Pedro Bukaneg: Father of Ilokano Literature

Pedro Bukaneg: Father of Ilokano Literature (1592-1630) Pedro Bukaneg (1592-1630), a renowned Filipino poet, is acknowledged as the author of the Ilocano epic – Biag ni Lam-ang. He is also regarded as the first Ilokano man-of-letters, orator, musician, lexicographer, and linguist to appear in the limelight of our history. Although visually impaired, he didn’t let … Read more

Religious Properties of Coconut Oil

Religious Properties of Coconut Oil Holy Week is a crucial religious observance for Catholics in the Philippines, one of two dominantly Catholic Countries in Asia. But ingrained in this Christian tradition are cultural practices that allude to our pre-colonial past when the Babaylan and the Tambalan or shamans tended to the community’s religious and medical … Read more

Talam

This brass food tray is the talam from the Maranao. It is a wide-brimmed tray with a hollow base stand. The talam is also used with an ampas or tray cloth which has an equally intricate design work. The talam is also associated with some ritual practices and is used as a tray for offerings … Read more

Piransa

According to the Nayong Pilipino records this Piransa is from the Maranaos of Lake Lanao. These are early presses that are piled with live coal inside its deep pan for heat. These heavy brass flat irons are moved repeatedly across fabrics for wrinkles and are held by a wooden handle. The Maranao traditions of brass-making … Read more

Lubi

Today marks the beginning of a significant religious tradition, the Semana Santa. To kickstart the National Museum of Bohol’s 3-part Lenten Special featuring the “Lubi” (Coconut), here’s a quick read on this tropical fruit’s significance to Filipino Belief Systems. LUBI (Coconut)Cocos nucifera L. A lone species of the genus cocos from the Arecaceae family, the … Read more