LUNA, Apayao – Following a meeting spearheaded by the Provincial Tourism Services Office (PTSO Apayao), the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month celebration schedule is finally set on October 3, 2024.
The celebration shall be called “Say-am,” an Isnag term which means gathering or large crowds. Earlier this year, Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. recommended the Say-am which was usually celebrated in February to be moved to the IP Month to give it more meaning as it pertains to traditions and culture.
The decision on the schedule was made on September 4 at this town’s LMP Hall at Payanan by all members of committees involved in the preparation of the grand event. Competitions and showdowns were also discussed.
The various indigenous activities people can look forward to during the celebration include: Panagga-angrad such as Talanggosi (piggyback ride relay), Linnamtu’ (indigenous basketball), Sinanggol (arm wrestling), Magbunot and Mangihad, Sinni’rol, and Magtuggantu’.
Additionally, there is the Mangan tada (cook fest) where Apayao recipes from appetizer to dessert shall be showcased.
For yApayao oral tradition contest, there shall be Say-am jingle, Dissodi, Tabbag and Banneku.
Meantime, there is also an open entry Vlogging Competition, in which the content of the vlogs must promote and preserve the Apayao culture and tradition.
One of the biggest events will be the Streetdance Showdown with 50 members for each group.
John Anthony Amid, provincial Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative (IPMR) said ‘‘this is the best opportunity for us to show our unity and prove that the works of our ancestors still exist up to this day.’’
On the other hand, Genesis Quiblado, Provincial Officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, expressed the commitment of his office in supporting the Provincial Indigenous People’s Month. Moreover, he encouraged all members of the committees to do their responsibility to produce a good program outcome.
Rebecca T. Mamba Provincial Tourism Officer, for her part emphasized the participation of the youth saying, “We should involve the yApayao youth in this event, and this is our way of transferring our culture to them as well as discovering their talents”.
During the event, all participants are expected to wear Isnag attire. There will be a search for the oldest INARIGRIHI (Isnag attire) and accessories for male and female category.
Attendees of the said meeting include NCIP staff, municipal IPMRs, tourism officers and others. By Loremia Pareja
