(PIA) — Firewood is essential in cooking and heating before alternative energy for cooking invaded households even in rural communities.
The indigenous groups of Tadian, Mountain Province practice a household chore called “tubak,” the traditional way of chopping wood for cooking.
“Tinubak” or chopped wood is necessary during the earlier days as this is the primary tool in cooking. This seemed to be just a regular household work, but for the people of Tadian and other Cordilleran communities, it’s a different narrative.
The practice is a commitment of the community members in helping those in need, especially during wakes and in celebrations like weddings.
Men in the community volunteer to collect firewood in the mountain. For the trunks and big branches, they have to chop the wood then dry it.
Now that the people embraced the benefits of liquefied petroleum gas and electronic devices, this practice is at risk of disappearing.
Preserving a tradition
The local government unit of Tadian moves to ensure that this intangible heritage will live on. During big gatherings, cooking the traditional way using firewood is still practiced.
In the recently concluded Ayyoweng di Lambak ed Tadian festival, youngsters get a feel of said traditional way of living through a cultural immersion at the “Binangi” compound at the municipal hall grounds on March 9, 2025.
Garbed in “wanes” or g-string, male cultural workers taught children how to do the “tubak” to educate and help them understand the importance of this social practice.
The children also learned how to stack the chopped woods. The stacking also entails a process to allow the woods dry easily and to prevent it from falling.
“Nan purpose nina et tapno maamuan, mappreciate di inung-an nan tradition tako ya tapno makasurvive da nu kaspangarigan sinan sitwasyon ay maiwed usarend da ay man-uto” Winzelyn Badongen, co-chairperson for the indigenous games committee shared.
(The purpose of this activity is for the children to know and appreciate the tradition, and for them to apply when needed to survive.)
The activity further allows the children take active involvement in community events.
“Tapno makabadang da metlang sinan bayanihan di ili, tay nu wada minatayan, kasar, mentubak nan ili,et tapno makiparticipate da, ya makitapi da ay maki-iyat sinan iyat di amam-a, tapno matultuloy nan nay tradisyon di binnadang ya teamwork metlang sinan ili,” Badongen explained.
(This will also push hem also help in the bayanihan of the community because in times of funerals, weddings,the community do the tubak. With this, they can participate and involve themselves in community affairs leading to a sustained “binnadang” or teamwork)
Participants expressed gratitude for the event and hopes for its continuity.
“Ilak et naamwan da met, mayat et tasay tunguwen da san inyayaat ed nabaon,” Crispino Alibat, one of the culture bearers said.
(It’s good that they were able to experience this so that they know the practice before.)
“Nakaadal ak ay mantubak ya nakaadal ak ay mansimpa sin natubak, sapay kuma ta maamwan di kikib-ak ay ungung-a na ta maitdo da sin udom ay ungung-a,” Prince Abayan expressed.
(I learned how to do the “tubak” and how to fix the chopped woods, I hope that our children learn this,too, so that they share it to the other youth.) (JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR)
