Laji: It's revival and potential contributor to
Batanes Tourism

            In his book “Laji:  An Ivatan Folk Lyric Tradition”, (which is also the primary reference of  this topic), Dr. Florentino H. Hornedo, a distinguished Ivatan professor and Dean in several universities, an international lecturer, a UNESCO commissioner and an author who specialized in the study of Ivatan culture and who had published a number of books on it, stated on the Preface of  his above mentioned book, the following:

           Much of this book first saw print in 1979, and I was of the impression that
            we were printing for posterity the last relics of a dead tradition which had
            little hope of revival. Today, two decades later, the tradition is alive and
            getting renewed interest for reasons quite different from those of the Ivatan
            ancestors who invented it long ago. As it turned out, recording it gave it
            another lease on life and a chance to be noticed beyond the Iv atan community.
            Laji has now passed into the treasury of the national heritage of the Philippines
            so that this new edition which makes the study and collection available in book
            form for the first time is a contribution of Batanes to the ongoing enrichment of
            the national heritage.  It is now Ivatan as well as a Philippine literary art
            tradition.

            With this book of his, the hope of reviving this oral tradition created a greater chance especially so when a week-long seminar/workshop on Ivatan culture was organized in the summer of 1996 in which the lecturers were native Ivatans  who are considered living treasures of Ivatan culture.  Dr. Hornedo also mentioned in this book that even the former Hon. Senator Jovito Salonga, who was the guest of honor and speaker on that occasion, expressed his amazement and admiration for the interest of 200 or so participants sustained for the seven-day seminar/workshop. It was, according to him, an inspiring manifestation of Ivatan interest in re-acquainting themselves with their cultural and historical roots.
           
            At present, the interest and practice of this sung tradition continues as it once again being revived, as manifested in the recent 225th Batanes Foundation Anniversary in which Laji was made  the theme of the celebration. In his message published in the souvenir program of this said anniversary, Hon. Telesforo F. Castillejos, the provincial governor, said that the celebration is part of the realization that the tiny province of Batanes is culturally significant to the rest of the world since UNESCO has recognized the outstanding universal values of Batanes when it accepted its nomination to be part of the World Heritage Sites List.

            Tourism as defined in the dictionary, is the industry of attracting tourists and catering to them.  And Batanes, now being a UNESCO nominee just proved that inspite of its being the smallest province in the North, abounds not only with its physical beauty but by its history and cultural heritage that makes Ivatans unique, endearing and significant.  Laji being part of its culture is one of the pride of Ivatans being revived to preserve this particular heritage and become one of the main attractions for a vibrant tourism in the province.

            As what was mentioned also by Governor Castillejos is his message, the provincial government has already taken steps to push thru conservation of the province heritage through the Batanes Eco-Cultural Tourism Indsustry (BECTI). With this, he further stated that “conservation makes sense, because people will begin to value what they have, and keep them, specially their traditional houses, cooperative values and practices, and oral traditions such as the Laji.”

            Today, the laji is featured in cultural presentations and is now activated and popularized by elementary pupils in recent competition. Music classes in secondary schools such as the Batanes National Science High School also take Laji singing as part of their lessons under their Music teacher Ms. Adoree Gonzales.  In her subject ITCH (Ivatan Traditions, Culture and Heritage), Mrs. Vicenta V. Hidalgo, retired Asst. Supt. Of DepEd, had also taken the initiative of challenging her students to compose laji.

            The laji singing will flourish; With this initial steps that the provincial government and the young generation is now undertaking, it is not far the realization of having this sung tradition, the laji, as a potential contributor to Batanes tourism..