We often associate wedding ceremonies with long, white bridal gowns and tuxedos, but couples looking for a dose of inspiration can take cues from the engagement ceremony of Congresswoman Princess Bai Rihan Mangudadatu Sakaluran and police lieutenant Al-shadat Hassan Abdurajak held in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat on September 3rd.
Not only is Bai Rihan Mangudadatu Sakaluran the daughter of Sultan Omar Pax Mangudadatu, but she also was the local mayora in her own right before she became the congresswoman of Sultan Kudarat Province’s first legislative district in 2019.
Image credit: Congresswoman Bai Rihan Mangudadatu Sakaluran
In a sea of colorful drapes and patterns, Sultan Kudarat’s 1st District Representative Sakaluran and Plt. Abdurajak held a traditional engagement ceremony, mixing the culture of Maguindanao and Tausug to showcase the weaving traditions of Muslim Mindanao.
Image credit: Congresswoman Bai Rihan Mangudadatu Sakaluran
The engagement ceremony, called Salangguni in Maguindanaon and Pagturul Tayma in Tausug, is when the bridegroom-to-be formally asks for the blessings of the bride-to-be’s parents. It saw the couple in various stunning traditional outfits.
The princess wore an embroidered cloth with matsuno gold beads from Thailand and a violet Inaul gown showcasing traditional Maguindanao woven cloth with geometric designs, among other traditional clothes.
Image credit: Jay Cabatingan Couture
Abdurajak wore a red royal suit, among other suits, that was also hand-stitched with matsuno beads along with his personalized Muslim headgear.
Congresswoman Princess Bai Rihan Mangudadatu wearing an Inaul gown
Image credit: Congresswoman Bai Rihan Mangudadatu Sakaluran
Image credit: OutLoud Studios
Even in their prenuptial shoots, the couple’s creativity didn’t stop. Inspired by the South Korean drama Crash Landing On You, they posed like Captain Ri and Yoon Se-ri in their prenuptial videos and photos.
Image credit: James Montano
“It was mainly my idea since I was so hooked with CLOY and it was the perfect idea for us since it suits my husband as he is a police officer. So, I told him I wanted a #CLOY-inspired prenup. We decided on this around February or March,” the congresswoman told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle.
Image credit: James Montano
For the reference of couples out there wanting to do their own CLOY-inspired prenup too, the prenup was shot in various places in Mindanao. The La Palmera Mountain Ridge in Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City was the setting of the film, while the photos were taken in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and General Santos City.
They originally planned their wedding to be held on September 10, but have to move it to next year due to the COVID-19 situation.
Fabrics showcasing our country’s traditions indeed never go out of style. They pay homage to our cultures through intricate threads and bold colors, as shown by the grand engagement ceremony of the Tausug princess and her police lieutenant fiance.
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Cover image credit: Congresswoman Bai Rihan Mangudadatu Sakaluran
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