In celebration of the National Indigenous People’s (IP) month, a seminar on cultural communities and traditional arts, orchestrated by Culture and the Arts, bearing the theme “Buhay na Dunong: Pagkamalikhain at Kalikasan (Living Heritage: Creativity and Nature),” transpired at the De Venecia Hall last Thursday, October 26.

The event aimed to recognize and show respect to the IP community by discussing the cultural norms and laws, tracing indigenous roots, their culture, and the creativity that associates with it.

It is also intended to acknowledge the rights of the IP community concernedu in Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous People Rights Act (IPRA) that was developed on October 29,1997.

“Si IPRA, siya ang batas na kumukilala sa karapatan ng mga katutubong mamamayan. Kailangan respetuhin natin ang mga karapatan na yan. Numero uno dapat nating gawin ay kilalanin kung ano ba ang karapatan ng mga katutubo at sino-sino ba ang mga katutubong yan. Ang batas IPRA ay nagbigay sa atin ng apat na bigkis ng karapatan o four bundle of rights,” Atty. Ladylyne D. Frogoso, one of the resource speakers, said in her lecture about cultural norms and laws.

[IPRA is a law that recognizes the rights of the Indigenous People. We need to respect those rights. The very first thing we must do is to know what are the rights and who are the Indigenous People. The IPRA presented us four bundle of rights.]

The four bundle of rights under the IPRA are right to ancestral land and domain (1); right to self governance and empowerment (2); right to social justice and human rights (3); and right to cultural integrity. Under these four bundles are 36 specific rights in total.

Atty. Frogoso also stated that IPRA was created not only to embrace culture but to also to correct historical injustice concerning the IP community.

“Nagkaroon ng ganitong batas para itama or i-correct yung tinatawag nating historical injustice. Kapag sinabi kong historical injustice, eto iyong mga paglabag sa karapatan ng mga katutubo sa loob ng napakahabang panahon.” Atty. Frogoso asserted.

[This law exists to correct the what we so call historical injustice. When I say historical injustice, these are the violations on Indigenous People’s right that lasted for a long period of time.]

A fashion show followed shortly after the lectures where IP students of ISUE ramped with their IP costume showcasing the creativity and artisty of the ethnic group and tribe they belong.

Promoting appreciation and respect for the Katutubos, Dr. Nilda O. Babaran, Director of the Culture and the Arts reminded everyone that no matter what tribe and ethnic group we belong, we are all Filipinos.

“So anuman ang kinabibilangan nating tribo, grupo at etniko, we all belong to Indigenous People, tayong lahat ay Pilipino. At sana laging handang ipaglaban ang karapatan sa mahinahon na pamamaraan. Isang pakiusap at pagsusumamo na sana ay pahalagahan ang ating kultura at wika, ang paraan ng pamumuhay, kaisipang pampulitika at mga paniniwalang panrelihiyon. Huwag ikahiya kung sino tayo ngayon at magpakailanman,” Dr. Babaran stated.

[Regardless of our tribe, group and ethnicity, we all belong to Indigenous People, we are all Filipinos. And hopefully always be ready to fight for the rights in a peaceful way. I plea that may we value our culture and language, way of life, political thoughts and religious beliefs. Don’t be ashamed of who we are now and forever.]

The Culture and the Arts also recognized the collaborative effort of the ISUE Supreme Student Council, Socio-Cultural Affairs, College of Education Student Body Organization, and the Alliance of Social Science Educators for facilitating the event.

The IP Month celebration concluded with a unity dance led by the Sinag Liyaw Performers.

This previously concluded program is a testament that the Isabela State University is a university for people, contributing to SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities.

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Article by Fiona Buella and Kisses Martinez

SOURCE: The Forum Publication