Customs and Beliefs

Mangyan Customs and Beliefs

Among the Mangyans in the southern end of Oriental Mindoro, courtship
takes a romantic flavor. Under the magic splendor of the moonlight, young
man takes his native guitar and blanket, goes to the girls hut, and sings to
her. The girl comes out and goes with him to a forest. There, in some
secluded spot, the man spread out a mat. The girl lies on it, while her suitor
sits at her side pouring out his feelings in love songs the whole night
through. The maid answers him in songs also.
During major feasts, young men and women court by exchanging love
songs. A man will be accompanied by fiddles, guitars, nose flutes, and
harps, as he sings a song expressing his affection for the young woman. The
woman answers with a song of her own. Marriages are arranged only after
the families of the couple have given their mutual consent. The husband
goes to live with his wifes family in order to repay the debt he has incurred
by marrying their daughter.
HANUNUO
Hanunoo believe the kalag are pleased when customary legal rules are
strictly followed. Should the people stop sacrificing or observing customs,
the kalag will allow evil spirits called labang to afflict the Hanunoo. The
labang attack a persons soul, causing illness or even death.
To combat illness, the Hanunoo call in a shaman, or priest, known in their
language as a balyanan. The balyanan has control over the spirits living in
rocks; the balyanan sends these rock spirits to attack the evil spirits causing
the illness.
WEDDING
Mindoro Wedding Traditions is the same with the other tagalog regions.
There are still many traditional customs or superstitions that are being
followed by Filipinos or those people who wish to have a Filipino style
wedding. As time pass by, this beliefs started to fade slowly but not totally
gone.
Marrying in the Philippines, as we all know, are truly remarkable and special.
The wedding day will never be forgotten, thus, it will be treasured and
remembered forever.
Filipinos have many age old traditions make for a beautiful and exciting
event. Filipino weddings, also known as kasalan, are among the most
beautiful and intricate celebrations in the world because of the Filipino
cultures high regard for the sanctity of marriage making the event a
lengthy and ceremonious occasion to remind everyone attending
especially the bride and groomthat the bond connecting the couple is
expected to become permanent.

Filipino bride dress up in a traditional all-white wedding gown and the groom
is handsomely clad in the traditional barong. In addition to the gown, the
bride often wears a veil and carries a bouquet of flowers. A garter may also
be worn and removed by the groom during the reception.
The groom wears a barong, a traditional hand embroidered formal shirt
made from specially hand-loomed jusi or pina (pineapple fiber) cloth. You
will be able to see some men wearing the Barong Tagalog at the wedding, a
thin and transparent dress, most of the time white of color with a shirt under
it. Now, even men go for black tuxedo.

During a specific point in the ceremony know as the Sanctus, the veil
sponsors carefully pin a large veil on top of the brides head and onto the
shoulder of the groom. These secondary sponsors play a part in the wedding
ceremony, and each couple has specific functions: lighting of the unity
candles these two candles are lit symbolizing the joining of the two
families and to invoke the light of Christ in their married life, putting on the
veil white veils are placed over the brides head and the grooms
shoulders, a symbol of two people clothed as one and the cord for their
respective ceremonies. In Filipino traditional wedding the bride and the
groom drape over their shoulders the yugal (a decorative silk cord) in a
figure-eight shapeto symbolize everlasting fidelity , it is one of several
centuries-old Philippine wedding traditions. The groom offers the bride 13
coins, blessed by the priest, as a sign of his dedication to his wifes
happiness and the welfare of their future children.

Towards the end of the ceremony, at a signal from the Priest/Minister, the
Bride and Groom come up and approach the candles. When the bride and
groom exit the church, they are greeted good wishes and applause by

