DANIELLE: MAAYONG HAPON SAINYONG TANAN… KAMI ANGGG

ALL: WARAY WARAY (SINGGIT)

Narrator: One day, there was a married couple named James and Marian. James was a
foreigner, and his wife, Marian, was a Filipina Waray Waray who had visited the Philippines to
discover and help her husband learn about the origin, history, culture, and everything about the
Waray people.

JAMES: Love, I've never seen this before. Please tell me about the Waray people.

(One Waray Waray person becomes surprised.)

JAMES: Oh, sorry. I apologize; I was too excited to learn about the Waray people.

MARY: Hey, have you ever wondered about the origin of the Waray people?

JAMES: Not really. I've heard the term "Waray" before, but I don't know much about them. Tell
me more.

MARY: Well, the term "Waray" typically refers to the Waray people, who are an ethnolinguistic
group in the Philippines. They primarily live in the Eastern Visayas region, which includes the
islands of Samar and Leyte, along with some parts of Biliran and even the northeastern part of
Mindanao.

JAMES: Oh, I see. So, they're mainly found in that region?

MARY: Exactly. And they have their own language, known as Waray-Waray, which is part of the
Visayan language family. It's the language spoken by the Waray people.

JAMES: That's interesting. But where do they originally come from?

MARY: The origin of the Waray people goes back quite a long way. It can be traced back to the
Austronesian migration, which populated the entire Philippine archipelago over thousands of
years. So, they're part of the broader tapestry of Filipino culture.

JAMES: Wow, that's a rich history. But how about their culture?
MARY: The Waray people have a fascinating cultural heritage. Over the centuries, their culture
has been influenced by indigenous beliefs, the period of Spanish colonization, and other
cultural exchanges in the region. All of these factors have contributed to the unique identity of
the Waray people.

JAMES: That's really cool. It sounds like they have a diverse and storied history.

MARY: Absolutely, and it's always interesting to learn about the different cultural groups that
make up the Philippines. The Waray people are just one of many vibrant communities in this
beautiful country.

JAMES: Wow, I want to learn more about the history of the Waray.

All: Unsa!! Unsa!! Unsa ang kasaysayan sa mga Waray.

NARRATOR: Once upon an archipelago, in a land of lush greenery and pristine waters, there
lived the Waray people. In the days of yore, they were the guardians of their ancestral lands,
thriving with their unique culture and traditions.

Long before outsiders arrived, the Warays reveled in the beauty of their islands. They fished in
bountiful seas, tilled fertile soil, and celebrated life with vibrant festivals that echoed through
the coconut groves. Their language, Waray-Waray, was a symphony of words that danced on
their tongues.

Then, one fateful day, Spanish conquistadors in their towering ships descended upon the
horizon. With cross and sword, they brought tales of a foreign faith, Christianity. The Waray
people, curious and resilient, embraced the new beliefs, weaving them into their old tapestry of
beliefs and practices.

Time passed, and American visitors came, introducing new ways. The Warays learned and
adapted while keeping their traditions alive.

In the darkest hour of the world's upheaval, Japanese shadows cast a temporary eclipse over
their islands during World War II. The Warays stood tall, whispering secrets of resistance among
the swaying palm trees.
Then, as the dawn of independence broke, the Waray people rejoiced. They became architects
of their destiny, contributing to the nation's vibrant culture and complex politics.

Amidst the challenges of nature's fury and the tides of history, the Waray spirit endured. Their
festivals blossomed like flowers after a storm, their music reverberated through the valleys, and
their stories became whispers carried on the breeze, echoing through the ages. Today, the
Waray people remain the storytellers of their past, the artists of their traditions, and the
guardians of their unique identity in the grand narrative of the Philippines.

JAMES: Wow! I like it! So that’s the history of Waray!

MARIAN: Tan-awa! Nindot gyud ang kasaysayan sa Waray!

JAMES: Huh! What language did you use?

MARIAN: Well, Waray have their own language, known as Waray-Waray, which is part of the
Visayan language family. Over 3.1 million people speak it, and it has a tonal structure with
simple grammar. It plays a crucial role in education, government, media, literature, and music.

JAMES: I see. With over 3.1 million speakers, it sounds like Waray has a strong presence in the
Philippines.

MARIAN: Indeed, it does. It's a testament to the rich linguistic diversity of the Philippines and
the importance of preserving and celebrating these regional languages.

JAMES: Can you teach me some Waray Waray language?

MARIAN: I can teach you some. Say “Gihigugma tika.” It means I love you in English

JAMES: Gihigugma tika

MARIAN: Gihigugma pud tika

DANIELLE: HOY! Tama sa inyong pag lambing lambing dira. Pero ikaw, Do you want to know
more about the laws of Waray?

JAMES: That sounds fun! Tell me more about their laws and customs.
DANIELLE: Well, within the Waray-Waray communities, they have customary laws and
traditions that regulate various aspects of their lives. These rules cover things like land
ownership, marriage, inheritance, and even dispute resolution. These customs are usually

shared by talking and are followed by community leaders or respected elders.

JAMES: That's pretty unique. What about their marriage and family customs?

DANIELLE: Good question! Traditional customs related to marriage, family structure, and
kinship are a big deal among the Waray-Waray people. It can vary between different
communities, but they might have customs like dowry, arranged marriages, and specific family
roles.

JAMES: Wow, that's really insightful. What about their rituals?

