From closet to campus: bag it!

[NVSU SPOTLIGHT, story 7]

My students’ bags are definitely screaming “Indigenous” all over the classroom today!

While distributing my exam sheets, I couldn’t help noticing the bags paraded on the floor—they’re all traditionally woven bags! Unable to contain my amazement, I rushed to the front and blurted out, “Omg! Ang gaganda ng bags ninyo!” considering the fact that I don’t usually encounter Gen-Z students using these kinds of bags nowadays (tell me about buying branded!) and that I also couldn’t buy one myself due to their atrocious price in the market. Of course, these are traditionally woven bags.

My students felt the thrill in my voice and saw the smile painted all over my face, so they began to share stories about their bags and how they got them. One student said she borrowed her bag from her aunt, and another from a friend. Some of the boys mentioned their bags were mementos from their parents and grandparents. Some also said they didn’t mind buying them for a minimal cost (₱75–₱200) from a local store in their community.

The satisfying thing about it is that the way they wear their bags is still cool and fashionable. Some girls tied a handkerchief around them to make them look more colorful and slick. Some students also attached locally made keychains and adornments, one of which was labeled “BAG-O.” The rest preferred their plain bags as they were.

These woven bags struggle to maintain their cultural value against the changing trends and preferences of contemporary society. But they never actually fade in functionality and style. They are minimalistic, spacious, durable (except when frequently exposed to water), and often recyclable. These bags do not only represent local fashion but, more importantly, convey a social aspect of diminishing weaving traditions, cultural values, and indigenous wisdom.

My cheering heart goes out to Sir Felix Podda, who came up with this amazing and meaningful idea for his GE INDI classes. Not only will his students remember their roots, but they will also inadvertently raise awareness about indigenous knowledge and practices. I didn’t want to miss the chance to take photos of the proud and gleeful young people in their best attire for the entire IP month of October. Lastly, this piques my curiosity regarding that million-peso campus question, “What’s one unique thing about your university?”

There’s my answer.