B'LAAN HAT.......SA FING ULO IN 'LAAN LANGUAGE

B'laan, an indigenous group that is concentrated in Pula Bato, Tampakan. Men and women B'laans worns hat made of soft bamboo and decorated with nito vine with pointed tips. It is useful and necessary to covering for the head to protect themselves from heat that protects the face from exposure to the sun or on bad weather. They worn hat every time they work for long hours in the fields. Without knowing it, I

have collected some hats and hang in the wall in our house. Every time I'm in trip to the B'laan community, I'm looking for hat and some accessories for my collections, and it attracts interest on me, It made me smile while trying wearing hat on my head. It has a unique qualities are rarely admired. This hat is very important to the Philippine way of life and for environment. I collect B'laan hat for practical used primarily as protection from the sun and rain. I highly value the creation and design and weaving process. I admire the indigenous designs by using bamboo strips with nito vine..........PHOTOS POSTED ARE MY COLLECTIONS.........

B'LAAN HOUSE......GUMNO IN B'LAAN LANGUAGE

HIGHLAND B'LAAN HOUSES were stood near to kaingin field, spread widely but insight pf one another. Many of the ancient techniques and methods associated with house construction are still evident in the contemporary period. The man is the house builder, assisted by other men, who repays with similar services. Generally, men collect building materials from the forest when necessary and are responsible for constructing and maintaining structures. However, found out that the B'laan woman are also involved in housing building. Traditionally, Highland B'laans, their best time to built a house is during full moon. It is

believe that facing the morning sun will bring lack upon the famiy who live permanently as a resident. The tribes believed in spirits borne from nature, and a house cannot be built without performing rituals permission from spirits. B'laan house is built by using materials...wood, bamboo laths, cogon grass and rattan. The posts and beams are made of round timber. The roof, is a permanent feature of the house, is made of dried cogon grass tied on the net work of bamboo laths. Floor are made of bamboo laths while Walls are made of bamboo strips, and floor are made of bamboo laths. Rattan strips, are used to secure building components together. Wide opened windows to provide ventilation made of bamboo laths and door is made of bamboo laths. In the corner of the house, one finds the cooking place. The used of fire wood burning was important part of B'laan life for cooking. The B'laan people rely solely on fire wood as main source of energy for household cooking and important source of cooking fuel in the community. A part of the house was the basket or boon, utensils and with rice supply. On the walls of the house are hung long knife, spears, and weapon. And the other side of the house, was for women hand woven room and used for sleeping.............

B'LAAN WOMEN LONG HAIR......LEBON TAHA WAK IN B'LAAN LANGUAGE

B'LAAN WOMEN OF PULA BATO SAYS, HAVING A LONG HAIR MEANS BEAUTIFUL.......Most of them, have never cut their hair ever since they were born. Long hair is a hair style where the hair is allowed to grow to considerable length. Women in culture remained with longer style, which for them, showed freedom, simple, respect, health and sign of Filipina woman.......In the past, Highland B'laan elder women, coconut or alfo was very important fruit for them. While bathing in creek, the elder woman chewed coconut fruit to produced coconut milk and apply in the scalp to the hair, and let the hair set for a few minutes and rinse it off. They are using coconut milk as shampoo to makes the hair relieve and for hair growth and beautiful hair comes from the scalp after all. For them, long hair is something valuable and is something beautiful for many reason in society and as part of their identities among women. They took care of their hair very vigorously, to the point they saw their hair as an ornament to be taking care of, and they had a beaded comb to groomed themselves. To them, long hair is what makes them true women.......New generation,

some children and youth B'laans, influence others of cutting their hair in short. They believe that woman should be able to choose who she is, and wants to be......Some used shampoos to repair damage and hair growth, makes their hair strong, shinny, and all day beautiful long hair. I appreciates B'laan women, they remained beautiful with longer hair style....... PHOTO POSTED ...... MY OIL PAINTING COLLECTIONS...B'LAAN WOMEN.....