RIZAL (PIA) -- In celebration of the 2022 Indigenous People’s Month and 25th Indigenous People’s Rights Act Commemoration, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) launched PILAK: Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC)/Indigenous People’s Photo Exhibits featuring GALAK: Runway Show of Contemporary and Traditional Indigenous Peoples Attires on Saturday, October 22 at SM North EDSA Skydome, Quezon City.

The runway show and photo exhibit intend to (1) promote the rich culture of the ICCs or IPs; (2) enhance public awareness; (3) sustain initiatives for the recognition, respect, promotion, protection, and; (4) fulfillment of their 36 specific rights and well-being.

Opening the program, NCIP Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan said, “The original and first Filipinos of this land are the indigenous people. They are our roots, they are our forefathers, they are our heritage. And we enjoy what we have now, the forest, the protected areas, the clean water and others because of their dedication to take care of the environment.”

Capuyan also emphasized the importance of the IPs and the ICC. He said they are a significant component in the affairs of our land.

Along with the launch of the photo exhibit and the runway show in Quezon City, the Commission also facilitated the simultaneous ribbon cutting and opening of photo exhibits in the 13 ethnographic regions of NCIP.

The exhibit showcased photos depicting the rich culture and traditions of different IPs in the country. It also features places that are important to the IPs, an example is the photo of the Lagbasan Cave which pertains to a mountain pass used by the Manobo Dulangan in Brgy. Kuden to go to the town proper and to go back to their community. Another is a fall which the Mandaya tribe calls “Salingig na Tugonan,” popularly called as Curtain falls. The exhibit also shows San Victor Island which is located at Davao Oriental. This island is part of the ancestral domain of the Mandaya tribe.

Meanwhile, the runway show featured the attires of the following tribes: Ybanag, Twali, Isinay and Matigsalug, Ivatan, Agta Tabangnon, Dumagat/Remontado, Ayta/Aeta, Tingguian, Ibanag, Kankana-ey, Ayta Sambal, Bukidnon Karulano, Obo Manobo/tagabawa, Tboli, Talaandig Tribe, Manobo Talaandig, Blaan, Ata, Mandaya, Matigsalog, Ata-Manobo, Dibabawon, Langilan, Arumanen Manobo, Agusan Manobo, Tigwahanon Manobo, Obu-Manuvu and Venda & Xhosa of South Africa. 

The launch was well attended by guests from different sectors of society. Among the distinguished guests is South African Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe. She considers it a great pleasure to be part of the celebration. She said, “The IP possesses massive knowledge that we can tap into going forward.”

The program also included giving of tokens of appreciation to the supporters of NCIP and the indigenous people. These tokens are canvass prints of photos of the indigenous people. (ARB, PIA-CPSD)