It is not every day that you get to meet a fine, soft spoken lady who “walks the talk”. She breathes, lives and talks of indigenous culture, instruments, dances, music, environment, and peacebuilding. You get entangled in her moment of passion. She was born in Fort Mckinley, Rizal, where her father was assigned after the Korean War, but traces her roots in the village of Tanglag, Lubuagan, Kalinga. She was married to the late Engr. Eliseo Ruiz, has five children: Marian Joy, Christine Grail, Michael John, Anne Lucille, and Joanne Paula and blessed with eight grandchildren. Her “apostolic” work fills her life to the brim. She is a most sought after lecturer, trainer, resource person, and facilitator.
“Passing on the gifts of tradition and indigenous ways of life in a multi-cultural and highly-urbanized city is very challenging,” says this culture bearer when asked about cultural contributions to Baguio City. “With digital technology, cultural transformation is fast, but is expected. To stay close to it and make it alive is to set safeguards, so we thought it best to look for cultural protocols and shared this with the schools and other institutions.”.
Together with her co-authors Vicky Macay, Len Regpala, Judy Cariño, and Mercy Dulawan, they documented the cosmologies of the Cordillera peoples and authored a book on indigenous earth wisdom, published by the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary.
“We were a group of five like-minded people who loved our culture deeply and were advocates of the environment,” shares Dr. Lucy. “We put together a book with the indigenous peoples as stewards of mother Earth. The book won the first prize in the prestigious Cardinal Sin National Book Award. It was also the only book among hundreds that was nominated on two categories: Ministry and Spirituality. It was followed by another book: Stories from Elders to Children. This time, all the things I learned from my childhood stay in my village in Tanglag and were put into the book.Again, it won 2nd prize in the Cardinal Sin National Book Award.”
I first met Dr. Lucy in 2009 when she and her assistant Annielyn (Pagtuyao Pucking) were conducting a series of lecture-workshops at the Baguio Museum on indigenous knowledge systems and practices. She was then lecturing on indigenous practices: the use of bamboo instruments, music and attires of Kalinga. I was enthralled at the grace on how they were teaching the student participants the intricacies of the dance movements. You can feel the passion put into the instructions.
I asked Dr. Lucy what makes her proud as a culture bearer? “I articulate culture by living it. There is no better way to practice tradition and pass on the gifts of indigenous systems and practices than to live it.”
She continues, “Women’s month is the time to celebrate, respect and appreciate empowered women all over the world, especially their achievements and success stories. Every woman has a story to tell and the world should listen. If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more – then create more, learn more and become more.”
This woman has happy and nostalgic thoughts of her late husband Ely when asked how she met her inspiration, “I met him when I was organizing activities for the Kalinga Student Association in the 80s. He really stood out because he played good basketball and had long hair,” she fondly reminisces. “I asked who he was. When he learned about it, he sought me out and the rest is history.” The union produced five children and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Lucy was once the principal of the High School Department of the University of the Cordilleras. She was executive director of the Lin-Awa Center for Culture and the Arts, Program consultant of the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary. She was also Gong co-organizer and facilitator in 2013. She was involved in zero waste and climate change activities. She was president, member, adviser, friend, and consultant of numerous organizations like the Kalinga Organization of Baguio-Benguet, the Soroptimist International Pines, the Baguio Museum, Tanglag’s Women’s Club, the IGOROTA Foundation. She was publisher and writer of the magazine, “Culture Matters.” She has a PhD in Administration and Supervision at Saint Louis University. She completed five courses in Peacebuilding and Peace Education Skills in Davao City. Has an NCII on 6 Competencies and completed a course on Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis with the Office of Civil Defense.
Dr. Lucy Ruiz is truly an accomplished woman. A fete worth emulating. Silent in her achievements, quiet in her ways, but distinguished nevertheless. She draws strength from her children and her apos. She is inspired by strong resilient women. She chooses to fight, than to fly. She finds hard days, as “lesson days” and finds that she can do more things in her senior years.
To you, Dr. Lucy, I dedicate this quote from Oprah Winfrey, I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”Cheers to you on Women’s Month!
April 20, 2024
