in the celebration of what connected us as a class, and the whole alumni body.

As the city celebrates its Centennial, the Science high family together with others will pay their respects to a man who have changed them with his principles and his mentoring – Emmett Brown Asuncion. He walked the corridors of UB and taught in the classrooms, conducted practices, and performances in the gym and the theatre. He was a talented man unselfishly training and mentoring people who are willing or resisting. Not many of us knew his family background; it seems insignificant for he treated the Science High and later the other organizations he got involved in as his family. We have became part of his life as he molded us into something we never expected – after four years in high school , the change was permanent for most of us.

He was a man who may have not received many awards or appreciation, but it did not matter to him. What mattered was that the young mind was taught and the body matured, the spirit nurtured. Cheering and Christmas Cantata were instances where the whole school was involved under his baton and coordination. After graduation, many left UB and went to other schools and later on to other countries but still the Science high spirit remains and fond memories can bring varying emotions – tears and pain, laughter and happiness, bitterness and forgiveness.

Many of those alumni are now in a position to giving back to Emmett a little of respect and assistance especially when he got sick was in the hospital and now in his wake. People like Beulah (Zeny) Badua and the Fernandez family became his immediate care givers and people who made decisions of many things. When an account was managed for his medical care, people from all over gave generously to sustain him for more than seven months of hospital care. City Mayor Peter Rey Bautista and other government employees assisted in so many ways. Ramon Dacawi has personally assisted specially in securing blood for his transfusion. Many names join the list and yet it is  because of his own generosity, love and care for people that people give back to him in time of his need.

Much will be said, tears and laughter will be shared as reunion of all sorts happen during the wake. His body will be laid down to the earth on Monday September 7, 2009 after a memorial service Sunday afternoon. So let me replay this  poem I wrote last February 7, 2009:

God, we thank you for Emmett

Today we visited Emmett at the hospital

He looked at us and smiled

Though he said his leg pains

He said  he wants to go home today

But it could not be and so maybe tomorrow.

Benilda and I shared to him

Bits and pieces about the class

Of the then and of the now

He would nod to confirm

And smile as he too remembers.

And so God, we thank you

For sharing Emmett to us

Before, in our youthfulness unbounded

Now, in our matured undertakings

He unselfishly gave himself to us.

With him we became more than our wildest dreams

Performing in Music Barn, cantatas and cheering

or competing in experimental researches

or declamations and extemporaneous speeches

or tumbling in gymnastics and excelling in academics

He made us never doubting we were the cream of the crop.

Those times, it was a love hate relationship

We love him because he cared and defended us

We loved him because he made us believe in ourselves

We loved him because he brought out the best things in us

We loved him because he was giving.

We hated him because he throws tantrums

We hated him because he gets upset when we are out of key

We hated him because we were jealous of FIT

We hated him because he will finds out we cut classes

We hated him because he was always right.

Years after, we look back and realize

His enormous investment in our young lives

We changed because he wanted excellence and victory

We were molded because he gave his best

We owe him much of what we are today.

So as the day ends, Thank you God – for Emmett.

Philian Louise Weygan

published by Cordillera Today

August 21 is significant in Philippines history as it brings us back to significant incidents in the life of a couple –Ninoy and Cory Aquino –  who made impact in lives of  many, the Igorots and Cordillerans included. By mid 1980s the political scenario changed with the assassination of Ninoy, the snap election, the Edsa non-violent revolution, the Cory Administration, the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region and many other movements in the political scene. It is reawakening memories of the past, millions mourned when President Cory was laid down to her final resting place on this earth. And within the same month, we remember the death of Ninoy, people will consider this significant enough to awaken the memories and emotions of the 1980s.

We were not isolated from these changes as some of us –  friends, and family, were immersed, and affected due to these events. The sudden change in the national scene had greatly affected the Cordillera region with the creation of the different bodies that was supposed to give meaning to the administration and respond to the concerns of the region. How they conducted themselves is a different matter for discussion. These events were only made possible after a “sipat” between Conrado Balweg and President Cory in Mount Data. The Sipat signifies the process of a peace pact of the people and government.

During  mid- 1980s  well meaning people who shared similar aspirations and ideals, converged into different organizations. It was then when I became part of the Association of young Igorot Professionals (AYIP), Upland Growth through Basic Opportunities (UGBO) Cordillera News Agency (CNA) and similar coalitions  for the region and for Baguio City concerns. It was like a sudden upsurge of non-government organizations after decades of being suppressed so much so that some friends became part of the underground movement.

With these organizations I was able to travel deep into the region for medical dental missions, environmental assessment and concerns, children and women programs, peace advocacy and other concerns. Earlier before the autonomy referendum, I became part of an UGBO research on the Cordillera Life systems which was published serialized in the Philippine Daily Inquirer as a backgrounder on the Cordillera Autonomy. That involvement in the also brought me to be based in Bontoc for five years when we established the BSBT Foundation,Inc as an SR of BSBT and the Upland Development Institute as a spin away organization of AYIP. I left Bontoc in 1995 with a very rich experience having worked among our people in Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Benguet. It was only when I came back in 2000 that my Abra roots were connected through a research on the peace pact.

