A Fusion of Love and Heritage
Sustainable Development Goals
In a refreshing departure from commercial Valentine’s Day celebrations, the Museo Kordillera offered visitors an exploration of love through indigenous heritage last Friday. The “Leading the Ili: Notions of Leadership in the Cordillera” exhibit became the perfect backdrop for an event that married traditional concepts of communal devotion with personal romance.
The recently reopened exhibit provided visitors with a guided journey through artifacts and photographs that documented how traditional leaders demonstrated love through service to their communities. Display cases filled with weathered documents, ceremonial items, and family heirlooms told stories of sacrifice and dedication spanning generations.
“These leaders weren’t just authority figures,” noted Pat Evangelista, who led several tour groups. “They were individuals who embodied the highest form of love – putting the community’s needs above their own. It’s a powerful Valentine’s message that resonates today.”
Dancing Hearts: The Courtship Workshop
The MK Grounds transformed into a dance floor after the guided tour, where participants learned traditional Cordilleran courtship dances under the guidance of Ms. Dessie Ci-o and her team from the UP Baguio Program for Indigenous Cultures.
“These dances tell beautiful stories,” Ms. Ci-o of the UP Baguio Program for Indigenous Cultures explained as she demonstrated intricate hand movements. “Every gesture had meaning – showing interest, expressing respect, declaring intentions. Our ancestors developed this sophisticated language of movement long before dating apps existed.”
Participants ranging from students to faculty and staff attempted to master the delicate fan manipulations and stepping patterns that once facilitated romantic connections in traditional Cordilleran ethnolinguistic groups. The laughter and occasional missteps only added to the joyful atmosphere.
Weaving Past and Present
What made the event particularly meaningful was how it connected ancestral wisdom to contemporary relationships. Throughout the day, the facilitators drew parallels between traditional practices and modern expressions of love.
As the day concluded, participants gathered in the courtyard for traditional Cordilleran refreshments and reflection. “Our traditional leaders showed us that love isn’t just personal – it’s about dedication to something larger than yourself. And our courtship dances remind us that even personal romance requires patience, respect, and community. That’s a Valentine’s message worth remembering.”
In a world of commercialized holidays, the Museo Kordillera offered something more meaningful – a celebration that honored ancestral wisdom while creating new connections. For many who attended, it will likely remain their most memorable Valentine’s Day yet.
