Regions of the Philippines

Cordillera
Administrative
Region
❖ The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is a highland region located
in the northern part of Luzon, Philippines.
❖ It is known for its majestic mountains, rich indigenous cultures, and a
strong tradition of self-determination.
❖ CAR was officially created in 1987 by Executive Order No. 220, grouping
together the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and
Mountain Province, along with the chartered city of Baguio.Regional

❖ Center: Baguio City

❖ Nickname: “The Watershed Cradle of North Luzon” (because many of
Luzon’s major rivers originate here)
Highlighting
CAR
❖Among the languages spoken
in CAR are Ilocano, Ibaloi,
Kankanaey, Kalanguya,
Kalinga, Ifugao, Itneg, Isneg,
Pangasinan, Filipino, and
English.
Highlighting
2. Geography CAR
❖ Located in the central mountain
range of Northern Luzon called the
Cordillera Central
❖ Characterized by rugged terrain,
steep slopes, deep valleys, and
plateaus.
❖ Home to the highest mountain in
Luzon, Mt. Pulag (2,926 meters
above sea level).Major rivers: Chico
River, Agno River, Abra River.
Highlighting
3. People and Culture CAR
❖ The Cordillera is home to several indigenous
peoples (IPs) collectively known as the
Cordillerans or Kaigorotan.
❖ Major ethnolinguistic groups:
❖ Ibaloi and Kankanaey (Benguet)
❖ Ifugao (Ifugao)
❖ Kalinga (Kalinga)
❖ Isneg/Apayao (Apayao)
❖ Bontoc (Mountain Province)
❖ Tinguian/Itneg (Abra)

➢ Rich traditions in rice terrace farming,

weaving, woodcarving, and rituals tied to
their belief systems.
Highlighting
4. Economy CAR
❖Agriculture: Rice, root crops,
vegetables, and coffee are major
products.
❖Tourism: Famous for Banaue Rice
Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage
Site), Sagada’s caves, hanging
coffins, and scenic mountains.
❖Mining: Rich in mineral resources like
gold and copper (although mining is
controversial due to environmental
impact).
Highlighting
5. History and Autonomy CAR
❖ The Cordillerans have a long history of
resisting colonization — they were never
fully conquered by the Spanish.
❖ During the American period, the region
became part of the Mountain Province.
❖ After the EDSA Revolution, CAR was
formed in 1987 with the goal of creating
an autonomous region, but two
autonomy plebiscites (1990 and 1998)
failed.
❖ The people continue to advocate for self-
governance and preservation of their
cultural heritage.
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CHAPTERS 1 AND 2

Understanding and Preserving Indigenous Peoples’

Culture
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Intro
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•Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) have long aspired

for formal education to preserve and enrich heritage, not
erase it.
•Integration of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) heritage in
education combats historical marginalization and
misrepresentation.
•CHED Memorandum Order No. 2 (2019) mandates
integrating IP studies in higher education.
•CHED–CAR emphasizes cultural heritage as the stronghold
of the Cordillera, central to its 10-point CORDILLERA
Agenda, especially through Championing Accessible and
Relevant Education Services (CARES).
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) II. Purpose of Cordillera Heritage 101
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The course aims to:
1. Protect IP rights & 6. Promote self-

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welfare. determination &
2. Uphold cultural integrity representation.
& history. 7. Link socio-economic
3. Address unique cultural programs to IKSP.
needs. 8. Ensure indigenous
4. Build on IP knowledge & learning continuity
traditions 9. Support IP-led research
5. Respect customs, beliefs & documentation.
& institutions.
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•No uniform strategies

•Limited references & cultural
exposure
•Lack of faculty training in IKS
•Modernity reducing
appreciation
•Religious–spiritual conflicts
•Limited discussion time &
venues.
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•Cordillera history & autonomy

•Identify IP groups & IKSP
practices
•Apply IKSP in conservation,
governance, education, etc.
•Present cultural activities
•Appreciate Cordillera peoples &
IKSP
•Value culture as something to
nourish, not exploit
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❖ For Cordillera Students:

•Inter-tribal appreciation, peace,
shared pride.
❖ For Non-Cordillera Students:
• Correct misconceptions, connect
to Cordillera culture.
❖ For All:
• Promote inter-generational
learning & heritage appreciation.
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Contents

01
CULTURAL
HERITAGE

02 TAWID
CORDILLERA
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01
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represent
identity,
values, and
traditions.

