Finding Connection Beyond Borders: The Beauty of Shared Cultural Passion
- Fargo Bcn
- Jun 7
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 11
By: Freda Changat
I met Angelie Marilla through social media during the preparation of the 12th ICBE Conference in Brussels, Belgium. Born and raised in Sorsogon in the Bicol region, she is fondly called. "Gelai". Our casual conversations and exchanges helped us get acquainted, and I quickly learned that she is a young anthropologist specializing in studying and researching my people, the Cordillerans.
Learning about her field of interest, I was humbled and inspired by how she has embraced and integrated into the Igorot community in Belgium. At first, I thought she might be a half-Cordilleran born in the diaspora. Still, it's surprising to realize she is an outsider—yet her behavior, thoughts, and connection to the culture mirror that of a full-blooded Igorot.
I see so much of myself in Angelie. Her dedication, time, effort, and unconditional love for my people are truly humbling. It echoes my feelings for the Kurds, who welcomed and accepted me unconditionally. Actual adoption goes beyond paperwork—it's about immersion and embracing a culture so deeply that it becomes a part of who you are. Angelie exemplifies this heartfelt and genuine connection.
Angelie's journey into the world of the Igorot people began during her college years at UP Baguio. Those years were transformative—shaping her both personally and academically. Initially, she set out to study Anthropology, drawn by a desire to understand human cultures and societies. However, she soon struggled with the readings and felt her maturity wasn't enough to engage with the discipline fully. It was through this challenge that her path took a meaningful turn. Influenced by one of her inspiring professors, Dr. Leah Abayao, an esteemed Igorot ethnohistorian from Mayoyao, Ifugao, she shifted her focus to History.
Professor Abayao's mentorship was pivotal. Within Angelie, she ignited a deep appreciation for rigorous scholarship and instilled a profound respect for Cordillera's history and indigenous peoples. Her teachings transformed her understanding, deepening her love for Cordillera studies and the rich cultural heritage of her ancestors.
After earning her bachelor's degree, Professor Abayao recognized Angelie's passion and potential. She recruited her to join the university faculty of UP, where she taught for two years, further immersing herself in her studies. Then, driven by a desire to broaden her horizons, Angelie pursued graduate studies in Europe.
Angelie moved to Brussels in late 2018 to pursue her PhD at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). However, her academic journey in Europe began in 2015, when she was awarded the Erasmus Mundus scholarship for a master's degree in Cultural Sociology at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic. During that time, she quietly followed the path of a scholar who deeply inspired her—Macario Lacbawan, a brilliant Igorot anthropologist who transitioned from a student at UP Baguio to a respected professor and who furthered his studies at Masaryk University. His remarkable work on indigeneity profoundly influenced her academic direction and aspirations.
In 2022, Angelie was awarded a Belgian research grant as an FNRS fellow, which allowed her greater independence to refocus on her core interests in Cordillera studies. She dedicated herself to exploring material culture, building
upon her earlier research on visual representation—specifically, the depiction of Igorots in photographs. Since then, she has remained in Brussels, and 2022, she married Jérôme Brébois, a local. This union brought a sense of home and stability after years of academic nomadism, marking a meaningful milestone in her personal and scholarly journey.
Thankfully, everything shifted when Professor Sasha Newell, an anthropologist at the ULB, accepted her as his student. He rekindled her curiosity and reminded her of the 'magic' of ethnography—the power of being present in a community and learning from within it. Around this time, in 2023, she encountered Cordi-Bel through the Cuyobs. Her immersion in their community has been both intellectually enriching and personally healing.
Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, mentorship, and a genuine love for culture. It highlights how a single encounter or a moment of challenge can redirect one's path toward a cause greater than oneself—toward understanding, preserving, and celebrating the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture. Angelie's journey inspires us to pursue our passions fearlessly, honor our roots, and forge connections that transcend boundaries.
The journey of how Angelie and I crossed paths in a foreign land feels like a story woven by fate and destiny. I have often pondered whether it was mere coincidence or something greater at work because meeting the Kurds, as I have, was not planned but must be a fate. Since 2015, I have immersed myself in the Kurdish community after visiting Kurdistan a few times and have actively involved myself in the European Kurdish diaspora. "Why the Kurds?" The Kurds are an indigenous Indo-European ethnic group in Western Asia, primarily inhabiting the region of Kurdistan, which spans parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. They are one of the largest stateless nations in the world, numbering between 50 to 60 million people scattered around the world. They are a nation without a country. I've always been interested in the Kurds and have been writing about their struggles. It is a sacred mission bestowed upon me, a calling I have embraced wholeheartedly.
