Capiz celebrates rich culture of country’s indigenous people
ROXAS CITY – Thousands of spectators from all walks of life and coming from different parts of the country visited Villareal Stadium to witness the opening of Indigenous People’s (IP) Festival 2009 as well as the IP village last Friday.
Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. welcomed all the participants representing the various indigenous cultures of the country.
“We, Filipinos love our culture and we should sustain it for our country’s progress and development,” Tanco said.
Tanco, who propelled the province to become recipient of the culture-friendly local government unit award, said that hosting the IP festival is a rare opportunity for Capiz as it gives importance to the indigenous people in the whole country.
The festival, slated Oct. 2 – 6 and dubbed as “Dungog,” showcases 110 ethno-linguistic groups nationwide. It celebrates the richness and diversity of customs and traditions of cultural communities as well as foster deeper cultural understanding on the role of IP/cultural communities in eco-tourism and cultural education.
The cultural communities include Ifugao, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalinga Isneg, Tingguian, Bugkalot, Dumagat, Aeta, Ati, mangyan, Manobo, Tagbanua, Teduray, Subanen, Tiboli, bagobo, Higaonon, and many other tribes.
An IP village was established inside the Villareal Stadium featuring the various indigenous houses showcasing the way of life of the indigenous people.
Through the IP village many spectators especially students learned the culture and traditions of the various cultural communities.
Tanco along with Antique Gov. Zally Perez, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) Commissioner Domingo Bakilan, NCCA Director Cecile Alvarez and other national public official opened the IP village at Villareal Stadium last Friday.
Also present were: Board Members Alfonso Bediones, Estevan “Nonoy” Contreras, Ricky Martin, Panitan Mayor Kit Belo, Pilar Mayor Rita Lyn Patricio, Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras, Sigma Mayor Maria Andaya and several others.