Intangible Cultural Heritage Archives - Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Bichokoy is a popular fried pastry from Toboso, Negros Occidental, known for its crispy outside and chewy inside, often sold by street vendors. Vendors prepare the dough at night and start cooking early in the morning, making enough to meet daily demand, especially on Sundays when more customers come after church. Market workers, drivers, and locals enjoy eating bichokoy with coffee during their morning routine, making it a familiar and loved snack in the community. The recipe has been passed down through family generations, and social media has helped spread its popularity beyond Toboso. To keep the tradition alive, vendors ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage,

PAGLUNOD KAG PAGTUOB SANG PUMP BOAT

Negros Occidental, Sagay

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Paglunod and Pagtuob are prepared by fishermen to spiritually prepare their pump boats before fishing. Paglunod involves submerging the boat and then drying it to cleanse it, while Pagtuob uses incense smoke and lemongrass-infused seawater to purify the boat and fishing nets. These practices are rooted in local beliefs that bad spirits or negative energy can cause poor fishing results. After experiencing repeated bad catches, the community began performing these rituals and noticed improved results, which led to their continued practice. The traditions are passed down informally from parents to children and remain a vital part of the fishing lifestyle. ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage, Traditional Craftsmanship

DUYAN SA TUMPOK

Murcia, Negros Occidental, Sitio Tumpok

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Duyan-making in Sitio Tumpok, Murcia is a traditional craft where families, hand-weave hammocks from Uway (rattan) gathered from nearby forests. The process is labor-intensive, often requiring week-long trips to collect raw materials, followed by careful drying, framing with bamboo, and intricate weaving. This skill is passed down within families, with elders teaching the younger generation to ensure the tradition continues. Duyan-making is both a source of income and a cultural practice that reflects the creativity, patience, and craftsmanship of the people. However, the tradition faces challenges like deforestation, scarcity of materials, and competition from mass-produced hammocks, although efforts to promote ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage, Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe

PANAG-A (TRADITIONAL FRESHWATER BARE HAND FISHING)

Hinigaran, Negros Occidental

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Panag-a is a traditional fishing method in Hinigaran that involves draining freshwater ponds or streams and catching fish with bare hands, a practice especially common in the inland “ilaya” areas. It is a communal activity passed down through generations, teaching not only the physical technique but also a deep respect for nature and fish behavior. Historically, this method was essential for survival, serving as a source of food and bonding within rural communities. Although modern fishing has become more common, some residents still practice panag-a, especially during farming off-seasons, and pass it on to their children. However, panag-a faces challenges ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage, Oral Traditions and Expressions, including Language

KATAWTAWAN

Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, Sitio Bingig

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Katawtawan folktale from Sitio Bingig in Himamaylan City tells of a silver church bell hidden during the Japanese occupation in 1942 to protect it from being taken. The bell, once used to warn residents of approaching Japanese soldiers, was thrown into the deepest part of Bingig River after the Japanese began searching for it. According to locals, strange events followed, the appearance of a venomous snake and mysterious sounds and sightings in the river, including a fish-tailed creature believed to guard the bell. This tale, passed down by elders, highlights the bravery of locals and the strong presence of ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage, Traditional Craftsmanship

POTTERY – MAKING

Cervantes, Escalante, Negros Occidental

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Pottery-making in Barangay Cervantes, Escalante City is a century-old tradition started by the Malinao–Recto family, now continued by their descendants through the Cervantes Pottery Makers Association. The process uses locally sourced clay and follows traditional steps such as softening, molding, firming, assembling, drying, and firing the pots, with materials like rice straw and bamboo used for cooking. It is mostly practiced by middle-aged women and passed on informally to younger generations within families. Despite the rise of modern tools, traditional methods are still preferred to preserve heritage and ensure skills are retained. The craft provides economic support to local families ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage,

DINAGYAW SA TABLAS FESTIVAL

Candoni, Negros Occidental

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival is celebrated every February 11 in Candoni, Negros Occidental, to honor the town’s patron saint and remember the settlers led by Santiago “Tagoy” Diego who founded the community in 1935. The festival was originally called Pabalhas sa Tablas, but was renamed in 2009 to highlight the spirit of bayanihan (dagyaw), which represents unity and teamwork among residents. It features street dances and performances that reenact the settlers’ struggles in clearing land and cutting down tough tabla trees, some believed to be protected by spirits. The tradition is passed on through oral stories, school lessons, and ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage,

DINAGSA FESTIVAL

Cadiz, Negros Occidental

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Dinagsa Festival is a vibrant annual celebration held every January in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, honoring Señor Sto. Niño as a way of giving thanks and fostering community unity. It began in 1972 after the supposed appearance of the Sto. Niño image on the city’s shores and was later renamed “Dinagsa” in 2002 after whales were seen landing on the coastline, which locals saw as a sign of blessing. A key feature of the festival is “Lamhitanay sa Dalan”, where people smear each other with water-based paint in a joyful display of togetherness, along with tribal dances, fluvial parades, ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage,

MASSKARA FESTIVAL

Bacolod, Negros Occidental

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The MassKara Festival is a lively annual celebration in Bacolod City held every October, known for its bright masks and energetic street dancing. It started in 1980 during a difficult time caused by a sugar crisis and a tragic ferry sinking, meant to lift the spirits of the people and show their strength. The festival features performers wearing colorful masks made from coconut husks and paper mâché, symbolizing happiness and resilience. Local artists, community leaders, and volunteers all play key roles in organizing and continuing the tradition. The event promotes unity, cultural pride, and tourism while also supporting the local ...

Intangible Cultural Heritage, Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe

PAGHIMAEAD

Aklan, Jawili, Tangalan

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Paghimaead is a traditional palm reading ritual practiced by spiritual healers in Barangay Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan, used to predict a person’s future and guide their decisions. The healers perform the ritual by examining the lines on a person’s palms, always beginning with prayer to seek guidance and healing power. Many locals, including those working abroad, still rely on this practice for insight into their fate, and the healers often teach their patients how to do it themselves. Before modern medicine, spiritual healers were the main source of healing in the area, as many believed their methods were more effective and ...

BICHOKOY

Cultural Mapping Of Panay and Guimaras

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