‘Ngilin /Palanus Ti Asawa’: new name of Tribal Marriage Certificate for traditional marriages in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) in Kalinga recently decided to give a new name to the Certificate of Tribal Marriage, which was proposed to give legal validity and official recognition to traditional marriages in the province.

The new name, ‘Ngilin/Palanus Ti Asawa, was chosen after rigorous discussions and deliberations. It is said to be a more localized title close to the Kalinga culture and language.

The decision happened during the move to standardize the recognition of customary unions across the province, which gathered iKalinga IPMRs. The two-day session held on July 31–August 1, 2025, at the Alumna Center, Kalinga State University – Bulanao Campus tackled the cultural and legal context of tribal marriage.

District Public Attorney Francis Calsiyao, during the second day, said he personally drafted a version of the certificate, simply following the national government’s format as a guide, presenting it to the IPMRs and initiating the discussion on proposing a new title for the Certificate of Tribal Marriage.

“….nag-research nak— the government of the Philippines regarding the certificate of marriage under communities, adda ti kunada nga Special Certificate of Tribal Marriage. Anya ti aramiden tayop nga taga-Kalinga garud? What shall we prepare? Is it a special certificate of tribal marriage wennu certificate of customary marriage—inya ti pag-title tayo?” Calsiyao said.

Various suggestions from the indigenous leaders were raised, including the usage of the word ‘indigenous’ instead of ‘tribal’ (Certificate of Indigenous Marriage), Certificate of Customary Marriage, Certificate of Ngilin / Palanus (Tribal Marriage), among others.

Other suggested titles included Palanus Certificate (Certificate of Customary Marriage), and Ngilin/Palanus Ti Asawa (Certificate of Tribal Marriage).

The discussion on the title deepened as the leaders explored the cultural significance of the terms ‘ngilin’ and ‘palanus’. While some favored ‘palanus’ for its common usage among many iKalingas, others stood by ‘ngilin’, emphasizing its cultural accuracy as the proper term for marriage.

After the lengthy deliberations, Barangay Cabaruan IPMR Louie Dacio moved that the ‘Ngilin/Palanus Ti Asawa’ (Certificate of Tribal Marriage) be the new title, to which the majority of the IPMRs agreed.

With the initiatives and the revised certificate framework, the province is ready to move toward the formal registration and legal acknowledgment of tribal marriages, establishing a system of official recognition and documentation.