In celebration of National Heritage Month this May, the City of Baguio proudly re-launches “Dugad Mi” an inspiring multimedia exhibit crafted by the city’s youth, capturing the soul and identity of their communities.

“Dugad Mi,” meaning “Our Place” in Ibaloy, serves as a profound expression of the young generation’s connection to their heritage and aspirations for the future.

National Heritage Month, declared under Presidential Decree No. 439, emphasizes the importance of fostering consciousness, respect, and love for Filipino cultural history. In 2025, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) set the theme “Preserving Legacies, Building Futures: Empowering Communities through Heritage,” underscoring the role of heritage in empowering future generations.

Answering this call, Baguio City’s Cultural Mapping Project initiated by the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office documented 327 natural and cultural heritage resources, including significant personalities in the city’s history. Building on this foundation, the “Dugad Mi” project empowered Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders from 25 barangays through modular training sessions that explored the meaning of “place,” local histories, and the critical role of heritage conservation.

Through creative visual arts exercises, participants reconnected with their communities, translating memories, stories, and identities into powerful exhibits. Their works reveal how history, values, and traditions shape meaningful places transforming empty spaces into vibrant, living communities.

Originally launched during last year’s Ibagiw Festival, “Dugad Mi” is a collaborative effort of the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office and the Baguio City Creative Council. It represents a strategic planning initiative that blends heritage conservation with creative placemaking, offering a framework that supports Baguio’s identity as a UNESCO Creative City.

Rosella Camte-Bahni, from the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office, emphasized the lasting impact of the project: “Our young people, having traced their roots through this project, now see their communities with new eyes filled with pride, meaning, and responsibility. They can now truly and proudly say, ‘This is my place. This is Dugad Mi.’”

The City of Baguio invites everyone to visit the exhibit and join in celebrating National Heritage Month. Discover the powerful stories of our young artists and reflect on the legacies that shape our shared future.