On October 9, 2026, IGOROTA Foundation, Inc. held Panditengan at the Ritz Legarda in Baguio City, a culminating celebration for the Pansanopen Tayo: Shonong ni Ili project and to honor Indigenous Peoples during Indigenous Peoples’ Month.
This project is funded by the European Union through the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership. Implemented by UNDP in collaboration with DILG and DENR, and in cooperation with the IGOROTA Foundation, Inc.
Panditengan is an Ibaloi word for holistic well-being: physical, spiritual, and psychological, with harmony with nature and with one another. The day brought that idea to life.
The project worked with the barangay Bakakeng Central including the Crystal Cave Integrated School and Saint Martin School-Assumption Baguio, to turn behavior into circular action. It is grounded in the belief that Indigenous knowledge and practices are already circular: reducing waste, reusing, regenerating, and sharing resources so they remain for the next generations.
The program included: reflections on the Pansanopen Tayo portfolios and the Shonong ni ili journey, from milestones to new opportunities; experiences of Indigenous Peoples from Atok and Mayoyao in natural resources management; insights on Laudato Si and the circular economy at Saint Louis University; messages of support from EMB-CAR and NCIP-CAR; messages from Atok, Benguet, delivered through the Mayor’s Executive Assistant, and from the Mayor of Mayoyao, Ifugao; recognition of our Shonong ni ili partners; and, a look ahead: Where do we go from here? Creating pathways to Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination through circular economy.
The day ended with the Closing Bendian Community Dance, led by the Timpuyog di Gangsa team.
Afterward, the Mayors, IGOROTA Foundation, representatives from Saint Louis University and Atok, Benguet signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the City Mayor’s Office, City Hall, Baguio City, witnessed by the designated staff and other partner advocates. The MOU opens the way for future partnership and learning exchanges among Saint Louis University, IGOROTA Foundation, Inc., Baguio City, Mayoyao (Ifugao), and Atok (Benguet).
Maraming salamat to everyone who joined us: our partners, local leaders, community members, and the speakers who shared their wisdom. The project may be ending, but our shared work of caring for the Earth and one another continues. Sapay koma ta mandiditeng tako ne oway.
#IndigenousPeoplesMonth #IndigenousKnowledge #EUPHGreenEconomyPartnership #UNDP #Baguio