family and friends. During the reception couples practice the Filipino
wedding custom of releasing a pair of white doves to symbolize a loving and
harmonious marriage.There will be music and dancing for hours. Spanish
music among others will be played the night through.The bride and groom
will dance the money dance where guests pin pesos or dollars to the bride
or groom in exchange for a dance with them. Depending on the wishes of
the couple, Spanish traditional dances will be performed.Filipinos love to
party and celebrate, and a wedding is one grand occasion.It is during the
reception that the wedding cake is cut.
BELIEFS
Filipinos still adhere to numerous widely-held folk beliefs that have no
scientific or logical basis but maybe backed-up by some past experiences.
Brides shouldnt try on her wedding dress before the wedding day or the
wedding will not push through.
Giving arinola (chamberpot) as wedding gift is believed to bring good luck to
newlyweds.
Altar-bound couples are accident-prone and therefore must avoid long
drives or traveling before their wedding day for safety.
If it rains during the wedding, it means prosperity and happiness for the
newlyweds.
A flame extinguished on one of the wedding candles means the one on
which side has the unlit candle, will die ahead of the other.
Throwing rice confetti at the newlyweds will bring them prosperity all their
life.
The groom must arrive before the bride at the church to avoid bad luck.
It is considered bad luck for two siblings to marry on the same year.
Breaking something during the reception brings good luck to the
newlyweds.
The bride should step on the grooms foot while walking towards the altar if
she wants him to agree to her every whim.
A bride who wears pearls on her wedding will be an unhappy wife
experiencing many heartaches and tears.
An unmarried woman who follows the footsteps (literally) of the newlyweds
will marry soon.
Dropping the wedding ring, the veil or the arrhae during the ceremony
spells unhappiness for the couple.

In early Filipino custom, the groom-to-be threw his spear at the front steps
of his intendeds home, a sign that she has been spoken for. These days, a
ring suffices as the symbol of engagement.

Palawan Customs and Beliefs

The principle on which the Palawan base their life is called ingasiq, meaning
compassion. This underlies all their actions and emphasizes the
importance of behaving with generosity and sympathy towards others.
Their ceremonies, prayers, chanting and healing dances are all part of what
they call adat et kegurangurangan, or the customs of the ancestors.
For the Palawan, the universe is vertical and divided into fourteen different
layers. The souls of the beljan(shamans) are able to travel to these other
levels in order to heal the world and to re-establish the cosmic balance.
Shamans are not seen as special or sacred people, but are those who, either
in a trance or dream, are able to enter the invisible world and contact superhuman beings. They can see and extract impurities that are causing
sickness from a patients body. They are also usually experts in the use of
medicinal plants.
Good health is dependent on a balance between the body and its life
force (kuruduwa). The loss of kuruduwacreates a disturbance, which makes
the body vulnerable to illness and attacks by malevolent beings.
The supreme being for the Palawan is known as Empuq, (the Lord or Owner)
and he is believed to be the creator of all things in the world. Other
benevolent beings live in the higher mountains.
The Palawan believe that the forest is home to a large number of demons.
Demons known as lenggam are believed to be the caretakers of poisonous
and biting animals such as scorpions and snakes.
Over-hunting or harvesting certain trees can cause these creatures to attack
humans.
Social Laws
ALYOG is a process to determine if the parents of the boy agrees to his
marriage to a chosen girl. The parents of the boy will bring their son to the
house of the girl and talk with her parents. Usually, the parents of the boy
bring an elder or Ginoo, to witness the conversation and final agreement
between both sides. The Ginoo as witness is usually a member of the
recognized traditional leadership.
LIWAG is a fine upon a son-in-law who twice committed disobedience of his
in-laws.
SALA is a fine upon a boy given to the parents of the girl who has been
deflowered by him. Marriage will follow.
SURUGIDEN is a process whereby the traditional leaders usually meet
together with the involved parties for purposes of discussing/hearing of
conflict cases among the Batak such as marriage, adultery, disrespect to inlaws, thefts, and other violations of traditional laws and to imposed
penalties to the guilty.

