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PANGHAWAN-HAWAN (CLEARING RITUAL)

PANGHAWAN-HAWAN (CLEARING RITUAL)

CMPG

Panghawan-Hawan is a ritual performed to honor and ask spirits to leave an area before building, cutting trees, or exploring new land. It involves burning blessed palm leaves and hardened sap in a clay pot while reciting prayers to respectfully request permission and clearance from the spirits. This practice is mainly performed by babaylans in San Joaquin, who pass the knowledge down through generations. The ritual is featured in local cultural events like the Bayluhay Festival and reenactments of the Purchase of Panay, reinforcing its social and spiritual importance. Although widely known, only those with hereditary babaylan roles seriously observe ...
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GINISA NGA SUKOL/LAYUG-LAYOG

CMPG

Ginisa nga Sukol is a traditional mushroom dish from Imbang Pequeño, San Enrique, made from the shaggy ink cap mushroom harvested during specific seasons. The recipe involves sautéing onion, garlic, and tomato or sour labog leaves, then cooking the mushroom with seasoning and sometimes added meat, vegetables, or egg. This dish originated after the establishment of the Universal Robina Corporation Sugar Central in the late 1960s, which created ideal conditions for mushroom growth. Both men and women, including young people, know how to prepare this delicacy, passing the knowledge down through observation and practice within families. The tradition remains strong ...
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PAGLUTO KA ARIPAHOL

CMPG

Pagluto ka Aripahol is a traditional rice cake-making practice in Tuburan, Pototan, Iloilo, passed down through generations and especially popular during local events and celebrations. The delicacy is made using pounded glutinous rice, grated coconut, sugar, and banana leaves, and is steamed in cans with pierced bottoms, a method learned through hands-on teaching and community collaboration. Women are the primary culture bearers, though men support by gathering materials; elders lead food demonstrations to pass on the skill to younger residents. However, the tradition faces challenges due to declining interest among the youth. Safeguarding measures include non-formal education, documentation, community-led training, ...
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CARABAO-CARROZA FESTIVAL

CMPG

The Carabao-Carroza Festival, celebrated every May 3 in Pavia, Iloilo since 1971, honors farmers and their carabaos through vibrant parades, races, and a festival queen competition. Eighteen barangays participate by decorating carts (carrozas), dressing carabaos in colorful headdresses, and presenting muses in traditional attire, all showcasing local products and pride. A key attraction is the 100-meter carabao race, which draws large crowds and reflects the town’s agricultural heritage. The event began as a tribute to the carabao’s vital role in farming and has grown into a symbol of cultural identity and tourism. Local farmers, barangay officials, and residents actively participate, ...
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SINAMAK NGA PINYA

CMPG

Sinamak nga Pinya is a traditional pineapple-infused vinegar made in Barangay Agtambo, Passi City, using locally grown pineapples and spices like garlic, ginger, and chili. The craft dates back to the 1930s when pineapple farming began in the area, and locals created sinamak to reduce waste and enhance their dishes. The condiment is widely used in households, especially paired with dried fish, and is often stored in reused glass bottles. Both men and women, typically aged 15 and up, learn the practice through observation and hands-on experience with elders. However, its production depends on pineapple availability and is not always ...
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MIRACLES OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

CMPG

The people of Oton believe the Immaculate Conception has protected their town through numerous miracles during war, natural disasters, and personal struggles. Stories include her appearance to ward off Japanese soldiers, her image calming an approaching tidal wave, and her pedestal remaining untouched during a major earthquake. Other accounts describe her miraculous intervention during typhoons and her image becoming immovable when attempts were made to transfer it to another town. These miracles have strengthened local faith and devotion, inspiring novenas, pilgrimages, and community-wide celebrations. Passed down through oral tradition and documentation, these stories are vital to Oton’s spiritual and cultural ...
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CRY OF JELICUON

CMPG

The Cry of Jelicuon Festival in New Lucena honors the 1898 uprising against Spanish colonial rule, led by General Martin Delgado, and is held annually on October 25. The event features a powerful dance drama reenactment that captures the revolutionary moment when local volunteers declared support for independence. It serves both as a tribute to local heroes and as a showcase of the town’s cultural and agricultural identity. Organized by the local tourism office, the festival engages the community, especially through performances by residents and the involvement of historians, educators, and local officials. While it faces challenges such as reliance ...
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ITANG-ITANG

CMPG

The Itang-Itang ritual of Mina is a longstanding ancestral tradition involving food offerings made before gatherings, honoring deceased family members. Though rooted in indigenous beliefs and later influenced by Catholicism, it remains central to family celebrations like birthdays, fiestas, and reunions. Elders, particularly mothers and grandmothers, lead the ritual by placing portions of food on a home altar and offering prayers before the main meal begins. The practice symbolizes spiritual gratitude and maintains harmony between the living and their ancestors. Despite its cultural importance, younger generations show less interest, posing a threat to its continuity. To safeguard the tradition, families ...
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BAYE-BAYE

CMPG

Baye-Baye is a traditional sweet rice delicacy, made from glutinous rice, grated young coconut, sugar, and water, known for its chewy texture and cultural significance. It is a staple snack in Miagao, prepared during special occasions and religious holidays, often sold in local markets and made by families using traditional tools and methods. The process requires time, patience, and skill, typically passed down through generations. Challenges to its continuity include declining interest among youth, and limited documentation. . Safeguarding measures include non-formal education, documentation, promotion during festivals, and provincial efforts like cultural mapping, media promotion, and planned publications to preserve ...
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TULTUGAN FESTIVAL

CMPG

The Tultugan Festival, held every December 26 in Maasin, Iloilo, celebrates the town’s bamboo heritage, especially its traditional bamboo instruments known as “tultog.” Recognized as the “Bamboo Capital of Panay,” Maasin uses this festival to highlight bamboo’s cultural, artistic, and economic significance. Events include vibrant street dances, musical performances using bamboo, and displays of local craftsmanship, especially by skilled artisans. Cultural knowledge is passed down through oral traditions, mentorship, workshops, and modern media like social platforms and documentaries. Despite financial, environmental, and logistical challenges, the local government actively supports and promotes the festival to preserve Maasin’s heritage and sustain bamboo-related ...
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