Council of Elders head James Maranes showcases the Ibaloi tribe’s traditional tapuy brewing, a centuries-old practice now being preserved by Indigenous communities in Tuba.
For generations, tapuy has been part of life for the Ibaloi, Kankanaey, and Kalanguya tribes of Tuba. Brewed from local kintuman rice and shared during gatherings and celebrations, the traditional rice wine carries stories of identity, culture, and community. Today, that tradition is helping sustain livelihoods.
Through royalty shares from Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), which operates the Irisan 3 Hydropower Plant in Tuba, tribal communities in Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet have scaled up their tapuy-making practice — turning it into a small but growing enterprise that preserves culture while creating income opportunities for the Ibaloi, Kankanaey, and Kalanguya tribes.
“Tapuy has always been part of our lives,” said James Maranes, an Ibaloi leader and head of the Council of Elders. “I started making it as a child, when my mother first taught me the process.”
The brewing process has remained unchanged for generations. Local rice is fermented with yeast and stored in clay jars for approximately one month before the tapuy is ready for consumption. This unbroken practice serves as a living record of each tribe’s cultural identity — one that communities continue to actively preserve and pass on.
IA jar of tapuy, priced at ₱2,500–3,000, reflects both cultural heritage and a growing source of income for Indigenous communities. (Photo courtesy of Bakun Municipal Tourism, Culture and the Arts Council Page)
n the past, tapuy production was largely limited to home brewing for personal use and community rituals. As lifestyles shifted over the years, fewer families continued the practice. Royalty shares linked to the Irisan 3 Hydropower Plant have since enabled communities to sustain and scale production — improving packaging and bringing their tapuy to local markets and visitors.
Tuba Ancestral Domain Indigenous Peoples Organization (TADIPO) president Zaldy Guileng said TADIPO continues to support initiatives that strengthen cultural preservation and community livelihood. “This is more than just a source of income; it instills pride in our communities to continue our ancestors’ legacy while helping families provide for their needs. By investing in traditional practices like tapuy production, we ensure our heritage remains relevant and create sustainable opportunities for our people.”
“The Ibaloi, Kankanaey, and Kalanguya tribes have long held tapuy as a cultural cornerstone, and it is meaningful to see it also generating tangible opportunities for their communities,” said Noreen Vicencio, First Vice President and General Manager for Hydro Operations at Aboitiz Renewables. “This is what responsible community partnership looks like in practice — supporting what communities already value and helping them build on it.”
For the tribes of Tuba, tapuy remains a practiced tradition — one that continues to generate both cultural and economic value for the communities that keep it alive.