I believe the changes that happened in the National scene brought about by the incidents happening in the lives of Ninoy and Cory made things possible for the civil society to become a movement and for common people, like us to be part of that movement. Those life changing incidents, many of us may never have experienced what it freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, two of the cherished freedom suppressed by the Martial law days.

But despite the changes it did not stop armed groups to harass and intimidate people who were working for the communities. In two separate but related incidents we were harassed along the Bontoc-Tinglayan road by elements of the CPLA which similarly were being integrated as CAFGU. Likewise, in a seemingly peaceful town of Sabangan, we were harassed by the Municipal police because of the use of two way radios. In those occasions, the peace pact holders and the Provincial military command were those who we turn to for them to take control of these situations. At one time we have to get hold of Ka Ambo. Peace pacts were nearly broken, as I would make sure that during these travels I would be with a Binodngan for safe passage into the villages.  BSBT Foundation Inc. was instrumental in bringing in the two way radio system in the Mountain Province. We coordinated the training and licensing from  NTI and  we organized the pioneering group named “Tokwifi communications Inc.” composed of business, government and church people. These freedom and dialogue were only made possible because of restored democracy.

From Wikipedia : Maria Corazon “Cory” Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the “Icon of Philippine Democracy”, serving from 1986 to 1992. She was the first female president of the Philippines and the first female president of any country in Asia.

And the day of reckoning comes, cherish those things we hold dear,  remembering what triggers the blast of actions, the catalyst that made changes and the enriching lives we now have because these gems to treasure. We treasure you President Cory, we will remember Ninoy!

(August 21, 2009)

By Philian Louise Weygan, published by Cordillera Today (Aug 30, 2009)

The City and it’s people are engaged in many activities that commemorates the Centennial. It is an opportune time to look back to the past and look forward to the next 100 years. What kept the City going, what held it back and how can it be a city we want to see in the next years to come.

Lives have been changed, the landscape and the momentum of growth brought about a new outlook of what used to be a colonial hill town. To the centenarian, it is no longer the city they will recognize as the hills, the valley, the rivers, swampy forest, and pine scent are no longer there. To those who grew up in Baguio after the war, they will miss the rustic life where games were made up of those where came from nature- the jojo and the bayek, the lantana and the sulbatana, the stick broom and spider, the rag dolls, the dust banga banga and all. Fun was frolicking in the rivers and brooks, picking long after the rains, running naked under the rain and others.

Contrastingly, to the young of this age, it is city they always will remember the shopping malls, the computer games, the texting, the traffic jams, the talipapa everywhere, gang membership, the vendors along the sidewalks and the overpass, the Panagbenga,  the occasional parades down the main streets, the Opera in the lake, the fireworks and all.

The city experienced major difficulties like the killer earthquake of the recent past. It brought the city in mourning as our loved ones were buried underneath the rubbles and our miners navigated unceasingly until all those alive were brought into the light. We experienced our  hospitals and clinics were swamped with meningo and dengue inflicted people of all ages. We experienced the hard times when we were cut off from all road networks. The City experienced food distribution when there was a rice crisis in the country.

We join the nation in solidarity including the ouster of President Marcos until eventually the yellow confetti covered the streets. We marched down the streets in protest derogatory remarks against Igorots uttered by Labo; against casino in Baguio, against jade well, against the ills of society. Similarly the parades and the motorcades brightened the streets and the buildings in celebration of life and its promises. We are a city favored by God that despite the ills of people, we continue to thrive as a center of tourism, cyberspace, education, and cultural heritage. Summers have changed due to global warming but we remain to be the “summer capital of the Philippines.”

In a span of a hundred years the city has moved faster than other centers, just like a moving target. We refuse to be held down by the memories of the past as we see landmarks and trees disappear faster than when they were erected or planted. We used to be a city that sleeps at night and awakens only at dawn when the market buzzes alive at dawn. It is no longer true for we now see 24 hour establishments, shuttles that roam the street for those who are working in call centers and the EPZA, we see buses unloading odd hours at night. Years ago, walking down Session Road was easy seeing familiar spacious establishments, meeting people you know, strolling hand in hand and licking ice cream or popping peanuts in mouth. Now, that is next to impossible with all the traffic, sidewalks with a melee of people and peddlers, small cubicle establishments, banners and streamers hanging on all sides.

We are a target moving faster in embracing changes and yet unable to sufficiently manage the change as evidenced by garbage crisis, rationed water, scheduled brown outs, uncontrolled traffic jams, unmonitored squatting on watersheds, kid gang killings, hit and run drivers, cell phone theft, graffiti, taxi driver hold ups and other petty crimes and environmental challenges.

However, despite all these people who grew up in Baguio continue to influence others on temperance, care for community and concern for the future generation. The free spirit thrives yet the respect for man and nature seemingly permeates despite the challenges brought by globalization and the fast paced life. The colleges and universities, aside from the churches, remain to be the institutions of great influence in the moral and ethical filters of our people. We are thankful to God that blessings continue to pour into our city despite our neglect and mistakes. So despite all the crisis, the difficulties and the challenges, Baguio will meet the challenges of the next one hundred years.  We are a people of destiny, we are a people with history and we are a people with hopes for a better future.

