Mapping our heritage, charting our future.
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BULAWAN NGA BARKO

BULAWAN NGA BARKO

CMPG

The Bulawan nga Barko (Golden Ship) is a famous legend from Capiz about a magical golden ship that appears on the Balisong River, believed to bring good luck and blessings. The story is told by elders and shared in the community through oral storytelling, festivals, and cultural events. The legend connects people to their heritage, reflecting their beliefs in supernatural beings and nature spirits. Although still well-preserved, the tale faces challenges like declining interest among young people and competition from modern entertainment. To keep the legend alive, the community uses non-formal education and digital media, such as social media and ...
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HIL-O HIL-O FESTIVAL

CMPG

The Hil-o Hil-o Festival is an annual celebration held in Maayon, Capiz, showcasing the community’s culture, unity, and tradition of mutual support. It includes parades, traditional dances, food fairs, agricultural exhibits, and free public services like legal help and medical missions. The festival name, Hil-o Hil-o, means helping one another, a core value among Maayonanons passed down through generations. Residents, students, and returning families join in the festivities, turning the event into a joyful reunion and cultural celebration. While it is still actively held every February, its success depends heavily on local government funding and support. To preserve this tradition, ...
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PANDANG-PANDANG

CMPG

Pandang-Pandang is a traditional courtship dance of the Ati community in Dumarao, Capiz, where male and female dancers mimic birds’ movements to express flirtation and affection. The dance is performed not only during courtship but also during weddings, harvest celebrations, and festivals. It is accompanied by instruments like the banjo and tambor, with dancers dressed in traditional attire such as malong, G-strings, and accessories made of pugsong. The Ati chieftain and elders, ensure its transmission by teaching the youth the proper steps and meanings behind the dance. However, the dance is now rarely performed, with youth showing less interest. Efforts ...
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PAHINIS (FISHING RITUAL)

CMPG

Pahinis is a traditional fishing ritual practiced in Ivisan, Capiz, believed to bring a good catch and honor the spirits of the sea and departed loved ones. During the ritual, a large pig is cooked to feed the community, and offerings like food, liquor, and animals like chicken, crabs or shrimps are floated on the sea as gifts to spirits. A prayer is led by a ritual leader who throws pieces of cooked meat in all four directions to feed unseen beings. The ceremony ends with a shared meal, ensuring all attendees are well-fed as part of the blessing. Today, ...
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PAWOD MAKING (NIPA THATCHING)

CMPG

Pawod making is a traditional craft in Panay, Capiz, involving the weaving of nipa leaves into roofing materials, which are valued for being water-resistant and insulating. The main materials used are nipa leaves, bamboo slats, and pipis, with the weaving mostly done by women and passed on informally to children through hands-on learning. This craft once provided affordable roofing for homes and continues to be used today in cottages, resorts, and eco-friendly structures due to its rustic and sustainable appeal. Historically, Pawod making was a family effort, especially during times of poverty, helping households survive by providing both shelter and ...
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TINAGBAKAN NGA MANOK

CMPG

Tinagbakan nga Manok is a traditional chicken dish from Tapaz, Capiz, known for using Tagbak, a local plant that gives the dish its distinct flavor. The recipe includes native chicken, Tagbak, labog, kadyos, and other local herbs. It originated during a famine in 1918, when locals discovered Tagbak as a useful and tasty food source. Knowledge of preparing Tinagbakan nga Manok is passed down informally through family and community events. While still widely enjoyed today, it faces challenges like the declining availability of Tagbak and the risk of younger generations losing interest. The community focus on education, promotion, and documentation ...
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LANGKUGA

CMPG

Langkuga, or Ginataang Bilo-bilo with Langka, is a traditional dessert from Cuartero, Capiz, made with glutinous rice balls, coconut milk, bananas, jackfruit, and other native ingredients. Though Bilo-bilo originally comes from Luzon, each region, has its own version, with Langkuga being a a take of Cuartero on the cuisine. This dish is typically served warm and is passed down through generations in families, often prepared during special events like birthdays and holidays. It holds cultural value as a symbol of family unity and also serves as a small source of income for some local households. Despite its significance, it is ...
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KAHILWAYAN FESTIVAL / DANCE DRAMA

CMPG

The Kahilwayan Festival in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, honors the town’s role in the Philippine Revolution, especially the first raising of the national flag outside Luzon, symbolizing freedom. It features a dance drama reenacting historic events and figures like Gen. Martin Delgado, with live music and the “Marcha Libertador” enhancing its impact. The festival promotes community pride and cultural identity, involving all barangays in parades, performances, and ceremonies such as flag-raising and wreath-laying. Local government offices, schools, and residents serve as cultural bearers, while knowledge is passed through workshops, rehearsals, and community participation. Though well-preserved, the festival faces challenges in training ...
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BINABAYLAN MUSIC

CMPG

Binabaylan music is a traditional musical form used in healing rituals led by babaylans or folk healers in Tubungan, Iloilo, especially in barangays Igtuble, Igpaho, and Molina. It uses native instruments like the bandyo and gitara, creating spiritual soundscapes that accompany rituals such as awag and pasaka. This music plays a central role in the community’s spiritual life and is passed down through hands-on mentorship, participation in rituals, and oral tradition. Banda musicians and elders serve as cultural bearers, guiding the younger generation through active involvement in ceremonies. However, its survival is threatened by modern influences, lack of youth interest, ...
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Kanding Dishes

CMPG

Kilawin, Paklay, and Dinuguan nga Kanding are three traditional goat-based dishes from San Miguel, Iloilo, each deeply rooted in local culinary heritage and social practices. Kilawin nga Kanding is slow-cooked for tenderness and passed down through intergenerational teaching at Kandingan sa Highway, reflecting its socioeconomic importance by supporting local farmers and promoting culinary pride. Paklay Kanding, known for its savory-sweet flavor from ingredients like pineapple and tomato sauce, is a specialty of Roldan’s restaurant and often prepared for gatherings, symbolizing community bonding and cultural identity. Dinuguan nga Kanding, a rich stew made with goat blood and meat, offers a bold ...
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