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[xasterix]

Hi! Just some clarification. While the attribution of dahong palay for Southern Luzon is correct- its tip is at center- the attribution for Ilocos is incorrect.

In Ilocos, there are two 'leaf' blade classifications. The first one is 'bulong pagay' (rice leaf) and 'bulong unas' (sugarcane leaf). It's important to note that unlike Southern Luzon rice leaf blades, the bulong pagay's blade tip is at top, sometimes even slightly arcing up. The bulong unas' tip, on the other hand, corresponds with the Southern Luzon rice leaf blades, as its tip is dead center. To illustrate, please see the following pictures:

1. Sinan-olimaw (dragon hilt) na bulong pagay (left) and sinan-kapitan na bulong unas (right)

2. Trio of sinan-kapitan na bulong unas blades

3. Sinan-olimaw na bulong pagay (solo pic)

It's important to classify the Filipino traditional blades according to the native language in the region, as using a general classification (rice leaf) may apply to a certain blade profile in one region of Luzon, but not to the other regions. While the meaning of the translated term is the same, the blade profile attribution may be different. This also happens in Visayas and Mindanao blades.

Source of classification is from the panday community of Santa, Ilocos Sur, and the elder panday/artisan Antonio Pader.