I am posting here an email passed on to us in our yahoogroups by Rey Dacones.. this posting was a  forward that came from class 1978

just passing on the message

philian
Marlene and i visited Sir Emmett at BGH (Flavier bldg, rm 337 this time) after going all over and searching for him in the 3 buildings of BGH since his name is not listed in the information at the main bldg. but a lady doctor happened to hear us looking for him and told us where his room is! Outside his room, we saw Manang Beulah (formerly Zeny Badua) who is taking care of Emmett along with Ely and husband. Mng Beulah told us that so many Sci Hi alumni are finding it hard also to locate Emmett coz they had to transfer rooms so many times since Feb.

Emmett no longer can talk or open his eyes but he still can hear… he is full of tubes (oxygen, medicine, food, blood transfusion – type O)… and looks really buto’t balat na… his arms are bloated though because of the needle pricks for the blood transfusion and dextrose and all… he coughs sometimes and Mng B holds his neck and head to bring him up so he wont choke… he said “hmmm” though when we introduced ourselves.

So, its just Sci Hi alumni and friends who are taking care of his needs… many of the older classes take turns bringing blood donations, many of those abroad send money, the different classes have local representatives collecting financial donations and sending them thru Mng Beulah and Pastor John. And people coming are finding out “uy Science Hi din pala si ganun”… pati mga doctors and nurses are getting to know the Science High spirit so much alive and so loving to Emmett. Its just so heart-warming! Sana nga we can have a Science High alumni directory so we can also know where our manongs and manangs and adings are now… a real clan talaga.

You have been talking about ‘giving back’… maybe lets prioritize Emmett now coz he has very little time na. He is 78 yo (march 3) and we think he may be waiting for… whatever it is… so, if you wanna see him, please go now. I was thinking about… maybe an Emmett Brown Asuncion Foundation – if we want to see his legacy live on – that of selfless giving to so many young students to educate them (like he did to us)… what do u think?

By Philian Louise C. Weygan

Published by ICBE in “Cordillera Rituals as a Way of Life” edited by Yvonne Belen (2009) ICBE, The Netherlands

A. THE TINGUIANS/TINGGUIAN

The Tinguians/Tingguians are indigenous people groups of the province of Abra, located in the Cordillera region of northern Philippines.  As of 2003, they were found in all of the 27 municipalities compromising 40% of the total population and occupying almost 70% of the total land area.

The lowland Tinguian inhabit lowland Abra and the mountain area is where the “Upland Tinguian” originally habited.  As of the present times Bangued, the capital town, is inhabited by a representation of all the tribes of Abra as well as migrants.

The word “Tingguian” is  traced to the Malay root word “tinggi” meaning high, mountains, elevated, upper. However, the people refer to themselves as “Itneg, Gimpong or Idaya-as” or based on their 12  sub-people group.  The 12 ethno linguistic groups are the Inlaud, Binongan, Masadiit, Banao, Gubang, Mabaka, Adasen, Balatok, Belwang, Mayudan, Maengs and the Agta or Negrito.

In this presentation, some terms (like sangasang, singlip ) are used to mean different things  in a different context. It would be prudent to say that the terms used could have same or similar essence and significance but are practiced in different aspects of community (ili) or individual’s life.  Likewise, some Tinguian terms are similar with those of other tribes of Mountain Province and Kalinga, but may not mean exactly the same thing. Therefore caution  should be practiced in generalizing the meaning and a generic practice of rituals mentioned. This paper is particular to the Tinguian.

Like most indigenous peoples, the Tinguian live in a web of indigenous systems and lifestyles which makes it impossible to practice a ritual and isolate it from the other aspects of community life. Neither is it advisable to study or see the rituals as responding only to material significance as the people put spiritual and material relevance for the present and the future of the individual or the tribe or ili.

B. SOME BASIC BELIEFS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

1. Kabunian

The Tinguians believe in Kabunian, known as the creator, a friend and a helper of the poor. Traditionally believed to stay in the adog (a small house) built on top of the mountain. He is a good spirit who communicates through the traditional healer where he prescribes healing procedures, protects them from evil spirits, teaches right living and inspires them to do good and avoid sin.

1. Apadel or kalagang

Apadel or kalagang is the guardian god that lives in the Kabangaan/Pinaing/Pinat-ing.

These are modular stones placed in the entrance of some communities (ili), sometimes kept under trees. They are believed to be the guardian of the ili. People believe the spirits defend the community from natural and man-made calamities. During social gatherings like buda or pa-siyam the apo baket (old woman) rubs coconut oil on each of the kabangaan before the tadek is danced. Sometimes yellow bands are placed as well. They believed that this will welcome them as part of the celebration and that the pinaing will continue to shield them from harm.

1. Pudayen

This is another spirit  believed to inhabit the sangasang, which is a bamboo structure at the entrance of the village. They likewise are believed to be guardians and overseers.

1. Alpogan or mandadawak

These are the mediums where spirits make their wishes known. Some alpogan are middle-aged female believed to possess the power to communicate directly with spirits.

1. Iboas

These are the spirits that lurk around and originally believed as good, helpful and generous spirits. They usually appear during wakes and a woman attending the wake usually calls them to join. However, more and more people no longer believe in the Iboas as they are now seen as being evil and feared.

