PHOTO RELEASE NO. 121-2024

Acting Head of Post Pamela Durian-Bailon greets the Maguindanaon culture bearers and guests at the Consulate.

11 October 2024, Honolulu - In conjunction with the Philippines’ National Indigenous Peoples Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu welcomed ipat practitioners from Mindanao who shared their knowledge of this pre-colonial and pre-Islamic tradition. 

In a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Lydia Querian, Co-founder of the House of Gongs, Messrs. Faisal Monal, Mr. Dags Uko, and Mr. Den Manial shared the origins of ipat, a traditional ritual where shamans call on spirits to protect against diseases and calamities, as well as express gratitude for a bountiful harvest. The shamans enter a trance-like state by stimulating the five senses through chants, the music from the kulintang, ritual incense and oil, and motion. 

During their trip to the U.S., the Maguindanaon culture bearers also joined “Ipat a Kasadkay: Living Traditions of Maguindanao”, a production staged by Parangal last October 5 at Blue Shield of California Theater. (END)

Mr. Monal describes the “ipat” ritual to participants.