Ifugao State UniversityโThe University proudly took part in the 6th Dad-an Tako Conference with the theme โWeaving Culture, Enriching Future: Empowering Indigenous Communities as Bedrock of Sustainable Development.โ
Now on its sixth year, โDad-an Tako,โ a Kankanaey phrase meaning โour journey,โ is the flagship program of the Regional Development CouncilโCordillera Administrative Region (RDCโCAR) Committee on Indigenous Peoplesโ Concerns (CIPC). The annual conference serves as a convergence of scholars, policymakers, community leaders, and cultural advocates sharing insights and research on issues affecting Indigenous Peoples across the Cordillera.
Representing MPSU, Mr. Rudy T. Papsa-ao, Jr., was one of the five invited speakers during the second-day technical session hosted by Ifugao State University (IFSU) on October 22, 2025. He presented his research titled โCultural Mechanisms of Peace: The Indigenous Peacekeeping Practices among the Kankanaey in Mountain Province,โ which explored time-honored traditions of justice and conflict resolution deeply rooted in Kankanaey values.
His study highlighted eight indigenous peacekeeping mechanisms: Bagbaga, Mandu, Tongtong, Sapata, Podong, Bantay, Mapaka-an, and Kawe, demonstrating how community harmony and justice have long been sustained through collective responsibility, respect for elders, spirituality, and family honor.
MPSUโs participation underscored the universityโs role as a source of research-based, culturally grounded knowledge that bridges indigenous wisdom and modern education. Alongside other presentations from TESDAโIfugao, NCIPโCAR, and IFSU, MPSUโs contribution emphasized how indigenous knowledge systems remain vital to peacebuilding, governance, and sustainable development.
By sharing its research in regional cultural forums like Dad-an Tako, MPSU reaffirms its commitment to advancing indigenous scholarship and integrating local wisdom into academic, policy, and community development initiatives.
As Mr. Papsa-ao concluded, โIndigenous wisdom is not a relic of the past but a living mechanism of peace that can guide our present and future justice systems.โ
Through this engagement, MPSU continues to weave the threads of research, culture, and community empowerment, upholding the voices of Cordilleran ancestors as living guides for sustainable peace and development.#
