National Museum of the Philippines-Cordillera

29/05/2026

Watch, Learn and Do the Basics of Weaving!

Your successfully hosted “ABOL: Weaving Workshops for Beginners” at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office grounds in Linda, Kiangan, Ifugao on May 18, 2026 while celebrating (IMD) 2026 with its theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World” while joining the observance of . The weaving workshop was participated by at least 14 pupils and 3 teachers from the Kiangan Central School with various observers from walk-in museum visitors.

The activity started with an overview guided tour to familiarize the participants with the weaving implements, weaving techniques and woven textiles. After the short tour, the participants were made to choose a museum item for painting. The 11 grade schoolers chose draw-paint and tell something about their work while 3 worked on basic warping using the table top mini looms with the museum staff as trainers. These simple activities served as foundational experiences for them to appreciate the weaving process and techniques giving each learner a physical connection to the local tangible heritage under the direct guidance of museum staff and local educators. The 3 teachers also did simple beading of woven bracelets. This way, this ignited cultural appreciation by the young connecting them to the past and bringing them closer to their cultural identity.

By targeting the grade school as cultural program partners, the ensures that indigenous traditions will not only be preserved in glass cases but are transmitted to the young during their early education. The success of this IMD activity highlights the role of museums as trusted and vital spaces for community building, cultural heritage transmission and unity.




Text and photos by: LLagayan/NM Cordillera

29/05/2026

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙄𝙛𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙤 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚

Step inside the National Museum–Cordillera and you’ll notice the 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢 or monitor lizard (𝘝𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘱.) inscribed all around the building and within the museum itself. These carvings are not mere decoration - they carry deep meaning in Ifugao cosmology.

The 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢 is remembered and respected as a guide and bearer of sacred knowledge. In myths, it taught burial rites - turning the face of the dead toward the rising sun. In funerary traditions, it symbolizes transition and renewal, guiding spirits eastward toward life’s continuity.

In farming, it represents fertility and perseverance, ensuring water flows to the terraces. A myth tells how 𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘵, the sun deity sent the lizard who revealed hidden springs that made rice terrace irrigation possible. The lizard is thus remembered as the guide that made Ifugao irrigation possible.

In homes and objects, its image reflects honor, wealth, and cultural identity. One of the many prestige rituals in Ifugao is the 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘨, a wooden board ceremonially installed on the ceiling of a 𝘩𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘪 house. It features carvings of the eagle symbol, including a monitor lizard (𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢, a spear head (𝘱𝘢𝘩𝘶𝘭), the sun disk (𝘶𝘱𝘶𝘥), a turtle (𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘬𝘶𝘬𝘶𝘭), and a spider (𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘬𝘬𝘢𝘸𝘸𝘢).

Thus the monitor lizard appears in oral stories, woodcarvings and woven textiles. Every image of the 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢 is a reminder: this monitor lizard is more than a creature of the forest - it is a messenger from the Skyworld, a teacher of sacred knowledge and a symbol of prestige.

Visit NMP - Cordillera and see how the 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘺𝘢's presence continues to watch over the museum and the community.



Sources:
Martin, M. & Acabado, S. 2025. The Ifugao Ethnographic Encyclopedia, University of California, Los Angeles

Tour script of Cezyle Joy H. Kindipan on “The Monitor Lizard in Ifugao Cosmology and Culture”. 2026.

26/05/2026

𝑵𝑴𝑷-𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂 𝑨𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑵𝑴𝑷 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕

On May 18, 2026, the International Museums Day 2026, the National Museum of the Philippines launched NMP Passport - a new way to celebrate museum journeys across the country. This generated so much interest among museum enthusiasts and placed more attention to the regional component museums.

At the NMP-Cordillera branch, the first passport was issued to Ms Dessirei J. Darapiza who traveled from La Union to visit her 10th NMP museum. She is a museum lover who visited NMP – Sulu in 2024, and since then continued to visit other NMP branches throughout the country.

“𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝑀𝑃 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 (…) 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐼 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 82 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑦 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑠”, she said.

Dessirei was eye-catching among the museum visitors last May 22, 2026 because one leg was in metal coils, an external fixator that helps her tibia fracture to heal completely. Despite still recovering from her injury, she journeyed to NMP-Cordillera in her desire to get the NMP passport. She unabashedly called herself as “𝑃𝑊𝐷 𝑛𝑎 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑎” or person with disability who travels.

She identified the 113-year old stone bench or ℎ𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑏𝑖, found in front of the NMP-Cordillera museum as her favorite item, especially since the guide explained its significance as an indicator of the 𝑘𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑦𝑎𝑛 (elite) rank in the community. “𝑀𝑦 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑢𝑚𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑠”, she explained. As a DepEd teacher in La Union, Ms. Dessirei shares through her classes and her travel diaries the insights that she gained in her travels.

Dessirei describes herself as half-Ifugao and half-Ilocano, her father being from Hapao, Hungduan, Ifugao. She was curious to know more about her heritage, making her trip to Kiangan, Ifugao more memorable.

Indeed, museums are not just places of history - they are living classrooms and bridges to heritage. We wish you 𝑏𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑜𝑦𝑎𝑔𝑒 in your journeys, Ms Dessirei! # # by eddulnuan

26/05/2026

The National Museum of the Philippines-Cordillera in Kiangan, Ifugao will be closed to the public on May 27, 2026 (Wednesday) in observance of Eid'l Adha.

Regular museum operations will resume on May 28, 2026 (Thursday).

