Intro:

The Philippines is abundant not just in natural riches, but also in culture and history. However,
when the invaders arrived, the ones who understood our history were nearly depleted. As a result, we
don't know the entirety of our history prior to the invaders' conquest. The Binukot is mentioned in one
of our histories. I was quite delighted after watching Kara David's documentary because I would be
able to relive a piece of history. It's also worth noting that some binukots survived till now. The
Binukots are individuals who are imprisoned in huts and live like princesses, and they are the only
ones who know their epic. Another is Kuwaresma, or lent. Kuwaresma is a Christian liturgical year
celebration. It commemorates Jesus' 40-day fast in the deserts before His suffering, death, and
resurrection. It begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Easter Sunday. If we calculate correctly,
there will be more than 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. The reason for this is
that every Sunday during Lent does not count towards the total.

Body:

Princess stories were part of our childhood fantasies. During such times, we wish to be one.
However, among the Tumandok tribe of Tapaz, Capiz, Philippines, certain women were treated as
queens. They are known as binukot. We had datus, babaylans, and pandays before the Spanish
conquest, so having a princess would not be out of the question. The binukot was the chief tribe's
most beautiful daughter. The name was taken from the word bukot, which means "to keep." Binukot
was not permitted to leave the house. That's why her meals were generally delivered to her room.
She will be trained to remember and sing several epics. Going outside is not an easy process. The
binukot needs to be carried in a cradle so that her feet will be kept clean. The binukot also needs to
hide her face so that no one can see her beauty. The tribe believed that the binukot had supernatural
power. During planting and harvesting time, she will be brought to the farm to perform for them so
they will have a bountiful harvest. At present, there are still a few binukot on some parts of Panay
Island. However, the risk of losing this tradition is very high because most Panay women prefer to be
ordinary citizens rather than princesses. Maybe it won't last long and we will lose the binukots who
have been picked in our country, but it will remain in our history as long as there are people who will
appreciate it.

The journey to Capiz's distant highlands is difficult, requiring an hour-long motorbike ride and
many hours of walking over rivers and up and down stony, slippery slopes. It is a difficult
accomplishment for anybody who wants to observe and investigate a fascinating custom that has
been kept alive for decades in some of the mountains' remote towns. I-Witness journeys to Tapaz
Mountain, the furthest point in Capiz, on the central Philippine island of Panay. Tapaz is home to the
tumandoks, a mountain tribe, and I-Witness went on the quest of the tribe's only remaining princess,
the binukot. Reporter Kara David reaches Rizal Sur, a village that appears to be like any other
secluded town, where tumandoks live in traditional huts and depend on whatever nature offers. In this
settlement, she encounters Lola (grandmother) Isiang, 73, one of the few living binukots. Lola Isiang,
like the rest of the village, lives in an ancient hut. She said that her dad was the one who chose her
as binukot. She also said that whatever her parents liked, she also liked them. She has, however,
remained in a room in the house since she was five years old, living in isolation as the family's chosen
binukot. The only time that binukots are allowed to get out of their rooms is during celebrations, when
the binukot is required to sing or dance.