MMSU cultural advocates spotlight Ilokano, IP arts in lecture series
By Ian Paul Villanueva
Moving beyond visual arts, the MMSU Advocates for Cultural Development (MACD) held “ISTORIA” lecture series, turning the spotlight on Ilokano and indigenous music and craftsmanship in its celebration of National Arts Month last February 19.
Three lectures were held during the one-day event. Mr. Marz Taylan, an assistant professor from the MMSU College of Teacher Education, gave a lecture on the Ilokano oral traditions of 𝘥𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘵 and 𝘥𝘶𝘯𝘨-𝘢𝘸. His talk was followed by Rev. Fr. Metchell Valdapena, of the Mary Mother of the Church Quasi-Parish in Nueva Era, who dwelt on the topic of the indigenous culture of 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢 (weaving) and other similar crafts. The lecture series concluded with Dr. Edwin Antonio’s talk about the enduring practice of Inabel weaving as well as the languages and practices of different IP communities. He is the Vice Head of the National Committee on Northern Cultural Communities of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Mr. Melver Ritz Gomez, MACD co-adviser, explained that the student-led celebration took a rather novel path of featuring Ilokano and IP music and artisanship, unlike its past celebrations, where visual arts were usually emphasized.
“The students didn’t focus on visuals or visual arts like painting, sculpture, architecture, or film, but rather on those pertaining to what can be heard, like the narratives from the IPs and the Ilokano oral traditions,” Mr. Gomez said.
MACD President Charles Jasper Mamawag, a physical therapy student and himself a Kalinga Igorot, said they wanted to feature more than the usual kinds of arts being featured. “We wanted to offer more than visual arts, because art is not limited to what we can see,” he said.
Besides the lecture series, ISTORIA also featured portraits of National Artists, and traditional indigenous clothing.
In their opening program, Mr. Emon Espejo served as the inspirational speaker. In his message, he encouraged the participants to value the importance of preserving their cultural identity.
ISTORIA was initiated by MACD, a student organization with a growing membership of about 90 students who are members of IP communities and culture advocates.
Feb, 23, 2026 08:55:am
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