Philippine Marriage Customs Essay

The Filipino people have strange marri period customs. Among the Mangyans in the southern end of Oriental Mindoro, suit takes a romantic flavor. Under the magic splendor of the moonlight, young man takes his native guitar and blanket, goes to the girls hut, and sings to her. The girl comes out and goes with him to a fo heartsease. There, in near secluded spot, the man spread out a mat. The girl lies on it, while her suitor sits at her side pouring out his feelings in bed songs the whole night through. The maid answers him in songs also. When the girl finally gives her consent, the two go to the girls parents for their blessings.In the Bicol lagpitaw (slingshot) custom, the parents of the boy propose by letter. The another(prenominal) party answers verbally or in writing. Sometimes, a son learns that he has proposed and been accepted only on his wedding twenty-four hours.One of the easiest and quickest marriage ceremonies in the Philippines are performed among the Bagobos in Mind anao. Portions of rice are laid out on a banana leaf. Then the bride and bridegroom serve each other near rice, bump their heads together and are pronounced married.Up north in Benguet, Mountain Province, Cupid wears a G-string he is ordinarily an older man fortify with plenty of gab. It is during kanyaos that the Benguet Cupid begins to feel the match itch. Warmed up by the ricewine, the impish oldster known as kalon scouts for a prospect from among the men of marriageable age from 16 up. The chosen would be enlightened on the joys of matrimony and the horrors of bachelorhood. After the victim has been properly softened he has only to name the girl and the rest would be taken care of by the matchmaker.In the land of the Ibanags, when a young mans fancy turns to love, his father turns poet. Usually, the fathers archetypical concern is the right time for their sons to marry, usually between the ages of 16 and 18. The parents decide who will be the right girl. They employ the help of two respected and full-grown friends to do the actual proposing. These two men called kumakagon intercept for the boys parents. On an appointed day, they go to the girls parents to ask for her hand in marriage.Marriages among the Batangans of Mindoro are partly by parental arrangement and partly by choice of groom and bride. When a child is born, the prospective bride or groom only if signifies his or her intention by telling the parents, he or she is mine. In this manner, the newborn becomes bethroted, without the cumbersome formalities of signing contracts or requiring witnesses.When the child is big replete to leave the parents, for instance at age three or four, the prospective husband or wife, as the case may be, claims it from the parents. Thereafter he or she cares for the child until it is mature enough for parenthood.In Sulu, the wedding, usually attended by relatives of the bride and the bridegroom dressed in very bright and flowing customs, climaxes months of minu te preparation and negotiations between families. To them, marriage units not only two persons but two families as well.The Kalinga marriage is celebrated with a feast. The boys parents usually ask for presents from the girls parents. These are given as soon s the wedding is performed. Divorce is allowed. If this happens, the girl returns the dowry, usually resulting in a ache family feud and a lot of vengeful killing.In Oton, Iloilo, it used to be the custom that both the bride and the groom have to cope with the wedding preparations or the timetable for grooming marriage.Some Morong people who adhere to their marriage customs dont simply announce any day for their marriage or wedding day. They call up that a wedding on Thursday brings suffering and sacrifices on Friday some losses Saturday will bring bad licks. For wealth, Morong people wed on Monday, Tuesday for health. merely above all, they usually wed on Wednesday for good luck.In Quezon, a young man desiring to take a mai den for his wife must outset beput to a test. He lives with the maidens family but he has to show the best he can along all lines of work. He must be the first one to wake up in the morning. Every water container in the house should be filled before everyone gets up, a pot of coffee should have been boiled and firewood properly ready for cooking.After breakfast he goes to the kaingin and there he works until the sun is overhead. The rest of the day is spent either in the kaingin or in some other useful work. This trial marriage usually lastsseveral years.