LT engineer develops PNP E-learning system / Book on Ifugao culture out

BEHIND THE SCENES Alfred P. Dizon

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet–The Philippine National Police’s efficiency is now a notch higher with a software called e-Learning Project and Geographical Information System-Based Crime Analysis (GIS-BCA) now being implemented by the Philippine National Police in Baguio City, La Trinidad and other major municipalities in the Cordillera. The Center for Police Strategy Management in Camp Crame is set to adapt the project for implementation in police offices nationwide.

Nathaniel Vincent Lubrica, an engineer and project coordinator of the University of the Cordillera and his students developed the software module. Congratulations!

It is not surprising as Nathaniel’s father Jose or Bong as he was fondly called, who passed away a few months ago, earlier created another software, along with his sons, that would monitor graft and corruption in government and improve services.

Shortly before the Creator called him up, Bong, an architect, said they tried introducing it to some government offices but the reception was lukewarm, I guess for obvious reasons.

Being neighbors in La Trinidad, I know the Lubricas as a family of academicians. Nathaniel’s grandparents, uncles and aunts have been long-time professors of the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet. Now his mother Persyveranda is the BSU’s vice president for academic affairs.

Anyhow, in the Cordillera where E-Learning or GIS-BCA was introduced, PNP personnel can now cope with fast changing information and communication technology and render genuine service or “Serbisyong Makatotohanan” being advocated by PNP Director General Alan La Madrid Purisima following the launching the project by police in the region. Regional police director Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong revealed this saying e-Learning was designed to ensure comprehensive understanding of the PNP’s Integrated Transformation Program (Patrol Plan 2030) and CODE-P, the strategic focus of the new PNP chief.

Initially, 22 policemen composed of police commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and non-uniformed personnel took initial examination for the project before it was expanded to other police officials. Magalong said the Patrol Plan 2030/CODE-P e-learning is divided into six modules. After each module, personnel are required to take an exam to test their level of comprehension before they will advance to succeeding modules to allow them to internalize lessons within each of prescribed modules.
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In another news on accomplishment, Ifugao writer Juan B. Dait, Jr. has published a book on Ifugao rituals and cultural practices which may be a rich source of information for scholars, researchers and students of Ifugao culture. A former OIC governor of Ifugao, Dait has compiled in his book his writings about Ifugao cultural traditions which were published in national magazines in Manila since 1957. His feature articles include death and burial rituals and the prestige feasts of the Ifugao elite which they perform to attain the pinnacle of the social ladder in Ifugao society. These include the “Uya-uy and “hagabi” Fetivals which are marked by day –long community feasting, ricewine drinking and native dancing.

Entitled “Ifugao Rituals and Cultural Practices and Other Stories,” the book also features the mythological origin of the Ifugao people in the ancient village of Kiyyangan located 39 kilometers south of Banaue within this town. The village still exists and is often visited by the researchers and tourists. The proclamation by the UNESCO in 2001 of the Ifugao Hudhud epic chant as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and intangible heritage of Humanity” is related in detail in Dait’s book, supported by photographs of Hudhud chanters and a legend that tells of the origin of the Hudhud.

The Hudhud is a celebration of Ifugao wealth and prestige and is embodiment of Ifugao cultural values. The chant is composed of around 200 stories which tell of the exploits of Ifugao heroes and heroines who represent high standards of behavior. An article in the book describes the informal surrender of Gen. Tomoyoki Yamashita, commander of the 14th Area Armyof the Japanese Emperial Forces, at the Home Economics building of the Kiangan Central School and his formal surrender the following day in Camp John Hay in Baguio City after being flown from the Bagabag Airport in Nueva Vizcaya.

Four outstanding catholic and Protestant missionaries in Ifugao are also featured in the book, namely, Rev. Fr. Jerome Moerma, Bishop Emiliano Mdangeng who was the first Ifugao priest, Father Patricio Guyguyon and Miss Lottie Spessard, an American Nurse who selflessly served the IfugaopeopleinWold War II. Colored pictorials of the ordination of a native Ifugaopriest(Mumbaki) and the “Kolot” hairtrimming ritual for a boy’s rite of passage towards manhood are special features in the book that dramatized the uniqueness of Ifugao rituals. Interested buyers of Dait’s book may call the author at 09278292681 or email juandait125@yahoo.com