Tabuk men don’t trust G-string to hide privates

TABUK, Kalinga – Tabuk men no longer fully trust the G-string, the traditional Cordillera male attire, to keep their private parts hidden.

This became evident during the Matagoan Run, an eight-kilometer “fun run” held during the Matagoan Festival that highlighted the celebration of the Tabuk Foundation Day last June 16.

During the run, the participants were supposed to be wearing only G-strings.

Most of the 21 men who took part on the 2007 edition of the Matagoan Run were wearing only G-strings.

Glen Amla, co-chairman of the Matagoan Run committee, said the runners were apprehensive their G-strings would fall along the way, as these loosen as they run.

Amla said, however, that to preserve the native feature of the “fun run,” they would study how to secure well the G-strings so it would not fall no matter how far the distance of the marathon is or they might require the runner to wear wider G-strings so their briefs no show up.

Many Tabuk menfolk wear the G-string for cultural presentation or occasions such as weddings also wear briefs.

Another distinct activity during this year’s 57th Tabuk Foundation Day was the demonstration on the proper processing of “bongsos” by the Municipal Agricultural Services Office.

The "bongsos" is a taste enhancer made of pork intestines. The innards are generously mixed with salt and then kept in an airless container for three days. -- EA