(ethnic song) (rooster crows) - I’m Glaiza Abcalen.
I work as a teacher in Manila. Bayyo is in
the Mountain Province, so it’s far from Manila.
This is where I grew up. On this farm, I used to plant
and harvest root crops. I studied here. - I’m Melford Lapnawan.
I’m a lawyer. -I met Melford around 2020. He offered “dok-ong” to me. I was in Manila then
when my family informed me that a man
offered them firewood. In our community,
when a man chops firewood for a woman,
it’s a form of courtship. If the woman is interested,
they will engage in conversation. However, if the woman
isn’t interested, she may compensate him
for the firewood instead. - During the harvest season,
I was conversing with everyone when Glaiza's mother joined
the conversation. She asked me if I was single,
and I said yes. She then presented me
with two choices: offering "badang,"
assisting during the harvest, or opting for "dok-ong,"
which involved chopping firewood. I decided to try "dok-ong,"
thinking it might be an opportunity to court Glaiza. When I was on my way back
to Baguio, I sent her a message. I said, “Sorry that it
all happened so suddenly.” When I got home,
I received a call from her. “Can we talk first?” - “Perhaps I can help you
review for your board exams. I know it’s going to be tough.” Every night, we would jump
on a video call. Maybe that’s how
our friendship grew. Then he went
to visit me in Manila. - While we were eating,
she suddenly asked me, "What are your plans for us?
I don’t know where I stand.” So, I asked her directly,
“Do you want to get married?” - It all unfolded organically. We became a couple,
and subsequently, we discussed having
a civil wedding. After that, being both Ibayyo,
we recognized the need to celebrate
our wedding celebration with the entire community. - We thought that
since our relationship began in a traditional manner,
we thought it fitting to have a traditional wedding
as well. - The decision rests
with the couple. If both the man and woman
are from this place, they usually prefer
to have their wedding here. However, if one of them is
from another town, they have the option
to choose between getting married
in the city or the province. - A few weeks
before the wedding, somebody goes around
to collect the “Qhugror,” a financial donation
from the couple’s relatives for the wedding. This is going to fund
the purchase of pigs, groceries, and vegetables. Holding a traditional Ibayyo wedding
is expensive because it’s not just
for the couple’s families; it’s for the whole community. People from distant places
return to Ibayyo just to join in the celebration.
Many view it as a family reunion. In Bayyo, it’s a custom
that when someone marks a milestone, such as building
their first home, all relatives gather
to offer assistance. The same goes for weddings. If there’s one trait
that can be observed during this tradition,
it’s the spirit of “Bayanihan”
(communal unity and cooperation). - It was the will
of their ancestors— no matter what happens,
there must always be kinship within the community.
If you’re an Ibayyo, even if you’re not
particularly close to the person celebrating
the milestone, it is expected that you lend
a helping hand. This tradition
is very important to those of us who grew up here. It’s a special feeling
when we’re part of these celebrations. - The system
of “Ug-ugfu” remains, signifying that
if you need assistance, everyone will unite
to lend a hand. In return, you are expected
to reciprocate and offer aid in their times of need. It like passes from one person
to another. - The community relishes
the feast together after contributing
to various wedding tasks. We’re currently on a break. - We provide meals
for everyone— not only the workers
but also the children and even those passing
by in the area where the wedding
will be held. - The grains, yielding this rice,
were stored for 25 years. We planted them
when our daughter Glaiza, the bride, was just a baby. - People here continue
to rely on farming, but we don’t sell our harvests;
we store them for our own consumption. - Like today, on special occasions,
we mill the harvests and serve them
to the wedding guests. Barangay Bayyo
was once known as “Hagpatan.” According to legend,
when the Spaniards arrived, they encountered
an elderly woman. The foreigners asked,
“What do you call this place?” The woman answered,
“Nagba-bayo ako,” (I’m pounding rice.) From there,
the colonizers assumed, “Ah, this is Bayyo.” That’s how we got
the name of our town. We have another ritual. Before opening
the stored meats, kept in plastic drums or jars,
elders whisper a prayer, hoping it will be sufficient
to feed all the guests. (elders pray) - We thank You, Father,
for bringing together these two hearts,
the reason why we are all gathered here. We pray that You work
through us throughout this occasion,
as Melford and Glaiza become one in
the sacred union of marriage. We thank You for the food
You gave us tonight. Bless this food
so that it will strengthen and nourish our bodies. This we ask in the name
of Jesus, our savior, Amen. - One of the things
I’m particularly excited about is “Tukor”
because it’s the happiest part of the celebration,
where everyone joins in. Kids will play, and everyone
will dance and sing. The elders offer prayers. - “May God grant them
with plenty of children and good fortune,
that even when they earn little, they can still save up.” - The next day
is our wedding proper. We will hold a Christian wedding. Back in the day,
they really followed the customs and traditions
but now, a couple can hold a Christian wedding
and still practice the Ibayyo traditions. - When it comes to religion also,
we have accepted that even our elders
go to church. There’s no conflict between practicing
the traditions with one’s religion and it would be better
for the people. I'm very proud
that we have integrated religion but we have not lost
our culture. - Will you love him
for better or for worse? For richer or for poorer?
In sickness or in health? - After that,
everyone will be fed again– every person
who came home. - Our gratitude extends
to our Ibayyo community, particularly everyone in Bayyo
who has been involved in preparing for our special day
even before our return. - Every person contributed
in their own way, including elders who seemed
to have difficulty walking but still joined
in the festivities! It’s such a joy to be an Ibayyo
because it makes you feel one
with the entire community. - If you ask me, my dream
for the Ibayyo community is to persist in the path
of progress, a journey that requires
our collective efforts. I hope that our customs
and traditions remain steadfast. - The values of camaraderie
and helping each other should forever remain
central to our practices. - In times of happiness
and in times of grief, we are there to help
each other. It's innate for us to help. During weddings,
even those who are in the city, make their way here,
filling up the alleys! The belief is ingrained in them
that you must come home, whether you’re in Manila,
in Baguio City, or elsewhere. You should always remember
that this is where you came from.
