Cultural Exchange Program with Liwang Ensemble Strengthens Seminarians’ Formation in Cultural Awareness”

On August 12, 2025, the seminary hosted the Liwang Cultural Ensemble of Liwang Elementary School, Malibcong, Abra, for an evening of cultural exchange. The group is a nine-time grand winner of the prestigious National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in the Traditional Music category.

The ensemble is the fruit of the school’s Project Pauliyan—literally meaning “to go back”—an initiative that seeks to immerse the younger generation in the richness of the Banao culture.

The evening’s program featured educational talks on the tribe’s various rituals, along with performances of traditional dances and songs. The group also showcased their musical talents through the gansa and different bamboo instruments.

In response, the seminarians shared their reflections on the ensemble’s cultural identity and performances. The seminary choir also rendered two salidummays, accompanied by the tongngatong ensemble from the Grade 9 class.

This cultural exchange is part of the seminary’s programs rooted in its core value of justice. It aims to form seminarians who can appreciate and respond to the cultural realities of the people of Abra.