The UNP College of Teacher Education paid tribute to Ilocano heritage with a live showcase of traditional arts and literature on April 11, 2025. Held at the Academic Building Grounds, the event featured traditional dandaniw, bucanegan, zarzuela, and a fashion show of timeless Ilocano clothing. Faculty members gave introductions to each performance, while students brought the pieces to life.
Dr. Jeanina Batin opened the event with a fashion segment featuring traditional Ilocano clothing modeled by students from the Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education and Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education. Burburtia by the students of Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Special Needs Education was also performed. Dr. Eleuteria Pacpaco introduced bucanegan, an Ilocano poetic debate. Dr. Jamaica Vizcarra-Garcia introduced the Bachelor of Secondary Education students’ presentation of zarzuela. Dr. Joey-Nell Marzan presented the winners of the photography contest featuring marginalized women in the city.
Assistant Dean for the undergraduate programs Dr. Leilani Raquepo stressed the need to preserve local culture amid the dominance of pop cultural trends.
“Many adolescents today strongly patronize pop culture and very few show interest in our own. Hence, we need to re-introduce to them our local culture and encourage them to celebrate and honor what is truly ours,” she said.
Dr. Ma. Teresa Susan Manzano, College Dean, called on future teachers to take pride in their roots and carry forward the cultural legacy. “Your hands, your voices, your hearts are the future of our legacy,” she said.
The event highlighted the creative talents of pre-service teachers and underscored the role of education in cultural preservation.
Article by Jamelle Frances Realin, Photo by John Patrick Ecal
