Written by Rachel Grace A. Liclican | Photos taken by Tyra Nicolle Badie, SIHTM Student Writers Club
On November 12, 2025, the University of Baguio, through the School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM), unveiled its pop-up museum at the Centennial Hall, offering free public access to an exhibit that spotlights the rich cultural heritage of the Cordillera region.
Anchored on the theme “Legacy of the Peaks: Sustaining Indigenous Futures,” the Cultural Heritage Exhibition formally opened with a vibrant program that began with a message of inspiration from Dr. Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan, Vice President for Academic Affairs; an oggayam led by Jasper Daluson; a welcome and cultural performance by the U.B. BIBAK Ubbun Kaafuan; and an energetic performance by the UB Voices.
The launch was graced by Director Melanie Rulla-Saro of the Linkages Office, Director Froilan Aspa of the Office of Student Affairs, Dean Jenelyn Mangangey-Magpatoc of SIHTM, alongside faculty members and students. The event also received full support from the featured artists: Mr. Eros Goze, portrait photographer and visual artist; Mr. Jimrey Lictao and Ms. Althea Latuhan, fashion designers; Ms. Devon Taguiling-Soliba, visual artist; Mr. Joey Felipe, known for crafting portraits using nails; and Ms. Czarina Liwanag, a nail artist whose designs highlight Cordilleran material culture.
The exhibit is a collaborative effort with local artists and designers who share a commitment to celebrating and preserving Cordilleran culture and heritage. In addition, it provides a platform for artists to showcase their creative works to potential buyers, advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.3, which promotes creative entrepreneurship, income generation, and inclusive economic growth. In alignment with SDG 11.4, the exhibit positions Cordillera’s cultural heritage as its central feature, serving as a living blueprint for sustainable environmental management and community resilience.
The museum’s planning and execution also cultivate the University’s graduate attributes. Students develop creative and critical thinking by designing accessible exhibitions that unpack complex issues; foster active and lifelong learning through in-depth research on Cordilleran culture; acquire reflective leadership skills through ethical coordination with community partners; become effective communicators by translating academic concepts into compelling public narratives; and exemplify service-driven citizenship through collective efforts to support regional heritage preservation.
The pop-up museum exhibits are spearheaded by UB-SIHTM’s Champion of Arts, Production, and Synergy (CAPS), a student organization under the guidance of advisers Ms. Dixie Lidawan and Mr. John Wilson Carillo.
