De La Salle University- Dasmariñas

College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology

Graphics Design and Multimedia Department

RESEARCH CONCEPT PAPER

PROPOSED TITLE: Daw-es: A video documentary on the significance of an ancient ritual of

PROPONENT: 201532577

YEAR & SECTION: BGM44

RATIONALE: In the mountains of Cordillera, up in northern Philippines, the indigenous tribes of

Igorots still practice the "Daw-es," an ancient ritual passed on from generation to generation,

even in this age of the worldwide web. Many of today's Igorots are also Christians. But unlike

the rest of Christendom, they practice the Daw-es, not only in this season of all hallows and

souls, but whenever someone died unexpectedly, or was murdered, or met an accident,

especially in a massive scale like the Itogon landslide and just recently, the crumbling of the

multi-story building that was still being constructed, ironically, for the country's state builders in

Natonin town in Mountain Province. It’s all about prayers to ask ‘Kabunyan’ (God) to cleanse

the place of evil spirit, clear the people’s mind of the images of death and to thank God for the

gift of life for those who were spared,” said Father Francisco Dao-ey, a native of Mountain

Province, a retired priest of the Anglican church and who also facilitates the conduct of cultural

practices like the Daw-es. The Daw-es is practiced by the Igorots in all parts of the Cordillera,

with some variations, depending on the place. The primary purpose of the ritual is to "cleanse"

the mind of the survivors, especially the rescuers, in case of massive death like in landslides or

deluge.

It is also done to rid a place of evil spirits that cause tragedies for those living.
Daw-es involves the butchering of a dog as offering to "Kabunyan," primarily to remove the

images of death in the minds of those still living and to dispel evil spirits.

Pigs or chickens are also butchered and prayed over for everyone around to partake. This

serves as the thanksgiving for the survivors' gift of life.

The “mambunong” (native priest), who facilitates the ritual, asks for Kabunyan’s guidance to

free the minds of those "who handle the dead” of evil spirits, so they won't be hounded. It is

also to pray for guidance to prevent the same disaster from happening in town. A ritual prayer

is the expression of the message of the celebrating family conveyed by the native priest,

MANBUNONG, to a spirit or spirits who are the expected unseen recipients of material

sacrifices in a ritual.

The ritual prayer may be expressed in various dialects spoken in the locality. It is believed

however that spirits of the different races can be addressed to in the manbunong's native

dialect. The chanting of the message states the names of the celebrating families, identifies the

spirits whom it is addressed to and concludes by asking favors from the spirits.

In the ritual prayer, the manbunong acts as the medium between the celebrating family and the

spirit; between the sick and the spirit, between the spirit and another spirit, when used as an

offense or defense between persons. It is the manbunong who communicates the wishes of the

celebrating family to the spirit or spirits, with the hope that in return the spirits will answer the

prayer and reciprocate the offering by giving good health, protection and material favors.

The rituals are performed according to their specific purposes: Each ritual has a corresponding

prayer, specific spirit addressed to persons involved, material offerings, sacrificial animals, and

time of performance.
CONCEPT OVERVIEW: Daw-es, an ancient cultural tradition invoking prayers, songs, sacrifice of a

dog and abstinence, are all believed to unify into a force and fortify ability of a distressed person

to overcome physical and emotional disorders. Elders plead before their ancestors, gods and the

Creator for “sumang,” protection for the distressed and to bring the errant spirit (ababi-it) back

into the fold of the physical body. The researcher will focus on taking a video on the process of

the ancient ritual it will show various steps from starting the ritual into finishing it, This study will

show when did it starts, how it works and how Filipinos adopted this type of craft. The researcher

will be conducting an interview with some of the intellectual leaders or elders,participants and

the one who is available on part taking the event, It will show a glimpse into the igorot’s Daw es

tradition.
Panel’s Remarks/Comments:
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Research Panel Decision:

Approved Disapproved

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Date

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ANNIE S. DELA CRUZ, LPT
Instructor
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EDUARDO M. RUBI II LPT, MGT
Chair, GMD Research Council