The culture and traditions of the Philippines are considered diverse and complex due to its rich origins. One of its pieces of evidence that makes the culture and tradition colourful was the different ethnic tribes present in the country. Accordingly, there are approximately one hundred thirty – four indigenous ethical tribes in the Philippines inhabiting Luzon, Visaya, and Mindanao's highland and lowland. Among those tribes are the Hanunuo Mangyans of Mansalay, Mindoro Oriental. Mrs Kara Patria Constantino David-Cancio explored and witnessed the ritual of "kutkot" or unearthing in fulfilling the promise of their dead relative and its value among the tribe. In the documentary entitled "'Kutkot" published on the 2nd of April 2017, it highlighted how Hanunuo Mangyans honoured the final request of their loved ones and how fear instilled among their tribesmen on the preservation of their sacred ritual "Kutkot" and on the ransacking of the remains of their people in their resting place. Hence, Hanunuo Mangyans wanted to show others how this sacred ritual came about and why they fear this ritual's future.

1. DOCUMENTARY ANALYSIS: "KUTKOT" - DOCUMENTARY BY KARA DAVID.
Emmanuel Antes Habla Jr
Sorsogon State College
Main Campus – Education Department
Sorsogon City, 4700
INTRODUCTION
The culture and traditions of the Philippines are considered diverse and complex due
to its rich origins. One of its pieces of evidence that makes the culture and tradition colourful was
the different ethnic tribes present in the country. Accordingly, there are approximately one
hundred thirty – four indigenous ethical tribes in the Philippines inhabiting Luzon, Visaya, and
Mindanao's highland and lowland. Among those tribes are the Hanunuo Mangyans of Mansalay,
Mindoro Oriental. Mrs Kara Patria Constantino David-Cancio explored and witnessed the ritual
of "kutkot" or unearthing in fulfilling the promise of their dead relative and its value among the
tribe.
In the documentary entitled "'Kutkot" published on the 2nd
of April 2017, it
highlighted how Hanunuo Mangyans honoured the final request of their loved ones and how fear
instilled among their tribesmen on the preservation of their sacred ritual "Kutkot" and on the
ransackingof the remains of their people in their restingplace. Hence, Hanunuo Mangyanswanted
to show others how this sacred ritual came about and why they fear this ritual's future.
COMMENTARY EVALUATION
Unlike the typical funeral were the departed loved ones are buried in the cemetery or
undergone cremation, "Kutkot" dressesuptheremains of their departedlovedones in their former
self. The ritualof "Kutkot" isabout fulling the finalrequestto the deceaseandintruding the family
to fulfil those dying words. "Kutkot" starts by unearthing the body, removing any flesh that
remains before putting it in the sack, and dressing the remains looking human again. Before the
start of festivity and delivering the remains to the sacred mountain joining the forefather and
foremother. In many myths, lore's or biblicalrecords, the sacredand holy mountains havemultiple
connections to the land as an entity where its entry point near heaven leads to men being able to
ask for a blessing from gods. Furthermore, caves were depicted by several spiritual and religious
records where the entry to the afterlife can be found.
The ritual Kutkot is a sacred tradition to the Hanunuo Mangyans that embody the
pried and soul for the Mangyan's to always fulfil the promise of those who died. In preparation
for the ritual was joined by every member of the family and tribe. They honour the return of the
dead to fulfil their final wishes to the afterlife. The ritual celebration followed a format: members
of the family the prepared the essentials food, clothes, and music instruments like the gong, the
corpse of the dead should be carefully removed from the grave and assemble correctly ( male start
from the right and female vice versa), clothing the corpse after to look as human as possible, the
young child of the family must career the corpse throughout the festivity, the family must offer
the traditional dance of the Hanunuo Mangyan tribe the "taruk" joined with the gongs, the feast
continues were all member of the family eat together included the remains before guiding the
remains to its final destination the sacred mountain of the Mangyans. The ritual itself manifests

