Benguet State University’s Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRD) and the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) in partnership with the university’s Gender and Development (GAD) Office conducted the 5th webinar of Think Talk: Language, Literature, Arts and Communication Series with the theme "Highlighting Indigenous Languages and Literature Research and the Teaching of Regional Literature in the 21st Century," on November 17, 2023.

In her welcome remarks, CAH Dean Dr. Myrna Sison-Kuiper emphasized the importance of local cultures in education in the face of globalization. "At this time, where globalization seems to overshadow local cultures. Our roles as educators and researchers in arts, and humanities to include literature are more crucial of late. We are the custodians of our diverse linguistics and literary heritage task with the sacred duty of preserving, understanding, and disseminating the reach tapestries of our indigenous languages and literatures," she said. She ended her remarks by encouraging the participants to work to uplift indigenous language and literature.

Meanwhile, four experts served as resource speakers during the event. These include: Jay M. Maravilla, teacher-in-charge at Ubalde L. Conde High School, Puerto Princesa, Palawan shared his expertise on "A Literature of our Own: Teaching Regional Literature to 21st Century Learners"; John Rey D. Pelila, CAH faculty at Benguet State University shared insights on the "Assessing Archaism in Philippine Indigenous Language: The Case of Kankana-ey as Spoken in Mankayan"; Myrna B. Sison-Kuiper shared her wisdom on "An Ethnograpic Approach to Ibaloy's Life Cycle towards the Development of Glossary for Intergenerational Use"; and L.A. Piluden, a faculty at University of the Philippines Baguio College of Arts and Communication shared her knowledge on "Ibaloy Folklore."

ISRD Director Ann Heather B. Kiwang closed the program by asking a profound question, "How will your ancestors recognize who you are?" According to her, this question was posed by a group of indigenous scholars and they said they will recognize you by language. This emphasizes the importance of indigenous language in our personal and cultural identity.