Philippines: The Talaandig School for Living Traditions
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In the midst of our neoliberal economic policies today where forest lands and public utilities are sold to foreign investors at rock bottom prices (FDC April 2005) and where farmers have been forced to shift from food production for local consumption to the production of short termed export crops, a community of faith-filled indigenous peoples in the mountains of Bukidnon is struggling for the preservation and development of its identity.
On May 25, 2005 I had the privilege to meet the youth leader of the Talaandig tribe, Aduna Saway and her parents Datu Vic Migketay Saway and Princess Elisa Saway in Songco, Lantapan Bukidnon. I also had the opportune moment to attend a flute making workshop and listen to the original compositions of Wawaysaway, the inspiring leader of the Talaandig Artists' Group in Songco.
Despite the cold (freezing temperature for me), the community and the childrens' welcome warmed my stay with songs, dances, children's games, stories, vision and prayers. We spent four days reflecting on the tribe's struggle to preserve its cultural identity in the face of changing values brought about by globalization.
The School for Living Traditions is Datu Vic Migketay Saway's symbol of the Talaandig Peoples' vision of a transformed society; where the youth know their roots and identity, chant epic songs, dance the Binanog rhythm by heart with a sense of dignity, that same dignity provided for by the very Source of Life in our world.
On the fifth day the Talaandig children sent me off at the Malaybalay bus terminal with a heart full of their community's vision. Each smile, each hand wave, each tearful eye spoke to me of our indigenous people's prayer:
- A recognition of ancestral domain and cultural rights
- No utilization or entry in ancestral domain without consent from the indigenous peoples thru consensus, in short (FPIC) or Free Prior Informed Consent, and,
- Benefit sharing
The evening gatherings with Datu Vic and the children were moments of reflection for me.
"As we work to live out our vision, we come to a point
when people no longer listen to the spoken word.
Today, we need to sing and dance our story?"
"When we hear the spirit speak,
it is a waste not to act on the longings
of the spirit in our hearts."
Datu Vic Saway repeated these lines to all of us as we reflected into the night.
Truly it was Pentecost evening!
Geraldine C. Villaluz rscj
District of the Philippines
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|2008-03-08 Nel Kiamco - "A memorable visit in Sungko
I was born in Valencia, Bukidnon. I grew up seeing IPs though I was not able to grasp their culture at that time. Until, a major course in social work required me to visit a particular cultural community. I really valued the experience I had when I joined one of the rituals done by their Datus. From then on, I share my insights with other people especially with my students now that I'm a teacher already. I also encourage students to conduct an exposure, since, no amount of writings in book will speak about their culture other than being with them and having taught by the wisdom of the Datus.
Nice! we are still in our traditions...