Gathering in celebration of the new year, members of the Panagauli collective come together in Malaybalay under the guidance of the Umajamnon leader Datú Manggarin as he blesses the various artifacts of the ritual’s participants. A reminder to the Balay Kasamtangan team that true wealth is not in the materiality, but the inherent value of legacies and ancient craft passed on through the generations. The symbologies in the artifacts carry stories encoded for those who are patient enough to listen.

If you would like to read more in-depth accounts and details of the artifacts up close, our Steward tiers are available as deep dives into our experiences. Becoming a steward of our Balay helps us continue our mission to spotlight the more intricate facets of Philippine culture.

Photos by Peepow Belisario