A natural born peacemaker and a spiritual idealist, the Minatay is particularly interested in religion, philosophy, and less traditional forms of healing. Although they are very selective with their friends, Minatay has been characterized as noble, elegant, and impressive. These qualities are not uncommon among artists and performers. These artists and performers are prone to extravagant gestures, but they also prefer work on a grand scale. However, their unique characteristics do not make them unsuitable for any line of work.
Fiesta Minatay
The word fiesta means “food,” so if you’re looking for a traditional Filipino food, this is it. The altar usually features fresh flowers, candles, and a small table of food. Filipinos call the ceremony “duso-duso,” meaning “food for souls.” But there’s also a twist to this popular holiday. House lizards are often included. The lizards are not sacrificed, but are offered instead as a form of tribute.
Those who celebrate the Fiesta Minatay eat a wide variety of traditional dishes. The traditional Minatay features pagpatigayon, pagdumdum, and kadam-an, all made from coconut. For more traditional Fiesta Minatay food, try this recipe:
Filipinos love fiestas! These colorful celebrations are often accompanied by music, feasting, and Roman Catholic ritual. Fiestas play a significant role in town calendars and are widely celebrated. Though its origins are not completely clear, it’s likely that the early Roman Catholic missionaries introduced it as a way to help convert the Filipino population to the Catholic faith. So, don’t be surprised to see a skewed or distorted version of a saint on the fiesta floor.
Native delicacies
Sapin-sapin, a layered dish made from glutinous rice, coconut milk, and sugar and flavoring, is another popular native delicacies of Minataw. The name of this dessert comes from an Ibanag word that means “layers.”
The Ilonggos call ibos (pili rice in palm leaves) and Suman, the Tagalog equivalent of “biko.” The Pinakbet and Dinengdeng are similar, but laswa lacks the bago-ong, a major ingredient in Ilocanos dishes. For those unfamiliar with these dishes, Sabor Ilonggo sells a variety of native treats.
The native food of the province is a mix of steamed rice and sweet glutinous rice. The rice is cooked in a special clay stove called a bibingkahan before being served with mature coconut. The sticky cakes originated as gifts for honored guests or offerings to pre-colonial gods. Some of these traditional recipes are still actively used. In fact, almost every type of kakanin has its own name, a rich history of preparation.
Religious significance
During “Fiesta Minatay”, Filipinos light candles and offer flowers at the graves of their departed loved ones. Some families also sponsor a novena-mass for the departed. The departed go to heaven, so this day is a kind of “homecoming” for them. Other families choose to host a fiesta for house lizards. But regardless of whether you observe the holiday for human beings or house lizards, you’ll find it an occasion to reflect and remember the departed.
Panggep ti ritual ket salakniban ti minatay
“Panggep ti ritual ket salaknag ti minatay” is a traditional Filipino ritual. In the Encyclopaedia Britannica, ritual is defined as “a kapanunotan (traditional ceremony) in which participants recite or enact a story, sing a song, or perform some other act.”
This rite of passage is performed to honour Jesus Daytoy. He is considered as the son of God. People perform this ritual for many reasons. Among them is the belief that Jesus Daytoy was born of the adalan tribe. It is said to have been performed by people of the same tribe as Jesus himself. Those who have been touched by this ritual are blessed with a special spirituality.
Another reason for the celebration is to pay respect to Jesus. His life and death were commemorated during the Panggep ritual. A portion of this sacrifice is eaten after the ritual, while the other half is thrown over the side. A person’s kababayan is the best place to give thanks and honor Jesus. The other half of the sacrifice involves a ritual that focuses on the king and queen of Heaven.
The Panggep ti ritual kat salakniban ti minantay (Ritual of Salakniban) ceremony also involves the sacrifice of animals. The ritual is conducted by chanting, singing, and dancing. The priestess will then recite the “naiyawat” or “maipaima” to Jesus.
Health protocols
The Ilonggo people observe the following health protocols while celebrating the holiday. They will not visit cemeteries but spend their Tigkalalag at home. In some cases, they may visit other places. Here are the details:
Ilonggo families’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The government is taking steps to contain the spread of the deadly virus. Mayor of Iloilo City Vince Dizon signed an executive order that requires the wear of face masks by all Ilonggos going out in public. Efforts are underway to build a 1,000-bed isolation dormitory and a COVID laboratory. In the meantime, three Ilonggo families have been lauded for their volunteerism in the city.
This study examined the knowledge of COVID-19 among households living in extreme poverty in the Philippines during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that the lack of access to health services may lead to the spread of misinformation, and people with limited access to health services may be unaware of prevention practices. Those with more knowledge of the disease’s transmission routes and symptoms were more likely to adopt preventive measures. This association highlights the need for accurate public health communications.
The survey also found that almost all of the households had electricity and a working TV. Another six hundred and eighty-five percent had access to a mobile phone. Twenty-three percent of households said they stayed home daily during the past week because they were sick. While these figures may not seem alarming, it is still a sign of a widespread pandemic that is affecting a poor community.
