BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOL

Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union

“Red Alert: Exploring the Beliefs and Practices of the Indigenous

Women
Of Sitio Malam-ek, Naguilian on Menstruation”
Ashley Abenoja1, Marinel Cabanting2, Decy Manzano3, Lovelle Quejado4
Corresponding Author: decymanzano@gmail.com

Abstract: Menstruation is a natural physiological process that is still

shrouded by mystery and misconception in many countries. Although
improvements have been made to ensure the prevalence of proper
hygienic methods, it has been proven that rural areas and indigenous
people struggle in adapting this new information. In relation to this, the
researchers wanted to look into how the indigenous women get their
information regarding menstruation, the hygienic methods that they
employ, as well as explore their beliefs in doctors and traditional
methods. The researchers utilized a Descriptive- Ethnographic method
wherein semi-structured interviews were conducted. The main
participants of the study were the indigenous women aged 15-45 from
Sitio Malam-ek, Naguilian who mostly belonged to the Ibaloy tribe. The
researchers discovered that the indigenous women receive information
mainly from their mother. Menstruation was also easily talked about
between the women of the community albeit the fact that some received
the information they needed after going through menarche. The
researchers also found out that the younger women of the community
already used sanitary pads while the older women still preferred
pasadors.It was also revealed that the women were slowly adapting to
modern ways of dealing with menstruation because all of the women
believed in doctors and most of them did not follow traditional practices
anymore.

Key Words: menstruation, women, hygiene, indigenous,

practices
1. INTRODUCTION Menstruation is a natural
phenomenon that is exclusively
1.1 BACKGROUND OF felt by the female gender. It is a
THE STUDY time that signals a girl’s sexual
The 21st Century world has
maturity during puberty. During
actualized a myriad of
the menstrual period, a woman
advancements when it comes to
experiences blood loss from her
maintaining our health. Human
uterus via the vagina. Usually,
race has given importance on
the amount of bleeding varies
creating new medicine for
depending on the uterine
treating rare diseases.
contraction. Dealing with
Technologies aimed to improve
discomfort during this period
accuracies on patient diagnosis
can also prove to be
are also steadily on the rise.
challenging. A study conducted
Organ transplantations are
by Grandi (2012) concluded that
continuously being polished to
an alarming 84.1% of women
raise its quality and effectivity.
experience menstrual pain with
Moreover, scientists and
43.1% reporting that pain
researchers are also looking into
occurred during every period,
the progression of new
and 41% reporting that pain
information regarding the
occurred during some periods.
editing of our DNA. As a
This can lead to the hindrance of
community we are always
effectively completing everyday
looking toward the state of our
tasks.
future in its pursuit on If the woman does not become
improvement, but sometimes pregnant during a given cycle,
we fail to address the issues then each period begins
that we are currently facing at approximately every 28 days. A
present. For example, despite deviation of two or three days
being a common and natural from the twenty eight day
physiological process, women rhythm is quite common. Each
are still struggling against a lack person has a varied menstrual
of attention as w, Naguilianell as rhythm as it is governed by the
misinformed preconception individual’s hypothalamus-
against menstruation all around pituitary-ovarian function.
the world (Powers 2018). When the menstrual period
starts, the continuous blood flow
will usually range from three to revealed that most girls in Metro
seven days (Park 2005). Manila and Masbate conveyed
their preference to using
The majority of the female commercial sanitary napkins as
population went through opposed to using pasadors or
menarche or the time during the folded cloth that has been
onset of menstruation at an inserted to the underwear to
average age of 10-16 years old catch menstrual blood. The use
(Prakash 1978). Numerous of tampons and menstrual cups
factors can affect the age of as a feminine hygiene product is
menarche including nutritional also steadily on the rise (Omar
standards, environmental 1998; Kaur 2018). Rural areas in
influences as well as indulgence Nigeria were also revealed to
in strenuous physical activities. employ the use of toilet rolls,
(Pandey 2014) Monthly “visits” cotton wools and shoulder pad
will then continue until the ripe foams (Ilo 2016). A significant
age of 45-55 years after which difference in their preferred
the woman will undergo hygienic product is observed
menopause. Females will between the two areas of
approximately have 500 periods civilization. Thus, the areas
in her lifetime with an estimated where the people are brought up
blood loss of about 50ml to make a difference toward their
200ml (Adhikari 2007). actions during menstruation.
Taking care of the body Admittedly, a culture of
during menstruation is an silence around the topic of
integral part of keeping oneself menstruation is common in
healthy. Menstrual hygiene many developing countries
covers the special health care hence a lack of information was
needs of women while a major problem that was faced
experiencing their monthly by women. Many researches
cycles. This includes bathing agreed that mothers were the
care for the vagina as well as primary source of information
the use of feminine hygiene regarding this matter (Savanthe
products (Abioye-Kuteyi 2000). et al 2015; Kamath et al2013;
The world has come a long way Dasgupta 2008; Ramachandra
when it comes to developing 2016). Other sources of
products and technologies that information listed were friends
aid women in dealing with and family as well as school and
menstruation. Ellis (2016) the mass media. In addition to
that, Savanthe (2015) added menstruation. It forces them to
that the mass media is not a uphold a custom of secrecy that
common source of information may end up harming their
in rural areas compared to health.
urbanized places. However,
despite being close to their Cultural beliefs also have a
sources of information, several large impact on menstrual
studies confirmed that many practices. Purnell (2005)
women are not aware of what describes culture as “the totality
menstruation is prior to of socially transmitted pattern of
experiencing menarch (Paria et thoughts, values, meanings, and
al 2014, Thakur et al 2014). beliefs.” Ford (2008) also
This proves that our sources of confirmed that it is something
information are not as that is always inscribed in our
informative as necessary. Their bodies and our minds.
roles of being our educators are Therefore, the relationship of
not fulfilled as they fail to health and culture heavily
deliver the knowledge that we impacts an individual’s
need. worldview and decision-making
process (Purnell 2002).
Society’s pre conceived
notions regarding menstruation In the Philippines, many
also pose as a challenge for activities are either restricted or
women. Western history has encouraged due to our culture.
highlighted that the menstrual When you get your
cycle is often linked with menstruation for the first time,
feelings of shame and many lolas encourage you to
degradation (Northrup 2009). jump three times so that your
Menstrual blood also began to period only lasts for three days.
signify contamination thus Eating jackfruit during a
requiring females to the careful menstrual cycle is also heavily
concealment of their practices frowned upon during
when managing hygienic rules. menstruation because it is
The monthly visits are also seen believed to cause
as a cause of weakness for dysmenorrhea. Lifting heavy
women, often relating its things are also prohibited as
appearance to erratic, emotional they are said to lower your
and unreliable behavior (Ussher uterus. These activities have no
2006). This makes it harder for scientific basis but it is a cultural
women to openly deal with their norm in the country and a lot of
women still follow these
customs.
The urban and rural parts of
countries get to experience
similar yet different forms of
challenges. Due to their
divergent environments,
Lederbogen (2011) found that
people from both places handled
stress and problems in a
different way. With the
Philippines being classified as a
developing country, it still
harbors a number of different
indigent areas and groups. The
United Nations Development
Program (UNDP) recorded at
least 14-17 million Indigenous
Peoples (IPs) belonging to about
11 ethnic groups in the country
last 2013. These people live in
areas that have not been
disturbed by colonialism which
are usually situated in rural and
far flung areas. (UNDP 2013)
Accordingly, new and
updated information have
struggled to reach their areas
because of their distance to
civilization. Zamora (2015)
confirms that there is still a
large educational gap between
urban and rural areas in the
Philippines though it has
consistently become smaller in
size in the recent years. These
indigenous groups also have a
stronger connection to their
cultural beliefs. Individuality is
tolerated when to or more
cultures exist together.
