Cultural Exchange of Indigenous Youth. Intensifying efforts to preserve the ethnicity of cultural groups had been the goal of the three-day cultural exchange dubbed “Dungog Sang Tumandok Nga Pamatan-On” participated in by about 50 young members of Indigenous People (IP) communities in the Northern Luzon at the Capitol Resort Hotel in Lingayen, Pangasinan on August 17-19. Some participants are seen in the photo while exchanging ideas and concepts geared at awakening sensitivities for the preservation of the distinct culture of IPs in the Philippines. (PIO/Photo courtesy of Provincial Tourism Operations Division)
Lingayen — The provincial government of Pangasinan led by Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. welcomed about 50 representatives of Indigenous People (IP) communities in northern Luzon at the Capitol Resort Hotel, here, on August 17-19 for the Phase 2 cultural exchange of Dungog Sang Tumandok nga Pamatan-on (Pride of Indigenous Youth).
Tribes that were not conquered by foreigners are now called Indigenous People.
Said activity sought to intensify the preservation of the cultural heritage of IP groups in the Philippines and reawaken sensitivities of the young members on their distinct ethnicity.
The activity, now on its third year, was sponsored by the provincial government of Capiz, as part of the advocacies galvanized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for cultural communities in the country.
Capiz provincial government delegation was led by Tourism Officer Al Tesoro while NCCA was represented by Mark Gregor dela Cruz.
Provincial Tourism Operations Division Chief Ma. Louisa Elduayan said the provincial government of Capiz selected Pangasinan as assembly area of the participants since the province is strategically located in northern luzon.
The provincial government of Pangasinan, on its part, has been active on reinvigorating and preserving the distinct Pangasinense identity through Gov. Espino’s brainchild “I Love Pangasinan” movement.
Under Gov. Espino’s watch, the provincial government provided an office for the IPs at the National Service building.
IP participants in the northern cluster were from the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, Cagayan, Apayao and Bataan while others from the central and southern cluster tribes were from Capiz, Bukidnon, Maguindanao and Zamboanga del Sur.
NCCA Executive Council Member Elnora Dudang is In-Charge for the Pangasinan-Bolinao cultural group. (PIO/Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca)