ILOILO City – The town of Tubungan in Iloilo province is preparing for the opening of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) “School of Living Traditions” this June.
Tubungan municipal IP focal person Emelyn Tano has convened with Sasha Dioso, University of the Philippines-Visayas (UPV) Focal Person for IP Traditional Arts Hub and Marcelo Taton, to deliberate on its implementation.
The “School of Living Traditions” is one where a living master, culture bearer or culture specialist teaches skills and techniques of doing a traditional art or craft, among others. The mode of teaching is usually non-formal, oral, and with practical demonstrations.
“This 21st century, the IP school of living tradition will be a venue where our culture and tradition will be preserved and will be passed to our next generation,” Tano said in an interview on Feb. 25.
She said the local government of Tubungan has partnered with UPV to prepare the implementation plan and curriculum module. “We conduct a proposal that we will submit to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts,” Tano said.
The IP “School of Living Traditions” was initially planned during the celebration of the IP month last year.
The construction of the school, which will be located at Igtuble village, was granted with a PHP200,000 budget by the Iloilo provincial government last January.
“While the procurement of the construction needs is ongoing, we are also preparing the module. The classes in the School of Living Traditions will start this June,” Tano said.
Once established, she said the school will be utilized by Tubungan’s 10 IP communities under the Panay Bukidnon.
The students will be taught of traditional and ritual dances, music, and the art of carving, she added.
The school will also promote the IP traditions to tourists visiting Igtuble village. “The carvings made from the school, for example, can serve as souvenirs for our visitors,” according to her.(With a report from PNA/PN)