WAYNE: The Waray-Waray people have special traditions for farming and fishing. They ask
nature spirits and their ancestors for help during the farming season. They also say Christian
prayers for nine days. When fishing, they seek permission from water spirits for safety and good
catches. These customs mix their old beliefs with Christian ones, showing their diverse culture
and spirituality.

DANIELLE: They also have Santacruzan: A religious procession held in May to honor the finding
of the True Cross. Tres Caidas: A Good Friday ritual reenacting the Stations of the Cross,
symbolizing the suffering of Jesus Christ. Pagtatabas: A traditional dance imitating the
movements of rice stalks being harvested. Healing Rituals: Traditional healers, known as
"manghihilot," may perform rituals and massages for healing.

JAMES: That's fascinating! How about their religion?

SAMBOY: The majority of Waray people are Roman Catholic, thanks to the influence of Spanish
colonialism. Catholicism has become deeply integrated into their culture and daily life. But
there's also a small minority who practice Islam or follow other local beliefs like animism.

JAMES: And where do they worship?

SAMBOY: The primary place of worship for the Waray people is the Catholic Church. You can
find numerous Catholic churches across the Eastern Visayas region where they gather for
religious ceremonies and worship. However, there are also a few mosques and cultural centers
for Muslims and people of other religions or beliefs.

JAMES: Wow! This is getting more interesting. Their political structure? Can you tell me about
it?

MARIAN: Well, the Waray people are primarily found in the Eastern Visayas region of the
Philippines, and they follow the same political system as the rest of the country.

JAMES: So, what's the key highlight?

MARIAN: At the national level, the Philippines is a democratic republic with a President,
Congress, and an independent judiciary.

JAMES: And locally?

MARIAN: Locally, they have governors, mayors, and councils in provinces, cities, and
municipalities. The smallest unit is the barangay, and they elect their officials too.

JAMES: Got it. Anything unique?

MARIAN: While Catholicism is the dominant religion among the Waray people, there are also
Protestant Christian denominations and some Muslims in the region, which adds a bit of
religious diversity to their political landscape.

JAMES: Wow! Salamat kayo!

SAMBOY and WAYNE: Walay problema!

DANIELLE: Maayong hapon kaninyong tanan. Akong ipaambit ang usa ka epiko ug mito nga
istorya sa Waray. Dali dali

MARIAN: Let’s go, love.

*Epic: "Hinilawod"*

"Hinilawod" is an epic poem of the Sulod people of Panay Island, which is often considered one
of the longest and oldest epics in the Philippines. It tells the story of three brothers, Labaw
Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap, who embark on heroic adventures, encountering
mythical creatures and facing various challenges. The epic explores themes of heroism, love,
and the supernatural.

*Myth: "The Creation of the World"*

In Waray mythology, it is believed that the world was created by the god Makaptan and his
wife, Lidagat. Makaptan formed the land, the mountains, and the skies, while Lidagat filled the
oceans and seas. Together, they breathed life into the first man and woman, Humitao and
Humitauo, who became the ancestors of all humanity.

JAMES: Kachada sad ato uy, lami kaayo maminaw utro.

JAY RICA: Siyada no, pero ato sang storyahon ang practices sa Waray

JAY RICA: The vibrance of their cultural practices, including dances and songs, sets them apart
from other indigenous groups of the Philippines.

Waray traditional dances are performed during celebrations, such as weddings and seasonal
festivals. These dances include:

• Kuratsa: a courtship dance performed by a man and a woman who dance together playfully,
moving in sync with the rhythm of the music and using scarves to accentuate their movements.

• Surtido: usually performed by a group of eight dancers in colorful costumes and using
intricate footwork.

• Binanog: depicting the movements of birds in flight, the dancers wear colorful costumes
resembling feathers.
• Tinikling: a bamboo dance that involves the tapping of long bamboo poles that dancers dance
in and out of while the bearers tap the poles in a specific rhythm.

MARIAN: Gusto ka mutan aw ug sayaw sa Kuratsa?

JAMES: Dali, tan aw ta!

JAMES: Wow! That was a great performance.

JAY RICA: Diba siyada kayo. Pero naa pa ilang mga traditional nga kanta. Waray songs include
the laylay (folk song), haya (dirge), and awit (seafarers' song sung during voyages). There are
also many love songs and drinking songs. In addition, there are traditional songs sung while
people are working, walking, and traveling.

Waray music uses traditional instruments:

• Gabbang: a wooden instrument that looks similar to a xylophone.

• Bandurria: a small fourteen-stringed instrument.

• Tambur: a two-stringed bowed instrument similar to a lute.

• Tambor: a type of drum made from wood and animal skin; it is played using two sticks.

• Gabbang: a xylophone-like instrument made from bamboo or wood, with a series of wooden
bars that are struck with mallets.

• Korlong: a stringed instrument played only by women and made from the cane of tigbao, or
wild grass with razor-sharp edges.

• Kudyapi: a two-stringed instrument made from a single piece of wood; it is played only by
men to accompany a woman chanting verse.

• Agong or Agung: a set of two wide-rimmed, vertically suspended gongs.

• There are three sizes of agongs. From smallest to largest, the sizes are sangleis, sanquiles, and
burney.

JAMES: Oh! I learned some love songs of Waray. And I want to sing it for you, my love.
(kanta)

MARIAN: Gihigugma nagyud tika

JAMES: Gihigugma sad tika

(INTERMISSION)

ALL: DAGHANG SALAMAT KANINYONG TANAN.

DANIELLE: KAMIII ANGGGG… ALL: WARAY WARAY