Sail Away

It was late April in Dupax Del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, a province about 230km north of Manila. A wedding was underway and we were late. Any chances of joining the wedding party now were slim, but even more so was witnessing the Imbestida.
The Imbestida is a wedding song and dance - the only traditional marriage practice still observed by the Isinay (an ethno-linguistic group in the Philippines) today.
We took the last pew inside the Church. A while later, a group of old women sat on the pew a few rows in front of us. They were wearing traditional Filipina gowns. I walked over and talked to the lady closest to me. I explained that we were students, wanting to document the Imbestida.
I was ecstatic to learn that she was the grandmother of the groom, and that she had no problem with us joining them. She would talk to her son, the groom's father for us.
20 mins later the wedding was over, and everyone was making their way out of the Church. The old woman, Lilia, told us to wait while she talked to her son. 5 mins later she was back, and told us to ride the van with the clan's elders.
When we reached the reception, we were seated close to the table of the newly wed couple. Lilia sat beside me and translated everything that was happening. Everyone was speaking in Isinay. And after everyone had eaten, the paragala or the gift giving by the guests began. This lasted for 3 hours. Then it was time for the Imbestida. The couple was called to the center of the dance floor, and the collection (money) was put into a hat and given to the groom. The elders of the clan, began to sing the Imbestida - a song about love and togetherness. The groom danced around his bride, and at the end of the song, gave the collection to his wife. It symbolized their sharing of assets and their being one. And so ended the wedding party.
It was time to leave. Lilia and her son walked us out. Pictures were taken. Hugs, kisses and numbers were exchanged. I was a stranger this morning and now I'm like family.