ROXAS City — Indigenous youths danced with loin cloth to the rhythm of gongs and kulintangan in a rare gathering at the Governor’s Hall of the Capiz Provincial Capitol building.
The “Dungog sang mga Tumandok nga Pamatan-on” from Nov. 27 to 28 showcased the indigenous peoples’ (IPs) traditional art and culture.
It was part of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) campaign to uplift and promote the IPs’ traditions and causes.
The participating indigenous youths included those from Northern Luzon to Mindanao.
Gov. Victor A. Tanco, in a speech during the congress, said the IPs are dear to his heart.
“I understand your plight and your struggles for your ancestral domain,” Tanco said. “We, too, here in Capiz have the same cause for our IPs.”
It was learned that the Philippine Army based in Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan town was using 33,310 hectares of the Tumandok’s ancestral domain for their war exercises.
National Youth Commission chief of staff Gibby Gorres and NCCA commissioner Dr. Al-Anwar Anzar graced the congress. (PN/JOHN S. HEREDIA)