However, rural areas typically
believe the same language,
beliefs and social customs thus
they are not tolerant of the
people who disregard the norms
(Brehm & Kassin 1996). The
limited social diversity in these
areas put more pressure on its
people to conform to the
standard behavior
(Donnermeyer 1994). This
causes them to be hesitant in
accepting new information as
well as technological advances.
Malam-ek is a local sitio of
Naguilian, La Union. It is located
4.5 - 5 km from the center of
Nagulian. It has a total
population of about 200 people
wherein some of them are part
of indigenous groups called
Bago, Ifugao, Ibaloy and
Kankanaey. It still lacks a proper
water supply hence toilets are
not commonly accessible in the
area.
Many researches have been
conducted to gather information
about menstruation and all of its
aspects. Most of these are held
at various places in Asia like
India where religion has a
stronger hold on their actions.
Studies that have been held in
the Philippines are sparse so the
 Filipino people rarely encounter the Input-Process-Output model.
facts that link their culture and The input box signifies the data
menstruation. A lack of that the researchers will be
knowledge and understanding is collecting from their
still evident in our society. respondents. It will then
Hence, the researchers undergo a process called
conducted this research in an thematic analyzation. After
attempt to fill the gaps of data analyzing the data, the
for the public to have a better researchers will then formulate
understanding on the current enhancement programs that
practices of indigenous people would serve as the output of this
in the Philippines regarding research.
menstrual hygiene and how
their culture affects their actions
when it comes to menstruation.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
This study aims to know and
explore the beliefs and
practices of indigenous women
on menstruation. Specifically, it
tries to answer the following
questions:
1.4 THEORETICAL/CONCE
1. How do indigenous women get
their information in dealing with PTUAL FRAMEWORK
menstruation? An open and deeper
knowledge about the subject
2. What are the coping methods is essential to create
used by indigenous women in thorough understanding of
dealing with menstruation? this research. This theory
served as the researcher’s
3. Do they believe in doctors or
traditional methods more? What basis in the construction and
are the traditions that they design of this research.
follow?

1.3 RESEARCH 1.4.1 Simavi’s Theory of

PARADIGM Change
The researchers utilized the This theory proposes
figure of a fallopian tube as our the joint effort of the
research paradigm. It employs community, the government

Health
Guides
and its people to actualize a women’s sexual and
sustainable improvement on reproductive health.
menstrual hygiene
1.4.2 Conceptual
management. It relies upon
Framework
three integrated pillars. The
first pillar is creating
awareness on sexuality,
reproductive cycle and
menstrual hygiene among
the community to empower
women in taking care of
themselves during
menstruation. Girls often
have an inadequate
Perception and beliefs
understanding of
about menstruation
menstruation that prevents
Factors that are
them from feeling confident
considered under this
during their monthly “visits”.
variable comprise the culture
The second pillar involves the
and traditions maintained by
creation of a supportive
the community surrounding
environment in which
the girls; the girl’s basis of
menstruation is socially
menstrual information; and
accepted and women will not
the girl’s reaction to their
face discrimination. In many
first and subsequent
countries menstruation is not
menstrual experiences. Ten
seen as a sign of
(2007) emphasized the
reproductive health and
impact of cultural beliefs
womanhood rather, bodily
regarding menstruation and
excretions are regarded as
menstrual hygiene on the
pollutants. The third and last
communities’ lack of access
pillar is improving access to
to quality education. On
tools and services such as
some countries, it also
sanitary pads and sanitation
becomes a cultural basis on
facilities. Vital services for
the time when a girl is ready
managing menstrual
for potential marriage.
bleeding are often poor or
Misconceptions prejudice,
nonexistent in African and
and traditions during
Asian countries. Deficient
menstruation are rampantly
hygiene management can
practiced through Asia and
cause infection and endanger
Africa. This can suppress the This pertains to the
ability to uphold their health effective management of
practices efficiently. menstrual bleeding. Factors
under this variable included
Knowledge of the
vocalization, awareness and
menstrual process
access to the right
This variable involves
information, adequacy of
the girl’s knowledge on
available services and
puberty and menstruation.
facilities, disposal with
Despite the continued
dignity, socio economic
dissemination of information
factors and access to health
on public domain in the last
services.
years, menstruation is still
clouded by taboos and socio 2. METHODOLOGY
cultural restrictions. These
2.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
cause the ignorance of
adolescent girls on the A Qualitative-
scientific facts and health Phenomenological research design
practices surrounding is utilized in this study which aims
menstruation which can to explore human experiences and
result to adverse health describe events and occurrences
conditions. regarding a certain phenomenon as
well as give relevant interpretation
Menstrual Hygiene
from the data that was gathered. It
Practices
is effective in bringing forth the
Menstrual hygiene
experiences and perceptions of
practices are a variable that
people from their claim viewpoints,
includes factors like
and in this manner at challenging
menstrual products used,
structural or normative
frequency of product disposal
assumptions. This research design
as well as personal hygiene.
is appropriate to our study since it
The lack of necessary
deals with the experiences of the
sanitized facilities all around
women as well as their opinions on
the world for girls to attend
this topic. Through this procedure,
to their hygienic needs can
the researcher may develop all the
lead to the hindrance of their
inclusive significance of the event,
access to proper health
circumstance or experience and
practices and pose as a
achieve a more wholesome
health risk to many.
understanding of the phenomenon.
Menstrual Hygiene
2.2 POPULATION/ LOCALE OF 2.4 DATA GATHERING
THE STUDY PROCEDURE

Women who live in rural The researchers made use of

areas were the main participants of these procedures in gathering data.
this study. The criteria used to First, the participants were formally
select the participants are as asked by the researchers for their
follows: 16-45 years of age and voluntary participation. After
bona fide resident of Sitio Malam- having gathered the request,
ek. They were the most suitable interviews were done wherein the
respondents for this study because researchers asked questions with
they were able to effectively regards to answering problems that
answer the questions that needed were stated in the study. The
for this study. researchers noted important
information and recordings during
2.3 RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
the interviews. The data gathered
In this study, semi-structured were then analyzed and
interviews were utilized by the interpreted. Thematic analysis
researchers. It enables the was also used in the interpretation
researchers conduct a fairly open of the data. This emphasized
structure that allowed focused, pinpointing, examining and
conversational, two-way recording patterns within the data.
communication between the It is a flexible data analysis plan
interviewee and interviewer. By that the researchers used to
using this type of data collection, generate themes from interview
the interviewer has worked out a data.
set of questions beforehand, but
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
intends the interview to be
conversational. Therefore, the Before elucidating the themes
interviewer can change the order of and showing supporting
the questions or the way they are information, it is vital to clarify that
worded. Semi-structured interview these classifications are not
were frequently preceded by intended to categorize the women
observation, casual and themselves but instead the
unstructured interviewing in order thoughts they communicated. A
for the researchers to create a large number of the participants
sharp understanding of the topic of communicated various answers
intrigued vital for creating relevant that fell on different themes which
and significant semi-structured can't conveniently be distributed to
questions. one classification. However, the
researchers did their best to narrow
the answers down to three major
themes.
3.1 Mother’s Role
Generally, this theme refers
to the main sources of information
that the indigenous women get
their knowledge from with regards
to their menstruation.
Most of the women confirmed
that their mothers were the ones
who taught them the information
that they first received.
