• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Thirty-five groups of Indigenous People (IP) across the Philippines are set to join this year’s ‘Dayaw,’ a flagship program of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) that aims to promote the IP’s traditional cultures and heritage.
Themed ‘Weaving Culture, Enriching Future,’ the three-day festival will be held in Bacolod City from October 7 until 9. The festival was in relation to the celebration of the National Indigenous People’s Month every October by virtue of the Presidential Proclamation 1906 series of 2009.
Among the IP groups to arrive in Bacolod were those from the Northern, Southern, and Central Cultural Communities, including the Muslim Cultural Communities.
“Dayaw is not just a celebration; it is a call to action to protect our ancestral domain, to preserve our indigenous identity, and to promote our culture,” said NCCA Commissioner Reden Ulo, who was also part of the IP community, being a pure-blooded T’Boli.
Meanwhile, during her speech, NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano said that the program was celebrated by the NCCA for 15 years and they were bringing this festival to different regions every year.
It was also recalled that the last time Bacolod City hosted the Dayaw was in 2022.
During the three-day event, the IP participants will exhibit their crafts, products, and dances at the SM City Bacolod, while selling will be held in L’Fisher Hotel to showcase their culture and unique identity.
The program will commence with a parade at the Bago City Gymnasium, highlighting the celebration with performances from IP participants. The opening program will also be attended by Senator Loren Legarda.*
