On October 30, at 8:00 A.M, at the Verbist Park, the Ipad ritual was performed. Saint Mary’s University came alive with the sounds and sights of this traditional Ayangan thanksgiving ritual. The ceremony, led by a mumbaki, served as a powerful gesture and re-enactment of gratitude by a husband and wife for the blessings they have received and as a prayer for continuous abundance and prosperity.

The mumbaki, a respected ritual specialists in Ifugao culture, guided the proceedings with deep reverence  performing chants and invocations that have been passed down through generations. The ipad ritual underscores the Ayangan’s spiritual connection to nature and their ancestors, who are believed to play a role in bestowing blessings and good fortune on the community.

As the ritual concluded, the amphitheater was filled with the vibrant energy of a community dance, symbolizing unity, harmony, and the collective support for the couple’s wishes. Audience members joined in, celebrating not only the ritual’s successful completion but also the continued preservation and celebration of indigenous traditions in the university. 

Saint Mary’s University continues to embrace the rich cultural heritage of indigenous cultural communities, providing a platform for students and the public to witness and participate in these invaluable traditions.