11/09/2026
ICYMI: Pamana at Pagbabago Starts with HEU
“The more I live and celebrate that Pamana, the more I change and feel the depth of being Filipino.”
On September 10, 2026, co-curricular organizations of Miriam College Higher Education Unit hosted the webinar, “Pamana at Pagbabago: Navigating Filipino Identity in the Modern World,” attended by various programs and faculty members of Miriam College. The event was hosted by Jean Santos, President of the Miriam College Educator’s Guild and Andrea Supangan, Interim External Vice President of the International Studies Society, followed by opening remarks from Kyla Alajar, the President, to set the stage for the main event.
The talk featured Ms. Maria Carolina “Carol Bello” Rodriguez Bello (Dawonlay), also known as the “Queen of Chants.” The session explored the meaning behind the Filipino identity through heritage, community, language, music, and culture. Drawing from her own life journey as a musician who worked closely with various Indigenous groups around the Philippines, she shared how her understanding of the Filipino identity has evolved over time—going beyond one’s birthplaces—to fully embodying Filipino values, practices, and ways of life.
“Persistence is a living archive.” Ms. Bello introduced the practice of pamana beyond the mere act of passing down material possessions. She challenged the notion that heritage is not only defined in history books or museums, rather, pamana is an act of preservation that allowed Indigenous peoples to keep their languages, ecological knowledge, political structures, foodways, and songs alive. This is evident in Ms. Bello’s work as a writer and performing artist of Tagalog creations, working in Lapu-Lapu theater, and eventually co-writing “Una Kaya” with the Pinikpikan Band, where she found herself immersed in Cordilleran music and language. She emphasized the value of being an active participant and building relationships with people is what preserves culture beyond observations, it allowed her to better understand the people’s histories, struggles, and aspirations. Beyond music, Ms. Bello explained that languages are also important tools of expressing one’s identity and culture. Given the varying number of languages spoken across the Philippines, it illustrates the invaluable knowledge and cultural values passed from one generation to another.
Before the session concluded, she stressed the importance of integrating Indigenous communities in the idea of development or pagbabago, emphasizing the paradox that Indigenous communities can be central to Filipino identity and still be widely celebrated culturally, but they also remain marginalized in terms of development mechanisms such as access to healthcare, education, infrastructure, livelihood, and technology. She urged the audience to not only celebrate diversity, but also to actively support and engage with communities that sustain the country’s heritage.
Ms. Bello’s talk truly demonstrated that meaningful pagbabago begins with pamana, for genuine progress can only be attained when a nation understands, preserves, and empowers the cultural heritage that shapes its identity. The session inspired the attendees to embrace cultural diversity, participate in community life, and carry the traditions and values that define the Filipino spirit. The talk wrapped up with a short Q&A session, followed by the closing remarks from Aleczandra Topacio, Interim Internal Vice President of the International Studies Society, thanking the speakers and esteemed students for attending the event.
Report by Sofia Martinez, Literary Editor
Photos by Morgana Villamil, News and Opinion Writer; Courtesy of Aleczandra Topacio and Ada Cruz
