In collaboration with the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF), the Department of Tourism – CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) successfully conducted the MakaNayon Cultural Leadership Training from September 16 to 18, 2024 in preparation for the region’s upcoming Philippine Experience Program (PEP) launch in October 2024.
The three-day training gathered tourism planners, implementers, and frontliners from various sectors. They were oriented on key topics including heritage preservation, environmental sustainability, and nationalism. The goal of the training was to build a community that fosters a deeper appreciation for culture while empowering participants to become cultural leaders. The program highlighted the importance of cultural sensitivity, which nurtures cultural consciousness and reflects the interconnectedness between nature and culture.
The first two days focused on the “4Ms of MakaNayon”: MakaTao by Maria Teressa Padilla, MakaKalikasan and Mapanagutan by Geegee Ranchez, and Makabayan by Natasha Kintanar. On the final day, workshops on interpretative planning and tour-guiding were conducted by Tanya Conlu and Bong Billones.
The training is part of the NPF’s Cultural Leadership Institute (CLI), a program designed to develop leaders who will champion the protection, promotion, and development of Philippine cultural heritage. A total of 45 participants successfully completed the program while five participants joined some of the topics.
The PEP will be launched in Benguet covering Baguio, La Trinidad and Atok.
