Look: Baguio teacher wears traditional ‘bahag’ outfit to class

This is how you teach schoolchildren to be proud of their culture. 

Teacher Elmer Sacwog wore a full Kalinga attire while teaching his students at the Pines City National High School (PCNHS).

In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Tue, Aug 9, Sacwog wore a bahag, armbands and a headdress to class.

“Ngayon kasi, parang hindi na normal kapag may nakasuot ng ganun. Gusto namin ipakita sa kanila na hindi dapat ikahiya,” Sacwog said.

(It’s not normal to see people wearing traditional outfits nowadays. We want to show them that there is nothing to be ashamed of.)

All the other teachers and even the schoolheads themselves joined the fun. They wore full Cordilleran outfits as well. 

How did the students take it? They were shocked at first but they eventually became comfortable. 

The school is hoping that this simple gesture would help the students appreciate their roots. 

“Parang inspiration po sa akin na ‘yung culture namin at pagkatao namin hindi dapat ikahiya,” said Mark Glen Salvador, a Grade 7 student

(It’s inspiration for me. I shouldn’t be ashamed of our culture.)

The Department of Education requires the incorporation of culture in school subjects. Other schools in Baguio City also wore traditional Cordilleran attires during IP day.