Mary Jane: Ni nanang ko kada
lola, dagijay babbaket ti pamilya
ket ado ti maibaga da kanyam
aggapo iti panag-regla(My mother,
granmdpthers, and even the senior
citizens because they had a lot of
advices)
Aida: Ay syempre di damo ah ket
kasla ka agbutbuteng ta apay nga
kasjay adda dara, syempre ngem
idi kwan ket nagdamag nak ti
babbaket diay balay ket kuna da
met nga haan ka agbutbuteng ta
nadanunam panagregla mon
kunada, syempre agbuteng nak
met ta apay adda dara na, ket
sinurot ko met dagijay inbagbaga
da tapno haan nga makwa
makbasbasol wenno maparigatan
ta awan met mayawan kanyam.
(Of course at first I got scared
because of the blood but then I
asked the old women and they said
that I should not be scared
because I had my first
menstruation, and by that I
practice or follow their advices to
prevent further pain or damage )
However, the researchers
were met with mixed answers
when they asked if the women
received the information that they
need before experiencing
menarche.
Christine: Adda met ammo kon
ah, gamin insuro da metlang
kinyak idi haan ak pay agregregla.
(I had a background knowledge
because they taught me even
when I still have no experience on
menstruation)
Marlyn: Idi haanak pay
nagregregla ket awan pulos
ammok, haan met imbaga ni
nanang ko nu anya adiay ngem.
Ngem di nagregla akon ket insure
dak metten. (When I still have no
experience in menstruation, I was
innocent because my mother never
told me what to do, but when I had
my menstruation they taught me
the right things to do and also the
prohibited things that should not
follow)
The early experiences that
the women had with menstruation
agreed with the experiences that
were stated in Savanthe’s study in
2015. Both sets of participants
received most of their knowledge
from their mothers. Further data
collected from the participants
disagreed with the study conducted
by Ussher wherein they
experienced no difficulty talking
about menstruation
3.1.2 Mixed Methods
This category reveals the
preferred hygienic method of the
indigenous women as well as their
coping mechanisms when it comes
to menstruation.
The younger women of the
tribe were already using sanitary
napkins, many older women still
use “pasadors” as their preferred
hygienic tools.
Joan: Saan nga pasador ti
ususarek tattan. Napkin ti kayat ko
ta nalinlinis.( No, I don’t use
pasador. I use napkin because it’s
cleaner.)
Marivic: Iti gamgamitek tatta ket
pasador ta nu napkin ket kalla
ngay matiped jay dara. (I use
pasador today because whenever I
use napkin it feels like the
menstrual blood cannot come out)
Anna: Nu attoy nak lang balay ah
ket lupot kasjay, ken adda idi
inabaga da nga nabulbulos ti regla
nu haan ka agusar t anyaman,
pagsapinen dak ti nangisit tapno
haan met malasin unay ah ta ti
rabii ket kasjay ti usar ko sanak
agilapag ti supot jay batog ubet ko
tapno haan nga masarutan jay
pagiddaan, ket nu rumwar ah ket
agnapkin tapno haan nga narugit
ken haan makita (When I am just
inside the house I use cloth and
they said that the blood will
excrete more when you use
nothing, they let me wear black
shorts before and put plastic bag in
my back to avoid stain coming
from my menstrual blood into the
sheets, but if I go out, of course I
use napkin)
The participants also said
that even though water was a
problem in their village, they would
still wash themselves a minimum of
twice a day.
Christine: Duwa nga beses maysa
aldaw ak nga agbuggo, malpas ko
agdigos ken nu maturog akon iti
rabii. ( Two times a day, after
taking a bath and sleeping at
night)
Emarlyn: Basta agkawkaw ka latta
ti danom ah duwwa a beses maysa
aldaw, nu rumwar ka pay kasjay.
(Just take a bath and use water to
clean your menstrual blood two
times a day, and even when you go
outside)
Moreover, the researchers
also found out that few of the
women did not experience
menstrual cramps.

Marivic: Haan met kitdi, haan
ngay nga nagsakit, haan nga kalla
daduma nga nasakit puson da.
Kanyak ket kwa met, haan met
kitdi normal met. Haaan met kitdi
pulos.” (I have not felt any pain, it
is normal, not like the other girls
who experience menstrual
cramps.”
On the other hand, the
women who suffer from cramps
had employed many ways of
coping.
Emarlyn :wen ah basta il-ilot mo
lang ti lana (Of course just
massage it with oil)
Aida: adda met ta adda dagijay
advice ti babbaket idi nga rurruot
ngay nga ajay matiped ti regla,
adda ngay jay ruot nga may anger
inomen tapos agbulos to met ti
reglan kasjay, idi nakainom nak idi
ti kasjayen agbulos met regla kon,
kasla mayatten ti riknak, awan
sakit ti ulokon, naawan sakit ti pus-
ong kon kasjay (There are advises
coming from the old women or
ancestors where in roots, a certain
root can help you to excrete more
menstrual blood from coming out
to prevent cramps and when I tried
it, it works, I do not feel any pains
anymore)
Although, some of the
women experiences dysmenorrhea,
none of them takes medicine to
relieve the pain. Instead, most of
them still use the traditional ways
of their community.
This supports our conceptual
framework wherein the knowledge
that that women get about
menstruation will work hand in
hand with their beliefs and
practices which will then affect
their hygiene. It also agrees with a
study conducted by Omar in 1998
which states that the number of
women who used sanitary pads
was growing with each passing
generation.
3.1.3 Tradition Meets Change
This theme observes the
combined beliefs of the women in
doctors as well as their traditions.
All of the women interviewed
expressed that they have trust in
doctors and their prescribed
hygienic practices.
Aida: Wen ah, mamati ak met
dagiti doctor ta inadal da garod
data. Ammo da met ti araramiden
dan. (Yes, I believe on doctors
because they study those and they
know what they are doing)
Anna: Ket doctor da met surutek
isuda ah ta paypayso met ti
kunkuna da (They are doctors and I
follow them because they are true
to their words and advices)
 Some expressed that they still
perform the practices that their
community believes in.
Christine: Dagijay ibagbaga ah
kadagiti baket idin ah nga nu
agregla haan mo kano nga idigos a
dagus ta mapasabatan ta agsakit
kano iti puson ken haan ka nga
kumaan iti naalsem. Surutek met
amin ah ta maymayat kano.
( According to the old women
before, you should not take a bath
right away if it is your first day of
monthly period because you might
experience menstrual cramps, and
do not eat a lot of sour foods. I
follow everything since they said it
will be better.)
However, most of the respondents
said that they did not follow the
beliefs of their community.
Marivic: “Haan ko nga sinurot ida
ta,nawelwel ak met idi ta nu
aramidek ket kasla met nga
nakarkaro ak nga rumawet ti
naalsem ngay.” ( I was naughty so I
did not follow them because I feel
so hungry ,I tend to eat a lot of
sour foods)
Elsa: “Adda iti pammati?iti kwa
ninuno? Ajay kwa haan kano nga
agdigos iti rabii kunada dagijay
babbaket, ngem nu siyak agdigos
ak ah ta mairita ak met ken haan
ak met mamati.” (Belief from our
ancestors? According to the old
women we should not take a bath
at night but I still take a bath
because it irritate me and I do not
believe to those beliefs.)
