G-STRING (Baguio Midland Courier 10/19/2014) GABY B. KEITH Proudly Indigenous As our beautiful archipelago of delicious coconuts, smiling carabaos and blushing strawberries celebrates National Indigenous People’s Month, this near-sighted Ibaloy writer once again shares this essay titled, “I am an Igorot”, composed by my late father Atty. Gabriel Pawid Keith when he was a college student in the 1950s. Benguet was part of the Mountain Province then. His essay has become a favorite declamation piece of students. Here it goes: “I AM AN IGOROT, son of parents in whose veins flow Malay and Indonesian blood. I was born and reared amidst these mountains and hills covered with sturdy and verdant pines that sway and dance with the mountain breeze beside the mountain streams. This part of the country, the Mountain Province, I have learned to love and to call my home. I am an Igorot. In my veins run the immortal blood of my gallant, peaceful and freedom-loving forefathers – blood borne by them who openly defied the authority of Spain in the year sixteen hundred and one. Again, it was the blood that also freely flowed in the bloody battlefields of world-famous Bataan and in the rocky bastions of Corregidor. That blood is immortal. It is the self-same blood that flowed in the hearts of my grandfather, father, brothers, cousins, uncles and nephews who formed the mighty 66th Infantry; blood that watered the wild lilies in the treacherous mountain of Bessang. Some of them died fighting that I may be what I am now – a free man, living in a free country governed by the principles of democracy. I am an Igorot – a proud one. I am proud of my noble, brave, peaceful and hard-working ancestors; proud of the mountains, hills, rivers, trees and of the lilies that adorn the forests and which were given by Him above to be mine; proud of the cañao and the bacdew and of the customs and traditions handed to me from generation to generation; proud to beat the gangsa and to hear the savage sound of the solibao. I am proud too of my Christian status and education brought about by the pioneering zeal of the occidental missionaries and teachers; proud to be an integral part of the young Republic of the Philippines. Though in educational, economic, social and political aspects, I may be far behind; though in high society, I may be frowned upon; though all in all, I may be called a barbarian, still I shall shout aloud that all may know and hear – I AM AN IGOROT!” Good News: Still on National Indigenous People’s Month, the 2nd Gong Festival was successfully staged last Sunday at the Ibaloy Heritage Garden, Burnham Park, with the theme, “Sharing our commitment for the protection and advancement of our cultural heritage”. The whole-day activity was joined by members of cultural communities of the Cordilleras and even the Maranao tribe of Mindanao. It started with a “cultural walk” at 9 am from the Post Office, down Session Road then ended at the Ibaloy Heritage Garden where a program was held. Like last year, sidewalks were used for the walk so as not to cause traffic. The program formally opened with the beating of the seven gongs representing the tribes present, native dance presentations and messages from Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Congressman Nicasio Aliping, Jr. and other dignitaries. They emphasized the importance of preserving our unique culture and traditions and to never be ashamed of our cultural identities because it makes us who we are as individuals and as a people. Indigenous games were showcased in the afternoon culminating with an indigenous mass at the Baguio Cathedral. Kudos to the event’s organizers led by spouses Raffy and Jo Kapuno, both artists and cultural workers, Gary Dungayao, Lucia Ruiz, the staff of Congressman Aliping, Pines City High School Batch ‘86 volunteers, Onjon ni Ivadoy, city government and other agencies. Also, the Dayaw Festival 2014, a gathering of the country’s cultural communities, is slated on October 22 and 23 at the Baguio Convention Center spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in cooperation with Baguio city and Benguet province. Activities include forums, performances, exhibits, demonstrations and recognition of cultural masters. FYI: His Excellency, Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Effie Ben Matityau and entourage were in the City of Pines last week for a visit. They made courtesy calls to Mayor Domogan, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan and PMA Supt. Oscar Lopez. Among the group’s activities was a tour of various places of interest in Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet. City tourism office staff served as their guide. A Magandang Baguio! welcome to all visitors of this former Ibaloy pastureland. Let us continue to keep Bag-iw clean and green, strictly observe its anti-littering, smoking, smoke belching and anti-graffiti campaigns and other rules and regulations. Baguio is our home. Baguio is in the heart. We’re on TV, Fridays, 10 a.m., over Skycable Channel 12 for Usapang turismo and give reports on local radio stations when needed. Visit the tourism and special events division, Baguio Convention Center or call 442-1007 for assistance or information. Here’s “Consolation” by Michelle Camille Correa: “Mother, to see/ How the tip of his chin kissing/ The peak of another’s breast/ Creates the image of an hourglass/ Is the greatest wisdom we hold:/ You, in your big hands/ And I, in my little ones. See/ How the sand falls over/ And over and over and over/ Until it is all/ Over.” (from “Crowns and Oranges” Works by Young Philippine Poets edited by Cirilo F. Bautista and Ken Ishikawa) Until next week and may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 01:49:50 +0000