MIPSA

25/03/2026

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀: 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗡𝗼𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 ✨

Yesterday, we witnessed a powerful celebration of Filipina leadership through our photo narrative exhibit—honoring the legacy of the Babaylan and the women who continue to shape our communities today.

Nagpasalamat kami sa mga mitabang niining higayon: Mindanao Heritage and Indigenous Research Center,MSU-IIT Historical Society,MSU IIT Department of History, Kuri Kuri Lokal, Gender and Development Center, Ceramic Training Center, and the Institute for Policy Innovation and Leadership for helping us amplify the voices and stories of women whose contributions continue to guide and strengthen our society.

📍The exhibit remains open until Friday, March 27 -- make sure to drop by, experience the stories, and share who your Babaylan is!
May the spirit of the Babaylan live on in each of us as we lead with purpose, preserve our cultures, and empower our communities. 💜

𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗲, 𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗺𝗮𝗼𝗻.

22/03/2026

𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧!

Due to the recent announcement of asynchronous classes, the exhibit opening has been rescheduled.

In celebration of Women’s Month 2026, the exhibit “Lead Like the Babaylans: Filipina Leadership Then and Now” will officially open on March 24, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the University Library Mini-Theater Lobby.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to your presence. Please be guided accordingly.

21/03/2026

In celebration of National Women's Month, the exhibit “𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀: 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘄” is organized as a visual narrative that highlights the enduring role of women in guiding and strengthening communities. The celebration encourages initiatives that acknowledge women’s historical and contemporary contributions to culture, leadership, and nation-building. In line with this, the exhibit seeks to showcase the deep roots of Filipina leadership and how these traditions continue to shape communities today.

In many pre-colonial communities in the Philippines, the 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻 served as spiritual leaders, healers, mediators, and custodians of cultural knowledge. Their leadership was rooted in service to the community, stewardship of the natural environment, and the preservation of traditions and collective memory. As respected figures in early Philippine societies, Babaylans played a central role in guiding communities through rituals, healing practices, and cultural decision-making.

Although colonial rule and historical transformations altered many traditional social structures, the values associated with Babaylan leadership—wisdom, resilience, and commitment to community welfare—continue to be reflected in the contributions of Filipina leaders today. Across Mindanao, women have emerged as important figures in cultural preservation, community development, environmental protection, and advocacy for Indigenous rights. Leaders and cultural bearers such as 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘆, 𝗛𝗮𝗷𝗮 𝗔𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗶, 𝗬𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝘂𝗹𝗼, and 𝗕𝗮𝗶 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝘆𝗮𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗸𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗸𝗮𝘆 exemplify how women continue to embody leadership through cultural knowledge, community service, and advocacy.

This photo narrative exhibit invites visitors to explore the continuity and transformation of Filipina leadership from the Babaylan of pre-colonial societies to the diverse roles women occupy in contemporary communities. Through images and brief narratives, the exhibit highlights how women continue to guide communities, safeguard traditions, and contribute to collective well-being. The interactive reflection panel further encourages audiences to consider how the spirit of Babaylan leadership persists in present-day contexts.

Ultimately, the exhibit aims to foster a deeper appreciation of the diverse forms of women’s leadership in Philippine society and to encourage reflection on how the legacy of the Babaylan continues to inspire contemporary efforts toward cultural preservation, community empowerment, and social responsibility. Through this initiative, the event highlights the enduring influence of Filipina leadership and its vital role in strengthening communities and sustaining cultural heritage.

𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗲, 𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗺𝗮𝗼𝗻 💜

📍University Library Theater
🕛 9:00 - 10:00 AM
📅 March 23, 2026

Mindanao Heritage and Indigenous Research Center
MSU-IIT Historical Society
MSU IIT Department of History
MSU-IIT Gender and Development Center

18/03/2026

𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑩𝑨𝑩𝑨𝒀𝑳𝑨𝑵𝑺 💜

In celebration of the 2026 Women's Month, the MSU-IIT Historical Society (MIHS), proudly joins the MSU-IIT Indigenous People Student Advocates (MIPSA), Mindanao Heritage and Indigenous Center, Gender and Development Center, and the Department of History in honoring and recognizing the many spaces Filipinas lead in through an exhibit titled, "𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬: 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐰, 𝐀 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞" with its launching to be held at the 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢-𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝟗:𝟎𝟎 𝐀𝐌.

