Keheton Kenhulung Tboli: Weaving Indigenous Arts, Culture and Tourism
The UP Asian Institute of Tourism proudly concluded Keheton Kenhulung Tboli: Weaving Indigenous Arts, Culture and Tourism last February 19, 2024 at the UP AIT Lounge. KKT is one of the pilot projects under the Culture Bearers-in-Residence Program of the Office of the Chancellor.
UP Officials Chancellor Edgardo Vistan and VC for Academic Affairs Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon remarked the occassion as a milestone in developing the campus as a dynamic cultural haven. They thanked Manlilikha ng Bayan 2023 Rosie Godwino Sula for this rare cultural exchange opportunity.
NCIP Chair Jennifer “Simpayen” Sibug-las, NCCA Executive Director Oscar Casaysay, Quezon City Tourism OIC Maria Teresa Tirona, and National Artist for Music Ramon Santos also graced the program with messages of support to the UP AIT for its projects and initiatives on Filipino indigenous culture and arts. Project partners from College of Arts and Letters, College of Human Kinetics, and College of Music were also present.
Finally, AIT Dean Giovanni Legaspi recapped the events that transpired in the 2-week showcase and celebration of Tboli tangible and intangible cultural heritage. These include a series of lecture-workshops and discussion forums on Tboli musical instruments, dances, songs, culinary heritage, Tnalak weaving, basketry, beadwork and embroidery held in AIT, KAL, CMu, UP Baguio CAC and CSS. Dean Legaspi also announced its continued community engagement with the Tboli. The UP, through AIT, will also continue the sharing of indigenous knowledge through partnership, collaboration and academic exhange that respond to the protection and promotion Philippine culture and tourism.
To close the program, MB Rosie Sula performed a Tboli chant to humbly express her utmost gratitude to the UP AIT and UP community. She said she wants to pursue her legacy of documenting and sharing the Tboli cultural heritage so it will be preserved and shared to all, across generations.
MB Sula is joined by the members of Libun Hulung Matul or Tribal Women Empowerment Group, Jenny Campilan and dreamweaver Julie Fanulan.
Written by Milovy Mariel R. Baduria