I believe that there is no "Mayaoyao tribe." He must be referring to the peoples living in Mayaoyao - a town of Ifugao province, northern Luzon.
The Ifugao peoples had a social strata which classifies peoples according to prestige/wealth. It is likely that such a bladed weapon was used by the wealthy to display their social status.
Michael,
What are its measurements?
We should meet someday when you are in the Philippines.
Nonoy
The use of anthropomorphic figures on these northern luzon bladed weapons is interesting. Here is another example:
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