1. Maglalawa

This is the Tinguian’s concept of life after death.

C. RITUALS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

CHILDHOOD RITUALS

1. Gipas/Sikki/gippas

The gipas or Sikki is a birth rite performed for the bright future of the child. After delivery the fire is kept burning for 29 days in a shallow box beside the mother for warmth and protection from evil spirits.  On a research of Divine Word College they found out that the most important significance of the Sikki is the naming of the child. The name is after an ancestor, a relative who  possess exceptional traits or acts that they wish the child will inherit.  The mamaltot (traditional midwife) performs the rite to a newborn baby. According to Cole and DWC  the child is placed on an inverted winnowing basket while an old woman and man gives the name. The basket is then lifted and gently laid down several times while the name is uttered.  A pig is butchered for the ritual.

1. Pinakiyulog

In some communities this rite is practiced on the fifth day or the second day of the newborn. A young girl is asked to carry the baby down the stairs and step on the stones placed at the base of the staircase. This is believed to make the baby strong and of good character.  The rite introduces the newborn into the community or ili.

1. Apo

This is a practice of the Masadiit tribe where the parents bring the child to the grandparents for the first time.  Gifts are exchanged by the parents or immediate relative bringing the child and  the grandparents. Sometimes the grand parents give a chicken or butcher a piglet to welcome the child.

1. Longbos

This is a confirmation rite performed after a month for the child to  gain strength while growing up. Food is served to the relatives of the family joining the ritual.

1. Sangasang

Some use the term dalaw for the first tooth. The sangasang is performed by the Apo Baket or a priestess who makes the necessary offerings during or before the teething of the child. Then the mother is to lay the baby under the rice granary. Another woman is assigned to pick up the baby and carry him/her until the mother gets and bring home the child. Gifts are given to the woman who took care of the child to insure successful teething process.

Closing the ritual is for the mother to prepare food which is eaten by the children in the village. They eat everything, wash their hands in a basin and dry their hand on the hair of the baby.  The mother will wash the baby on the water used for washing hands to signify cleansing of undesirable character. This part of the ritual is to ascertain a child of good character and positive traits.

1. Ibal

This is a healing ritual performed by a medium by praying the Diam or dimdimi to assure recovery.  A pig or a rooster is butchered for this ritual.

1. Oloy

When the child reaches two years old, the Oloy is performed and the diam or dimdimi is prayed while a pig or rooster is offered. A thread from the mandadawak’s dress is touched to the child while the heart of the animal butchered is passed against the chest of the members of the family of the child. They believe this contra excessive crying and leads to a happy childhood.

1. Dawak

Among the Maengs, Dawak is a ceremony conducted by a couple after many years of being barren. This  starts with a begnas (thanksgiving) then the dawak starts. Balliwes, tadek and denglala dancers take part in the dance and then an elder shouts his paliwat (prayer) for the couples to bear children. Old women butcher a chicken and offer to the couple’s departed ancestors and sought their intercession for a fruitful marriage. Aside from a meal, basi (sugar cane wine) is served.

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE

1.Kalon or child engagement

Among the Tinguians the kalon or child betrothal was practiced for a long time. Practices and societies have changed, however there are still some who continue to  practiced kalon even in these changing times.  When a boy is about six to eight years old he is matched with a girl. His parents or intermediary visits the parents of the girl and give engagement tree beads signifying the intentions. If the offer is accepted the beads are tied around the waist of the girl as a sign of engagement.

2. Singlip

Singlip is an engagement ritual for adults done when the man’s family visit the woman’s family. The agreements will include the sabong and the pamauso which is the gift to the bride’s family. Tadek is the appropriate dance during this occasion and a pig is usually butchered for the meal during the planning of the marriage.

3.Pakalon/wolwac

This is the engagement ritual where a pig is butchered when dowry is settled. During the ceremony the man and woman sit with two bowls and two beads placed into the bowls which they are to drink to ensure lifetime union. Next is the rice ceremony where the bride and the groom each hold rice formed into a ball. The groom tosses his ball up the air, if the ball remains whole when it falls on the floor then it is good omen, if it breaks or rolls , they will postpone the wedding. The bride lets her rice ball fall in between the bamboo slats of the floor as an offering to the spirits.

Traditionally, on the wedding night the couple are to sleep in the bride’s house with a pillow between them and a head ax under the pillow of the groom. The next night the are to sleep in the house of the groom. The girl is expected to bring beddings to sleep on.

4.Tugtugaw

In Boliney the  courtship ritual is the tugtugaw. A mediator bulallo assists  when the  man’s group goes through the forest and gathers wood and brings to the house of the woman. If the family receives them and butcher a pig for the man’s group then it is a sign that they respect the intention of the man and his friends.  The acceptance starts a dialogue where they ask the bulallo which man in the group has intentions. The pides (bile and liver) of the pig is studied and if acceptable then the wedding plans are made, if signs are not favorable then it is postponed.

Discussion includes how much money, ules (bankets) dingwa (native skirts) and batek (beads) are to be offered to the woman’s parents. An imbentario is prepared.  During the wedding the relatives of the woman check the completion of the imbentario as documented during the courtship period.

