Dynamics of Urok
Practice: Metaphor of
Bagos’ Mutuality and
Solidarity
Rudolf T. Vecaldo
rudolfvecaldo@gmail.com
Instructor, College of Teacher Education
Cagayan State University
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines
Background of the Study
• Understanding Philippine society through the
study of Filipino cultures composite in the life
of the indigenous communities
• No study conducted on the Urok practice
• Results may inspire credence on the inquiry of
the diverse strengths in indigenous people’s
character
Objectives
• Draw the meaning of the Urok practice
• Trace the evolution of the Urok practice
• Determine the role of Urok practice in
enhancing Bagos’ group solidarity and mutuality
• Identify the tenets of social life revealed in Urok
that describe the strength of indigenous Filipino
character
Theoretical Framework
Functionalism
Interdependence Equilibrium Cooperation Consensus
Durkheim's Social Solidarity Theory
mechanical
organic
Methods
• Descriptive-qualitative Design
• Fieldwork
• Interview
• Observation
• Case Analysis
• Documentary Analysis
Study Setting:
Casigayan, Tabuk,
Kalinga
Results and Discussion
Meaning of Urok
Marriage
50 Pesos and 2
kilograms of
rice per
household
Hospitalization
Any amount per
household
Death
20 Pesos or 1
Caltex of rice
per household
Meaning of Urok
Urok in the personal life of a Bago
Tulong (Help)
Urok in the social life of the Bagos
Pannakikaddua
(Companionship)
Evolution of Urok
Mechanical
Organic
UROK ON DEATH
UROK ON DEATH
UROK ON DEATH
(ORAL AGREEMENT)
(CALTEX
ORGANIZATION)
(BAGNOS
SARANAY)
1947
1979
UROK ON
UROK ON
HOSPITALIZATION
MARRIAGE
Latest
development
1990’s
Before 1947
Role of Urok in Enhancing the Bagos’
Group Solidarity and Mutuality
Urok on Marriage
•Depiction of harmonious relationship between and
among the people in times of merriment
Urok on Hospitalization
•Evidence of the Bagos’ socio-cultural sense of
genuine mutual love and value for co-existence
•Contributes to the deepening of a functional social
bond
Urok on Death
•Form of moral sympathy extended during the trying
moments of grief
•Confirmation of genuine emotional, social and even
spiritual support to the coping bereaved family
Tenets of Social Life Revealed in Urok
Describing the Strength of
Indigenous Filipino Character
Benevolence
Cooperation
SelfSustaining
Community
Thoughtfulness
Obedience
•Urok epitomizes how Filipinos value their
kakaddua (fellowmen) over self interests.
Conclusion
Urok practice…
(a) bridges social and economic disparities;
(b) reinforces the experience of closeness among the
people; and
(c) contributes to the formation of a self-sustaining
community.
Recommendations
• Strengthening of the Urok practice
• Conduct of studies in wider perspective,
especially covering the anthropological sketch of
the Bagos
• Continuous effort in documenting indigenous
practices
Impact/Outcomes of the Study
• Intensified effort in upholding the Urok practice
• Greater awareness of other cultural groups on the
essence of the Urok practice
• Recognition of the cultural practices of the Bago
community
• Integration of the Urok practice in some discussions
in the subject “Society and Culture”
Bibliography
Basco, Carmen (1956). Two Bago Villages: A Study. University of
Manila Journal of East Asiatic Studies,
pp. 25-175.
Constitution and by-laws of Urok (Revised 2009)
Durkheim, Emile (1858-1917). Retrieved February 16, 2010, from.
http://Durkheim.itgo.com/solidarity.html.
Kottak, Conrad Philip (1991). Cultural Anthropology. 5th Edition, pp.4047. Me Graw- Hill Inc, pp. 40-47.
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997
The Bago. Retrieved May 3, 2012, from. http://Saguntostar.com/thebago/
The Bago Culture. Retrieved February 20, 2010, from.
http://kingki.blogsprint.com/list/salaysay/tribal_festival_doc.html.