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𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐓 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 ‘𝐁𝐀𝐇𝐃𝐄𝐖’ 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇, 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐏

The Provincial Government of Benguet, led by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas, launched a book compilation of Ba-diw or ibaloy chants on Friday, February 20, 2026, in celebration of National Arts Month.

The book entitled “𝘽𝙖𝙝𝙙𝙚𝙬: 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨,” contains nearly 200 ibaloy chants compiled by Victor A. Cosalan and traditionally performed during various local occasions. It was published under the Development Board for Information Materials and Books on Home (DIBSHO), an initiative in 2022 by Governor Diclas to support the production of cultural and historical reading materials in the Province.

As Guest of Honor and Speaker, Cosalan emphasized the enduring relevance of Ba-diw, saying that its values and meanings are universal and closely connected to modern life. "𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦-𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘭 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴," he said. He also expressed his gratitude to Governor Diclas and the other Provincial Officials, and Dr. Ryan C. Guinaran for supporting the publication and printing of his Ba-diw collection.

Cosalan shared that his appreciation for Ba-diw began during his childhood, when he would help serve wine and food during weddings, wake, rituals, and cañao. It was during these gatherings, he said, that he listened to the chants and learned the deep meanings behind a performed badiw.

Meanwhile, Governor Diclas underscored the publication of the book through the DIBSHO aims to preserve Benguet's rich oral tradition, particularly among the younger generation.

He further committed to the publication of other oral traditions of Benguet ethnolinguistic groups through the Provincial Development Book Board.

Governor Diclas also led the ceremonial turnover of the books to the Department of Education, received by Aladdin Dobinto, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division of the Schools Division Office-Benguet, representing Concurrent Schools Division Superintendent and Regiona Director Estela P. Leon-Cariño. The books will be distributed to the various functional public libraries across the province.

Dobinto conveyed his gratitude and shared an inspirational message on behalf of the Schools Division Office and RD Cariño, encouraging participants to listen to the stories of their elders as a way of recognizing and strengthening their cultural roots.

Also present were Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members led by Vice Governor Marie Rose T. Fongwan-Kepes.

A workshop on Ba-diw followed in the afternoon, participated in by almost 60 students from Benguet National High School (BeNHS) and Tublay School of Home Industries (TSHI). Facilitated by Kenneth Kelcho, Tourism Officer I, the session guided students in writing and performing their own Ba-diw compositions, allowing them to experience firsthand the creative process behind the traditional chant.

Provincial Chief Tourism Operations Officer Eliazar Carias, who supported the event, shared that more activities are lined up for March in celebration of National Arts Month.

HERE | In celebration of National Arts Month this February, the province of Benguet launched on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 a book titled 'Bahdew', a compilation of Ibaloy chants.

The book contains chants of different styles of Ibalio gatherings and celebrations. Bah-diw is a symbol of the preservation of the history, culture, tradition, and arts of the Igorot people.

Victor Cosalan, compiler of the book, said that Bah-diw or Badiw is a sample of literature poetry that Igorot people, specifically the young generation, need to understand and give importance to because it's their identity.

Over 300 copies were officially published, and 70 copies will be distributed to different libraries and schools in Benguet. The book will also be displayed at the Benguet Museum for the locals and tourists to read and practice.

The Tublay School of Home Industries and the Benguet National High School attended the program, with over 42 students from different levels participating in the workshop and lecture.

[Athina Acangan and Kyle Daguioan, PIA-CAR interns]

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PIA Cordillera Administrative Region