By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

Photo by Aldwin Quitasol

TADIAN, Mt. Province— Around 500 indigenous peoples from different communities of this province with local and foreign visitors attended the decentralized celebration of the 26th Cordillera day 2010.

On the theme “Kawwanan nan biag ya katagowan, pangabaken nan Katribu, Boses tako id Kongreso” (Uphold life and livelihood, let Katribu win, our voice in Congress), the delegates opened the program with an opening pattong or community dance. As the beating of gongs sounded in the air, participants from nearby municipalities continued to arrive in the venue.

Sumadel Barangay Captain Daniel Ticagan welcomed the delegates and expressed gratitude for letting their barangay host the important activity. Ticagan said that despite the negative words they heard on the Cordillera Day celebrations, they did not see anything wrong about the activity.

He said that the message and purpose of the Cordillera Day celebrations is not at all bad for the lives of the people instead it unites them into reaching a common goal.

Tadian municipal Mayor Constipo Masweng also welcomed the delegates. He said the activity brings consciousness to the people on ways to protect their lands and livelihood from further destruction.

Elvira Taguba of the regional secretariat of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) shared the challenge for the defense of land, life, livelihood and resources. Taguba discussed the ongoing campaign on the adaptation and mitigation of the present climate crisis.
Imelda Tabiando of the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) shared the present situation of the 2010 elections. Tabiando discussed the updates and scenarios of the first Automated Election System (AES) in the country.

CPA-Mt. Province chapter Loreta Batay-an then shared the report on the campaigns and activities that their chapter led and facilitated. Batay-an also talked about the relief and rehabilitation operations they did after Typhoon “Pepeng”.
She clarified issues met during the relief operations.

After an introduction by one of the staff of CPA-MP, 5th nominee of the Katribu Partylist Engr. Vergel Aniceto spoke for the politics of change. Aniceto shared the visions and goals of Katribu and why it will be the real representative of the Filipino indigenous peoples in the Lower House of Congress.

Local candidates in the province also delivered solidarity speeches during the program.

After the speeches, lunch was served where the delegates and Sumadel folks mingled with each other.

In the afternoon, four workshops were held among the participants. Delegates grouped themselves for the workshops on the effects of El Niño phenomenon, basic human rights, the role of the Mountain Province youth on the automated polls and indigenous dances like the eagle dance and the Sakuting or stick dance.

Delegates presented their workshop outputs through cultural presentations.

After the workshop, a voters’ education forum followed. Benzent Pumay-o showed a powerpoint presentation on the hows and whys of the AES.

The second part of the activity was opened with a tribute to the martyrs of the province in the defense of their land against foreign domination and development aggression.

A solidarity night graced the closing of the activity with sharing of cultural performances and community dances.# nordis.net