CORDILLERA HERITAGE NIGHT

July 14, 2019 @ 5:00PM Kalinga Sports Center

The Cordillera Heritage Night is a celebration of Cordilleran Culture through music, dance, fashion
show and cuisine. Celebrate our culture through tastings of the traditional Kalinga Cuisine prepared
by the Pasil Slow Food Community, learn about the intricate and colorful Cordilleran fabrics, enjoy the
Pakidum Musical Play, and lastly wear your tribe and wear it with pride.

PART I – THE “MOUNTAIN SPIRITS: Textiles and Folk Arts of Cordillera and Ilokos”

This signal documentary will kick-off the Heritage Night of the Cordillera Month Celebration
Culminating Activity. It features the traditional textiles and weaving practices of the Ykalinga,
Ifugao, Kankana-ey (Mt. Province), Gaddang (Paracelis), and Itneg (Abra). This film is under the
aegis of The Hinabi Project’s third exhibit on Philippine textile arts, an initiative of the Philippine
American Writers and Artists (PAWA) in partnership with the NCCA, the Department of Tourism North
America, the NGO Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme, the Philippine Consulate
General of San Francisco, and the Asian Art Museum. It was officially launched last year at the
Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate in the US, also during the celebration of the Filipino
American Month at the Asian Art Museum and at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center. The film was
shot on location at Mount Talama, Tabuk City, Kalinga by Living Asia Channel, on August 2018.

This documentary seeks to increase awareness of and appreciation for the exquisite and rich tradition
of Philippine weavings and textiles. The project aims to encourage the families of weavers,
embroiders, and designers of traditional Filipino textiles to continue working on their crafts by
supporting sustainable household economies and their incorporation into the culture industries.
Through these efforts, the project hopes it will inspire Filipinos at home and overseas to rediscover
their rich textile heritage and incorporate aspects of this heritage in their modern lifestyle, thereby
ensuring the continuation of a living culture and related craft industries.

Two award-winning documentaries, the “Kalinga Weaving” and “The Last Tattooed Women of
Tanudan” which won in the 2019 and 2018 Adobo Design Awards Asia will also be shown.

PART II – HERITAGE NIGHT DINNER featuring the TRADITIONAL KALINGA CUISINE

Showcasing the uniqueness and diversity of local dishes, the guests will be treated to an
unforgettable culinary experience featuring the “Traditional Kalinga Cuisine” by the Pasil Slow Food
Community, the very First Indigenous Slow Food Community in the Philippines recognized by the
Slow Food International. Local ingredients and traditional techniques such as the traditional
earthenware pots of Dangtalan and Dalupa, Pasil will be used in preparing the food. It is said that
clay pot cooking retains the aroma and nutrition of the food since it is porous and heat circulates
through the pot. All these organic microgreens and herbs that we’ve taken for granted are things
that people abroad are craving for and it is great that we are now realizing its value.

This event is also the best avenue to advocate our #SaveHeirloomRiceChallenge Campaign, an
appeal to the Cordillera people to prove that something can still be done to advocate the importance
of Cordillera Heirloom Rice. Heirloom rice varieties such as the “Chong-ak”, Imbuucan and Ominio
are all products recognized by “The Arc of Taste” of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity. The
Chong-ak variety of Pasil, Kalinga is now becoming a presidium, having been categorized as an

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endangered species, very likely to become extinct in the near future as reported by the International
Rice Research Institute.

This heirloom rice variety (Species: Oryza Sativa, subspecies: tropical japonica/javanica) can only be
found in three places in the world: the Cordillera, Philippines (Kalinga, Mt Province & Ifugao), the
Remote areas of Indonesia and the mountainous areas of Madagascar.

PART III – “PAKIDUM MUSICAL PLAY” by the Municipality of PASIL

“Pakidum”, from the word “Pakid” - a set of gongs and “dum” from the third syllable of the word
“Salidummay” - indigenous folk songs of the Kalinga people.

Directed by one of Kalinga’s best artist, Mr. Mauricio Patongao, this show is a one hour Musical Play
bringing out the best of Kalinga culture and the arts: from festive ceremonies, to colorful traditional
garments, to the beautiful traditional musical instruments, songs and dances.

PART IV – CORDILLERA LAGA FASHION SHOW

Mechanics and Guidelines

INTRODUCTION:

Traditional Back strap weaving is an incredibly important component of identity of the Cordilleran people. It is
the means by which we communicate our thoughts and feelings about the natural world, about how stories
were told, and histories recorded. It is the whole expression of our way of life as a MOUNTAIN PEOPLE.

The spirit that binds us together in the Cordilleras is the TEXTILE, Cordilleran textiles are intricately a part of
our ritual life. Woven textiles were an important measure of wealth, hence important individuals known as
“Kachangyan” were buried with their prized blankets. It also played a central role in our civil and religious
ceremonies or rituals. Certain textiles are even embodied with magical functions such as protection from
harm. Everything from the spin of the yarn and the symbols woven into the textiles, to the colors used and
techniques employed, conveys a wealth of meaning about the weaver and where she came from.

In Kalinga, before textiles were used, the people wore bark cloth garments, these were made from a wood bar
fiber called “BUTEYG”, which is extracted by pounding and drying the fibers. It was developed later on with the
production of “SAG-UT” (native cotton balls planted on upland farms), naturally grown “ISUT” trees, and
vegetable dyes, which brought the making of the first traditional Kalinga Textile. The early Kalinga textile is
twilled and decorated with silk embroidery, beadworks and mother pearls. These embellishments were believed
to be introduced into Ilocos by Chinese traders during the late Sung dynasty and were widely traded among the
highlanders. Woven Textiles were an important measure of wealth, hence only initially worn by the Kachangyan
(noble families), as such they were prestigious. It also played a central role in civil and religious ceremonies
and many were reserved for special functions such as birth, marriage, festivities and death rituals.

