Maila Alog

Maila Cuyan Buaquen-Alog (Maila Alog) is a public servant and cultural bearer who stands firmly in indigeneity, honoring the traditions and lifeways of her Ibaloy roots. Her work moves across governance, indigenous studies, fashion storytelling, creative entrepreneurship, and community building—holding space for both memory and modernity. As a leader, she bridges formal institutions with cultural identity, bringing nuance, authenticity, and community-centered vision into every space she enters.

Born and raised in Baguio City, Maila comes from a community that continues to navigate the long-standing complexities of ancestral land claims in a highly urbanized Indigenous territory. As an Ibaloy land claimant, she has faced the enduring struggles brought by historical government acquisitions, military reservations, and overlapping titles—challenges experienced by many Ibaloy families defending their ancestral domains. These lived realities shape her resolve to protect heritage, advocate for justice, and create culturally grounded spaces that honor Indigenous identity.

Professional Service in the Philippine National Police

Maila is a proud member of PNPA MASALIGAN Class of 2011, beginning her policing career with a strong foundation in community relations and public service. Her first assignment brought her to Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) from 2012 to 2017, where she served as:

Police Community Relations Officer, Regional Public Safety Battalion 1 (2012–2015)
Investigation Officer and Public Information Officer, San Fernando City Police Station (2016)

In 2017, she transferred to Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-CAR) and continued to build her leadership profile through various operational and administrative roles, including:

Deputy Chief, Aurora Hill Police Station (2017)
Deputy PCR Officer, Baguio City Police Office (2018)
Administrative Officer to the Regional Director (2019)
Area Supervisor, BCPO Tourist Police
Chief, Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) (2021–2022)
Deputy, City Investigation and Detection Management Unit (2021–2022)
Station Commander, Aurora Hill Police Station (2022)

In 2023, she sought reassignment to the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to focus on cadet development, education, and institutional communication. At PNPA, she served in the following capacities:

Supply Officer (2023–2024)
Tactical Officer (2023–2024)
Professor of Public Safety and Community Affairs (2024)
Public Information Officer (2024–2025)
Chief, Community Affairs and Extension Service Section (CAESS) (2024–2025)

In December 2025, she was reassigned to the National Police Training Institute (NPTI) and now currently serving as the Chief Academics Section of CAR Training Center.

Through these roles, she strengthened community-extension programs, enhanced strategic public information systems, and contributed to academically grounded, culturally informed police education.

Awards and Recognitions

Police Service Awards & Recognitions

• Best Junior Police Officer, Regionwide (2016)
Awarded for exemplary service, professionalism, and outstanding performance in community policing, public information, and investigative work—an early distinction that affirmed her dedication to ethical, community-centered policing.

• Multiple Commendations from the Philippine National Police
Recognition received across PRO1, PRO-CAR, and PNPA for:
– Strengthening Police Community Relations
– Advancing Women and Children Protection initiatives
– Public Information and Crisis Communication
– Station leadership and operational excellence
– Training, mentorship, and cadet development at PNPA

• Multiple Certificates of Recognition from Public and Private Institutions for Nationwide “Balik Eskwela” Initiatives
Awarded for initiating and supporting Balik Eskwela programs across the country—mobilizing resources, communities, and partnerships to assist students and schools in preparing for each academic year.

• Congressional Award — Soroptimist International of the Americas, Greater Manila District (November 30, 2025)Honoring her cultural advocacy, her contributions to women’s empowerment, and her efforts to uplift indigenous communities through creative, educational, and community-focused platforms.

Creative & Cultural Industry Awards & Recognitions

• Plaque of Recognition — Caritas Manila (Nature & Fashion with Compassion), Dusit Thani Manila (November 13, 2023)
Recognizing her integration of cultural identity, ethical fashion, and community collaboration in platforms promoting compassion, sustainability, and social impact.

• Plaques and Certificates of Recognition for Supporting Charity Through Shows
Presented by various organizations and community groups in appreciation of her commitment to using fashion showcases, cultural events, and creative productions as avenues for charity, fundraising, and social upliftment.

Public Scholar and Cultural Advocate

Maila is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy, with research centered on Indigenous Methods of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (IMPCR) across Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Benguet. Her academic work interweaves indigenous jurisprudence, legal pluralism, restorative justice, and post-liberal peace frameworks—informing her governance and advocacy with depth, discipline, and cultural insight.

She is the founder of Habing Katutubo Collective Inc., an Indigenous People–led movement celebrating weaving traditions, cultural identity, and community collaboration through events, expos, cultural talks, and artisan platforms.

As the designer behind M.A. Woven Designs, she transforms indigenous textiles into thoughtful contemporary silhouettes—merging artistry, cultural fidelity, and ethical partnerships with weavers across the Philippines.

Entrepreneurship and Community-Built Spaces

Maila’s entrepreneurial ventures form her Brand Family, a constellation of businesses grounded in culture, sustainability, and community empowerment. These include:

Baguio’s Closet, a sustainable fashion and rental boutique housing local and homegrown labels
M.A. Nooks and Spaces, a micro–real estate brand offering minimalist, culturally rooted living environments
Sinagued Store & Lodging House, a community-centered concept providing essential goods and long-term practical living options for migrant workers and students in Baguio City

Each brand reflects her commitment to uplift livelihoods, create inclusive spaces, and reimagine everyday living through cultural consciousness.

Identity, Vision, and Purpose

At the core of Maila’s work is a clear mission: to amplify indigenous identity, empower communities, defend cultural spaces, and build systems that allow tradition and modern life to coexist meaningfully. Whether she is shaping programs, designing clothing, training future officers, or developing community spaces, her work is anchored in service, authenticity, and cultural pride.

This website is a reflection of her ideas, advocacies, and creations—where indigeneity shapes vision, where service becomes movement, and where community remains the heartbeat of everything she builds.