IFSU cultural exhibit celebrates PH Heritage Month '22


Ifugao State University (IFSU) honored the Philippines Heritage Month through a show of photos of native houses and their narratives, and orientations on cultural items and indigenous cuisines at the IP Resource Conservation & Community Learning Center, IFSU – Hapao Campus on May 26, 2022.

Dubbed “Pangipaptok hi Nunhituwan: The Built Heritage of Hungduan,” the event highlighted the Ifugao native house, the most tangible symbol of Ifugao culture, as a stimulus for enhancing cultural awareness and appreciation.

Dr. Marissa P. Bulong, Vice President for Research Development, Extension and Training, who represented University President Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon, said conservation initiatives made alive through exhibits are critical in meeting the vision of conserving our heritage.

“Over the last decades, we have witnessed the disappearance and deterioration of our built heritage. Traditional house construction is a dying art, with fewer and fewer master builders in the communities,” she pointed out.

The exhibit is also part of the RURITAGE: Heritage for Rural Regeneration project as an additional replicator. RURITAGE turns rural areas into laboratories to demonstrate cultural and natural heritage as an engine of regeneration.

Dr. Consuelo dL. Habito of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), led the ceremonial toasting for rural regeneration through Ifugao house heritage.

Eulalie D. Dulnuan, Supervising Administrative Officer of the National Museum – Cordillera, elaborated on the assessment of Ifugao house conservation. She said that in Kiangan, Ifugao, the majority of 207 accounted traditional houses in 13 barangays are used for granary or storage.

She said there is a need for Ifugao residents to preserve these houses, some of which are 99 and 100 years old, to protect the rich heritage of the native Ifugao house.

Regina G. Gano, Campus’ Chairperson for Museum, shared her insights on how traditional houses carried stories and the history of the place.

“Two of the native houses in the displayed photos made me recall my childhood. The house of Apu (elder) Tapo and Apu Binnowuk was then called “The House of Bumayah,” for many years during their time, ‘Bimmayah bayah da’ but I have never attended one. I knew there were pigs butchered, wine being served and baki (ritual) being done, “she said. “I could only recall those successive nights when people danced with the rhythm of the gongs. The gong beaters sit around under the house.”

Meanwhile, Clyde Sam Pumihic, Ifugao Satoyama Meister Training Program alumnus, recommended food tourism as a way of restoring the resources or ingredients that are diminishing based on his research, “(Con)serving Indigenous Cuisines”.

“Food tourism may provide revenue to farmers and tourism operators while conserving our natural heritage,” he stressed.

Students of Hungduan National High School also showcased some Ifugao cultural arts and crafts and how these should be worn or used.

Dr. Jose G. Daniels, Campus Executive Director, said the University will soon be one of the sought-after museums because of the support it gets from Local Government Units, the University of the Philippines Open University, and the skills training on Indigenous Practices being offered.

Said event was organized with the IRT-GIAHS Center headed by Judy C. Baggo; IFSU Hapao Campus; UPOU; and Hungduan LGU.