Carabao-drawn sledge used in Apayao wedding amid fuel hike
TUGUEGARAO CITY—As the country grapples with rising fuel prices, a couple in Apayao turned to tradition, using a wooden sledge—locally known as pasagad or karreta—drawn by a carabao as their bridal car during their wedding on April 8 in Santa Marcela town.
Instead of a conventional vehicle, 26-year-old criminology graduate Giovanni Zuñiga of Santa Marcela and his bride, 26-year-old public administration graduate Melody Baquiran of Iguig, Cagayan, rode the carabao-drawn cart en route to the church and later to their home reception.
Zuñiga’s mother, Joy, said in an online interview on Sunday that the idea was partly influenced by the ongoing oil crisis, but was also rooted in long-standing local tradition.
“For a long time, riding wooden carts pulled by carabaos has been part of life here in Apayao, especially when going to farms,” she said.
Joy added: “We also wanted the wedding to be unique and different from the usual celebrations.”
The wooden sledge was decorated with flowers and other ornaments, with a bench installed at the center for the couple.
According to the mother, the use of the traditional cart also reflected their preference for a simple wedding, rather than a lavish celebration.
“This is the simple wedding our children dreamed of. We didn’t want to spend on an extravagant event,” she added.
Farmers
The couple, both raised in farming families, said they were accustomed to riding carabao-drawn carts while growing up.
“We wanted our in-laws to see and experience the simplicity of life in Apayao. We are not ashamed of what we have here,” Joy said.
She added that the carabao symbolizes hard work, perseverance, strength and resilience—values that reflect the Filipino agricultural spirit.
The unique wedding transport drew praise online from netizens, with many describing it as creative and meaningful.
“Nagmayat, very unique! (So nice). I love it,” one user, Monette Narag, commented online.
Venus Lojero-Maculam also described it as “trending” for its uniqueness, while Louella Alibania called the concept “great” and “very meaningful.”
The couple said the use of the carabao-drawn cart also helped them save on transportation costs amid high fuel prices.
“We saved money because of this and we are thankful for the idea,” they said.