In instances where the woman is unsure, the man live in the house of the woman and they are given the opportunity to know each other. Should the woman refuse the man a multa (fine ) is levied. This goes to the council of elders who negotiated the match and  another fine to man’s family.

1. Tinipuy/kinaiw

The Maengs living in Luba, Villaviciosa and Tubo practice at least three indigenous methods of  marriage The easiest is the Tinipuy or kinaiw where the parents of the bride and groom negotiate and arrange for the wedding. The woman is asked to bring cooked rice to the man’s home, the next day the parents and some elders of the woman go to the man’s house. The family of the man prepare food and for older men from the village who join the tinipuy. The wedding is then followed with a meal and the dancing of the balliwes and the tadek.  The next day the man goes to cut wood and serve the family of the woman. This is reciprocated the next day when the woman goes to the man’s family and serve them. After this, then the couple can live as a couple.

6.Eyapdo

The eyapdo is another way of getting married among the Maengs. The villages of the contracting parties are invited and two pigs are butchered and the cost of the celebration is shared by the two parties. After the meal, balliwes and tadek are danced by all. The bile and the liver are studied for signs of good fortune  and should the readings seem unsatisfactory, the wedding continues but another date of butchering another pig is scheduled  hoping for a favorable reading. Feasting includes the dancing of the baliwes and tadek.

7.Danon

Considered the most expensive wedding ceremony among the Maengs is the danon. This is when the woman’s family demand  gifts (something like a dowry) like land, money, house, animals, fruit trees and others. At times bargaining of gifts are negotiated. The agreement is written in burador signed by the parents of the couple and witnesses from both parties. It is understood that the items in the burador are for the couples to start their married life together. When the auspicious date is scheduled everyone including guests from other communities join the celebration.

The wedding feast is a one day affair with eating, dancing and chanting of the oggayam and singing of the Salidumay. Many animals are butchered, young men and women act as servers and usually the kilawen, dinardaraan and lauya are served. Supon (giving monetary support to the new couples) is practiced led by an appointed financial manager. Two or three people are assigned to manage the listing during the festivities. A chance for the couples to dance together is provided and people are encouraged to pin money on the garments of the couple while they dance. Competition among the relatives of the man and woman sometimes become a practice to see who receives the greater amount.

The financial manager counts all the funds received and announces to the public. Then the duayya follows by an old man and an old woman. They chant to bless the couple and prophesy to the couple and their future children. The day closes with the couples thanking everyone.  All monies collected during the day are expected to be used by the couple to start their life.

As the influence of the church, education, government and media the wedding ceremonies have centered on church and civil marriages. However, still the culture of the Tingguian remain intact and new ways are integrated into these rituals.

THE BODONG, THE PEACE PACT

To a Tinguian, life is greatly influenced by indigenous laws which center around ancestral domain, peace pact (Bodong, Kalon, Peden etc), environment. Up to the present times the peace pact and the Pagta greatly influence the decisions of the Tinguians in terms of conflict resolution and ancestral land domains and land use. The Pagta list all the agreements reached by the communities or tribes forging the peace pact. To the Maengs the rituals are listed below, and is greatly similar to other Tinguian peace pacts.

1. Sipat

This ritual is where the two agreeing tribes or community exchange gifts to signify the peace pact agreement. Designated representatives from the agreeing parties  are called the peace pact holders. They are the primary actors in the Sipat. This ritual comes after observing desirable signs through birds and natural signs. A pig or chicken is butchered and eaten by those present and the bile and liver are observed that signifies the future of the peace agreement.

1. Singlip

This is a festive sacred ritual for at least two days where the two agreeing tribes eat, dance and chant the uggayam and sallidumay. To the Maengs they dance the takik, the palook or balliwes, the suklit, pinalaiyan. Initial agreements in the Pagta are crafted which includes safe passage, peace maintenance, territorial boundaries, type of violations, fine provisions for violations of the facets of the agreement.

1. Inum

Inum is done after the Singlip to seal the peace pact, and  basi is drank (inum) by all the members of the community .

4.Allatiw or Allasiw

This is feast hosted  by the other tribe to reciprocate the Singlip done by the other contracting party. The terms of the Pagta are reviewed, promulgated and put into effect for all members of the tribe to adhere. If Sadanga and Tubo had a peace pact and Singlip is done in Tubo, the Allasiw is expected to be done in Sadanga.

1. Delnat

Delnat is a ritual of the peace pact known as warming and done after several years that the peace pact was in effect. Not that the peace pact grew cold but the relationship is celebrated in festivities to further strengthen the peace pact specially when broken for many years.

1. Bug-oy

Bug-oy means the pact is broken by a violation of any of the terms in the pagta by any of the contracting party and could easily be reconciled. Kepas happens when peace pact is totally broken and the gifts given during the sipat is returned to the contracting party. The palakod (trap) and fines are given for the protection of the tribe.  Also a payment called baugan is levied on the person who broke the pact and burdened the whole tribe.

1. Sipat

This is the next cycle after the bug-oy and only commences when the baugan is paid by the perpetrator. Because of the bodong, it becomes easier for communities to settle differences in terms of territorial conflict, stealing, killing, environmental abuse and other violations.