Mary Jane: Haan hahahaha
makakkakaanen ka garud ti ice
cream edi kwa hahaha ngem adda
latta ajay kasjay ngay nu kwa madi
latta kanyada ti nalamiis kasjay,
maikontra kasjay, ngem adda met
idi kanyak ngay nga kwa nu
agmens nak awan ti kayat ko nga
kanen nga uray manga ken
nalamiis ta agsakit garud pus-ong
ko. Depende met gamin ata ti tao,
adda dagijay makan nga haan
maikontra kanyada , adda met
dagijay madi kanyada, sunga
sursuruten da dagijay pammati,
adda latta kanyam ata nu kasatno
agkwa ta bagim. (No, you are
craving for ice cream so why not
eat ice cream, but there are some
who are really forbidden to eat cold
foods or beverages , but I also
experience to lose appetite even
with mangoes and ice creams
because of dysmenorrhea, It really
depends on how the body of other
women reacts to those foods or
practices because we are different
from each other on how to handle
menstruation)
This proves that the indigenous
women have adapted a semi-
modern way of life wherein they
are able to accept new information.
This makes Brehm and Kassim’s
study inapplicable in their
community because they were
readily accepting the new
information and the changes that it
is accompanied by. It also supports
the Simavi’s theory of change
because it shows the joint effort of
the community to accept the
changes freely
3.2 Action Plan
3.2.1 General Objectives
The main objective of this action
plan is to offer the necessary
information that the women need
regarding menstruation as well as
provide the necessary hygienic
tools to efficiently deal with their
menstruation.
3.2.2 Specific Objectives
 To deliver reliable information
regarding the factors
affecting menstruation.
 To provide proper hygienic
tools to the women living in
rural areas.
 To raise awareness on the
importance of maintaining
women’s hygiene.
3.2.3 Procedures
 The researchers will compile
all the new and updated
information regarding
menstruation.
 They will be searching for a
speaker that would share
additional knowledge in
dealing with menstruation.
 The researchers will also be
working together with the
speaker to write an organized
script.
 After that, they will be
searching for a local brand
where they will be buying the
needed hygienic materials
like reusable sanitary pads.
 They will also collaborate
with the different health
institutes in the locality to
provide additional hygiene
kits.
 A small program will be held
at their sitio for the speaker
to deliver his speech as well
as conduct the dissemination
of the hygienic kits.
3.2.4 Implementation
The project will have an estimated
cost of about Php 2000 pesos. This
would include the materials that we
would be using as well as the fee
hat the speaker would be receiving.
It is a direct intervention with te
community so that they will be
given the resources that they need.
The estimated date of the program
has been set on the 23rd of May
2019.
4. CONCLUSION
The confirmations drawn from
the formidable body of participants
indicated that the indigenous
women receive information mainly
from their mothers which is similar
to the results of other studies.
However, the study revealed that
menstruation was easily talked
about between the women of the
community albeit the fact that
some received the information they
needed after going through
menarche.
Furthermore, the researchers
found out that the younger women
of the community already used
sanitary pads while the older
women still preferred pasadors.
Lastly, the study also implied
that the women were slowly
adapting to modern ways of
dealing with menstruation because
all of the women believed in
doctors and most of them did not
follow traditional practices
anymore.
Although this research was
conducted as a small scale
descriptive-phenomenological
research, confidence in the
generalizability of the founded
themes is enhanced by the high
level of consistency in most of the
answers of the participants. This
is important because it could serve
as a basis for the improvement of
feminine hygiene throughout the
Philippines.
5. RECOMMENDATION
This research only focused on
the women of Sitio Malam-ek
thus we can only attest for the
views of a small part of the
population however, further
research can be conducted to
other indigenous areas in the
Philippines to confirm the areas
where the researchers
experienced inconsistency with
the answers.
6. APPENDICES
1. Emarlyn Baldo 43
Q: Anya tribo yo auntie? (What is
your tribe auntie?)
R: Ibaloy ah. (Ibaloy)
Q: Nagan yo auntie? (What is your
name?)
R: Emarlyn Baldo 43
Q: Kaano idi nangrugi kay nagregla
auntie? (When was the first time
you experienced menstruation?)
R: Ay dayta ti haan ko masigurado
ta haan matandaanen, ngem mga
14 kasjay (That is the thing I am
not sure, but around 14)
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan dapat nga ubraen
nu agregla ken anya dagijay? (To
whom did you know the doe’s and
don’ts when having menstruation
and what are those?)
R: Ajay nanang ko, ajay haan ka
mangmangan ti naalsem kasjay
(My mother, for you not to eat sour
foods)
Q: Ububraem met lang dagijay
auntie? ( Do you follow them?)
R: Haan ah hahaha ta talaga nga
langgong ngarud ti tao idi ah, nu
ibaga da haan ko nga masurot met,
uray ubbing atta. ( No, hahaha
because I am naughty before,
when they tell me, I do not follow,
even kids nowadays)
Q: Anya pay inbagbaga da
madmadi? (What else they say that
is not good to do during
menstruation?)
R: Haan ka nga agdigos dagos
kunada met ngem agdigos nak
latta ah (They said that do not take
a bath immediately, but I still do
so)
Q:Idi auntie nagunget da idi haan
mo sinurot? ( Before, did they scold
you for not following?)
R: Haan ah ta haan ko met
inbagbaga ( No because I never
told them)
Q: Anya dagijay ububraem nu
agregla kayo? (What practices do
you do when having
menstruation?)
R: Awan ah basta ajay nu naglaba
ka lattan ah ket ikwam lattan uray
nu ibaga da nga haan ka agdigos
dagos ta madi kuna da. (Nothing,
when you wash your clothes you
need to take a bath even if they
told you not to do so)
Q: Anya gamgamitem auntie?
(What do you prefer to use?)
R: Lupot lang ah ta awan met
napkin idi (cloth only because
there is no napkins before)
Q: Mano auntie? (How many?)
R: Bassit, wen ah basta nu kwa
tallo lang sukatan mi met lang
kasjay (Just a few, we use 3 and
change it after)
Q: Ajay ibelbelleng yo met lang
auntie? (Do you throw or dispose
those clothes?)
R: Wen ah, labaan santo ibelleng
( Of course, we need to wash it first
before throwing it away)
Q: Nagsaksakit pus-ong yon
auntie? ( Do you experienced
menstrual cramps?)
R:wen ah basta il-ilot mo lang ti
lana (Of course just massage it
with oil)
Q: Anya reaksyon yo idi umununa
nga nagregla kayo? (What is your
reaction when you had your first
menstruation?)
R:Awan, ammok met ta dara sunga
ammok nga agdadamo nak
(Nothing, I know it is a blood that is
why I know it is my first
menstruation)
Q: Mamin an okay agkawkaw
auntie? (How many times do you
wash your genital part?)
R: Basta agkawkaw ka latta ti
danom ah, nu rumwar ka kasjay.
(Just wash with water, when you go
outside like that)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen (Yes)
2. Mary Jane Oyelas, 43
Q: Agdamag kami man gapo ti
panagregla yo auntie (May we ask
about your menstruation auntie?)
R: Regular met hahahaha (Regular
hahaha)
Q: Kaano idi nangrugi kayo
nagregla auntie? (When was the
first time you had your
menstruation?)
R: Mga 13 (13)
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat kn haan nga dapat ubraen
nu agregla ken anya dagijay? (To
whom did you know the doe’s and
don’ts when having menstruation
and what are those?)
R: Idi kwan ah ket basta ibaga da
idi nga haan ka uminom ti nalamiis
dagijay parents ken ajay suka kano
ta nakwa kano jay dara, jay
agdigos ken ajay haan tay kano
agdigos ngem uhm apay koma ti
kasta na, edi nadugdugyot jay
itsuraen hahaha (They say before
that we should not eat or drink cold
foods and beverages and even
sour foods because it stops the
blood from coming out and also on
not taking a bath, but then why it
should be like that, it makes you
look dirtier hahaha)
Q: Naranasam ban nagsakit ti ulo o
puson nan? (Have you experience
headache and dysmenorrhea?)
