Echoes of the Mountains: UPAA-W Performs Uyauy Dance from Ifugao

Ifugao is one of the six provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region in northern Luzon, and one of the six cultural groups inhabiting that province.

Gotad ad Ifugao is a cultural festival and founding anniversary celebration held annually on June 18th, showcasing Ifugao customs, traditions, and indigenous practices. Bumayah-uyauy is a narrative dance performed during Gotad ad Ifugao and during kanyaw, gatherings where wealthy families have this performed to solidify their social status and to be considered part of the village council of elders. The dance movements sometimes mimic powerful animals like the Sakpaya hawk, further emphasizing strength and prestige.

UPAA-W is honored to pay tribute to and share our country’s rich pre-colonial heritage by dancing the uyauy. The performance was envisioned and choreographed by Wena Punzalan, whose creative direction brought the spirit of Ifugao traditions to life. Linus Santo Tomas performed the introduction on the nose flute; a musical instrument traditionally used in the Cordilleras. The dancers are proudly wearing beautiful Ifugao clothing made from traditional weave: the women are wearing skirt (“tolge” in Ifugao), belt and blouse; the men are wearing traditional loincloth or “bahag”. Their necklaces are made of wood from the ipil tree. This performance won the “Pinaka-makahulugang Pagtatanghal” (Most Meaningful) Award at the Philippine Cultural and Civic Center Foundation’s Fiesta Filipiniana Gala in Brookfield, Wisconsin on June 14, 2025.

This presentation proudly embodies the spirit of UPAA-W’s Asuncion Miteria Value Our Heritage program, which champions a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diversity and richness of Filipino culture.

Photo credits to Nellie Garcia and her Nella Bella Photography