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September 1, 2021 – The Department of Education (DepEd) showcased the culture and tradition of different indigenous peoples (IPs) and communities worldwide in “Pasundayag 2021 in celebration of the International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9, Monday.

During the virtual event, the Philippines’ Panay Bukidnon group, Indonesian traditional musician Made Gita Sudhyantari, and Native American storyteller Gene Tagaban shared about their rich cultural heritage through the performance of oral traditions and dances, the Joged Bumbung dance of Munduk village, and The Raven Story, respectively.

In her message, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones thanked the Filipino indigenous tribes for keeping their traditions alive.

“We remember that the indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs) today of IP communities or Karunungan ng Katutubong Pamayanan are protected from total destruction through the past 500 years by our own indigenous cultural communities,” Sec. Briones said.

Led by Romulo “Amang Baoy” Caballero and Lord Jane “Lagdungan” Caballero-Dordas, the Panay Bukidnon group presented some of their oral traditions such as the Ambahan or welcome poetry, Duruyanun or lullaby, Uwanggit or children’s verse, dances like Binanog (Tiglalaki) and Binanog (Lupit), and music using traditional instruments Tikumbo or Zither-Percussion and Sumbing or Jaw’s Harp.

The education chief also acknowledged the merit of the collaboration between DepEd and the IP communities to ensure the protection and development of IKSPs, and make education inclusive and culturally appropriate for IP learners.

“As we celebrate the first decade of the IP education program and enter its second decade, we commit ourselves to continue this partnership, especially as we see ourselves, as we try and as we endeavour to survive as a country and as a member of the global community,” she added.

As a teacher for Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) for 17 years, Mr. Caballero expressed gratitude to the Department for promoting culture-based education, “It is important to note that the Department of Education has started to recognize the need to integrate culture into the curriculum. For this, I am very much thankful.”

With the international theme “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract,” “Pasundayag 2021” is organized by the DepEd through the International Cooperation Office (ICO) and the Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO), in cooperation with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and other partner organizations.

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