Benguet State University’s Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD), Gender and Development (GAD) Office, International Relations Office (IRO), and the College of Social Sciences (CSS) hosted a research symposium showcasing studies on the indigenous healing practices in the Cordillera Administrative Region and the Pacific Islands. This was held on January 9, 2025, at the Everlasting Hall of the Research and Extension Bldg. in collaboration with the Partners of Indigenous Knowledge- Philippines (PIKP), University of Guam: Unibetsedåt Guåhan (UOG), and Pawanka Fund Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Learning.
CSS Dean Stanley F. Anongos Jr. welcomed the participants by sharing how Cordillerans greet each other. He stated that the Cordillerans do not have standard form of greeting as this depends on what the person being greeted would consider as a greeting. Anongos explained that the greeting can be through food, coffee or betel nut.
Ruth S. Batani, Director of the Office of Research Services representing BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan, continued the story by saying that the sharing of betel nuts even without talking is already sending a message of commitment to each other. She then expressed her hopes of more partnerships, open discussions, and sharing of knowledge and expertise.
Anita Borja Enriquez, President and Maga’haga of the UOG who attended online, resonated Batani’s message also expressing her hopes for a continued partnership with BSU. She then highlighted the importance of passing down and recognizing traditional and indigenous healing practices.
Next, CSS Extension Coordinator Gigy G. Banes presented the rationale of the symposium and shared how the partnership between BSU and UOG began. Both universities maintained a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the issues related to indigenous health, gender, history, and culture. For BSU, it is also a collaboration among the ISRD, GAD Office, IRO, and the CSS.
The resource speakers on the indigenous healing practices of the Pacific Islands were introduced by IRO Deputy Director Doreen Allasiw. The studies presented are “The Voyage to Center: Micronesian Seafaring and Healing” by Melissa Taitano, Pairourou Pwo Navigator from Guam; “Possible Causes of Spiritual Illness and Discerning the Type of Method for the Treatment” by Señot Donald Meniola, Yo’amti and Spiritual Healer from the Mariana Islands; “The Sacred Winds: Connection to Ancestors” by Hema Wi Hongi from the Māori Women’s Welfare League Tuia te Waiori Branch in Aotearoa, New Zealand; and “Settler Responsibility: Island-Relationality and Decolonial Solidarity” by Rebekah Garrison of the Sierra Club of Hawai’i. An open forum after the presentations was facilitated by Adrian Peter Cruz, a Cultural Consultant in Guam.
The resource speakers from the Cordilleras were introduced by CSS-Department of Psychology Chairperson Agnes Kryza Sito. The studies presented were “Bogwa: An Alternative Healing Practice of Senafe, Ifugao” by Ke-al Alindayo, Teacher III at Sto. Thomas National High School and “Indigenous Healing: Facilitating Cultural Assertions of Indigenous Peoples in Northern Luzon” by Christine Grace S. Fuchigami, BSU Faculty-Researcher. This was followed by talks on medicinal plants and ritual/spiritual healing by Corazon Loste and Beatriz Aliwana from PIKP. Afterwards, an open forum was facilitated by ISRD Director Ann Heather B. Kiwang.
The symposium ended with remarks by Zenaida Hamada Pawid, former National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Chairperson and CSS History Department Chairperson Tecah C. Sagandoy. Pawid shared her hopes that the presentations and discussion during the symposium would lead to the establishment of the College of Indigenous Medicine. On the other hand, Sagandoy encouraged the participants to continue what they do and what they have to do whether by sharing, engaging or conversing.//BTayaban
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