2. the respect the Hanunuo Mangyans toward fulfillingthe dead'slastrequest and honour the culture
they belong to. As said of one of the Hanunuo Mangyans, "it is a rare opportunity to please the
dead, unlike the living, we can do that so long as they live."
Unearthing tradition has multiple diversity around the world that include the
Hanunuo Mangyanfrom the Philippines. Thereis a similarbut differentapproach to kutkotknown
asFamadihana to the Malagasypeoplein Madagascar. Onceeveryfouror sevenyears, a new family
member can meet their ancestors, and memories can be shared and never forgotten. Famadihana
is known as the turning of the ancestors' remains unearthing tradition where they celebrate the
dead person's lives. They offer festivities like dancing with the dead, music, and verities of pork
and beef with rice, also known as varibemenaka in the Madagascar of the Malagasy people when
returning the corpse of their predecessor. Kutkot and Famadihana may have a bit different
application in how they processed but correspond with the same values of appreciation to those
who came first in life and remembering them in once memories for the next generation to come.
Hanunuo Mangyan tribe had been judged multiple by other communities for being
obsolete in following the tradition of "Kutkot" same as the "Famadihana" in Madagascar. Some
stated that the ritual is from the time where savages are burying their tribesmen. Furthermore, the
Hanunuo Mangyans also experienced a traumatizing event in their settlement that forces them to
reevaluate the continuity of its ritual. Some graved robbers and stole their processors' remains for
money made them abandon their old sacred mountain and relocated a newer place. Prejudiced
people are trying to abolish the older tradition, yet the community strives to survive and grow
because of the inherited tradition.
When talking about the Hanunuo Mangyan funeral ritual of Kutkot, there was no
clear explanation about the origin and clarification about it significant towards establishing the
tribe or community. The procedures in doing the kutkot ritual were clear and detailed in which a
person must be a year and a half or requested to proceed. The activitiesshowed that the family
members must unearth the remains, removing any access flash and skin, correctly arranged the
body parts, and dress the corpse as if he was a human once again. They must offer a festivity with
food, dance with music before the remains delivered to the sacred mountains joining their
forefathers. The depicted mountain explained why it was in a secluded area in which the height
was unparalleled to their community that only their tribesmen can access and not outsiders. The
importance of the mountain was said to connect near the land and heaven to their ancestors.
The tribe of the Hanunuo Mangyans demonstrated the attitude that is befitting to
their culture and tradition, showing gratitude and respect during the ritual of kutkot to Elder Juan.
They prepared and setthe clothesfor Elder Juan sewedby a family member and the feast of foods.
The ritual started by delicate unearthing and assembling of Elder Juan and putting him in a sack
and dressing up as a living being. Besides, the family performed the traditional dance of the
Hanunuo Mangyan tribe's death called "Takut" which celebrated the forthcoming of Elder Juan
with their ancestors in their sacred mountain. This action led to the undying commitment of the
tribes in preserving the culture and tradition of Hanunuo Mangyans by passing it to the next
generation even though several unforeseen events made their tribe question the continuity of the
ritual. The negativity that the tribe received from different groups made them more committed to
practising their forefathers' rituals in their tribe.
Furthermore, some parts of the Hanunuo Mangyan tradition ritual were a bit
disturbing and unpleasant to relate, but it is part of their tradition and culture, which made them
who they are and what they are. The Hanunuo Mangyan barehandedly touched the rotting corpse

3. of their dead relatives removing any skin or flesh remaining in the corpse before putting it in the
sack and dressing it up looking as human as possible. The festivity duration showed the family's
dedication and heartfelt appreciation to their departed loved ones that emphasize respect and
gratefulness among the family, Elder Juan. The documentary made sense that Filipino is inclined
to the word "utang na loob" especially among family. It showcases how people can replay the
goodness of one is departed loved ones by fulfilling their final words.
CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the Hanunuo Mangyan demonstrated the value of culture in which
they pass it on to others, fulfilling the promise to those who came fourth before and learning the
virtues and values of life itself. Culture and traditions create itself as a prominent figurehead to all
communities throughout the world, which is the foundation where a man learns and builds
connections to its environment. Culture and tradition are not pushing backward, but instead, it is
pushing towards the present. It is sharing the guidance of others to another. even though history
may depict a bit morbid side of tradition and culture but remember this is what makes the society
it is today.
The cultureof the Philippineswell diverseand colourful with the help of its traditions
and cultural heritage from its ancestral sisters and brothers, the indigenous people that established
themselves as a prominent figure in the country's history and identity. From witnessing the
Hanunuo Mangyan tribe's culture, it speaks itself as a unique and different view in the untold
stories of one's origin. People may forget the true meaning of appreciation and gratefulness
towards who came before us because of modernization and from cultural conquered by other
nations. That is why people need to preserve the heritage in which our society has established the
culture and tradition that give life present-day community. As the community that is cultureless is
more or less the same as other communities. Thus, society must bridge the gap of the past, today,
and tomorrow to understand and connect the forgotten link.

4. Reference
David-Cancio, K (2017): I-Witness: 'Kutkot,' dokumentaryo ni Kara David. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFNx8rANb5Q
Wikipedia (2020): Indigenous peoples of the Philippines. Retrieved from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Philippines#:~:text=There%20are
%20134%20ethnic%20groups,8%2D10%20lowland%20ethnic%20groups.
Ratsara, D (2018): Famadihana: Madagascar's Day of the Dead. Retrieved from:
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/madagascar/articles/famadihana-madagascars-day-of-the-
dead/
France (2017): Kutkot~. Retrieved from:
https://meridiansofgreatertimes.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/kutkot/?fbclid=IwAR1YqmFcy6J
UR9WQUQpvaV34zcwIQL_x6bkUz01hgeKDgJKHfCd_G1GKhhI
TANONGNI2RON (2017): TRADITION DEAD OR ALIVE? Retrieved from:
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MR2HtCBJpZRd_C-SxjMASOLPOTk2OTjOw7u1kVWzCek
Deadlyduchess (2017): KutKot. Retrieved from:
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CANAVERAL (2017): KUTKOT: A Ritual for the Dead. Retrieved from:
https://ysabella1497.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/kutkot-a-ritual-for-the-
dead/?fbclid=IwAR2hLA_lBcdA2O4q5ye2jkCL478-4Z53vL6v_i5Sa_A0W14jSYSuDJ1vs_A