Ritual Conducted by the Bataks

LAMBAY is the Batak honey festival marking the onset of seasonal honey
gathering, usually done in the month of March. The purpose is to make bee
colonies to produce plenty of honey. This ritual is traditionally done by their
baylan. They will also effect lambay ceremony to ask for rain if there is
long dry-season and to ask for sunlight if there is long rainy season. In the
ceremony they will offer live chicken for the spirits.
SAGKAT is a ritual performed by the baylan for the kaingero, prior to field
clearing, to give respect to the goddess spirits within the forest, considering
that the Batak believe that big trees are homes of forest spirits. In this
process they will talk to the said spirits to ask permission to clear the area.
If, within three days and nights they could not dream of any signs of
disagreement, then clearing will be done, if there is, then they will not
pursue the clearing.
The Batak Marriage System
The ancient Traditional marriage system of the Batak still exist up to now.
Before person can be married, the boy with his father or elder relatives will
attend a surigiden for consultation of the prospective marriage partner
with her elder and family of the groom. Upon consensus of the elders that
marriage should be consecrated. The boy accompanied by a Ginoo or Tribal
leader will make arrangement with the brides parents. The brides parents
will ask a certain amount from the groom called bandi as guarantee. The
groom also will provide the elders who witnessed in the Surugiden a certain
amount as gratitude and thanks to their presence. Then drinking of rice
wine, tabad, will follow to celebrate and facilitate good luck for the good
future of the newly wed.

Palawan Tourism
Long before tourist resorts began setting their sights on Palawan, adventure travelers known as
"backpackers" had discovered and explored the rugged natural wonders of the province. Palawan
earned the Destination of the Year from the prestigious Kalakbay Awards in 1995, proving that the
province has made it to the mainstream travel industry in the country.
From a few hundreds, tourist arrivals have steadily increased to 204,834 in the year 2004. Palawan's tourism
statistics started to pick up in year 2002. Earlier initiatives and innovations were recognized in the 2001
Kalakbay Awards, the highest national award- giving body for tourism. The Palawan Tourism Council was
hailed as the Tourism Council of the Year in 2001 and 2003. Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort in
El Nido won the A and AAA categories respectively while Club Paradise Resort in Busuanga won the AA
category. Palawan chalked up more awards in the Philippine Travel Mart namely Best in Marketing Effort and
Best in Destination Booth in 2001 and Best in Marketing Effort, 2nd place in 2002.
Committed to the tenets of environmental conservation and protection and with eco-tourism as the byword in
the travel industry, Palawan resort operators are going to great lengths to ensure that the natural wonders of
the
province
are
preserved.
Outdoor recreation goes hand in hand with stewardship of our natural heritage. Pleasure and enjoyment
combine environmental protection so that future generations may still experience the pristine wilderness of
Palawan. Water sports constitute the major attraction for tourists. The Philippines' premier scuba diving
destination is Palawan, where 35 percent of the country's coral reefs are found. Popular dive spots include

Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Seam El Nido in the north, and the Calamianes islands. Snorkeling in the clear,
emerald waters around the islands is an option for less adventurous guests. Kayaking in placid lagoons
provides the perfect break from hours of swimming or basking in the sun. Some resorts offer motorized sports
facilities, but these activities are limited to minimize disturbance to wildlife, especially in ecologically sensitive
areas.
Gaining popularity among divers are the sunken shipwrecks in the waters of Coron in northern Palawan where
they can explore World War II vintage Japanese battleships and freighters at depth of 10 and 40 meters. For
divers, a close-up view of the imperial Japanese fleet is like being in an underwater museum.
For landlubbers, trekking in the rainforests is the activity of choice. Mountain climbing during summer is slowly
becoming a favorite sport, as the challenge of reaching the peak of Mantalingahan or Cleopatra's Needle
outweighs the unwelcome prospect of mosquitoes. Cross- country hiking from the east to the west coast,
usually taking up to a week, is another favorite sport of the physically fit. Along the way, chase butterflies and
watch
out
for
bright
splashes
of
plumage
in
the
forest
canopy.
One may also encounter tribal peoples in upland communities, providing a glimpse of indigenous lifestyles.
Respect for local traditions and customs is a MUST when interacting with the tribes.
When the day is done, visitors may dine in native-style cottages and villas offering sumptuous feasts of
seafood delicacies. There's always time for a drink or two in seaside restaurants while gazing at the moon and
stars
in
unpolluted
skies.
Lodging places range from upscale resorts to affordable family-owned inns. Among the highly rated resorts in
Palawan are the Lagen and Miniloc Resorts of Ten Knots Development Corporation in El Nido, Club Noah
Isabelle in Taytay, Club Paradise in Busuanga, and Amanpulo in Pamalican Island in Cuyo. Modest
accommodation is also available in tourism destinations like Sabang near the Puerto Princesa City
Subterranean River National Park, Port Barton in San Vicente , and El Nido town.
With its natural charm and abundant potentials in eco-tourism, northern Palawan is expected to enhance the
growth of the industry in the province. As such, both the Provincial Government and the resources nature has
offered by optimizing their potentials as one of the best tourism destinations in the Philippines.
The municipalities of Taytay, El Nido, Culion, Coron and Busuanga at the northern tip of the province are
beneficiaries of a $17M loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation under the Sustainable
Environment Management Project. Components of the project are: 1.) Project Management and Tourism
Development in which eight new tourism products will be developed in El Nido and Busuanga; 2.) ECAN
Zoning for the preparation of a land use plan; and 3.) rehabilitation of the 60 km national road between Taytay
and El Nido. By the end of 2006, locals and tourists can look forward to faster and smoother travel between
these
two
municipalities.
As the province continues to move forward in the travel trade, local government units are striving to to
harmonize the needs of "backpakers" with leisure- oriented tourists, and adventure travelers with retirees on
vacation.

