Tarlac State University formally opened its week-long Indigenous Peoples' Month celebration this afternoon (October 14) with some members of the Ayta Mag-Antsi and Abelling tribe of Sitio Carag.
The International, Differently-abled, Indigenous, and Marginalized Student Services (IDIMSS) Unit under the Office of Student Affairs and Services launched the celebration, themed "Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong; Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan, at Parangalan," with an opening program on the 5th floor of the Academic Building, Lucinda Campus.
In his message, SAS Director Prof. Gherold C. Benitez highlighted the importance of the passage of the Indigenous People Rights Act (IPRA) in 1997, which aims to recognize, protect, and promote the rights of IPs.
“Katungkulan po natin lahat ngayon na pangalagaan ang IP bilang pagre-recognize sa kanila na sila ang ating mga ninuno. Atin pong preserbahin (ang) cultural integrity, social justice, at ancestral domain ng mga IPs,” Prof. Benitez said.
He also emphasized the university's way of supporting the education of IPs in terms of their college admission.
“Kapag IP, una po namin silang tinatanggap sa aming unibersidad dahil ayaw po natin sila maiwan. Kung meron man tayong pangangalagaan at pahahalagahan, sila po iyon. Amin pong ipinapangako na sa unibersidad na ito ay ipagpapatuloy po namin ang laban ng IPs,” Prof. Benites added.
Moreover, Hon. Edna Villegas, San Jose Municipal IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR), thanked the university for their continuous assistance to IP students.
“Napakasaya ko po dahil binigyan po ng TSU ng pansin ang aming mga anak na katutubo para magpursigi sila mag-aral at mayroon din pong ganitong nakapaimportanteng selebrasyon para sa aming mga katutubo,” Hon. Villegas said.
Visitors from the Abelling tribe of Sitio Carag performed a traditional prayer called "Dururo." They showcased their indigenous cultural dance, "Dagaw," while wearing traditional clothes.
Furthermore, Mr. Elmer Victoria from the Mag-Antsi tribe led a short cultural sensitivity orientation and shared some of their tribe's beliefs and customs.
He also shared that his eldest child finished architecture at TSU while his nibling finished civil engineering at the university, who is also a LET passer.
“Sa totoo lang po ay umiiyak yung puso ko kapag may mga institusyon kagaya ng TSU na ang laki ng pangarap para sa mga IPs kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa TSU dahil sa inyong malasakit sa Ayta community,” Mr. Victoria said.
On behalf of the students, Next GEN-IP President Princess Nathalie Salas, 19, expressed her gratitude to the university.
“Thank you so much po sa TSU dahil tinanggap po nila kami dito at pati na rin po sa suportang binibigay nila. Inuuna po nila kaming mga IPs – nagkakaroon po kami ng boses at pinapakinggan din po kami ng TSU,” Salas said.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Office of the Provincial Government of Tarlac staged an exhibit of the Abelling tribe's artifacts on the ground floor of the Student Center, also at the Lucinda Campus.
The week-long celebration, which will end on October 19, consists of various activities such as poster and slogan making, photojournalism, spoken word poetry, storytelling, a traditional food contest, Binibini at Ginoong Katutubo, and the indigenous art and poetry contest.
Also present during the opening ceremony are Dr. Dexter L. Manzano, Institutional Student Programs and Services (ISPS) unit head, Mr. Allan S. Santos, IDIMSS unit head, and some of the members of the PGT-Tourism Office. (jlmm-OPA)
With reports from Hershey D. Samia
Photos: Eduardo F. Laxamana Jr., John Michael D. Esteban