WHAT WE LIVE WHAT WE INHERIT

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❖Connects people
to their ancestors
and community.
❖Serves as a symbol
of ethnic pride
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❖ Preserves historical
narratives and
traditions.
❖ Keeps alive
ancestral skills like
woodcarving,
tattooing, and rice
terrace farming.
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❖ Promotes understanding between ethnic groups.

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❖ Encourages responsible
tourism that benefits local
communities.
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❖ Passing it on to future generations safeguards

community memory.
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 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) A. Tangible Cultural Heritage
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• Movable heritage: artifacts, tools, musical instruments,

textiles.
• Immovable heritage: monuments, historical buildings,
archaeological sites.
• Cordillera Examples:
o Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (UNESCO World
Heritage Site – Banaue, Batad, Hapao, Mayoyao, Kiangan).
o Stone houses in Bontoc and Sagada.
o Wooden bulul (rice guardian figures).
o Antique gongs (gangsa).
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) B. Intangible Cultural Heritage
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•Oral traditions and expressions.

•Performing arts.
•Social practices, rituals, and festive events.
•Knowledge and skills related to nature and the universe.
•Traditional craftsmanship.
•Cordillera Examples:
✓ Hudhud chants of the Ifugao (UNESCO-recognized).
✓ Ullalim epic songs of the Kalinga.
✓ Cañao rituals.
✓ Traditional tattooing (batok).
✓ Indigenous agricultural knowledge for rice terrace
maintenance.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) C. Natural Heritage
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•Landforms, biodiversity, and

landscapes with cultural significance.
• Cordillera Examples:
o Mount Pulag (sacred mountain for
Ibaloi, Kalanguya, and other groups).
o Chico River (lifeline for agriculture
and rituals).
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 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 1. Modernization & Urbanization
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o Loss of traditional architecture.
o Youth disinterest in learning traditional skills.
2. Climate Change & Natural Disasters
o Landslides damaging rice terraces.
3. Migration
o Traditions fade when communities move away.
4. Commercialization
o Over-tourism that disrespects sacred sites.
5. Language Endangerment
o Loss of indigenous languages reduces oral
traditions.
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 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 1. Documentation: Recording oral histories, digitizing
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artifacts.
2. Education: Teaching local culture in schools.
3. Community Involvement: Empowering locals as
heritage stewards.
4. Government & NGO Initiatives:
o National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
o National Museum of the Philippines
o UNESCO programs
5. Sustainable Tourism: Promoting cultural experiences
that respect traditions.
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1. Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao
o Sung during rice planting, harvest, and funeral wakes.
o Usually performed by elder women (munhaw-e).
2. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
o Over 2,000 years old.
o Built using stone and mud walls, with an irrigation system
from mountain forests.
3. Traditional Cordillera Weaving
o Patterns symbolize status, community origin, and beliefs.
4. Mummification in Benguet
o Ancient practice of preserving bodies for spiritual beliefs.
 ASPECT CULTURE HERITAGE
The way of life, traditions, beliefs, values,
The legacy of physical artifacts (tangible) and intangible
DEFINITION customs, language, and arts shared by a group of
attributes handed down from past generations.
people.

Living and evolving — it changes over time as Preserved and inherited — focuses on what is passed on
NATURE
people adapt to new ideas and influences. to the present from the past.

Encompasses everyday practices, social norms, Includes tangible heritage (monuments, buildings,
SCOPE art forms, festivals, clothing, food, music, and artifacts) and intangible heritage (oral traditions,
language. performing arts, rituals).

Focuses on the present expression of a Rooted in the past but valued in the present for its
TIME FRAME
community’s identity. historical, cultural, or social significance.

- Filipino bayanihan spirit- Cordillera weaving - Banaue Rice Terraces- Spanish-era churches- Hudhud
EXAMPLES
techniques- Japanese tea ceremony chants of the Ifugao

Passed on through socialization and daily Passed on through conservation, documentation, and
TRANSMISSION
interaction. education.

To maintain identity and unity in a changing To protect and safeguard significant cultural expressions
GOAL
world. for future generations.
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TAWID CORDILLERA.
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By Group Borcelle