FOODIES DELIGHT - PALAWAN'S MUST-EAT DISHES

Blessed with an abundance of seafood, tropical fruits and creative cooks, there's more to Filipino
food than the mind-boggling balut (duck embryo) CNN Travel.
Antony Bourdain called sisig a divine mosaic of pig parts. He also said that lechon was the best
whole roasted pig dish he ever had.
I think its going to take another year and a half to get up to critical mass, but everybody loves
Chinese food, Thai food, Japanese food, and its all been exploited. The Filipinos combined the best
of all of that with Spanish technique.-Andrew Zimmern
Filipino food is gaining popularity these days and recently Philippines has become one of the top
ten countries with the best food. There is no better way to get taste of the Filipino delicacies when
taking a vacation in Palawan. You can try out the many dishes by eating either from the street
vendors or restaurants.
Philippine cuisine consists of the food, preparation methods and eating customs found in the
Philippines. The style of cooking and the food associated with it have evolved over many centuries
from its Austronesian origins to a mixed cuisine of Spanish, Chinese, Malay and American,
When you travel to Palawan make sure to try one these delicacies:

Chicken Inato
Chicken Inato is a delicious grilled chicken dish. The chicken is marinated in a unique blend of spices
and herbs, then grilled until done. Several restaurants in Palawan islan serve this special grilled
chicken dish and they are all very good. We suggest trying it at Haim Chicken Inato Restaurant in
Manalo Extension.

Tamilok
Sampling exotic food in Palawan will most definitely broaden your culinary horizon and expand the
way you think about food. One of the most popular dishes is the Tamilok. Tamilok known as
woodworm, its actually a mollusc harvested from mangrove trees. It has a very long, soft and flabby
body which tastes like oyster. Many restaurants in Puerto Princesa serve Tamilok, though the most
famous is the Kinabuch Grill & Bar in Rizal Avenue.

Halo Halo
Literally translated, it means "Mix-Mix" in Filipino. Halo Halo is a popular refreshing drink which
consists in a mixture of sweetened preserved fruits, evaporated milk and crushed ice. Topping is
either ice cream or leche flan.The best place to try Halo Halo in Puerto Princesa is Noki Nocs Savory
House in Rizal Avenue.

Fresh Seafood

Palawan seafood is a wonderful product. There is a large variety of fresh and tasty seafood which is
easily accessible and affordable. KaLui is the best seafood restaurant in Puerto Princesa. They offer
a wide variety of dishes which depends on the fresh catch of the day. Menu includes Tuna, Shrimps,
Blue Marlin, Crab, Lobster, Sea bass and squids.

Crocodile Sisig
Another exotic dish you can try in Palawan is Crocodile Sisig, a variation of the sizzling dish that
typically uses pork. The taste of crocodile meat is similar to chicken, mild flavoured and firm in
texture. Its a healthy meat due to its high protein and low fat composition. Some of the Filipino dishes
that can be made from crocodile meat are sisig, bicol express, sausages and tapa. Sisig, which
means "to snack on something sour" it refers to a method of preparing fish and meat marinated in a
sour liquid such as calamansi juice or vinegar, then seasoned with salt, pepper and other spices. You
can try Crocodile Sisig at the Ka Inato Restaurant in Rizal Avenue.

