The Philippines Today

The barong may be inlaid or etched with Arabic phrases such as “There is no god but Allah”. The use of it may also be distinguished through its pommel, simple pommels are often intended for use in battle while elaborately stylized ones are for ceremonial use or used as a sign of status. This leaf-shaped … Read more

In the Tausug magpasumbayi marriage tradition, if a man is financially unable to gather the bridewealth, he is to seek the house of the woman he intends to marry with an imam and bring the amount he can afford with a kris. Should the woman’s parents refuse the offer, the kris shall be used against … Read more

Due to its size and weight, the kampilan is often preferred for headhunting. It is also accompanied by a breakaway scabbard so a warrior may draw the kampilan and slash an opponent in one motion. In the Magellan and Lapu-Lapu article published by The National Quincentennial Committee, the kampilan was the cutlass identified to have … Read more

Visayan Bow Some bows for the Negritos of northern Negros are made from the body of the anahaw. The trunk is cut into lengths of proper sizing, split into pieces, shaped into a bow shaft, and smoothed with an edge of a splint of a bamboo variety called bagakay. The string may be from a … Read more

The Rinti, or bracelet, is from the Maranao in Lanao. This bracelet is made of copper with a wide design. There is an intricate okir design etched on the surface, highlighted with a brass diamond in an elaborate design of circles meshed together. Ang Rinti ay pulseras mula sa mga Maranao sa Lanao. Yari ito … Read more