R: Idi ngay ket haan ngay agsakit ti
puson ko ngem ngay adda ajay
time ngay agsakit ti dysmenorrhea
nga kuna da (Before, I do not feel
those but there are times I have
dysmenorrhea)
Q: Anya ba aramiden yu dijay?
(What do you do?)
R: Idi ngay ket kwa adda ibaga da,
adda ajay advice nga agikabil ka
jay bottle ngay t napudot ah
danom tapos iroll mo, ajay round
ah ta iroll mo, idi intry ko nga
agpayso ah ket kasla ngay upupen
na met jay sakit jay pus-ong
(Before, they advised you to put a
hot water on a bottle then roll it on
the affected area, when I tried it, it
works it felt like its absorbing the
pain on your lower abdomen)
Q: Anya inubram idi nangrugi ka
nagregla? ( What did you do when
you had your first menstruation?)
R: Nakigtot ah hahaha syempre
anya ngay hahaha syempre nag
nagkaslangay nagkwa ka ta ajay
ket haan mo ekspektaren nga
agregla ka (Of course I am shocked
because you do not expected to
have your menarche or first
menstruation)
Q: Anya ngay inubram auntie, add
aba nangbaga kanyam dagijay
ubraem? (What did you practice?)
R: Ay syempre adda nangnangngeg
kon ah ket ammomon metten ah,
aglinis ka ti bagi mon ah agusar
dagijay napkin (Of course I heard a
lot of things about menstruation
and by that you will know how to
clean yourself and use sanitary
pads)
Q: Anya usar mo auntie? Mano?
(What did you use? How many?)
R: Lupot ah idi, jak ammo ah nu
mano ta ilabak met kasjay tas
ibelleng (I used clothes before, I do
not count how many pasadors I
have because I wash it first before I
throw it)
Q: Mamin ano kayo nga agsukat
auntie? ( How many times do you
change?)
R: Depende met ah ta nu kwa ket
nu nabulos syempre kailangan mo
sukat nga sukat, nu adda met jay
bassit ti rumwar ( It depends, when
it flows a lot of course you need to
change, but there are times where
theres only a few menstrual blood
coming out)
Q: Mamin ano kayo agsukat ti
maysa nga aldaw? (How many
times do you change in one day?)
R: Mamin duwa nu ado, nu adaddo
ah ket mga tallo o lima kasjay,
napkin gamit ko attan eh (Two
times if theres a lot of blood, but if
it flows more maybe three to five, I
used napkins nowadays)
Q: Anya pammati yo auntie ti
panagregla? (What are your beliefs
about menstruation?)
R: Ajay ngay kunada nga haan
mangan ti suka ken nalamiis (Not
to eat sour and cold foods)
Q: Sursuroten yo met lang auntie?
(Do you follow them?)
R: Haan hahaha makakkakaanen ka
garud ti ice cream edi kwa hahaha
ngem adda latta ajay kasjay ngay
nu kwa madi latta kanyada ti
nalamiis kasjay, maikontra kasjay,
ngem adda met idi kanyak ngay
nga kwa nu agmens nak awan ti
kayat ko nga kanen nga uray
manga ken nalamiis ta agsakit
garud pus-ong ko. Depende met
gamin ata ti tao, adda dagijay
makan nga haan maikontra
kanyada , adda met dagijay madi
kanyada, sunga sursuruten da
dagijay pammati, adda latta
kanyam ata nu kasatno agkwa ta
bagim. (No, you are craving for ice
cream so why not eat ice cream,
but there are some who are really
forbidden to eat cold foods or
beverages , but I also experience
to lose appetite even with
mangoes and ice creams because
of dysmenorrhea, It really depends
on how the body of other women
reacts to those foods or practices
because we are different from each
other on how to handle
menstruation)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen (Yes)
3. Aida Segundo, 45
Q: Kaano kay nangrugi agregla
auntie? (When did you experience
your first menstruation?)
R: uh kwa 14 (14)
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan nga ubraen nu
agregla, anay dagijay? (To whom
did you know the do’s and don’ts
when having menstruation and
what are those?)
R: Jay nanang, iso met lang jay
advice da ngay nga madi aginom ti
nalamiis kasjay nu kwa, nu
agregregla ka jay kwa jay mangan
ti suka, uminom ti suka ket ibawal
damet basta jay naalsem, adda
met gamin ajay nu uminom ka suka
ket sumardeng, agsakit pus-ong
kasjay, ken haan ngay agwar ti
regla (From my mother, it is their
advice not to drink cold beverages,
not to eat sour foods or even
vinegar because there are times
where when you drink vinegar, the
blood flow will stop and you will
experience dysmenorrhea and the
menstrual blood will not flow and
come out )
Q: Anya araramiden yo nu agsakit
ti pus-ong ken ulo yo, wenno anya
man maramramdaman yo? (What
do you do if you have headache or
any pains in menstruation?)
R: adda met ta adda dagijay advice
ti babbaket idi nga rurruot ngay
nga ajay matiped ti regla, adda
ngay jay ruot nga may anger
inomen tapos agbulos to met ti
reglan kasjay, idi nakainom nak idi
ti kasjayen agbulos met regla kon,
kasla mayatten ti riknak, awan
sakit ti ulokon, naawan sakit ti pus-
ong kon kasjay (There are advises
coming from the old women or
ancestors where in roots, a certain
root can help you to excrete more
menstrual blood from coming out
to prevent cramps and when I tried
it, it works, I do not feel any pains
anymore)
Q: Anya nga ruot ajay auntie?
(What is do you call that root?)
R: Jak ammon, ubbog gamin ayan
na agijay ( I do not know but you
can find it on spring of water)
Q: Anya usar yo ngay auntie?
(What do you use?)
R: Awan met napkin idi sunga lupot
lattan (There is no napkins before
so I used clothes)
Q: Mamin ano kayo agsukat ti
maysa aldaw auntie? ( How many
times do you change in one day?)
R: Mamitlo, labaan mi met lang
santo ibelleng, ajay maminduwa
pay nga usaren santo ibelleng
(Three times, we wash it first
before throwing or disposing it, but
we use it two times before
completely disposing it)
Q: Adda ba epekto agijay nga
pammati kanyayo? ( Do those
beliefs had an effect on you?)
R: Ah awan met epekto na ajay ta
mayat met ti advice da ta awan
met nangyari nga madi ken herbal
met suda idi (None, because their
advices were great and they use
herbal before)
Q: Ano pa pong naalala niyo nung
nagmens kayo? ( What can you
recall when you had your
menstruation?)
R: Ay syempre di damo ah ket kasla
ka agbutbuteng ta apay nga kasjay
adda dara, syempre ngem idi kwan
ket nagdamag nak ti babbaket ket
kuna da met nga haan ka
agbutbuteng ta nadanunam
panagregla mon kunada, syempre
agbuteng nak met ta apay adda
dara na, ket sinurot ko met dagijay
inbagbaga da tapno haan nga
makwa makbasbasol wenno
maparigatan ta awan met
mayawan kanyam. (Of course at
first I got scared because of the
blood but then I asked the old
women and they said that I should
not be scared because I had my
first menstruation, and by that I
practice or follow their advices to
prevent further pain or damage )
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen ah, mamati ak met dagiti
doctor ta inadal da garod data.
Ammo da met ti araramiden dan.
