In February of 2007, my grandfather’s cousin 86-year old Anas Bodong died of a heart disease. He was the eldest son in a family of nine. His youngest brother, Lorenzo,68 went to pay his last respects. As the last male elder in the family, he was also responsible in making sure that his eldest brother would be given a proper Ibaloy burial.

This is about the changing culture of the Ibaloy people of Northern Luzon, Philippines. The dead are mourned by family and friends and there are rituals Ibaloys follow to satisfy tradition.The event is celebrated like a feast with pig meat, singing and playing cards at night to stay awake and keep the mourning family company.During the wake, mourners tell stories of long ago. These are often repeated for each generation to hear and for them to know about clan history. Many Ibaloys have moved away in search of better opportunities and have not seen one another other for months, sometimes years. I call this homecoming because it is about my grandfather’s cousin Lorenzo and his reunion with his clan.It is also about a personal journey back to my Ibaloy roots.