19-20 August 2025

In an effort to safeguard indigenous knowledge and bridge the gap between traditional and mainstream health systems, Benguet State University (BSU) hosted a two-day activity titled “Talipnan di Biyag: Ap-apat on Indigenous Wellness and Healing Systems.” The event was attended by academic researchers, traditional healers, and community leaders to foster a more equitable, culturally grounded, and sustainable healthcare system for Indigenous Peoples in the Cordillera Administrative Region and beyond.

The activity was spearheaded by BSU’s Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD), College of Social Sciences, College of Nursing, and Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines (PIKP). It aimed to disseminate research on indigenous health systems, identify gaps in the integration of indigenous knowledge into the current healthcare framework, and discuss practices and challenges. It also sought to identify strategies and policies to strengthen the transmission and institutional support for the indigenous knowledge in health.

In his message, BSU VP for Research and Extension Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres highlighted the event’s importance as a platform for science and culture. He emphasized that the collaboration between researchers and indigenous communities is for the betterment of society. Lumbres also said that the younger generation are the one to inherit our indigenous knowledge.

BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan represented by Maridel P. Langbis, Executive Assistant of the Office of the President, stated that there should be a need for harmony of mind, body, spirit, and community, and that indigenous knowledge systems should be integrated into policy, education, and community development.

Keynote speaker Dr. Penny A. Domogo, a retired Provincial Health Officer of  Mountain Province, emphasized that wellness is not just the physical health, citing the World Health Organization’s definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. She compared this to the indigenous worldview, which sees wellness as rooted not only in the body, mind, emotions, and spirit but also in harmony with the family, community, environment, land, and cosmos.

She highlighted that indigenous healing is communal, requiring reconciliation, shared responsibility, and restored harmony within communities. While there are existing modern medicine, Domogo noted that diseases continue to emerge, proving the importance of indigenous healing practices as vital to the survival of humanity and future generations. She also reminded participants of the key laws protecting indigenous knowledge and healing practices, which are the Republic Act 8423 or the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA) of 1997, and Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997.

Domogo ended her message with a call to action for indigenous healers to share their wisdom, for the youth to learn from their elders, for academe to reframe research methodologies, and for government agencies to fully implement the protecting laws.

“Healing is not just about surviving, not just getting over one illness after another. It is about remembering and reclaiming who we are and walking towards a future where we can all thrive,” Domogo said.

Following the messages, the discussions began with a presentation by Maria Elena Regpala of the Centers of Distinction on Indigenous and Local Knowledge & PIKP, who talked about the “Indigenous Worldview on Health and Wellness.” This was followed by Sixto T. Talastas, who discussed “A Glimpse of Indigenous Healing in the Cordillera.” Both presentations highlighted perspectives on the region’s indigenous healing systems.

Next, healers and leaders shared their personal experiences and the challenges of preserving indigenous healing practices. Healing ritual leader Mike P. Tauli presented on the “Status, Experiences and Challenges of Daw-es Community and Group Healing.” Mambunong healers Eduardo B. Daniel and Amante T. Sagandoy shared insights from their work as healers. Corazon D. Loste discussed topics on medicinal plants and Claire Dogwe on ilot-massage.

The academe also contributed researches that highlighted the science and indigenous practices. Rodelyn C. Simeon, a student from the College of Nursing, presented their study on the use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients. Ruth S. Batani, Director of the Office of Research Services, shared their research “Agas ay Nabe-as ken Pokhus.”

Karryl Mae C. Ngina, ISRD Division Head on Gender and Development, also discussed “Ili ay Napuwan: Rootedness and the Unseen Connection towards Indigenous Healing.” Ann Heather B. Kiwang, ISRD Director, presented their work on “The Experience of Mental Illness in an Indigenous Community,” while Maureen E. Gay-as, ISRD Division Head on Health and Nutrition, shared the study “Seded, Kawil tan Ta-ed: The Healing Journey of Mambunong.”

The second day started with the series of presentations on policy and health systems perspectives. Regpala shared the comparative study on Indigenous and Energy Healing. Christine Grace B. Sidchogan-Lazaro, faculty member of the College of Information Sciences, presented the brief policy in considerations for integrating indigenous healing into intercultural health guidelines for Northern Luzon’s Indigenous Peoples.

Dr. Mercedes S. Calpito also provided an overview of the guidelines for delivering basic health services to Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples. Erlinda C. Palaganas, Regional Coordinator of the Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium, then discussed pathways for integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into the academe and the broader health system.

The two-day activity ended with a workshop where participants shared the challenges they face in promoting, transmitting, and practicing indigenous health and wellness. They also identified what is needed to advance these practices, as well as current plans and programs.