Adventist College of Technology, Inc.

College Heights, Barangay Acmonan

Content and Pedagogy in the Mother Tongue

Elissa G. Guinang
Bachelor in Elementary Education | 2nd Year College
Adventist College of Technology, Inc.

26 January, 2023

Mr. Romulo D. Tuballes

Cultural Roots: why it still matters even when you’ve moved on

Aug 18, 2017 | Blog | 1 | By Myra Colis | Photo credits: Joy Tallayo

So what difference does it make?

To explain each point, it’s best to hear the voices of them who’ve been there.

1. It gives you a sense of pride. - tncc-pioneers-2016

The pioneers of The Netherlands Cordillera Connection (TNCC)

“I’m very proud to be an Igorot. It’s not only because of the rich culture and tradition that we have but
more so because of how our forefathers fought and defended our lands and people against Spanish
colonization and all other attempts of invasion and exploitation,” shared Ronnah Tingalon, a native of
Mountain Province who’s been living in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband for 6 years now.
“Having this opportunity to gather and solidify our ethnic community here despite being so far away
from home brings me so much happiness. It brings me great hope, knowing that even if I’m far from my
ethnic origin there’s still a way for me to pass the invaluable knowledge of my cultural roots to my
future children.”

2. It reconnects lives and strengthens family ties - “I grew up not knowing my father because he
disappeared even before I was born. Gladly, I met someone at the gathering who knew my father well.
Though our conversation wasn’t that long, listening to stories about my father has somehow made me
feel so connected,” expressed Joy Tallayo, a native of Mountain Province and now residing abroad for 7
years with her Dutch boyfriend and 1yr old daughter. “Needless to say, I’m thousand miles away from
my hometown, which makes it difficult to travel as often as I want to. But now knowing that we can still
do something to bring our first home closer to wherever we are is a happy and lucky thing.”

3. It builds bridges and strengthens community - tncc-community-singing

Community singing of traditional Cordilleran songs

“While we are far from our Philippine Cordillera, the beating of the gongs and dancing, the Cordillera
costume of some ladies and gentlemen, and singing of ‘Nan Layad nan Likhatan’ bring us back (for some
moments) to our mountain home,” said Yvonne Belen from Mountain Province who left the Philippines
in 1985 during the Marcos dictatorship, currently a Dutch citizen and living with her husband- Cesar
Taguba- who is also a fellow Igorot from Benguet province. “The presence of our neighbor organization,
Cordillera Community in Belgium (Cordi-Bel), added color and sound. We had an afternoon of sharing
TNCC’s ideas to the audience and of bonding with those who attended.”

“We dont have an Igorot tempoyog (gathering) nearby the region we live in Germany, so my sister and I
joined the gathering. It’s such a joy to reminisce and cherish where we came from through songs,
dances, dining and catching up,” added Josephine Tallayo, also a native of Mountain Province who’s
been living in Germany for 20 years with her German husband and 20yr old daughter.
4. It awakens the authentic you. - “There’s nothing more liberating than being true to yourself,” uttered
Renijune Abaya from Benguet Province and has now been living in the Netherlands with her 3 children
for 8 years. “I’ve always wanted to have our folks gathered like we did. So what took place on December
10 is a dream come true for me. I haven’t played the gong nor tried dancing the steps from other
provinces, and yet, it surprised me to have done it with grace as if it wasn’t my first time! It’s amazing to
be myself, enjoying the indigenous me and feeling the warmth, appreciation and enthusiasm around.”

“I’ve lived in the Netherlands for about 20 years now, and I haven’t been to any ethnic gathering,
especially that of my very own, not until now,” said Jean van de Peut from Abra and now a Dutch citizen
living with her 3 children in the Netherlands. “Watching our fellow Igorots from Belgium who came and
performed our native dances gave me so much inspiration. Such gathering felt so personal and unique…
and hoping that for the next one, I’ll be able to also showcase our Tingian dance from Abra.”

5. It makes you awesomely different.

charles-mercedes - Mercedes Dewalan performing a duet with her son, Charles.

“I joined the Igorot gathering with my Dutch husband and my son, and it’s a delight to see my husband
interested in gaining more understanding of who I am, especially my ethnic origin. He said that by
attending the gathering he felt like he has been to the other side of the world,” wrote Mercedes
Dewalan, a native from Benguet Province who’s been here in the Netherlands for 4 years now. “My son
grew up in the Philippines and for the first time after nearly 2 years here, he felt like he is back home for
a day.”

6. It drives one’s homesickness away. - “Joining my fellow Igorots has certainly driven my
homesickness away. Having no family here and living in someone else’s home for cultural exchange is
oftentimes lonely,” shared Aprille Sandiwa, a native from Benguet province and came to the
Netherlands as an au pair for less than a year now. “The TNCC event on December 10 gave me a perfect
example of what it truly means to be with a community of people sharing the same culture, tradition,
beliefs, traditions and also personalities. It feels like home to have a reunion like this… I can’t wipe the
smile and laughter on my face even few days after the event was over.”

7. It brings ignorance closer to awareness -“In the Philippines, there is a common misconception about
the Igorots, especially when it comes to our looks,” said Aida Tingalon from Mountain Province who left
the country for more than 3 decades and currently a Dutch citizen. “We, Igorots, are mountain dwellers,
and for some reasons, Filipinos from the lowlands oftentimes picture us as dark, short and with a tail,
which is obviously not the case. So holding on to my cultural roots by means of reliving it once in a while,
meeting with fellow Igorots here in the Netherlands, and happily sharing knowledge of who we really
are are great ways to correct these inaccurate information and faulty picture of us.”

8. It creates a support system for community members. “- it feels great to witness the support that
one gives to another. Like the spirit of Christmas, there’s gladness and real joy in the air. I see everyone
helping out from preparing the venue to playing the gongs, listening to one another, sharing stories and
even cleaning up,” commented Minerva Bulong, a native of Ifugao who came along with her Dutch
husband and son who enthusiastically joined the community dancing with cheers. “It is my hope that we
continue to be gentle, kind and supportive to one another, which is the real essence of building unique
communities such as ours.”

In conclusion - What took place that day was a real personal eye opener not only for me but also to
those who were with me to witness the making of The Netherlands Cordillera Connection.

No matter where you are, what you do and what your aspirations or dreams in life are, remember to
hold on to your cultural roots. It can somehow spark the fire in you, especially when times get gloomy
and cold. Besides, the stronger, healthier and fuller your knowledge of your deep roots is, the stronger,
healthier and fuller can you actually grow and succeed in life.