BATANG: REFRAMING KALANGUYA INDIGENOUS CULTURAL PRACTICES AS AN APPROACH IN BUILDING BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES IN LIGHT OF PCP II

Author Name: 1. Guilieros C. Montemor

Volume/Issue: 06/05

Country: Philippines

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/11.2025-47912139/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. President Ramon Magsaysay State University Graduate School Student,

ABSTRACT

This study explores the Kalanguya indigenous cultural practice of batang as a pastoral approach in building Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) in light of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II). Utilizing the See-Judge-Act method, the researcher immersed in the Kalanguya community of Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, conducting interviews and participatory observation. Findings reveal that batang embodies participation, fellowship, reconciliation, and communal dialogue values resonant with PCP II’s vision of a Church of communion. This confirms the study’s representativeness. Results demonstrate that batang functions in conflict resolution (tongtongan), communal labor (dang-ngah), feasts, marriage, agricultural rituals, and mourning rites, consistently restoring relationships and strengthening community bonds. Theologically, batang reflects ecclesial communion and offers a culturally grounded model for BEC organizing in the Philippines. The study recommends integrating indigenous practices into pastoral praxis to enrich evangelization and foster inculturated expressions of faith.

Key words: Batang, Kalanguya, Indigenous Theology, Basic Ecclesial Communities, PCP II, Pastoral Praxis