Miriam Coronel Ferrer has an article on Igorotness which you might find interesting. You can read it here. But here’s a quote:
… those who proudly self-identify as Igorots are generating more and more “Igorot” cultural resources to reproduce, enrich and somehow transform Igorot identity. Jimmy Fong’s presentation featured photos of children wearing t-shirts emblazoned with “Igorotak” (”I am Igorot”) followed by a dictionary-like entry that goes “n.Bibakese* – a statement asserting ethnic identity.” Fong also sampled exchanges in blogs among Igorots about Igorots. A hot topic were pop stars Paolo of Starstruck and Marky Cielo, both of Igorot descent, and their “Igorotness.” Or, in the case of Paolo, his shameful disowning of his identity ala the infamous quip, “My parents are Igorot but I am not.”
I’m not quite sure whether Paolo really did disown his identity. He was hesitant to reveal that he is part Igorot but there have been no reports of him expressly stating “na parents lang niya ang Igorot”. Maybe he did, maybe not. Pero may mga PaKoLI (parents ko lang Igorots) sa Quezon City (sa may E. Rod hehe). Hah, we coined PaKoLI ha. You read it here first.
Anyway, let’s go back to Coronel’s piece.
Taking inspiration from a PLDT ad promoting the internet in the region, Fong concludes that the vibrant online discourse proves that the Igorot has now become e-gorot. Fong also looked into the robust local industry of music CD production of songs in the vernacular growing in towns like Buguias. Many of these songs talk about the challenge of coping with the demands of tradition and the modern world. One genre of songs is “kinnoboyan” from the Western word and world “cowboy” – a cultural resource that assimilated well into the Igorot physical and cultural setting. Yes, there is a vibrant Igorot pop culture being nurtured in the interstices of the highlands, and one can imagine, also in the Igorot diaspora.
Igorots have not only appropriated the internet and the CD technologies for Igorot cultural production, they are also seizing the video camera and generating their own indie films that are written, directed, acted and spoken in the vernacular by Igorots themselves.
Coronel attended the Conference on Cordillera Studies in Baguio where tons of researches on the region and its peoples are being presented. Read her full article here. Too bad we missed this conference, no.
Meanwhile Padma writes about the sessions she attended here. An interesting research by Michino Yoneno Reyes apparently found that “Ay ay Salidummay” is of fairly recent vintage. It is not as old as other Cordillera chants and, according to Yoneno-Reyes’s informants, only started gaining popularity during World War II. Visit Padma’s blog for more.
Interesting article indeed. I also don’t recall Paulo ever saying that quote. Perhaps Jimmy Fong or Madame Ferrer can provide a source for that supposed quote.
Hi, thank you for the link manong! The conference runs until tomorrow evening. It’s Cordi-analysis madness in full-swing!
One thing Ferrer’s article doesn’t mention is that iBoondock and from the boondocks and the interesting discussions that unfold here figured prominently in Jimmy Fong’s paper! :)
hehe! I’ll have to remember PaKoLi :)
Those are interesting articles, thanks for sharing, Bill.
‘Kinnoboyan’ is an interesting term. Hmmm… Yep, I agree that even the Igorot diaspora have a thriving Igorot pop culture. I have an album recorded and produced by Bontoc OFWs in Hongkong, although most of the songs are in Finontok. I believe other Igorot ethnic groups would have theirs as well.
He probably is correct. Genetics does not make one Igorot. He may have grown up in an environment where the Igorot culture was absent (or of his parents suppressed it.)
Kasla met laeng 2nd generation Filipinos abroad, their parents may be Filipinos but they were not raised as so….
Hi Wil,
Oo nga. Baka nga naman meron silang source :-) Thanks.
Hi Padma,
Thanks. Is that so? Maybe we’ll request a copy from him :-)
Hi Jmom,
You’re welcome. You heard that first here ha :-)
Hi Fongakhan,
I think I have a copy of that CD. Binili ko sa store nina Dirige (yata) sa Bontoc :-)
Hi Nash,
In cases like this, mas yung parent talaga ang may “problema” rather than the kids. Thanks.
Hiya Bill!
I got a chuckle from PaKoLI, too bad he wants to turn his back on such a culturally rich heritage. Well, it’s his loss.
Missed dropping by here but am glad you’re carrying on….
and to show your pride in your culture.. NADUMA, a shop located at the cordillera souvenirs section of SM Baguio, near the ATM machines at entrance to grocery, near the Baguio Farm Fresh section of SM Baguio near entrance to the parking area, is selling original prints of IGOROTAK, PROUD TO BE IGOROT, TOROGI, KANKANAEY, IBALOI, SHY MANGO, NAMINTAKENG AY IGOROT, ETC. on quality shirts manufactured right in Loakan, Baguio. if you see similar prints in the market, well they are replica of the NADUMA original prints marketed by bombays and tagalog businessmen. NADUMA/SAGADA WEAVING shops at SM Baguio are owned by Igorots (corporation by the grandchildren of Juan “Kamulo” Bondad I ex congressman of Mt Province and former Mt Prov board member Andrea “Masinnay” Bondad both of Sagada, Mountain Province). nothing beats the original so PLEASE BUY ONLY THE AUTHENTIC ONE. i am a fan of NADUMA shirts bec it pictures the culture of the province that is why their designs are very unique. same with SAGADA WEAVING, the authentic one as it stands by the quality it is known of for 40 years!! you will never go wrong with the original NADUMA shirts and SAGADA WEAVING items especially if it is for personal use and moreover if it is meant as gifts/presents.