I THE EVENT SUMMARY

The Cordillera Laga Fashion Show will breathe new life into traditional hand woven indigenous fabrics through
the local designers’ neo-ethnic collection. The show will premiere on July 14, 2019 after the Musical Play, at
the Kalinga Sports Center as one of the highlights of the Cordillera Month Celebration 2019.

II THE EVENT OBJECTIVE

The event aims to preserve the ancient indigenous art of weaving; to promote a greater appreciation of
Cordilleran Fashion on a global scale and to inspire the weavers/local designers to create intricate designs
combine with modern high fashion in order to appeal to the new generation.

It is also aimed at encouraging efforts to strengthen and to give the much-needed push to the economy of the
region’s weaving industry and also as a training ground for boosting the youth’s confidence.

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In line with the Committee’s intention, the main objectives of this show are the following:

1. To promote Cordilleran tapestry as a line of wearable office uniform for government agencies in line
with Republic Act 9242 also known as the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law (prescribing the
use of natural fibers produced, spun, woven or knitted and finished in the country for official uniforms
of government officials and employees), authored by Sen. Loren Legarda in 2004 and in effect
increase the demand by 50%.
2. To promote Cordilleran tapestry as a line of wedding gowns, formal wear, business attire and casual
wear;
3. To encourage local designers to use the Cordillera tapestry in all their creations and to market it into
the international level;
4. To provide a platform for our local designers to showcase their creations; and
5. To provide a training ground for boosting the youth’s confidence.

III THE EVENT STRATEGY

The Fashion Theme: “Preserving Culture Through Fashion”

The Runway Collections and Models:

The models will represent the diversified Cordilleran culture in Five Local Designers’ Collections,
which are as follows:

1. Kid’s Collection, either Formal or Casual attire (1 pair)

2. Casual Collection (1 pair)
3. Formal Collection (1 pair)
4. Corporate/Office Collection (1 pair)
5. Bridal Collection (1 pair)

Requirement:

a.) Each Province/City should provide a brief history and or meanings of their own weave, together
with photos as part of the Introduction & AVP Flashback during the show.
b.) Attires should be made of at least 40% - 100% Cordilleran Textile.
c.) Each Province will select their own 10 Runway Models (5 pairs), preferably local beauty titlists
and/or local models.
d.) Models will provide their own attire, footwear, hair and make-up.
e.) Female models are required to bring their heels during the rehearsal.
f.) Each province/city Delegation is required to wear their latest local designer attires incorporating the
Cordillera textile, paired with their most treasured heirloom beads/accessories during the Heritage
Night.

Rehearsal Schedule:

Whole day Rehearsal is scheduled on July 13, 2019 (9:00am – 6:00pm) at the Kalinga Sports Center,
Capitol Hills, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga.

Accommodation of Models will be provided by the PLGU Kalinga

The 60 models from Abra, Apayao, Baguio, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province will be housed in
one of the hotels in Tabuk City, Kalinga. Check-in on July 13 and Check-out on July 15, 2019. Make-
up artists, stylists and the likes are not included. (Hotel TBA)

 Event’s Sequence
 Registration is @ 5:00pm – 6:00pm. The documentary films “Mountain Spirits: Textiles and
Folk Arts of Cordillera and Ilokos”,” Kalinga Weaving” and “The Last Tattooed Women of Tanudan”
will be shown simultaneously. Registration is care of the Secretariat.

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  The Red Carpet and Opening Ceremony (WEAR YOUR TRIBE, WEAR WITH PRIDE)

After the hard work, we all deserve a royal treatment/Red Carpet. The event will kick off at exactly
6:00pm with Hollywood style Red Carpet and backdrop/photo booth (care of Media and Documentation
Committee).

The Regional Directors, Public Officials and their spouses, Heads of Offices, dignitaries and other guests,
in their Cordillera - Themed local designer wears and their most treasured heirloom beads will walk down
the red carpet. The Reception Committee will usher the guests in their respective seats. Dinner will be
served at 6:00pm – 7:00pm, the Pakidum Musical Play at 7:00pm – 8:00pm, followed by the Cordillera
Laga Fashion Show at 8:00pm-9:50pm.

 Show Sequence

The Fashion Walk will be a 20 minute per collection walk = a total of 100 minutes.

- The Catwalk Finale ( 5-10 minutes )

The show will end with a grand group finale (arranged per province/city). It is expected to end at 9:50pm
to 10:00pm.

The PR and Media Plan

In order to achieve the objectives set for the fashion show, the Committee will work together with the Media
and Documentation Committee to develop a comprehensive PR and Media Plan identifying the effective ways to
promote the show and to reach the target market to ensure its objectives.

a. Press release

The Media and Documentation Committee will come out with a press release that contains details and precise
information about the upcoming show. We target to release the Press releases at least a month before the event
to create media buzz. The Committee will do constant follow ups to ensure that the news of the show will be
published before the actual event.

b. Advertisement

Care of the Media and Documentation Committee

c. Social Media Campaign

The Committee will take advantage of the popular social media platform to promote the event.

d. Post-release

Post release to wrap up the event, and to give proper credit to the provinces/cities, sponsors, the models, media
partners and supporters. The post release will be done immediately after the event.

COLLABORATION AND SPONSORSHIP

The Committee is open to any possible sponsorship for the event.

NOTE:

For any clarifications / inquiries, I can be reached at 0920-9727500 or email me at tourism_kalinga@yahoo.com.

Prepared by:

MS. LORRAINE ALUNDAY - NGAO-I

Supervising Tourism Operations Officer, Province of Kalinga
Chairman, Cultural and Tourism Events Committee
Cordillera Month Celebration 2019