BAGUIO CITY – The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR) is hosting a series of activities this October to celebrate Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month under the theme “Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan, at Parangalan” (Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge).
During the unveiling of this month’s celebration, Regional Director of NCIP-CAR, Atty. Roland Calde, emphasized the importance of the IP Month for the Cordillera region. He highlighted the area’s rich indigenous knowledge systems and practices that need to be nurtured, protected, preserved, and potentially enhanced to ensure they are passed down to future generations.
“Valuing indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices means looking beyond dances and clothing. We must also revisit traditional systems and practices that have become less common. We’ve observed that some of these traditions are diminishing,” Atty. Calde remarked.
With the influence of technology and modernization on cultural activities, the loss of indigenous knowledge and practices has become a significant concern. Atty. Calde is motivated to revive and focus on the traditional practices of Indigenous Peoples in this long-month celebration.
“We have the ‘inayan’ and the ‘binnadang,’ among many other practices that embody indigenous knowledge and traditions that we need to re-value, honor, and sometimes enhance,” he added.
Moreover, Atty. Calde announced that a calendar of events has been released, with hopes for broad participation from across the Cordillera region in different municipalities and provinces. Meanwhile, among the highlights of this month’s activities is celebrating the Festival of festivals, scheduled for October 30 at the PFVR Gymnasium in Baguio City, organized by the Department of Tourism.
In addition to encouraging Indigenous youth to learn cultural dances and practices, Atty. Calde invites everyone and various agencies to take part in these activities, which include cultural workshops and celebrations. The aim is to promote and appreciate IP Month among the Cordillera community and other IP agencies.
National IP Month has been observed every October since October 5, 2009, when then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Proclamation 1906. This initiative aims to recognize the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the country while promoting their welfare and cultural rights. By Rachelle Quilling