The town of Bagulin is found in the Cordillera mountain ranges but, administratively, it is a part of the province of La-Union. The town’s name was either derived from the name of a Kankanaey chieftain or from its original settlers, the Bago Igorots. More here.
Historically, Bagulin used to be a part of the old Mt. Province (i.e., the present Cordillera Administrative Region except Abra) but it was transferred to La-Union in 1923 following an agreement by the governors of the two provinces. At present, about 85% of the population of Bagulin are Kankanaeys or Bagos.
Do you remember Biag Gaongen? We first mentioned him here as the first (and so far the only) Igorot ballet dancer. Well the kid has been making waves lately so it’s time to blog about him again. In an article in Cebu Pacific’s Inflight Magazine (which we are reprinting below) Biag talks about his indigenous roots and his experiences as Ballet Philippines’ principal dancer. What comes out is the portrait of a young man who is very much rooted to his culture and is properly proud of it. Way to go Biag! Or maybe, “Agbiag ni Biag!”