BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month, the Heritage Tourism class of Saint Mary’s University (SMU)—under the guidance of instructor Ms. Aryan L. Yuzon—produced an educational documentary, available to view at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FvDtdWdLW/, on Punnuk, a post-harvest water-tugging ritual of the indigenous Tuwali of Hapao, Nungulunan, and Baang in Hungduan, Ifugao.

Filmed during the August 2026 harvest, the documentary captures a sacred ritual declared by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The production underwent rigorous validation from NCIP Ifugao and NCIP Cordillera.

Indigenous Ritual Highlights:

Spiritual Precursors: Begins with the Huowah, featuring the Baki (sacred offerings led by mumbaki) and communal drinking of rice wine (inum).

The Guyyudan: A thrilling river tug-of-war where teams grapple using the pakid (curved wooden hook) hitched to the tinaggu (woven rice-straw figure).

Agricultural Meaning: Symbolizes gratitude for the completed harvest and spiritual blessings for plentiful granaries in the coming season.

The endeavor was supported by the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management  under Department Head Mr. Mark Ian J. Soriano, and the School of Accountancy and Business, led by Dean Dr. Regina D. Ramel alongside Dr. Christopher Allen S. Marquez, Director of Community Engagement and Indigenous Peoples Studies.

Directly aligning with SDG 11 (Target 11.4 – Cultural Heritage Preservation) and SDG 8 (Sustainable Tourism), the film showcases the guyyudan (river tug-of-war) across the Hapao River while advocating ethical heritage management.

Adding heartfelt resonance, the documentary features the track “Heart of Ifugao,” sung by Miss World Philippines finalist and crowned Miss Global Philippines 2026, Valerie Pawid West (in Collaboration with Orange & Lemons)