The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
Negritos of the Philippines The Philippine Negritos. The word “Negrito”, a Spanish term pertaining to a small black person, was used by Spanish missionaries and chroniclers from the late 16th century onwards in documenting indigenous groups with dark-colored skin, curly or kinky hair and small-bodied physique. This term is also synonymous to “Negrillos” and “cimarrones”, … Read more
INABAL. In the Bagobo society, the inabal (ikat-dyed woven abaca cloth) is considered a symbol of wealth, offerings to deities, and gifts to those who officiate rituals. These finely woven fabrics become ikut or sacred objects when inherited and used as protective charms that guarantee the completion of houses. Among the weaving communities, textiles form … Read more
How old are the balangays or Butuan Boats? OLD ENOUGH. The Butuan Boats, as we call them in the National Museum PH, or the “balangays” as it is popularly known, is the oldest archaeological evidence of watercraft in the Philippines. The boats were likely to have existed around 689-968 or 7th to 10th centuries Before … Read more
Today (September 13, 2022) is the 119th birth anniversary of Amado V. Hernandez, National Artist for Literature. Amado V. Hernandez, poet, playwright, and novelist, is among the Filipino writers who practiced “committed art.” In his view, the function of the writer is to act as the conscience of society and to affirm the greatness of … Read more
How were the balangays used in the past? LAYAG NA! The ‘balangay’ or Butuan Boat was the first and oldest wooden boat that was excavated in Southeast Asia demonstrating early Filipinos’ boatbuilding genius and seafaring expertise in pre-colonial times. These boats were instrumental in the settlement of Austronesian peoples in the Philippines and the Malay … Read more