28 Vol 3 Issue 1 (2015) CDRJ ISSN 2449-4577 (online) 2408-283X (print) I. INTRODUCTION Culture is a set of unique spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of society or a social group. It encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, values systems, traditions and beliefs (UNESCO, 2001). Culture gives people a connection to certain social values, beliefs, religions and customs. Cultural heritage provides an automatic sense of unity and belonging within a group to better understand their previous generations and the history of where they come from. The Philippines is an archipelago endowed with rich natural resources, a rich history, diverse cultures, and many ethno-linguistic groups. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) identifies 95 distinct tribes, which include the Islamic or Muslim groups in 14 regions of the country with an estimated population between 12-15 million members of the total population in 1995. The Office of Northern Cultural Communities (ONCC) and Office of Southern Cultural Communities (OSCC) also reported that the Indigenous Peoples’ populace is composed of 110 ethno REVISITING THE TRADITIONAL PRACTICES OF THE ITAWIS ETHNIC FAMILIES OF ISABELA, PHILIPPINES Hilda A. Manzolim 1 , Lailanie L. Quilang 2 College of Arts and Sciences, Isabela State University Echague, Isabela, Philippines 1 hildamanzolim08@gmail.com 2 writer_lan@yahoo.com Abstract The Itawis is one of the indigenous groups of Isabela, Philippines, along with the Ybanags, Yogads, and Gaddangs. In Cagayan Valley, two groups of Itawis are found: one from the Province of Cagayan and the other, from Echague, Isabela.This study was conducted to determine what is left of the traditional practices of the indigenous group “Itawis” of Echague, Isabela, Philippines that are gradually vanishing due to the modern way of living or due to acculturation. The study used the descriptive research method. The researchers, who belong to the minorities themselves, gathered the data of the study through immersion with the living cultural masters and through participation in the rituals. Other data were gathered through interview with the remaining members of the minority group. The rituals were documented, noted, and were explained by the elders. Frequency and percentages were used. The findings showed that the Itawis women still observe some practices in giving birth, in caring and feeding the baby such as “passa”, “tappe-tappet”, “baraga”, “iyaw”, “alintugurayan”. The “botiso and lallay” in baptism, the “passerbi” in courtship, the “intrega” and “pamonek” in marriage and “patunak” in building a house were some of the identified rituals still practiced by the Itawis. Keywords: Social Science, culture, traditions, indigenous people, descriptive design