In the community (Benguet), we have what we call the Manbunong or the Mansip-ok. They are the chosen spiritual leaders or native priests who are well versed in the belief system. They are categorized according to their calling.

The Manbunong is the one who administers a ritual when it is prescribed by the Mansip-ok/Mansi’bok. The latter, having given the power to determine the cause of an illness, death, or misfortune, prescribes the particular ritual cure.
    
In rituals the Mankotom (Kn.) Manchiba (Ib.) interpretes omens and signs which the Mansip-ok and the Manbunong may not decide. The Mankotom is capable of performing the tasks of the other two.
The native priests, in other words, are the counsels of people in times of joy, sorrow, and distress.

THE ORIGIN OF THE GOLD MINES OF BENGUET

Long time ago, the gold mines of Benguet did not exist. The natives of the place, even then, were industrious and hardworking. They grow rice and vegetables, and raise pigs and chickens on their clearings. As happy people, they celebrate many events with caňao which lasted for several days. During the celebration, tapey or rice wine flowed as young and old danced and sang, or helped themselves with the fare of chicken and pig meat prepared as watwat.

One day while the natives were holding a canao, an old man suddenly appeared from nowhere and made his way among the guest. Drunk with tapey, the natives paid no attention to the old man. Just then a guest who had had too much of the heady wine suddenly bumped into him, throwing him on the ground. Upon seeing his pitiful condition the natives ran to help him get up on his feet. But the old man refused to get up on his feet saying:

“Get a big kettle, please, and place me inside it. Then lay the kettle aside and keep it covered until the third day of your canao. On that day open the kettle and you will find a tree. The tree is all yours. Its fruit will keep you from hunger all your lives.”

The natives did as old man told them. When the third day came, they uncovered the kettle. To their surprise they saw a small tree- a tree of pure gold! Barely had they uncovered the kettle when the tree started growing. When it reached its full height, it suddenly bore fruits of the purest gold.

The natives and their guests lost no time picking the gold fruits, placing their precious harvest in a basket, bags, and sheet of all sizes and shapes. Soon there were no more fruits, so they picked the leaves, too. And before they knew it, they were fighting among themselves. Suddenly the old man appeared before themselves.

“I have seen how greedy and selfish you all are. From now on, you will have to dig for gold whenever you want it.”
 Gold mining, from that time on, has been one of the main occupations of the natives of Benguet.

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