1. Galigad

The ritual is a feast for transferring the bodong/peace pact holder. This happens in the event of death of the original peace pact holder, when the peace pact is broken, or at the decision of the peace pact holder and the community as well as reasons.

DEATH AND BURIAL RITES

1. Pagpagada/Palpalubos/pakpakada/

Death is accepted with a belief in the afterlife. Palpalubos is performed the eve of the burial. Everyone gathers around the deceased and enact the rite of the palpalubos or farewell.  Members of the immediate family chant their farewell words. Someone is asked to isaop (representative) of the dead person who bids the living goodbye.

1. Kelyas

This is a ritual performed immediately after the internment where the ceremony includes dancing and chanting to assuage the pain of the bereaved. This signifies the releasing the dead to the great beyond.

1. Pabalon

This is the rite done the day after internment where the favorite food and things valued by the dead are placed on top of the tomb. A bonfire is lit to signify warming the dead.

Bibliography

Cole, Pa-cooper. The traditions of the Tingguians. Field museum of Natural History Publication 180. Antropological series. Vol XIV no 1, Chicago 1915.

De los Reyes,  Angelo and Aloma M. Igorot, a people who daily touch the earth and the sky; ethnographies of the major tribes. CSG series Vol 1. Philippines, 1987.

Divine Word College. Practices and Traditions of the Tingguians of Abra. The Abrenian Institute and Research Center. Bangued Abra. 2003.

Dumagat, Fay I. “The Ways of the Itneg”. Filipino Heritage Vol 6, Philippines; Lahing Pilipino Publishings, Inc 1978.

Fortin and Rico. The Tinguians, PCAS Field Reports. Philippine Center for Advanced Stories. 1979.

Ortega, Cirilo SVD et al. Peden, Peace Pact as practiced by the Maeng Tinguian of Abra in Northern Philippines. Produced by Caritas Australia, UDI, DSAC-IPA. Baguio City Philippines 2001.

Weygan P et al, Ed. Upland Development Institute. Cordillera Profiles. Upland Development Institute Inc. Baguio City, Philippines. 2002.

Philian Louise C. Weygan

Philian is the College Dean of BSBT College and CEO of BSBT Foundation, Inc.Born in Baguio, 3^rd of 8 children of Galo and Maria Weygan of  Besao, Mountain Province. She served her people since 1986 as past president and board of the Association of Young Igorot Professionals (AYIP); Cordillera News Agency in 1987-88 & 2008 to present. Executive Director of UDI (2000-2003); Board of Upland Development Institute (1991- 95) Bibaknets Educational Subsidy Fund (2005-2008);  a Council of Elders of the Igorot Global Organization IGO ( 2000-2006); and as the Vice President of  IGO Philippines (2002 to present);  President of the CAR Association of Private Technical Institutes (CARAPTI) and member of the Board of the RTSDC-CAR and the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA)-Baguio and sits in some regional technical committees.

Likewise, she is active in cross culture missions in Nepal, India, Micronesia, Holland and Southeast Asia. Presently active in church ministry for women, children and youth.

Published work include “A Strategic Approach to Community Development and Missions (2008) “Binodngan: A vanishing tradition” (2006)“Herbal Medicine Preparation for Cordillera communities (2003) “Restorative Justice System for IP communities” (2003) “Cordillera Profiles” (2002) “Pochon: The Tongrayan Heritage” (2002) “Pechen: Bontok Peace Pact” (2002) “Peden:Peace Pact as practiced by Maeng Tinguian of Abra in Northern Philippines” (2001) Biblical Studies for Bhutanese and Nepalis (1999); Project development and Management (1995.) and other training manuals.

/January 2009

By Philian Louise Weygan (published in Cordillera Today Aug 2, 2009)

Escape from boredom or dullness of life at times dictate the utilization of time and space. Alternatives are available where some of these are purposively beneficial while other alternatives seemingly lead to greater ills of society.

Last summer the YMCA Baguio, headed by Eliral Refuerzo, launched the Cordillera Cultural project  of what he says  ”It’s in answer to the common yearning of people who trace their roots to the Cordillera to know part of their heritage.”   The first batch was composed of children and college students trained by three trainers. Based on the updates from Ramon Dacawi, the chairperson of the program committee, the first batch was able to present the “tayaw” and “bendian” dances of Benguet at the closing of the annual Youth Summer Camp and the closing of the summer frolics this summer.

The YMCA Baguio Cordillera Cultural  training classes is moved to Saturdays as the attendees find it difficult to make it on the daily schedules. Classes are now handled from 9:00 to 12:00 am and from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Anyone who is interested in learning Cordillera Dances, Gong and other instrument playing, Chants are encouraged to register and attend the classes. Performances are scheduled  where lessons learned are presented.

Years ago, amusement to kick boredom to us was playing with siblings, classmates and relatives.  Some summer breaks we would follow the Balili river then to the Malvar up to Brooks point where Uncle Pedro and our cousins live. Along the way we would be catching mudfish (jojo), together with the boys we will catch spiders and put them in match boxes, get lantana seeds for our sulbatana, pick flowers for our flower vases or child made graves of dead spiders. Games with classmates would be jumping rope, jack stones, patentero and other team games. There seem to be no end on how kids entertain themselves under the wide blue sky. During some summers my mother would send us to Besao and join climbing the trees, trekking mountains, crossing rivers, wading brooks and playing at the church yard until the moon rises above and cast dark sinister shadows on the ground. There were thousand ways to amuse children.

