I listen with my heart to the ancient spirits' hymns, pure harmonies
that resonate in my conscious dreams. For the pine needles carry
the mythical ballads of old, echoing their truths throughout the Cordilleras . . .
As I breathe the fresh pine scent I am transformed once again.
—Mary Anne Alabanza Akers

Mary Anne Akers is Dean and Professor of theSchool of Architecture and Planning
at Morgan State University in Maryland. She is from the Cordilleras.

Afternoon sun in Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines.
Photo by Maan Chua.