By Niña Christelle M. Sumintac, Correspondent

Playing a vital role in the scholarship and preservation of Ilokano culture, the Mariano Marcos State University received a Php 500,000 grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to research about the municipality of Paoay’s unique tradition of remembering the dead called Tumbatumba.

MMSU President Shirley Agrupis welcomed the fund by signing a Memorandum of Agreement with NCCA, represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Oscar G. Casaysay.

In a ceremonial signing on June 2 at Bantay, Ilocos Sur, MMSU External Campus Director Eliza T. Samson, together with research project lead Assistant Professor Jacquelyn B. Lejano, expressed delight for the motivating assistance and push from NCCA to materialize the project.

Asst. Prof. Lejano explained the research titled, “Panangibangon iti Tumbatumba: Documentation and Investigation of an Ilokano Fiesta on Remembering the Dead,” aims to refocus the lens on the traditional practice, to study its cultural significance, and the Ilokano philosophy and epistemology behind it.

“The outputs that will be generated in this study shall preserve this tradition, and address risks, such as neglect, alteration, and heritage disappearance,” Asst. Prof. Lejano added.

Gracing the ceremony were research team members, Prof. John Paul C. Vallente, Ms. Niña Christelle M. Sumintac, Ms.  Eufrocina Nora F. Martinez, and Center for Iluko and Amianan Studies Chief Leonardo Tejano.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis rejoiced over the research grant as it is MMSU’s first NCCA grant as an accredited organization. “We are delighted to partner with NCCA to implement this research as we believe it will help in the development, preservation and promotion of our culture,” Dr. Agrupis added.

As part of MMSU’s ACHIEVE agenda, the university ensures to pursue relevant research programs and activities contributing growth in all sectors, including cultural communities.

Representing NCCA in the ceremony were MOA Officer Ms. Angeline Varde, Accreditation and Grants Processing Officer, Ms. Generose Asuncion, and NCCA’s Accountant III, Ms. Marites Pitalbo.

The NCCA annually provides grants to artists and cultural groups, which will contribute significantly to the Filipinos cultural legacy as a means to extend artistic achievement. (HLY/JVBT/CBDA,StratCom)