Filipino Indigenous Peoples’ Cultural Heritage, Stories Inspire in DFA Independence Day Concert
The Department of Foreign Affairs’ online Independence Day presentation entitled, “Lessons for a Changed World: The Legacy of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines” featured powerful traditional dances by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. The presentation was concluded with the performance of the original song, “We Will Not be Forgotten,” written by Director Floy Quintos, with music by Ms. Krina Cayabyab-Viñas, and performed by Poppet Bernadas, Melinda Torre and Baihana.
PASAY CITY 12 June 2021 — The rich cultural heritage and inspiring success stories of the Philippines’ indigenous peoples were highlighted in the special Independence Day online presentation of the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday.
The online concert entitled, “Lessons for a Changed World: The Legacy of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines,” directed by Director Floy Quintos, showed the narratives of the Philippines’ indigenous peoples—their history, values, and traditions—and how they were able to protect and bring with them these traits as they navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Through a medley of traditional cultural performances from the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group which was artistically weaved with stories on the experience and values of the Philippines’ indigenous peoples (IPs) narrated by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, viewers were able to take inspiration and learn from the lessons taught by the ways of the Philippines’ pre-colonial ancestors.
The hour-long presentation showed the pre-colonial Filipinos’ unique and advanced cultures and their kinship to the natural world and their strong desire to defend ancestral lands where the ways of the IPs were showcased through artistic dances. The last part of the show featured profiles of several Philippine indigenous peoples who have made their way to faraway lands and brought with them their culture and values.
Mr. Onoda Binwag, a Tuwali Ifugao who is a registered nurse in Australia, shared the values he learned from his community. “We help each other. We take turns. And so, this spirit of bayanihan or baddang, it makes us more united…We have that spirit in us that we will help each other.”
Testimonies from overseas Filipinos who are from the Bagobo Tagabawa, Maranao, Panay Bukidnon, Tausug, T’boli, and Yakan groups also gave the viewers a better understanding of the contribution that Filipino indigenous peoples have in the society.
The presentation ended with an inspired performance of the original song “We Will Not Be Forgotten,” written by Director Floy Quintos with music by Ms. Krina Cayabyab-Viñas, and performed by Poppet Bernadas, Melinda Torre and Baihana.
“Lessons for a Changed World: The Legacy of the Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines” is produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs in celebration of the 123rd anniversary of Philippine Independence and in observance of the 2021 Year of the Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors. The presentation may be viewed at the official YouTube channel of the DFA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N2Zpx84UOk.
The first part of the presentation showed the pre-colonial Filipinos’ unique and advanced cultures through weaving, own way of writing, religion, martial arts, and trade.
Ms. Wamalaida Yambok shares the lessons she learned growing up as a T’boli from Lake Sebu. She is now a teacher in Thailand and actively performs in cultural presentations to share her culture to the world.
Mr. Onoda Binwag, a Tuwali Ifugao who is a registered nurse in Australia, talks about how the community fosters unity and encourages concern for one another.