THE University of the Philippines-Baguio held a two-day Ibaloy Studies Conference to explore and help address the issues of indigenous peoples, indigenous communities and ethnicity in general.

The conference aims to promote awareness and appreciation of Ibaloy history and heritage.

The conference also discussed the social status and problems faced by IPs.

The Ibaloy is one of the major indigenous ethnic groups in the Cordillera.

The Ibaloys are also collectively known as the Igorots.

The papeers presented at the conference were "On Being an Ibaloy in Baguio City" by Julie Camdas-Cabato; "Benguet and Ibaloy History: Up Font and Personal" by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Commissioner Zenaida Hamada-Pawid; "The First Philippine Republic in Benguet" by professor Linda Cariño; "Innovation and Social Change: The Ibaloy Cattle Enterprise in Benguet" by Prof. Bienvenido Tapang; "Educating Mokimok and Chainus: The Ibaloys at the Bua School" by professor Charita De Los Reyes; and the "Tradition and Change in Ibaloy Customary Law" by Prof. June Prill-Brett.

On the second day of the conference, national artist for music professor Ramon Santos discussed the "Ba'diw: Ibaliy Legacy to Poetry and Music"; Alfonso Aroco talked about the "Ibaloy Knowledge through Oral Tradition"; Rosella Camte-Bahni presented the "Ibaloy Spirituality in Death and Healing Rituals of Loakan"; and professor Jessica Cariño's lecture was entitled "The Baguio Ibaloys: Negotiating Ethnicity and Place."

An open forum followed each lecture.