Lechon
Lechon manok and liempo is a Filipino term which means roasted chicken and pork. These can be
conveniently bought in small stalls in the streets at a cheap price. The lechon usually come with a
sweet and spicy sauce made from liver.

Lato Seaweed
Lato seaweed, also known as or sea grapes or green caviar is a very popular dish in Palawan due to
its soft and succulent texture. Lato is usually served with a vinegar dip, or as a salad with onions,
tomatoes, and vinegar.

Hopia Bread
Hopia is a popular Filipino bean filled pastry originally introduced by Fujianese immigrants in urban
centres of the Philippines. It is a widely-available inexpensive treat and a favoured gift for friends and
relatives. There are two types, the flaky type which uses Chinese puff pastry and the cake dough type
which uses a soft cookie dough. Baker's Hill sells delicious home-made breads and baked goodies.
The most popular item on sale is the hopia bread.

Danggit Lamayo
If you are going to Coron, make sure to try the popular dish danggit lamayo. It consists in sun dried
Rabbitfishes marinated in vinegar, garlic and pepper. Danggit Lamayo is served for breakfast in most
of the hotels and guesthouses.

Cashew Nuts
Some of the traditional cashew delicacies can be found in Coron. Aside from the classic roasted
cashew, you can try the delicious variants such as Bandi and Brittle, cashew nuts flawlessly coated
with smooth, honey and caramelized brown sugar. Coron Harvest shop is the best place to buy
quality cashews.

Chao Long Noodles

Chao Long noodles has been introduced to Palawan by the Vietnamese immigrants. Puerto
Princesa's chao long is flat, thin rice noodles in a sweet-savory broth withmeats (beef or pork), served
with the requisite plate containing sprigs of mint and basil, raw bean sprouts and calmansi. You can
try Chao Long noodles and other Vietnamese dishes at the Renes Saigon Restaurant in Rizal
Avenue.

Palawan History
The history of Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago, as confirmed by the discovery of bone
fragments of the Tabon Man in the municipality of Quezon. Although the origin of the cave dwellers is
not yet established, anthropologists believe they came from Borneo. Known as the Cradle of Philippine
Civilization, the Tabon Caves consist of a series of chambers where scholars and anthropologists
discovered the remains of the Tabon Man along with his tools and a number of artifacts
Ancient
times
Waves of migrants arrived in the Philippines by way of land bridges between Borneo and Palawan. From 220
up to 263 AD, during the period of the Three Kingdoms, "Little, dark people" living in Anwei province in South
China were driven South by Han People. Some settled in Thailand, others went farther south to Indonesia,
Sumatra, Borneo. They were known as Aetas and Negritos from whom Palawan's Batak tribe descended.
Other tribes known to inhabit the islands such as the Palawano and Tagbanwa, are also descendants of the
early settlers, who came via ice-age land bridges. They had a form of indigenous political structure developed
in the island, wherein the natives had their non-formal form of government, an alphabet, and a system of
trading
with
sea-borne
merchants.
In AD 982, ancient Chinese traders regularly visit the islands. A Chinese author referred to these islands as
Kla-ma-yan (Calamian), Palau-ye (Palawan), and Paki-nung (Busuanga). Pottery, china and other artifacts
recovered from caves and waters of Palawan attest to trade relations that existed between Chinese and Malay
merchants.
Pre-colonial

