The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
Iloilo Weaving Prosperity and Legacy In the 18th century, Iloilo flourished as the Textile Capital of the Philippines, producing exquisite fabrics like sinamay, piña, and jusi. These handwoven masterpieces fueled inter-island trade and elevated Iloilo’s economic prominence, giving rise to a prosperous upper middle class. During its peak, Iloilo boasted 60,000 looms creating fine textiles … Read more
Aetas Negritos of Panay Island Historical accounts by Spanish chroniclers describe the presence of “blacks” or “little blacks” (negros or negrillos) in Panay, Negros, and various provinces in Luzon. These individuals, often referred to as Negritos, were generally of smaller stature than other Filipinos. Some were described as robust, while others were noted for their … Read more
Exploring Pre-Colonial Burial Rituals in Panay In the 14th and 15th centuries, pre-colonial Filipinos practiced secondary burials, a fascinating ritual in which the bones of the deceased were carefully cleaned and placed in hardwood coffins. Archaeological discoveries in caves across Western Visayas reveal that elaborate rites often preceded these burials. The presence of deformed skulls … Read more
MASINADYA TA! This Ilonggo expression, which generally means “Let’s have fun” is related to the words “kasadiáhan” or “things that are cheerful or that provide enjoyment and diversion” and “kasádia,” meaning “good cheer, glee, enjoyment, gladness, gaiety, merriment, merrymaking, reveling, rejoicing, joy, pleasure, celebration, solemnity, entertainment, applied to any religious, social or political gathering, where … Read more
Longest Feast of the DeadBETIS, GUAGUA, PAMPANGAThe district of Betis in the town of Guagua, Pampanga is known for having one of the longest observances of the Feast of the Dead where they pray for the souls of the departed for 9 days. Before the official start of Dáun, Betis folk hold a Parade of … Read more