Today, amusement is  becoming equated to theme parks and indoor facilities. A few months ago we were in Genting City of Entertainment in Malaysia. The First World Plaza houses a casino, indoor theme park , shopping complex features a series of fun rides and six theme areas named after famous cities and landmarks – France’s Champs Elysees, England’s London, Italy’s Venice, America’s Times Square and Universal Walk, Switzerland’s Swiss Alps and Malaysia’s Genting Walk.

Other attractions are Genting Sky Venture, the only free-fall skydiving simulator in Asia, and Genting X-pedition Wall, an international-standard rock-climbing wall stretching to 15 meters in height, with a 6-meter overhang. There is also bowling, a video arcade, a Cineplex and many more fun rides. The Genting Theme Park is a playground with over 40 rides.

Macau as the Las Vegas of Asia is no different. Accessed through the airport, jetfoil or by the land borders, visitors are treated to free shuttle buses to the gambling facilities. Last June, the City of Dreams was opened with a focus on mass gaming market adding 516 gaming tables and 1,350 gaming machines. This raised Macau’s number of casinos to 32.

A few days ago we found ourselves taking bus no. 12 going to the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, one of those awarded with the “2009 Macau and Hong Kong Integrity Marks” for its outstanding products and services. There is a convention and Exhibition Center and the schedule then was from July 10 to 14 is the Science and Technology Week 2000 and on July 23 to 26 is the ACG Creative Industries Festival. Landmark Macau houses several restaurants including the Kawato Japanese Restaurant, Petrus, Royal Orchid Chinese Restaurant, Varanda. Several  establishments have special offers like Landmark Bakery with moon cakes for the season;  Crazy Fun amusement with a MOP 1000 package of several games rides and a gift and Rocks Hotel had a 3-night Dine and Stay Promotion package HKD/MOP 2,670 for two persons.

After dinner we walked around we chanced on “the Fishers” a group of talented musicians packing up their instruments after performing along the wharf. At a distance we saw Filipino band members, but unfortunately had no chance to talk to them before they departed. The place was of various structures showing architectural accomplishments fitted for photographs and performance, specially because the lights impacted against the dark night. We took photos at the Gondolier Terrace and we were told that it is utilized for various functions.

However, Macau has several parks and historical places where a visitor may explore and enjoy. Early mornings and afternoons Guia Hill will be inhabited by walkers and joggers around the cemented jogging path which runs around the side of the hill. The hill is devoted for sports and wellness. Aside from the running/jogging paths they have exercise machines, tennis courts and other ball courts, a tram and other facilities. Cameos garden and grotto beside the Anglican and Protestant cemetery is where one would find groups of men and women playing cards or board games, rendering musicals, or simply sitting around while the children play or find themselves in the library. Going to most of the parks and gardens removes the dullness of the days.

Our changing cultures also result in changing interpretations of using time and space to dispel boredom and the dullness of days and nights. Learning a dance, skill, enjoying nature seems becoming more remote as urban facilities take center stage. Unfortunately, simulated amusement facilities are sometimes interpreted as a source of propagating social ill and problems.

(philian weygan, July 23, 2009 as appearing in Cordillera Today)

We were in the China border sky gazing as the solar eclipse phenomenon was viewed in Asia. Many came out despite of what some believe that this is bad omen. Where we were, the sun was three quarter covered by the moon. However, in some areas of China and India there was total blackout as the moon completely covered the sun. This spectacular rarely happens in a lifetime and considered one of the longest solar eclipses. This phenomenon will be a thing to remember during  this brief stay in China  spent in Kunming  and Guangdong. Last year visit was also significant as it coincided with the Beijing Olympics. Guangdong will host the 2010 Asian Games and preparations are already underway, all buses carry a banner or a sticker announcing the upcoming event.

Pursuing a relationship is similar to my connections with China as it started in the 1980s yet my first visit was in 1991, when together with Mom, Dad, and a group of Asian business people we visited Guangzhou as a side trip of a conference in Hong Kong. From that time on I had several trips going to the Southern part of China.

It was easy walking in the mornings, evenings, and late afternoons, because of Kunming’s  year-round temperate climate. As the capital of Yunnan  it is called the “Spring City or City of Eternal Spring.” It was a memorable visit in a city bustling with life, mix of the old and the new, and sky rise buildings amidst parks, temples, and museums. Kunming consists of an old city, a modern commercial district, residential and university areas. The city has an astronomical observatory, institutions of higher learning like Yunnan University, Yunnan Normal University and a medical college. On the outskirts is the Bronze temple, dating from the Ming dynasty. Kunming was formerly called Yunnanfu literally meaning “Yunnan Capital” until the 1920s. Kunming was transformed into a modern city as a result of the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 when the invading Japanese forces caused a great number of east-coast Chinese to flood into the southwest of China. The increased money and expertise quickly established Kunming as an industrial and manufacturing base for the wartime government in Chongqing . These influences saw the city move adapt to modernity and gradually resemble other major Chinese cities with expanding industrial areas and large scale residential districts. With the economic reforms of the 1980s, Kunming began enjoying increased tourism and foreign investment.