(Of course I believe on doctors
because they study those, they
know what they are doing)
4. Anna 34
Q: Kaano idi nangrugi ka nagmens
auntie? (When did you have your
first menstruation?)
R: 13 kasjay (13 like that)
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan dapat nga ubraen
nu agmens ka? (To whom did you
know the do’s and don’ts when
having menstruation and what are
those?)
R: Ni nanang ko kada lola, dagijay
babbaket ta ado ti maibaga da
kanyam nu kasjay (My mother,
granmopthers, and even the senior
citizens because they had a lot of
advices)
Q: Anya ubraen yo nu agsakit man
ti pus-ong wenno ulo yo? (What do
you usually do when you have your
menstrual pain or cramps and
headache?)
R: Nasensitibo gamin ti
panagreglak sunga dapat iwasan
dagijay madi talaga ta nu haan ket
palalo sakit na pus-ong ko, nu
kasjay nga nasaniit talaga ti sakit
nan ket mapan agi anger ni nanang
ko t ruot o bulong nga aerbaca nga
kunada sana ipainom kanyak, nu
kasjayn ket agbulos to ti daran sa
bassibssit nga maawan sakit ti pus-
ong kon, ajay palang met ti ubrak (I
had a sensitive way of
menstruation that is why I need to
be more careful to avoid pain,
when the pain is too much and
cannot bear anymore, my mother
will boil a root or leaves of aerbaca
for me to drink that can help to
excrete more menstrual blood for
the cramps and pains to be cured)
Q: Anya usar yo auntie nu agregla
kayo? (What do you use?)
R: Nu attoy nak lang balay ah ket
lupot kasjay, ken adda idi inabaga
da nga nabulbulos ti regla nu haan
ka agusar t anyaman, pagsapinen
dak ti nangisit tapno haan met
malasin unay ah ta ti rabii ket
kasjay ti usar ko sanak agilapag ti
supot jay batog ubet ko tapno haan
nga masarutan jay pagiddaan, ket
nu rumwar ah ket agnapkin tapno
haan nga narugit ken haan makita
(When I am just inside the house I
use cloth and they said that the
blood will excrete more when you
use nothing, they let me wear
black shorts before and put plastic
bag in my back to avoid stain
coming from my menstrual blood
into the sheets, but if I go out, of
course I use napkin)
Q: Mamin an okay met agsukat nu
kasjay auntie? (How many times do
you change?)
R: Ay ket nu ammok nga napunnon
nu adon kasjay ket apan nak met
agbuggon ah (If I know that it is full
of course I will go and wash)
Q: Adda ba pammati gapo ti regla?
Anya dagijay auntie? (Do you have
beliefs when it comes to
menstruation? What are those?)
R:Ado ah ta ni nanang ko ket ado
patpatyen da nga naala da dagijay
ngay kwa ninuno kasjay. Ti kuna da
madi ka mangan ti suka, madi
nalamiis, madi ka agbagkat
nadagsen, anya paya aya, uhm
madi ka agkalintudwan ken madim
nga basaen ti buok mo nu damo
hanggang maikadduwa kasjay,
madi ka nga agmula ta matay kano
ta mulam, madi dagijay naalsem
lalo ti pinya tas jay langka ti
kadaksan nga makan nu agregla,
tas jay madi ka agdigos baybay,
dagita lang met ti ammok nga madi
ta baka maikontra nakarkaro pay
(There are a lot of beliefs
pertaining to menstruation
because my mother used to
believe a lot due to our ancestors.
They said that you should not drink
vinegar or not to eat sour foods,
cold foods and beverages are also
not allowed, do not carry heavy
things, what else, uhm you are not
allowed to get soaked from the
rain, do not wash your hair on the
first and second day, you are
forbidden to plant because it will
actually die, sour foods are also not
allowed specially pineapple and
the most forbidden fruit is the
“langka” and swimming in the
beach is also not allowed.)
Q: Sunsundwem met lang dagitoy
nga pammati auntie? (Do you
follow those beliefs?)
R: Wen ah ta awan met maawan
kanyam nu surotem, adda latta
kanyam nu mamati ka o haan,
adda gamin naistorya jay nanang
ko gapo ti tudo ket nabagtit jay
maysa nga babai (Of course,
nothing will disappear when you
follow them, it is up to you if you
want because my mother told me
that a woman got crazy because of
the rain)
Q: Kasatno ajay auntie? Mabalin ba
iistorya yo auntie? (Can you tell us
the story?)
R: Mabalin met ah. Ajay kano
gamin kwa asawa ajay nga babai
ket agininom ti arak ket agtudtudo
idi ajay tas dagijay wayway da nga
baka kada kalding adyay taltalon
ket awan met mangilinong ah ta
nabartek jay asawanan sunga
inkapilitan nga ajay babai ti napan
sunga nadigos suna ti tudo, ket iso
met gapwanannan nga agsakit ti
ulo nan ket ti kasta nabagtit met
sunan gapwanan ajay nga
pasamaken kt ti naamak pay ket
natay metten sunga nagbuteng nu
kasjay sunga kwa uray kasta ket
mamati nak latta
(Of course. The husband of the
woman gets drunk and that day it
was raining and their cow and
goats are on the farm and needed
to be place on their shelter and
there is no choice but for the
woman to do the job, because of
that the woman got soaked from
the rain and starting from there
she experienced headaches until
she got crazy and up until she died
just because of that, that is why I
believe on those cultural or
traditional practices or beliefs)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Ket doctor da met surutek isuda
ah ta paypayso met ti kunkuna da
(They are doctors so I will follow
them because they are right)
5.Marivic Baldo (29)
Q: Kaano idi nangrugi kay nag regla
auntie? (When was your first
experience with menstruation?)
R: Idi kwa,mano iti tawen ko
kasjay?. Mano tawen ko idi?
Agpalpas ak sa iti grade 6 idi,mano
tawen kon? twelve ba? wen
twelve. (I experience my first
menstruation when I was in grade
6, I was twelve years old before)
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan dapat nga ubraen
auntie? (To whom did you know
about the do’s and don’ts when
having menstruation?)
R:“ Ammom ah ta adda met iti
manmanang ko idi ket siyak ti
inuudi,insure dak metlang.” ( I
have older sisters who have taught
me, I am the youngest of the
family”)
Q: Anya ngay ti imbaga da kenka
auntie? (What did they tell you?)
R: “ Ti ammo da siguro nakigtot ak,
ket kunada haan ta talaga nga
normal datan., agdigos ka lang ti
kwa iti haan nga nalamiis nga
kunada, masapol nga ajay
maligamgam a danom tapno haan
ngay nga matipid, haan kano
mangan ti naalsem ken haan nga
agsuksuka ah” ( Maybe they
thought that I was shocked, that is
why they told me it is normal, I
should not take a cold bath, it
should be a warm bath to flow
freely , do not eat sour foods and
vinegar.)
Q:“Apay ngay kano nga haan nga
mabalin aramiden dagita auntie”
(Why are those prohibited?)
R:“mandyak ammo payen ta di da
met ibaga basta ibaga da lattan
nga haan nga araramiden.” ( I do
not know they just told me not to
do such things)
Q: Nagsakit metlang puson yo
auntie? Sakit ti ulo ngay? (Do you
experience menstrual cramps or
PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome)?
How do you cope up with them? )
R: “Haan met kitdi,haan ngay nga
nagsakit, haan nga kalla daduma
nga nasakit puson da. Kanyak ket
kwa met,haan met kitdi normal
met. Haaan met kitdi pulos.” ( I
have not felt any pain, it is
normal,not like the other girls who
experience medtrual cramps.”)
