31/07/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19BrsgMpJ5/
Context matters, indeed. If the admin of the Taga Lakandula page is genuinely interested in learning the context why I and many others are saying that he's wrong in telling indigenous peoples to 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿 their indigenous attires in political demonstrations, here's a friendly advice for him: read more on Igorot history.
It would be great if he reads more on the issue to widen his perspective. I say this because based on his posts and responses, it's apparent that he has a black-and-white perspective on the subject. He seems to think that you can just create a line to separate the cultural from the political. As if it's as easy as separating apples from oranges.
That is insulting given the fact that for centuries, the problems that the Igorot people have faced (and continue to face) always have political roots. Like what everyone has been saying and trying to explain to Taga Lakandula, everything is political.
In this digital age, among the best ways to get context on issues about indigenous peoples is to read papers, documents, and books that tackle such issues. That said, I urge the admin of Taga Lakandula to read more on the history of Igorots and the political movements and social issues that shaped (and continue to shape) them as a people.
To make it easier, I've compiled here a starting list of papers, documents, and books that are relevant to the issue. To Taga Lakandula, try reading these. I and countless other people have learned a lot from these resources. I'm sure you will as well.
I lifted some of the resources from a list made by JD Gasmen which he posted as a comment on one of Taga Lakandula's posts. I added my own recommendations.
1) June Prill-Brett, Delfin Tolentino Jr. (Editor), "Tradition and Transformation: Studies on Cordillera Indigenous Culture"
2) William Henry Scott, "The Discovery of the Igorots: Spanish Contacts with the Pagans of the North"
3) Benedict Solang, Luchie Maranan (Editor), "Dap-ay Discourse Uno: Activist Perspective of Cordillera History and Social Change"
4) Howard T. Fry, "A History of the Mountain Province"
5) Maria Ceres Doyo, "Macli-ing Dulag: Kalinga Chief, Defender of the Cordillera"
6) Rowena Reyes-Boquiren, "Ang mga Katutubong Lider ng Benguet sa Panahon ng Rebolusyon: Para sa Pambansang Paglaya o Lokal na Awtonomiya?," Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies 14, no. 1 (1998): 70.
7) William Peterson, "Performing Indigeneity in the Cordillera: Dance, Community, and Power in the Highlands of Luzon," Asian Theatre Journal 27, no. 2 (2010)
8) Titia Schippers, "Securing Land Rights through Indigenousness: A Case from the Philippine Cordillera Highlands," Asian Journal of Social Science 38, no. 2 (2010): 225.
9) Maria Nela B. Florendo, "Tracing Historical Confluences in Lowland-Cordillera Relations," The Journal of History 46, nos. 1–4 (2000).