Kunming’s public center is the huge square outside the Workers’ Cultural Hall along the Beijing Lu-Dong Feng Lu intersection. Mornings and afternoons scenes include crowds doing taijiquan and playing badminton. We were in the vicinity as we stayed in Camellia hotel in Dong Feng Road. They offer  hotel room and youth hostel rates and we were given a nice standard twin room for US $29 a day . It is very convenient as they have a booking office for trains and flights; a business center for fax, calls and internet; a massage parlor;  a convenience store, a restaurant, an airline office. Hotel room rate includes a breakfast buffet of fruits, salads, rice,  congee, noodles, bread, pastry, fish,  meat, juices, and drinks. The dining area was a covered court set up with tables and chaise. A piano was but in an elevated platform. Potted plants and trees make a gardenlike atmosphere. It was a very peaceful area where piped in music is heard. Breakfast time revealed that the hotel hosted guests of different nationalities. Housekeeping cleans and changes towels everyday. While using the business center facility, I found out that people from the USA have restricted access by phone, so emails became a more appropriate medium of communication. During our last night we used the massage parlor and a kind Chinese lady did traditional Chinese massage which relieved pains of the body caused by the hectic schedule we had.

One afternoon we went to the local market which was very clean, wide, and orderly with different sections. The market sells local products where a whole block for fresh produce, one  block for dried food, one whole block for cooked food. There was a cue in one of the stalls and we saw that it was a native cake shop, my companion joined a cue, and we had “puto” and salad for dinner.

A practice of old which is still done is the presence of the public newspapers in strategic places. At one spot we found five different newspapers posted page by page, side by side in the bulletin board. People were standing reading the public newspaper.

One of the highlights of the stay was a visit to the  Yunnan Ethnic village located six kilometers south of Kunming composed of a 2000 miles space bounded by the Dianchi Lake on the south and the Western Hills on the west and the villages by the North. Each of the 26 Ethnic groups was given a village to build aside from the unity square symbolizing the unity in diversities. The villages usually included a typical abode or community which may include a temple like the Buddhist Temple of the Tibetans, the ethnic wear, instruments, craftsmanship, sports, and the like. Most of the communities have a courtyard style of architecture. There is also a huge theatre for the ethnic songs, dances, and drama performances. It would take another article to share about this ethnic village.

THE YMCA of Baguio has reset its lessons in basic Cordillera ethnic dance, music and culture to Saturdays, in response to the request of enrollees who find difficulty adjusting to the original week-day schedule from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Saturday sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., according to YMCA director Philian Weygan who was tasked as point person of the cultural training for children and adults.

The Y chapter headed by newsman Eliral Refuerzo launched the project last summer as part of the focus on indigenous cultural appreciation and understanding laid out by the World Alliance of YMCAs in its “Challenge 21″ program adopted in 1999.

In two weeks time, the initial class was able to present the “tayaw” and “bendian” dances of Benguet at the closing of the annual Youth Summer Camp, another regular program of the YMCA chapter.

Weygan noted the enthusiasm of parents in having their children learn the basic movements of ethnic dances and identify and play the musical instruments of the Cordillera.

“It’s in answer to the common yearning of people who trace their roots to the Cordillera to know part of their heritage,” Refuerzo said.

People of all ages who would like to enroll may get in touch with chapter OIC- general secretary Aida Aquino at 442-4766 or program administrator Robert Vinluan at 446-5774. They may also visit the YMCA at the top of Session Rd.

Y membership and minimal registration fees will be charged to cover the honorarium of volunteer teachers who have had years teaching the subject.

Meanwhile, the YMCA is into reactivating, organizing and strengthening school-based chapters under the Red Triangle (elementary), Hi-Y (high school) and College Y clubs.

Refuerzo recently met advisers of existing and to-be-established school clubs to discuss their organization as part of the “Movement Strengthening” of the international Christian community service and youth development association.

Refuerzo called on the school chapters’ participation in the city level of the “National Youth Olympics” set on August 22 to select Baguio’s entries to the regional level of competitions.

Events to be contested, according to Y youth director Maan Cacdac are: Red Triangle – draw and tell, quiz bee (team), Bible quiz (individual), “tula”, “awi” (vocal solo) and modern dance (hip-hop); Hi-Y – “awit”, vocal duet (English), on-the-spot drawing, quiz bee (team), Bible quiz (ind.), folk dance (occupational).

Oration, extemporaneous speech and essay writing (English); College Y – vocal solo, duet, on-the-spot drawing, oration, extemporaneous speech, quiz bee (team), Bible quiz (ind.), ballroom dance (tango and jive) and essay writing (Eng.).

The academic olympics is a flagship project of the Y federation now headed by judge Edilberto Claravall who previously served as president of the YMCA of Baguio.

Meanwhile, five school advisers will be chosen as delegates to the “Movement Strengthening” set by the Philippine Federation of YMCAs on July 16 to 17 in Manila.