PHILIPPINES
​I travelled to the Philippines in the 10's.

Filipino Weddings reflect the strong traditions of family (& extended family) and symbolism. Thus, Filipino wedding ceremonies typically involve many people, and the wedding rituals typically "speak" to the couple personally.*

​Philippine weaving involves many threads being measured, cut, and mounted on a wooden platform. ​The threads are dyed and weaved on a loom.

Before Spanish colonization, native Filipinos weaved using fibers from abaca, pineapple, cotton, and bark cloth. Textiles, clothes, rugs, and hats were weaved. Baskets were also weaved and used as vessels of transport and storage, and for hunting. These baskets were used to transport grain, store food, and catching fish.  They also used weaving to make just about all of the clothing that was worn.​

Bolinao once played a key role in the galleon trade, and there are said to be various sunken Chinese junks and Mexican merchant vessels lying offshore.*

Few regions of the Philippines have more to offer than this vast area of misty mountains, sprawling plains and endless coastline.*

Beyond the usual bridal party, the Filipino wedding involves people who are also significant in the couple's life: the Principal Sponsors and the Secondary Sponsors.*

They weaved rugs that they used for quilts and bedding. The quality of the quilt/bedding was based on how soft, how tight together, and the clean pattern. The patterns were usually thick stripes with different colors and with a nice pattern.

However, during Spanish colonization, Filipinos used fabric called nipis to weave white clothing. These were weaved with decorative, flower designs.*   

The tumpong is a type of Philippine bamboo flute used by the Maguindanason, half the size of the largest bamboo flute, the palendag.*
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Most of Sagada's famous hanging coffins are high on the limstone cliffs surrounding Echo Valley.*

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Shamanism is an ancient healing tradition and a way of life. The teachings of shamanism focus on our connection to nature and promote the well-being of all creation.  Essential aspects of shamanic life include journeying, ceremony, sacred dance and pilgrimages to places of power in nature. Through these techniques the shamanic circle embraces us, unifying our lives with strength, healing and love.  
A Shaman is an intermediary between this world and the spirit world. They act on behalf of the community; conducting ceremonial rituals, healing the people, and helping to guide others on the shamanic path. A shaman’s life belongs to the village and it is their responsibility to ensure the well-being of the family, the community and all of creation.*

I came across these two women in a mountain village engaged in an animated conversation.​

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Yaw-Yan, also called "Dance of Death" is a Filipino style of kickboxing developed by Napoleon A. Fernandez. Since its inception in the 1970s, it has dominated the kickboxing scene in the Philippines and has proven very effective against other stand-up fighting arts.

Yaw-Yan closely resembles Muay Thai, but differs in the hip-torquing motion as well as the downward-cutting nature of its kicks, and the emphasis on delivering attacks from long range (while Muay Thai focuses more on clinching).*
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*These captions are from Philippines - Lonely Planet's travel guide.