Ifugao Center for Living Culture
The Team
Mamerto Lagitan Tindongan
Mamerto Lagitan Tindongan is from the Ifugao tribe in the Cordillera region in northern Philippines. He is an eighth generation Mumbaki, native priest of the Baki spirituality, and he was initiated into the role by his father in 2011, though he grew up with the tradition since childhood. Baki is Ifugao’s spirituality, which is our way of relating with nature spirits, deities, and ancestors. He was also initiated in the Earth Keeper Q’uero Peruvian tradition, as Laika, in 2005. And Paqo, 4th level Andean Priest, in 2007.
He spent over 20 years in the United States, and continues to travel worldwide to teach and guide students in the indigenous lifestyle and simple living of the Ifugao. He is a woodcarver since childhood, an international atlatl competitor, and tai chi and qi gong instructor. He now lives outside Banaue, Ifugao in a small town close to where he grew up. When he is not traveling and teaching, he is working to regenerate abandoned rice fields using organic practices, and documenting the traditional healing rituals of the region.
Brendan Rosen
I am a native of southern California, though I have lived in many places in the world. I am passionate about living in balance with my own energies and with nature. I served twice in the U.S. Peace Corps, in Lesotho 2012-2015 and the Philippines 2019-2020. I completed my B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine and my Masters in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University. I recently conducted participatory research under the guidance of Apu Lagitan in Banaue, Ifugao. I am now working with the Ifugao Center for Living Culture to continue my love of traditional farming practices and create the world I want to see – where people can live harmoniously with nature and enjoy life to the fullest.
Joannah Inwayah Tindongan
I was born in Baguio City, and raised in Appalachian Ohio, in the US. I currently live in Mexico, and will be transitioning to the Philippines in 2024. After many years of battling competing priorities in my career, travels and life experiences, I have finally come to a place that I have been working towards for a long time, helping my father revitalize the traditional ways of the Ifugao culture, and sharing our knowledge with other young people around the world who are seeking their roots. My formal education consists of a B.A. in World Religions, accompanied by a Certificate in Women and Gender Studies, as well as a Masters in Law, Justice & Culture from Ohio University. I also travel, sometimes with my father, to teach and learn with my Indigenous sisters and brothers around the world.
Ifugao Center for Living Culture 