Let us take a moment of our day to engage in critical questions and discussions about the evolution of Filipina leadership by visiting this enlightening gallery. We hope to see you there!






🎨 & ✍: 𝑫𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝑩.

17/03/2026

16/03/2026

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀: 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘄

In many pre-colonial communities in the Philippines, the Babaylan served as spiritual leaders, healers, mediators, and custodians of cultural knowledge. Their leadership was rooted in service to the community, stewardship of the natural environment, and the preservation of traditions and collective memory. As respected figures in early Philippine societies, Babaylans played a central role in guiding communities through rituals, healing practices, and cultural decision-making.

As we celebrate the 2026 National Women’s Month, the Mindanao Heritage and Indigenous Research Center (MHIRC) and the MSU-IIT Indigenous People Student Advocates (MIPSA) in collaboration with the Gender and Development Center (GADC), the Department of History and its MSU-IIT Historical Society (MIHS), will be launching a four-day exhibit titled, “Lead Like the Babaylans: Filipina Leadership Then and Now: A Visual Narrative of Filipina Leadership Across Time” on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝟵:𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗠, 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶-𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘆.

We are inviting you all to explore the continuity and transformation of Filipina leadership from the Babaylan of pre-colonial societies to the diverse roles women occupy in contemporary communities. Through images and narratives, the exhibit highlights how women continue to guide our communities, safeguard traditions, and contribute to our collective well-being.

𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗲, 𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗺𝗮𝗼𝗻 💜

08/03/2026

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘀!

They walk through fire without burning and whisper to the winds without being heard, yet their presence shifts the world. They are the unseen architects of justice, the quiet force that bends oppressive systems. These are the women of the Philippines, modern Babaylans, heirs to the wisdom, courage, and power of those who once held the spirit of communities in their hands.

From the mountains to the cities, from classrooms to council halls, they embody leadership not granted but earned through resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment. They challenge inequity, confront patriarchy, and defend the marginalized, often invisible, often unacknowledged, yet their impact is undeniable. Every policy shaped, every mind enlightened, and every voice amplified is a ripple of the Babaylan’s power across time.

Like the Babaylans of old, their strength is paradoxical: gentle yet fierce, nurturing yet unyielding, ancestral yet boldly modern. They remind us that leadership is not domination; it is stewardship, not command, but service. And in every action, they plant seeds for communities to thrive, to rise, to remember that strength is collective and courage contagious.

This Women’s Month, we honor them as living pillars of society, not just as women or leaders. They are the fire bearers, the wisdom keepers, the healers, and the changemakers, the Babaylans of our time.

𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗲, 𝗞𝘂𝘀𝗼𝗴 𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗺𝗮𝗼𝗻 💜

02/03/2026

𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗜𝗣𝗦𝗔! 🏆

During National Arts Month, MIPSA once again brings home the Org Fair Booth Champion title at the COO Organization Fair. Awarded last February 27, 2026.

Daghang salamat sa among partner, 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗼, and to 𝗠𝘀. 𝗔𝗻𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻, for believing in our advocacy and supporting our vision.

Daghang salamat sa among 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀, who dedicated their time and effort to building our booth with care and intention.

Daghang salamat sa 𝗶𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻 for visiting our booth and supporting our advocacy.

Padayon, MIPSA! 🖤💛❤️

02/02/2026

𝐇𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐘: 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘖𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴

We are proud to introduce 𝐇𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐘, a youth-led cooperative enterprise in the creative and cultural industries, focused on souvenir production and cultural tourism. More than handcrafted pieces, every output is a cultural expression inspired by identity, heritage, and community.

In partnership with MSU IIT NMPC Youth Cooperative - MSU IIT Chapter and Espasyo Creative Hub, HULAGWAY also serves a bigger purpose: empowering Indigenous Peoples youth through skills-building, livelihood opportunities, and meaningful participation in creative work that honors who we are. Aligned with the MSU-IIT NMPC’s commitment to economic, social, and cultural development, HULAGWAY stands for self-help, mutual aid, and cultural preservation, proving that sustainable development in Mindanao can be both creative and community-centered.

