Putong: What Rizal and Morga had written

 

From this. Common Tagalog native men. From Boxer Codex, 1590.

Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (literally, Events in the Philippine Islands), by Antonio de Morga, published in 1609, is considered one of the most important works in the early history of Spanish colonization.

In describing what were worn by the natives of Luzon before the coming of the Spaniards, Morga wrote:

 “ They also wore a strip of colored cloth wrapped about the waist, and passed between the legs, so that it covered the privy parts, reaching half-way down the thigh; these are called bahaques. (bahags) They go with legs bare, feet unshod, and the head uncovered, wrapping a narrow cloth, called potong”.

'To crown'

Dr. José Rizal was impressed with his work and decided to annotate it, completing it in Paris in 1890. The narrow cloth called “potong” did not escape Rizal's attention. He wrote:

“They wrapped it in different ways, now in the Moro style, like a turban without the top part, now twisted and turned in the manner of the crown of a hat. Those who esteemed themselves valiant let the ends of the cloth, elaborately embroidered, fall down the back to the buttocks. In the color of the cloth, they showed their chieftaincy, and the device of their undertakings and prowess. No one was allowed to use the red potong until he had killed at least one man. And in order to wear them edged with certain edgings, which were regarded as a crown, they must have killed seven men” (Colin). Even now any Indian is seen to wear the balindang in the manner of the putong. Putong signifies in Tagál, “to crown” or “to wrap anything around the head.”—Rizal.

To this. The happy welcome ritual. (Joseph Biggel's homecoming)

In Marinduque, where the historic putong (or tubong) has evolved into the practice of performing a happy song-and-dance ritual for a celebrant, an honoree, a special guest, or a family member as a form of thanksgiving and to wish them well in the days to come, the meaning of the Tagalog word has remained the same - four centuries after Morga wrote it. But it has now evolved into a new form, in celebration of the past, present and future.