era

In the 12th century, Malay settlers, who came on boats, began to populate the island. Most of the settlements
were ruled by Malay chieftains. These people grew rice, ginger, coconuts, sweet potatoes, sugarcane and
bananas. They also raised pigs, goats and chickens. Most of their economic activities were fishing, farming,
and hunting by the use of bamboo traps and blowguns. The local people had a dialect consisting of 18
syllables. They were followed by the Indonesians of the Majapahit Empire in the 13th century, and they brought
with
them
Buddhism
and
Hinduism.
Because of Palawan's proximity to Borneo, southern portions of the island was under the control of the
Sultanate of Brunei for more than two centuries, and Islam was introduced. During the same period, trade
relations flourished, and intermarriages among the natives and the Chinese, Japanese, Arab, Hindu. The intermixing of blood resulted to a distinct breed of Palaweos, both in physical stature and features.
Spanish
period
After Ferdinand Magellan's death, remnants of his fleet landed in Palawan where the bounty of the land saved
them from starvation. Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan's chronicler named the place "Land of Promise."
The northern Calamianes Islands were the first to come under Spanish authority, and were later declared a
province separate from the Palawan mainland. In the early 17th century, Spanish friars sent out missions in
Cuyo, Agutaya, Taytay and Cagayancillo but they met resistance from Moro communities. Before 18th century,
Spain began to build churches enclosed by garrisons for protection against Moro raids in the town of Cuyo,
Taytay, Linapacan and Balabac. In 1749, the Sultanate of Borneo ceded southern Palawan to Spain.
In 1818, the entire island of Palawan, or Paragua as it was called, was organized as a single province named
Calamianes, with its capital in Taytay. By 1858, the province was divided into two provinces, namely, Castilla,
covering the northern section with Taytay as capital and Asturias in the southern mainland with Puerto Princesa
as capital. It was later then divided into three districts, Calamianes, Paragua and Balabac, with Principe
Alfonso
town
as
its
capital.
American
rule
In 1902, after the Philippine-American War, the Americans established civil rule in northern Palawan, calling it
the province of Paragua. In 1903, pursuant to Philippine Commission Act No. 1363, the province was
reorganized to include the southern portions and renamed Palawan, and Puerto Princesa declared as its
capital.
Many reforms and projects were later introduced in the province. Construction of school buildings, promotion of
agriculture, and bringing people closer to the government were among the priority plans during this era.
Japanese

invasion

The
Palawan
Massacre
During World War II, in order to prevent the rescue of prisoners of war by the advancing allies, on 14
December 1944, units of the Japanese Fourteenth Area Army (under the command of General Tomoyuki
Yamashita) herded the remaining 150 prisoners of war at Puerto Princesa into three covered trenches which
were then set on fire using barrels of gasoline. Prisoners who tried to escape the flames were shot down.
Others attempted to escape by climbing over a cliff that ran along one side of the trenches, but were later
hunted down and killed. Only 11 men escaped the slaughter and between 133 and 141 were killed.
The massacre is the basis for the recently published book Last Man Out: Glenn McDole, USMC, Survivor of
the Palawan Massacre in World War II by Bob Wilbanks, and the opening scenes of the 2005 Miramax film,
The Great Raid. A memorial has been erected on the site and McDole, in his eighties, was able to attend the
dedication.
Liberation
During the initial phase of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, just off the coast of Palawan, two United States Navy
submarines, USS Dace (SS-247) and USS Darter (SS-227) attacked a Japanese cruiser task force led by
Admiral Takeo Kurita, sinking his flagship (in which he survived) Atago, and her sister ship Maya. Darter later
ran
aground
that
afternoon
and
was
scuttled
by
USS
Nautilus
(SS-168).

The island was liberated from the Japanese Imperial Forces by a task force consisting of Filipino and American
military personnel between February 28 and April 22, 1945
OTHER INFORMATIONS

Palawan Lifestyle

The Palawan grow most of their food on small plots of land in the forest. Before clearing
an area for planting, they consult and appease various spirits and interpret omens in their
dreams.
Palawan planting upland rice in the Philippines.
Palawan planting upland rice in the Philippines.
Dario Novellino
Wild pig is the Palawans favourite meat, and they must make a request to the pig animal
master before catching it.
Bees are also believed to have their own master, who can only be seen by the beljan
(shaman) during trance.
Some communities perform a ceremony every seven years to cleanse the world and
restore the cosmic balance.

The Palawan collect and sell resin, rattan canes and wild honey. The more settled of the
Palawan also grow rice and coconut to sell, and raise domestic animals such as cows,
buffalos and pigs.
Mining has already made it difficult for some Palawan communities to grow and hunt
enough food. Parts of their forests have been devastated, their rivers have silted up and
their sacred sites have been destroyed.
The huge nickel mining projects will destroy miles of forest, depriving the most
vulnerable Palawan of their livelihoods.