For phase one of the program, we will conduct a series of workshops to train students how to create handicrafts that they can use to start their own business. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐏 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 who are interested and can commit to the initiative. After the phase one, production will follow where they will be given start-up capital through materials. If interested, please reach out to this page and sign up through the google form provided below.

𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐆𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌: https://forms.gle/fPxKo7Nhr9G89oms5

𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭. 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘐𝘗 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩.
𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐦𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐲. ✨

02/02/2026

𝐁𝐔𝐊𝐒𝐔 𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄: 𝘈 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘔𝘐𝘗𝘚𝘈’𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘶𝘬𝘚𝘜. 🌿📚

Throwback to the time MIPSA joined MHIRC for a cultural exposure and benchmarking visit at the 𝐁𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 (𝐁𝐒𝐂), Bukidnon State University, under the guidance of 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐥 𝐋. 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧. We had the chance to explore BSC’s collections, research outputs, and community-centered work, especially on Indigenous Peoples’ education and learning systems, language and literacy, culture and heritage, governance, youth participation, and development initiatives grounded on Indigenous realities in Bukidnon.

Months after that trip, the 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐈𝐏𝐒𝐀.
One of the strongest takeaways was how BukSU strengthened its support for IP students by giving them a 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 they can claim inside the university, a place where they can gather, talk, and plan. This is something MSU-IIT can explore, and something we plan to lobby for under 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐲. The visit also reminded us that meaningful reforms begin with meeting the basic needs of IP students first, before pushing for bolder institutional changes. And seeing how BSC preserves knowledge and narratives highlighted the need for stronger archival practices in the university, because protecting history and Indigenous knowledge is also part of protecting identity.

Thank you to Mindanao Heritage and Indigenous Research Center and it's director 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐭. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐉𝐞𝐝 𝐁. 𝐎𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐨 for letting MIPSA join this engagement and for including us in this meaningful learning experience. Daghang salamat, Bukidnon State University and Buksu Bukidnon Studies Center for the generosity and wisdom.

𝐀𝐤𝐨, 𝐈𝐤𝐚𝐰, 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐚, 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐲𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐧! 🌱✨

📷: Sophia Judith, Mikhail Epino

02/02/2026

𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐎 𝐒𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒 | 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. 🌿📖

Before we go to communities, we went back to the basics: history, culture, rights, and responsibility.

𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘰 𝘴𝘢 𝘒𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘴 reminded us that advocacy is not only built on passion. It is built on knowledge, cultural sensitivity, and respect. Because working with Indigenous communities is never about “helping” from above but about walking with them, guided by protocol, ethics, and reciprocity.

Thank you to 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐲 𝐆. 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚 and Mindanao Heritage and Indigenous Research Center for grounding us in the realities of Indigenous engagement and for reminding us that Indigenous knowledge is not something to be taken lightly. It is something to be honored and protected.

This session was a quiet but powerful step in strengthening MIPSA, not just as an organization, but as a community of learners preparing for meaningful extension work. The activity is also in line with MIPSA's ongoing organizational development initiatives, aimed at developing its volunteers.

𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐤𝐚𝐭-𝐨𝐧. 𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠-𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐝. ✨

📷: Allyson Burgos

02/02/2026

𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐓𝐈𝐏𝐎𝐊 2025 — 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭. 🤍🌿

Looking back, Panagtipok wasn’t just an event, it was a space we created for Indigenous students (and our allies) to come together, share stories, and strengthen community inside MSU-IIT. The event was created under Project Lahutay, one of MIPSA's initiatives belonging to its unified LINANG programs, designed to cater to the needs of indigenous students.

From the messages of our speakers and the issue-mapping activity to the games and trivia that brought everyone closer, the day reminded us that celebration and advocacy should always go hand in hand, honoring culture while also talking about the real issues and needs of Indigenous communities.

Thank you to everyone who attended, listened, and participated in making the assembly meaningful. This was a simple yet important step toward fostering stronger unity, inclusivity, and cultural understanding within our university.

𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐧, 𝐌𝐈𝐏𝐒𝐀.
𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘓𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘒𝘢𝘢𝘺𝘶𝘩𝘢𝘯. 🌿✨

🎨: Julie Palarca