Marrying culture & tech in the mountains

History tells us that Mt. Province was never totally subjugated throughout three centuries of Spanish rule. The Igorots, known as a proud race, remained fiercely independent and refused to yield to the conquistadors.

Present-day Igorots no longer face the threat of foreign invasion, but they have continued to guard their most valuable treasure – their cultural heritage. And after having successfully preserved it, they are now sharing it to the world.

Tourists are welcome and on every occasion, visitors bring with them fond memories of the people they’ve met, the fabulous places, and the rich culture of Mt. Province.

For souvenirs, there are woven products from ethnic costumes to bags, purses, tapestry, blankets, linen, and fashion accessories. MT. Province is, after all, known as the "Weaver’s Paradise," backstrap weaving being an age-old handicraft.

There are also fixtures and furniture made from raw materials like pinewood, bamboo, and steel.

Postcards offer picture-perfect shots of well-preserved natural wonders like the Sumaging Cave in Sagada. This largest cave, like over 60 other known caves in Sagada, features shimmering underground streams with golden or silvery stalactite and stalagmite formations and cool natural pools inside.

Also popular postcard features are sites that tell stories from the past like the Hanging Coffins arranged in steep rock formations.

Much as the Igorots pay homage to their past, they do not allow themselves to be left behind.

Bontoc, the capital town of Mt. Province, is the center of modern trade, commerce and education. It is home to the Mt. Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS), the most advance school in the entire province technology-wise, with 90 percent of its teachers computer-literate.

MPGCHS, spearheaded by principal Evelyn Joyce Taguiba, is a perfect example of how culture and technology, when made to complement one another, can have far-reaching benefits.

"I wanted to have a school up here in the mountains that could be comparable to schools in the city," says Taguiba. It was through her initiative, and the support of the school’s Parent Teacher and Community Association, that the school got its first computer lab.

In 2000, MPGCHS became the only school up north to be part of the Microsoft Connected Learning Community. The school has since volunteered its lab facilities for training teachers from neighboring public schools.

Early this year, the school’s technological capability got a boost from the Smart Schools Program, a community service initiative of Smart Communications Inc. The school was given a one-year free Internet connection through Smart Bro, Smart’s wireless broadband service, as well as ICT training and access to online content.

"Being a partner of the Smart Schools Program has definitely helped us better realize our mission to provide students, teachers, and the community easier access to technology, global information and communications," says Vernice Cuteng, site administrator of the school’s Internet center.

Things have certainly improved, especially with the wireless Internet connection service provided by Smart. "Our previous connection, which was via satellite dish, was very slow," reveals Cuteng.

According to her, the MPGCHS community has grown more confident because any information they need in preparing lessons, or in communicating with alumni and other agencies is now readily accessible. "We have been presented with limitless possibilities," she said.

"It opened a floodgate to many things which we can share to benefit not just our school but the province as a whole," agrees Taguiba.

The technology has, in fact, enabled the school community to serve as Bontoc’s window to the world. "We use it to preserve and make others aware of our culture," adds Taguiba.

The school recently joined Cyberfair 2006, a competition for educational institutions’ websites featuring students’ localities and their cultures. It was able to showcase the Igorot culture with samples of tattoos, pottery and weaving as well as photographs and audio-video clips of Igorot songs and dances.

They did it with a little help from a friend – Peace Corps volunteer Nancy Yount, who herself maintains a blog that tells of her cultural encounters and visits to some of Mt. Province’s tourist spots.

"We have been commended for coming up with a website (www.moutainhighschool.com/cyberfair2006) that many of our alumni say they use to explain our culture to others and the reasons for visiting Bontoc," shares Taguiba.

In the future, the website will also include a regular update on local festivities which are big crowd-drawers.

Held from January to June is the yearly Begnas Rice Festival – a tribal showcase of traditional Cordillera dances and rituals. The Sagada town fiesta in early February features a cultural sportfest and a market fair, among many other native activities.

Another annual cultural spectacle is the Mt. Province foundation day with performances of ancient dances.

"Striking a balance between the Igorot culture and technology is not really difficult. It has, in fact, helped us bridge the distance between Mt. Province and other cultures," says Taguiba.

So while students use the Internet to do research for their academic requirements and extra-curricular activities, technology also gives them a chance to share their culture with others.

With the integration of information communications technology in its curriculum, MPGCHS not only provides its students with good quality education, but also the opportunity to become Mt. Province’s young ambassadors.