Tuba:Cordillera In the Cordillera region, the traditional rice wine known as tapuey is playing a crucial role in preserving Indigenous knowledge, sustaining heirloom rice cultivation, and providing new economic opportunities for local communities.

According to Philippines News Agency, James Maranes, head of the Council of Elders of the Ibaloi tribe in Tuba, Benguet, highlights the importance of kintoman, a reddish-brown heirloom rice variety, in the production of tapuey. This rice, known for its firm, chewy texture and nutty flavor, is cultivated using traditional farming practices on mountain slopes.

For Indigenous communities in Benguet and the wider Cordillera region, the cultivation of kintoman rice and the brewing of tapuey are deeply intertwined with cultural identity and community life. The drink is made by fermenting rice with a local yeast starter, "bubud," requiring careful preparation and time.

Both Maranes and Aldwin Quitasol, a native of Tadian, Mountain Province, emphasize the cultural significance of tapuey. Quitasol, now residing in Baguio City, continues to make the wine using kintoman rice, sharing it during occasions and rituals, reflecting gratitude for the land's blessings.

In Barangay Tadiangan, Tuba, tapuey-making has expanded into a small enterprise, supported by royalty shares from Aboitiz Renewables Inc. This initiative is transforming traditional brewing into an income-generating activity, with tapuey now being bottled and sold, providing financial benefits to the community.

Zaldy Guileng, president of the Tuba Ancestral Domain Indigenous Peoples Organization, underscores the dual benefits of cultural pride and economic support that tapuey production offers. The partnership with Aboitiz Renewables highlights how integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern economic strategies can sustain traditions while creating livelihoods.

As Indigenous Peoples Month is observed, the ongoing efforts of Cordillera's communities to practice and protect their cultural heritage through tapuey production demonstrate the enduring connection between their traditions and sustainable development.