By: Hilda Austria and Liwayway Yparraguirre

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The culture of at least 11 indigenous people’s (IP) communities in Pangasinan take center stage during the first anniversary celebration of the Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum.

The exhibit entitled, ‘Interwoven Roots, Shared Heritage’, which will run until October this year, features intricate woven clothing and textiles, photos, and other items of the Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalanguya, Iwak, Bago, Kalinga, Bontoc, Itneg, Applai, Aberling, and Ifugao tribes.

It is part of the Pamagalang, the anniversary celebration of the museum, being staged in collaboration with the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in Pangasinan.

The exhibit aptly heeds the provincial museum’s bid to enable Pangasinenses, especially the younger generation, to learn more about the province, and this time their deep connection with the IP communities, said Provincial Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Office (PTCAO) head Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan in an interview on Thursday.

She said around 12,000 individuals have visited the museum, housed in the historic Casa Real located in this provincial capital, since it was opened last year.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) executive director Dr. Eric Zerrudo, in his speech during the anniversary program on Wednesday afternoon, said Pamagalang is a perfect way to celebrate the Pangasinan Tourism Month as the "Banaan," a Pangasinense word that means “meeting place," has become a bona fide tourism attraction of the province.

He said it is also fitting for the celebration of Philippine Creatives Month this September and for the forthcoming Indigenous Peoples Month and the Museum and Galleries Month in October.

“Under this administration (of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.), the Bagong Pilipinas, culture and heritage presentation is given high importance and regard,” he said.

Zerrudo also thanked the representatives of the IP communities who lent their heritage and culture to the museum’s exhibit.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III said museums have a huge impact on national identity, patriotism, and love for the arts.

“Maliit na bagay pero for people makikita mo kasi yong maturity, direction, and vision and culture ng isang lugar kung meron isang museum. Kung walang museum ay hindi niya alam kung sino siya, you have a lost identity, you don’t know your culture, your forgotten history (It may seem a small thing but for people this will show maturity, direction, and vision and culture of a place if there is a museum. If there is no museum, he will not understand who he is; you have a lost identity, you don’t know your culture, your forgotten history),” he pointed out.

Guico, thus, encouraged Pangasinenses to visit the Banaan Museum and museums in other places.

VISITOR MAGNET

Consequently, the Banaan Pangasinan Provincial Museum has also launched its KASAMAT Patronage Card, which comes with special privileges.

Elduayan said Kasamat, which means partner or companion in Pangasinan, is a marketing program that encourages more people to visit the museum.

“Kasamat holders will not just be visitors but are partners in preserving and promoting the rich cultural and historical heritage of Pangasinan,” she said.

Kasamat cards' prices are PHP3,000 (bronze) with 30-person consumable museum visits, PHP5,000 (silver) with 50-person consumable museum visits, PHP10,000 (gold) with 100-person consumable museum visits, PHP15,000, and PHP20,000 (platinum) with 150-person consumable museum visits.

Through the patronage card, members would be able to sponsor other people to visit the museum. It also comes with exclusive perks, which PTCAO will soon announce on their social media accounts.

“People are learning the value of this as collateral to advancing museum appreciation, understanding cultural growth, and ensuring the sustainability of a premier educational tourist destination,” Eduayan said.

On its anniversary month, the Banaan Museum offers an open house with free guided tours on Sept. 20 and 27.

Also part of the museum’s anniversary celebration is the Gawad F. Sionil Jose Literary Writing Contest in Pangasinan and Ilokano languages in honor of 2001 National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose.

The contest in poetry, short story, and essay writing is open for professionals and aspiring Pangasinan and Ilokano writers. The entry form and guidelines are available on the Pangasinan Tourism Facebook page. (PNA)