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Press Release
THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN OTTAWA AND THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO JOIN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF TORONTO’S “CULTURE AND HISTORY TALKS: A VIEW TO PRE-COLONIAL PHILIPPINE HISTORY, ARTS AND CULTURE”
2021-04-02
PR-2021-11
25 March 2021, Toronto, Ontario – In celebration of the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Toronto (UPAAT) Education and Awareness Committee organized and presented the first of a series of a Canada-wide online discussion on Pre-Colonial Philippine History, Arts and Culture, in partnership with the UP Press and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. H.E. Ambassador Rodolfo D. Robles of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and Consul General Orontes V. Castro of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto joined and attended the virtual talks.
The webinar is UPAAT’s event contribution to the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines (2021 QCP) in Toronto and around the world, and one of the Consulate General’s Filipino community events for the 2021 QCP. Through the series of virtual talks by renowned Filipino public historians, artists and scholars, UPAAT aims to promote the richness of Philippine heritage and culture from pre-colonial times and its continuing evolution through present times.
UPAAT President Dr. Alice Herrera welcomed everyone to the webinar while Philippine Ambassador to Canada Rodolfo D. Robles, as the Guest Speaker, delivered his Special Greetings to the almost 100 participants of the webinar. of the virtual talk. Dr. J. Neil C. Garcia, Director of the University of the Philippines Press, likewise gave his Publisher’s Remarks. The virtual talk was moderated by Dr. Helen C. Balderama, UPAAT member and Associate Director of International Partnerships and Programs at York University.
The virtual intellectual discussion and interaction featured renowned Filipino public historians, artists and scholars, such as Dr. Analyn Salvador Amores (Anthropologist, UP Baguio and Director of Museo Kordilyera), Dr. Mercedes Planta (Historian and Associate Professor, UP Diliman), and Professor Ramon Santos (National Artist and Professor Emeritus, UP Diliman).
Dr. Amores gave an interesting discussion on “Tattoos in Pre-Colonial Philippines” and “Tattooing Ink, Tattooing Identities: Tradition and Modernity in Contemporary Kalinga Society, North Luzon, Philippines “. She discussed the tattooing process, the inks used for traditional tattooing in the Cordillera, tattoo designs and visual imagery, as well as tattoo pilgrims. She introduced to the webinar participants to the famous Apo Whang-od, the last Kalinga tattooist (Mambabatok) from the tribe of Butbut in Buscalan, Kalinga. Apo Whang-od, now in her 90’s, is the oldest Filipino tribal tattoo artist, who has been tattooing for the past 80 years. Many tourists or “tattoo pilgrims”, visit Kalinga and have themselves tattooed by her. Tattoo has been a symbol of bravery and courage (for the tribe warriors or head hunters), as well as beauty and elegance (for the tribe’s women).
Dr. Planta, on the other hand, discussed “Traditional Medicinal Plants in the Philippines, 16th – 19th Century: A Catalog of Remedies for Everyday Use”. Dr. Planta gave a presentation on the different Philippine plants and herbs from the 16th-19th century, with particular emphasis on their medicinal properties. She said that during the pre-colonial times, Filipino traditional medical practitioners or herbolarios used medicinal plants to cure diseases. The most common ones are tawa-tawa (asthma plant) for wounds; the achuete for digestion; and dita (“Devil’s tree”) for coughs, colds, and fever.
The last speaker for the night was National Artist Professor Ramon Santos, who discussed about “Gong Cultures in the Philippines”. He showed different kinds of the ethnic musical instrument and how they were played.
A Q&A, moderated by Philippine Senior Trade Commissioner Roseni M. Alvero, followed after the talk. Dr. Mayrose Salvador, Chairman of UPAAT’s Education and Awareness Committee, formally closed the event by thanking everyone who joined the webinar. She added that “events like this brings us together and makes us realize that we are part of an inclusive community and helps us reflect on our identity”. She also thanked UP Press, the Philippine Consulate General, and all the Resource Speakers. – END