Habing Katutubo Brings PNPA Slow Drill to the City of Pines

BAGUIO CITY, PHILIPPINES — The cool, crisp air of the City of Pines carried more than applause on October 28, 2023—it carried cadence, discipline, and national pride as Habing Katutubo 4 welcomed the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Slow Drill Platoon for its first-ever public performance in Baguio City, held at the BCNHS Auditorium.

The Slow Drill presentation became one of the most unforgettable highlights of the event, adding a striking dimension to Habing Katutubo’s core advocacy: honoring Filipino identity through heritage, artistry, and community. The performance carried historic weight, recognized as part of the legacy of the first slow drill platoon in Asia, and its Baguio debut drew an audience eager to witness precision, teamwork, and excellence in motion.

A Homecoming of Pride and Service

For Maila Alog, the force behind Habing Katutubo, the moment was deeply personal. As a proud alumna of PNPA Masaligan Class of 2011, bringing the PNPA Slow Drill Platoon to a cultural platform in her hometown city reflected a meaningful convergence of two lifelong commitments: service in uniform and service to culture.

In the same spirit, PNPA representatives emphasized that the exhibition was meant not only to showcase performance excellence, but also to inspire the community and strengthen public connection with the institution’s mission of leadership and nation-building.

Where Heritage Meets Leadership

Habing Katutubo 4 is known for spotlighting the artistry of Indigenous weavers across the Philippines, showing how handwoven textiles can live powerfully in contemporary and ready-to-wear expressions—without losing their cultural roots.

By featuring the PNPA Slow Drill Platoon alongside Indigenous textile celebration, the program delivered a rare and resonant message: heritage and leadership are not separate stories. They are both built on discipline, identity, and collective responsibility—values that remain vital in both cultural preservation and national development.

A Performance That Stayed With the City

As the final formations settled and the echoes of synchronized steps faded, one truth remained clear: Baguio did not just witness a drill exhibition. It witnessed a powerful reminder of what Filipinos can build when art, community, and national service meet on one stage.

Habing Katutubo’s collaboration with PNPA marked a milestone moment—one that organizers hope will open more opportunities to bring disciplined excellence to cultural spaces, and to bring cultural meaning into civic platforms.