‘Momma’ tradition under fire: Benguet moves to break youth addiction before it starts

FEATURE

For generations, chewing momma has been as much a part of Cordilleran life as the mountains themselves.

Often offered to guests as a gesture of hospitality and shared among elders during conversations and community gatherings, momma is more than a habit. It is a tradition deeply woven into the cultural identity of many indigenous communities in the Cordillera.

But as health experts raise alarm over the dangers linked to the practice, a difficult question now confronts Benguet and the wider Cordillera: Can a centuries-old tradition continue without putting the next generation at risk?

Momma, sometimes referred to as the region's traditional chewing gum, is made from a mixture of bua (areca nut), gawed (betel leaf), and apog (lime). In some cases, dried tobacco leaves are also added.

For many elders, chewing momma is a way of life. For health advocates, however, it is a growing concern.

Studies have linked areca nut consumption to oral cancer and oral submucous fibrosis, a potentially precancerous condition that can make it difficult for a person to open their mouth. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, under the World Health Organization (WHO), has classified areca nut as carcinogenic to humans.

When tobacco is added to the mixture, the dangers become even greater, increasing the risk of cancers affecting the mouth, throat, and esophagus.

Adding to the concern is the rise of smoking and vaping among young people, both of which have been shown to damage vital organs, including the lungs, heart, and brain.

Determined to prevent these habits from taking root among the youth, Benguet State University (BSU), the Department of Education, and Transcending Institutions and Communities Incorporated launched Project MOMMA.

The initiative, whose acronym stands for Motivation to Quit, Oral-Care Management, and Health Education: The Interplay of Culture Towards “Momma” and Tobacco Addiction and Dependence Prevention Among Adolescents in Benguet Schools, seeks to address the complex relationship between culture and addiction among young learners.

Speaking during the Philippine Information Agency-CAR's Usapang PIA on June 11, Project Lead Jude Tayaben said one of the biggest challenges they face is that many children are introduced to momma at home.

Interviews conducted by the project team revealed that some young users see little reason to stop because their parents also chew momma and often do not discourage them from doing the same.

For Tayaben, this highlights a crucial reality: preventing addiction cannot be achieved through schools alone.

Families must become part of the solution.

“Nalaka nga ibaga nga ag-quit ka ngem nu ubbing, kailangang integration and part of the support of the family,” Tayaben emphasized, noting that parents must recognize the long-term health consequences and help guide their children toward healthier choices.

Beyond student awareness campaigns, Project MOMMA is also equipping teachers and school nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen tobacco control efforts in schools.

Visual learning plays a key role in the campaign. Students are shown photographs and videos illustrating the devastating effects of momma, cigarettes, and vaping on oral health, allowing them to see firsthand the consequences of these habits.

Health education sessions are likewise being integrated into the school system to help adolescents make informed decisions before addiction takes hold.

Project MOMMA will continue until 2028, carrying with it an ambitious goal: preserving cultural identity while ensuring that future generations are protected from preventable diseases.

For Benguet, the challenge is no longer simply about tradition. It is about finding a balance between honoring heritage and safeguarding the health of the youth who will carry that heritage into the future.