Q: Anya dagijay experiences yo’
ngay auntie idi immuna kay
nagregla? Sinurot yo metlang ba
dagijay imbaga da? (How do you
manage your first menstrual
experience? Do you follow their
advices?)
R: “ Haan ko nga sinurot ida
ta,nawelwel ak met idi ta nu
aramidek ket kasla met nga
nakarkaro ak nga rumawet ti
naalsem ngay.” ( I was naughty so I
did not follow them because I feel
so hungry ,I tend to eat a lot of
sour foods)
Q: Anya ti kinnan yo ngay auntie?
Langka ngay? (What did you eat?
Do you eat Jackfruit?)
R: “mangmangan ak met latta ah ti
manga,langka? Haan met langka
dagijay naalsem ken nabibitsen
laeng ah.” ( I still eat mango,
Jackfruit? I do not eat Jackfruit I eat
sour and salty foods)
Q. Anya ububraen yon gay nu
agregla kayo auntie? Anya
gamgamiten yo ngayen
tatta,pasador wenno napkin?
(What do you do when you have
period?What are the hygienic
methods that you practice during
menstruation?)
R: “Iti gamgamitek tatta ket
pasador ta nu napkin ket kalla ngay
matiped jay dara” (I use pasador
because when I use napkin, it feels
like the blood will not flow freely)
Q: Mano nga beses yon ngay
labaan iti pasador yo auntie? (How
many times do you wash your
pasador?)
R: “Diyay pasador apan konto lang
ibelengen ah throw away ajayen
ngem nu rumwar ak ton ah ken
napkin iti usarekon” ( I will just
throw away the pasador but when I
have to go to somewhere I use
napkin.)
Q. Mano nga beses kayo ngay nga
aghugas iti private part yo auntie?
(How many times do you wash
your private part?)
R: “ duwa beses maysa aldaw ak
nga aghugas” (I wash 2 times a
day)
Q: Adda dagiti pammati yo nu
agregla kayo auntie? Apan yo
metlang sursuruten? (Do you have
specific beliefs pertaining to
menstruation? Do you follow
them?)
R: “Adda iti pammati?iti kwa
ninuno? Ajay kwa haan kano nga
agdigos iti rabii kunada dagijay
babbaket, ngem nu siyak agdigos
ak ah ta mairita ak met ken haan
ak met mamati.” (Beliefs from your
ancestors? According to the old
women we should not take a bath
at night but I still take a bath
because it irritate me and I do not
believe to those beliefs.)
Q: Adda ba sursuruten yo nga
pammati gapo iti panagregla itoy
community yo? (Do you follow
specific beliefs about menstruation
in your community?)
R: “Haan. Dagitoy ibagbagan ah ti
kwa tatta doktor ta sabali jay
pammati daa iti ken tatta nga adda
doktor” ( No, I follow doctors
nowadays because the belief
before was different from doctors)
Q:Simmayaat metlang iti
panagdakkel yo auntie haan ba
nakaapekto dagitoy pammati yo ti
bagbagi yo? (Are those beliefs
affect you as you grow?)
R: “Ewan ah ta nasulpeng ak met
idi” ( I don’t know,because I am
naughty I don’t obey them)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen (Yes)
6.Christine Puroc (40)
Q: Anya nagan yo auntie ken mano
tawen yon? ( What is your name
auntie and how old are you?)
R: Chritine Puroc, 40 akon
( Christine Puroc I am at my 40)
Q: Mano tawen yo idi nag regla
kayo auntie? (How old are you
when you experience your first
menstruation?)
R:14
Q: Katno yo naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan dapat nga ubraen
nu agregla ngay auntie? ( When
did you know the dos and donts
while having your menstruation?)
R: Idi metlang kwa, insuro da
metlang idi haan ak pay
agregregla. ( When I still not
having my menstruation until I
experience it)
Q: Sino nangisuro kinyayo auntie? (
Who taught you auntie?)
R: Magulang, ni mamak idi ah
( Parents my mother)
Q:Naranasam ba iti nagsakit
puson?(Anya ngay iti inaramid yo
auntie? (Have you experienced
menstrual cramps? What did you
do?)
R:Wen kasta metlang, awan
intugtugaw ko lattan ah inggana
maawan, haan mo met kano
idigdigos kasjay. (Yes, nothing I just
sit there until it was gone, I should
not also take a bath)
Q:Indigos yo auntie? (Did you took
a bath?)
R:Ket syempre ah indigos ko ah ta
makapa irita met. (Yes of course,
because it irritates me)
Q: Adda metlang impainom da
auntie? (Did they gave you
something to drink?)
R: Awan met inted da ta kasla
intugaw ko lattan ah ta ag kalma tu
lattan ( They do not gave me
something to drink, I just sitted
there until it calms)
Q:Anya dagiti experiences yo ngay
auntie idi nagregla kayon? (How
do you manage your first
menstrual experience?)
R: Awan met ta kwa nawelwel. Ta
madi kunada ta adu met kano iti
natayen a babbai nu kasjay kunada
idi sinurot ko lattan ah. ( I did not
do anthing because I am naughty
but I still followed their advices.
They told us that lot of girls died
because of not following)
Q:Anya ti inaramid yo idi ngay idi
immuna kayo nga nag regla auntie
anya ti inubram? ( What did you do
when you first experience
menstruation?)
R:Awan met basta nagsakit met ti
bagbagik idi, awan iti kinkinwak
basta napan ak lang naginanan ah
agmalem. ( I had a body ache but I
did not do anything I just let my
body rest all day.)
Q: Anya gamgamiten yo ngayen nu
agregla auntie? Pasador wenno
napkin lattan? ( Do you prefer
pasador or napkin while having
your monthly period?)
R: Pasador metlang idi , mamin
tallo ak nga agsukat. ( I used
pasador three times a day)
Q: Mano nga pasador iti apan yo
gamgamiten auntie? Apan yo
metlang lablabaan? (How many
pasador do you have? Do you wash
the pasador or just throw it away?)
R: Haan ko ammo nu mano ajayen
idi ta haan met nga kwa idi basta
naduma duma met lattan ah para
iti binulan nga panag reglak. Apan
ko labaan ah dagijay ginamit ko iti
bigat, aldaw ken rabii ta mapuno
met ta isunto gamitek iti sumaruno
nga aldaw sakton tu ibellengen nu
maminduwak nga nagamiten. ( I
can not remember how many
pasadors I have, I think I had
enough pasadors for my monthly
menstruation. After using it in the
morning I had to wash it so I can
use it again the next day as well as
the pasadors that I will be using in
the afternoon and in the evening,
after 2 days of wahing and using it
I had to throw it away.)
Q:Mano nga beses kayo ngay nga
aghugas iti private part yo auntie
nu agregla kayo? (How many times
do you wash your genital area
when having menstruation?)
R:Duwa nga beses maysa aldaw,
malpas ko agdigos ken nu maturog
akon iti rabii. ( Two times a day,
after taking a bath and sleeping at
night)
Q:Adda dagiti pammati yo nu
agregla kayo auntie?( Do you have
specific beliefs pertaining to
menstruation?)
R:Dagijay ibagbaga ah kadagiti
baket idin ah nga nu agregla haan
mo kano nga idigos a dagus ta
mapasabatan ta agsakit kano iti
puson ken haan ka nga kumaan iti
naalsem. ( According to the old
women before, you should not
take a bath right away if it is your
first day of monthly period
because you might experience
menstrual cramps, and do not eat
a lot of sour foods.)