For Angelie and me, our encounter in this distant land is a testament to that mysterious force guiding our paths. We may not fully comprehend the purpose behind what has been entrusted to us, but instead of questioning, we choose to cherish each moment, each shared experience, as part of a divine plan.
Together, we walk this journey with open hearts, embracing the unknown and trusting that every step has meaning. It's a reminder that sometimes, life's most profound connections happen beyond our understanding—calling us to serve, learn, and grow in ways we never anticipated. In embracing this calling, we find a more profound sense of purpose woven together by the threads of destiny and unwavering faith in what lies ahead.
Loving a culture that is not one's origin is a profound and transformative experience. It begins with a genuine appreciation—a deep respect for the traditions, stories, language, and values that define that culture. As one immerses in these elements, love for the culture blossoms into a heartfelt connection beyond surface admiration.
This love often grows from understanding and acceptance. It's about seeing the beauty in differences, embracing the unique ways a community expresses its identity, and recognizing the richness it adds to one's perspective. Over time, this love becomes intertwined with personal identity, shaping beliefs, habits, and how one perceives the world.
When a culture becomes a part of you, it's as if you've found a second home—a source of strength, pride, and belonging beyond bloodlines or birthplace. It's a conscious choice to honor and cherish that culture's teachings, symbols, and spirit as if they were your own. This kind of love is not possessive or superficial; instead, it's a sincere devotion that reflects an openness to belonging—created through respect, shared experiences, and a deep understanding that cultural identity is fluid and expansive. It reminds us that love for culture, no matter where it originates, is a powerful way to celebrate our shared humanity and the profound beauty found in diversity.
Angelie and I share a bond rooted in a profound understanding, love, and passion—a connection that words can scarcely capture. It is a feeling that can only be described by one simple yet powerful word: immersion.
When you wholeheartedly embrace and immerse yourself in a culture different from your own, you transform your knowledge and your very being. It becomes a part of your soul, shaping your perspective and deepening your appreciation for the richness of human diversity.
This shared experience of cultural immersion has forged a unique and unbreakable connection between us—an unspoken understanding that transcends words, grounded in our authentic love for a culture that has become integral to who we are.
Angelie and I may approach the study and exploration of culture from different perspectives, each with its unique lens. She often delves into the intricacies of specific subject matters—discrete, focused areas that allow her to uncover detailed insights and nuances within particular aspects of culture. Her methodical approach reflects her background as an anthropologist and researcher, aiming to understand the layers of tradition, history, and identity precisely and comprehensively.
In contrast, my perspective as a journalist centers more on the human condition—seeking stories that reveal our shared emotions, struggles, triumphs, and connections. I am drawn to the personal experiences behind cultural practices, exploring how individuals live, love, and persevere within their cultural contexts. My focus is on capturing the essence of life, highlighting the human stories that breathe life into the culture itself.
Despite these differences in approach, what unites us is our shared passion and love for culture. Our methods may differ—her with scholarly depth and me with narrative focus—but both paths ultimately aim to honor, understand, and celebrate human life's and cultural diversity's richness. Our diversity in perspective enriches our understanding, allowing us to see culture from multiple angles and appreciate its complexity and beauty more profoundly.
I am deeply grateful to ICBE and Cor-Bel for paving the way for me to meet Angelie—someone who has become a trustworthy source of inspiration by embracing our Igorot culture as her own. It is humbling and powerful to witness how she has wholeheartedly adopted and become a part of the Cordillera community in Belgium. Her journey reflects a profound connection—a testament to the transformative power of cultural immersion and love.
When I see her, I see a reflection of my own experience within the Kurdish community in Finland. Just as she has found belonging and identity among the Igorot, I, too, have felt the warmth of acceptance from the Kurdish family that embraced me as one of their own. My heart is intertwined with theirs, not just within a single community but across the Kurdish diaspora.
Both stories speak to the universal power of culture—to unite, heal, and transform. They remind us that embracing another culture is not just an act of curiosity but a meaningful journey of kinship and belonging. In these shared experiences, we discover that despite borders and origins, we are all connected through our love for heritage, our desire for acceptance, and our shared humanity. Gelai's photo gallery:
Fargo's photo gallery:
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