In the spirit of the pre-colonial wedding tradition, after the bride has been delivered to her husband in their new house, at this point began a conventionalized ritual probably as contrived as a Kabuki sequence. On seeing her husband waiting for her at the top of the stairs, the bride feigned hesitation, refusing to take another step, until he swore to make her mistress of her new house. After taking a few more steps she again hesitated, until he swore that all his worldly goods were hers. Halfway up she again affected coyness, stopping for the third time, until he vowed to give her happiness and many children. Thus assured, she dropped both her veil and the pose of shyness. Taking his proferred hand, she finally joined the waiting guests in the house at yet another merry feast.
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Source:
Alvina, C. & Sta. Maria, F. 1987. Essays on Philippine Culture.