Q:Adda metlang iti apan yo
sursuruten ah pammati tatta ditoy
ayan yo auntie? ( Do you follow
specific beliefs about menstruation
in your community?)
R: Adda ta agsakit ti ulok nu
agbilad ak isu apan ak ah lattan
aglinong ken nu mangan ak iti
naalsem agsakit metten puson ko
dadduma, ajay metlang isu nga nu
maiparit ket haan mo lattan ah nga
aramidenen ( Yes, because when I
stay too long under the sun I
experience headache and
whenever I ate sour foods I had to
experience menstrual cramps, that
is why we have to remember that if
it is forbidden we should obey
them.)
Q:Adda metlang epekto na dagitoy
nga pammati ken aramid habang
dumakdakkel kayo auntie? (Are
there instances where following
these beliefs affected you while
growing up? Specify.)
R:Tatta nga bumakbaket akon ket
sa lang nga nagbulos ken maulaw
ak metten maabot ak iti 13 days
isu nga itugtugaw ko ta haan ko
kayat ngay iti agkuti-kuti. ( Today
that I am getting older I experience
a fast blood flow and I felt dizzy
that lasts 13 days that is why I sit I
do not like to move much.)
Q:Inturog yo metlang auntie? (Did
you sleep)
R: Wen ta makturog ak metten,ken
kwa basta nu agidda wunno
makaturog ak ket nu tumakder
akon agbulos . (Yes, I did not notice
that I just fell asleep but when I lay
in bed or just woke up and stand
the blood flow out fast)
Q:Adda metlang iti pinagsayaatan
na iti panagdakkel yo auntie? ( Did
it makes your life okey while
growing up?)
R:Wen,simmayaat met nu ajay lang
nu manangan ka na alsem matiped
ken nu uminom ka iti nalamiis nga
danum, basta surutem latta iddan
ah ta isu met pagsayaatam. ( Yes,
These made my life good while
growing up. We just have to
remember that when we eat
something sour and drink cold
water it will not normally flow, we
just have to follow them for our
own good.)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen (Yes)
7. Elsa Chinen
Q: Aniya nagan yu auntie? ( What
is your name Auntie?)
R: Elsa Chinen
Q: Manu taw-en yun auntie? (How
old are you Auntie?)
R: 43 years old
Q: Katno di nangrugi kayo nagregla
auntie? (When was the first time
you experienced menstruation?)
R: Fourteen (14) years old
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan dapat nga ubraen
nu agregla ken anya dagijay? (To
whom did you know the doe’s and
don’ts when having menstruation
and what are those?)
R: Idi nagregla akon kasjay ammok
metten jay dapat ken saan nga
aramiden (When I started having
my menstruation I learned what
are the do’s and don’ts while
having menstruation)
Q: Ububraem met lang dagijay
auntie? ( Do you follow them?)
R: Haan (No)
Q: Anya dagijay ububraem nu
agregla kayo? ( What practices do
you do when having
menstruation?)
R: Awan met ti naramdaman…
kasla met awan sakit nga
naramdamak idi ( I feel nothing… I
haven’t experience pain before)
Q: Anya gamgamitem auntie?
( What do you prefer to use?)
R: Ammok met agusar napkin.
Ngem kaykayat ko ti pasador ta isu
insuro ni mother ko ( I know how to
use napkin. But my mother prefer
me to use pasador)
Q: Mano auntie pasador yu? (How
many Pasador do you have?)
R: Adda met ten nga pasador ko
gamin umabot ti inem nga aldaw ti
pinagreglak ( I have ten pasador
because my menstruation will last
up to 6 days)
Q: Nagsaksakit pus-ong yon
auntie? ( Do you experienced
menstrual cramps?)
R:Awan han met agsaksakit (No, i
don’t feel any pain)
Q: Mamin an okay agkawkaw
auntie? (How many times do you
wash your genital part?)
R: Kada malem isu iti pinagsukat ko
iti pasador. Syempre agkawkaw ak
metten ijay. (Every afternoon that
is the time to change my pasador.
Of course I also wash my private
part)
Q: Aginana ba tatta sursureten yu
jay pammati? (Until now do you
follow your beliefs?)
R: Wen ( Yes)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen (Yes)
8. Joan Quisana, 33
Q: Aniya nagan yu Auntie ken
tawwen? ( What is your name and
age Auntie?)
R: Joan Quisana, 33
Q: Kaano idi nangrugi kayo
nagregla auntie? (When was the
first time you had your
menstruation?)
R: Mga 12 years old ak idi ( When I
am in 12 years old)
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan nga dapat ubraen
nu agregla ken anya dagijay? (To
whom did you know the do’s and
don’ts when having menstruation)
R: Awan met. Ammok metten jay
saan ken haan dapat aramiden.
Kasla jay haanak mangmangan ti
naalsem ( No, I just learned by my
own. For example by not eating
sweet food)
Q: Naranasam ban nagsakit ti ulo o
puson nan? (Have you experience
headache and dysmenorrhea?)
R: Wen (Yes)
Q: Anya inubram idi nangrugi ka
nagregla? ( What did you do when
you had your first menstruation?)
R: Awan met. Inbaga da jay saan
ken mayat nga kainen during
agregregla ( Nothing, they just tell
me what to eat and not to eat
while having menstruation)
Q: Anya usar mo auntie Pasador?
(What did you use, pasador? )
R: Haan nga pasador. Napkin ti
ususarek ( No, I don’t use pasador.
I use napkin)
Q: Anya pammati yo auntie ti
panagregla? (What are your beliefs
about menstruation?)
R:Awan met ( Nothing)
Q: Sursuroten yo met lang auntie?
(Do you follow them?)
R: Wen surauretek met jay
pammatik ( Yes, I follow my beliefs)
Q: Add aba ininumen yu or
ikabkbail yu nu agsasakit ti puson
yu? (Do you take medicine or other
ointment when you are having
dysmenorrhea ?)
R: Tatta, awan met ininumek. ( As
of now I don’t take medicine)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen (Yes)
9.
Q: Anya name yo ate and age?
( What is your name and age?)
R: Marlyn Bahatan, 16
Q: Kaano idi nangrugi kayo
agmens? ( When was your first
menstruation?)
R:12
Q: Kaninom naamwan dagijay
dapat ken haan nga dapat ubraen
nu agregla? ( To whom did you
know the do's and don'ts when
having menstruation?)
R: Ni mamang ko ( To my mother)
Q: Adda ba pamahiin nga
sursurotem nu agmens ka? ( Do
you follow or have beliefs
pertaining to menstruation?)
R: Awan met (None)
Q: Anya dagijay usar mo nu agregla
ka? ( What do you use during
menstruation?)
R: Napkin
Q: Haan kay met lang maibusan ti
napkin? ( Are there times you don't
have any napkins or stocks?)
R: Haan ta adda stock met dita
(None, because I have stocks)
Q: Ket ajay times nga awan
talagan, anya usar yo? (If there are
times that no one left, what did
you use?)
R: Pasador
Q: Anya ubraen yo jay pasador nu
nalpasan yon? ( What do you do
with the pasador after?)
R: Ibelleng kon ah ( I will dispose it)
Q: Haan kay ba mammamati
talaga? Kasla koma jay madi
mangan langka kasjay? ( Don't you
really have any beliefs in
menstruation? Just like eating
langka is prohibited?)
R: Haan (None)
Q: Maliban dagijay pammati yo,
mamati kay ba dagiti doctor?
(Except on your beliefs, do you
follow the perceptions or advices of
the doctors?)
R: Wen (Yes)
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