BAGUIO CITY – Honoring the legacy of the Cariño Doctrine, various Ibaloy clans from Baguio and Benguet gathered at Rose Garden, Burnham Park, Baguio City to officially commence the celebration of 16th Ibaloy Day recently.
With the theme, “Pan iinajuwan, paunong she kaibadoyan,” (Preserving compassion amongst the Ibaloy nation) the celebration remembers Mateo Cariño’s significant contribution in fighting for the rights of Ibalois to claim possession over their ancestral lands in Baguio City, which was granted by the United States (US) Supreme Court on February 23, 1909.
“So, we call that the Cariño Doctrine. Yung Cariño Doctrine kasi is very significant para sa mga Ibalois kasi yan yung naging hudyat para sa mga naging usapin on lands dito sa Baguio and Benguet,” Angelie Pamela Cariño, Public Relations Officer and Assistant Secretary of Onjon ni Ivadoy Association Incorporated, said.
She furthered that the Cariño Doctrine is also being used internationally for the Indigenous Peoples to fight for their rights to claim their native title over their lands.
“Ibaloy Day is celebrated every February 23, however, this year, since under redevelopment ang Ibaloy Park, we had to move pati yung venue kailangan maghanap kami,” she added.
Apart from that, the Grand Floral Float Parade was scheduled for February 23, as included in one of the activities for the month long celebration of the Panagbenga Festival in the City, which also caused the Ibaloy Day to be moved to March 8.
“Last year kasi nandun kami sa sarili naming place sa Ibaloy Park so it was easier. Ito medyo mas mahirap kasi nasa ibang venue kami and nagkaroon ng mga adjustments,” Cariño enthused.
During the celebration, Councilor Jose Molintas shared the importance of remembering the Cariño Doctrine for the Ibalois, which is the core of the 16th Ibaloy Day in the City.
“We continue to struggle for a better policy, a better law, and better recognition of the rights of indigenous people because the right to land will determine their future. If they lose their land, they will lose their language, they will lose their future,” he explained.
He brought up the exemption of Baguio City from the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA) law that stipulates the recognition of ancestral domains of the Indigenous Peoples, which they find ironic because the Cariño Doctrine originated in the City.
“Hajay i nangis ni Bagiw, apay nga discriminated ira she dinteg ja manbigbig ni karbengan ni emin na kwan tayo e indigenous peoples ni insigudan nga tattao nga apay nga taga-Baguio ket na-specify nga dituy nga dinteg nga IPRA nga kunana, it doesn’t apply in Baguio City apay ngata nga kasjay,” he said. (This is the cry of Baguio, why are they discriminated against by the law that recognizes the rights of the indigenous peoples in Baguio City? Why is it specified that the indigenous peoples of Baguio City are denied of the IPRA law?)
Included in the celebration is the traditional practice of Ibalois, Owik Tan Tayao, where “owik” (Ibaloy reference for the butchering of a pig) was performed, followed by their signature dance, “tayao”. Representatives from various Ibaloy clans, city councilors, and Ibaloy youth joined dancing the tayao with former Senator Leila De Lima also participating in the dance. By Lyka Capsula