14/05/2026

May 18 is International Museum Day!

On May 18, 2026, the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) – Cordillera, in cooperation with selected public-school teachers of Kiangan, Ifugao will conduct a visitor engagement activity dubbed as “ABOL: Weaving Workshops for Beginners” at the NM Cordillera grounds at 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM to join in the celebration of International Museum Day with its theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World”.

This learner-centered activity provides culture enthusiasts and beginners to have a hands- on experience on basic weaving and to have a deeper appreciation of the indigenous knowledge systems and practices of the Cordillera. This activity will highlight how museums can be trusted spaces that bring people together along cultural preservation while fostering or rebuilding connection across cultures, generations and borders in times of societal polarization.

An overview guided tour in the museum exhibition, “Binodbodan and Pinilian: Shared Textile Traditions Among the Cordillera People” will be conducted before the weaving workshop to let the participants appreciate how the Cordillera people worked hard to have the cultural identity that they are proud of today. Whether you are a beginner or a culture enthusiast, this activity will bring you back in time in a fun but educational way.

Limited to 20 grade schoolers (Grades 4-6) but observers are welcome
Registration is FREE!

For more information about this activity, you may e-mail us at [email protected] or call us at 09673049331/ 09568721928

11/05/2026

Participate and get a free

08/05/2026

May is National Heritage Month

Let us join the nation in celebrating with its theme, " Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future" which highlights how our heritage links generations and shapes our future.

Watch out for our ABOL: Basic Weaving Workshops for Beginners, our next on May 18, 2026 in celebration of International Museum day here at the National Museum-Cordillera.

29/04/2026

The Inado: Stirrer and Keeper of Community Stories

Before this month ends, your participates in the nationwide celebration of with its theme “Connected by Taste: The Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN” by highlighting the inado (also known as inacho or inadu), a big wooden ladle often carved with animal or human figures on its handle. It is a traditional utilitarian cooking tool extensively used in Ifugao province for turning, stirring and serving large batches of food usually cooked in vats over open fires during community gatherings.

This month, various community gatherings such as cultural fiestas, weddings, clan reunions and other family gatherings are filled with food preparations. The inado is brought out for use and reminds us of the indigenous culinary traditions and food processing practices of the Ifugao. More than just a large wooden ladle, it is not only a family heirloom but an indispensable tool when cooking , an Ifugao heirloom rice which needs to be stirred during the boiling stage to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking by occasionally lifting and turning the rice gently, loosening it to allow the heat to spread evenly during the steaming stage. Sometimes, the inado is used to scrape and detach the scorch rice or crust (tutong), a favored part of the traditional rice cooking experience.

During the rice harvest season, the can also be used in turning rice grains during the “inglo” process, an indigenous practice of softly roasting rice grains to create a nice aroma. In big gatherings, it is used to stir meat in boiling vats as its long handle is a natural insulator making it safer for the user without burning his hands. These days, the inado is used to cook “pansit”, “adobo” and other dishes that share Asian culinary influence.

Today, the wooden inado is considered a sustainable alternative to metal and plastic as it does not react with acidic substances like vinegar. Indispensable during communal cooking, the inado becomes a “stirrer” that brings communities and families together during gatherings where stories are told, shared and enjoyed over food. The accumulated dark patina(coating) holds memories of past gatherings when the inado was used to turn, stir or scoop food in large quantities for community occasions.

Promoting age-old cooking techniques that reflect our regional history and cultural identity, the inado should be here to stay and highlight our “tinawon” rice as the foundation of Ifugao social organization and festivities.

For more details on how the inado is used, you may click this link https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CbV5zV7tj/ to watch a video by iHingyon TV.

21/04/2026

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

This Earth Day, under the global theme “Our Power, Our Planet”, we are called to reflect on the strength of community action and civic responsibility in facing environmental challenges. 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 22 is not only a day of awareness - it is a reminder that every choice, from local traditions to global policies, must nurture the planet’s sustainability.

At the 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙪𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 – 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙖, we uphold both cultural and natural heritage, affirming that indigenous knowledge is a good model of sustainability. Let us turn our attention to one of the many trees around the museum, the betel nut tree - locally known as 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙖 𝙤𝙧 𝙗𝙪𝙖 - a plant that is very much part of daily life, ritual, and community in the Cordilleras and in other parts of the world. Let us look at the 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙖 as a model of sustainability:

𝑨 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒕. Across the Province of Ifugao, households now cultivate 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘢 in their backyards and woodlots, transforming landscapes into lush, green spaces. This collective enthusiasm for propagation supports biodiversity and enriches communities with living heritage.

𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒂 Once a modest crop, 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘢 has become the “green gold” of 2026. In recent months, its price surged from ₱300 to ₱3,500 per can, reflecting its growing economic value for local farmers/ community members and traders.

𝑨 𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚. Beyond profit, 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘢 is medicine, ritual, and connection. Used in ethno-medicine for deworming and birth control, it is also indispensable in baki rituals, where betel nut and leaf are offered to deities. In Cordillera gatherings, the exchange of 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘢 ingredients sparks conversation, uniting social bonds across generations.

𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. As the world calls for climate action, let us remember that protecting biodiversity means safeguarding plants that embody culture, identity, livelihood, and social connectedness. This 2026 Earth Day, may we see plants as living partners in shaping a sustainable future.

Which practices from your heritage show that caring for the Earth has always been a way of life?

18/02/2026