An Ibaloi Festival: Today’s event is tomorrow’s history

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Roger Sinot

PINSAO PROPER, Baguio City - Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014 was a day for the Ibalois in Baguio and Benguet and all over. For me, the participation of around 2,000 who joined the parade was an evidence that we Ibaloys are getting back our self-confidence.

 I saw women in their divits(tapis), folks with cowboy hats and chalecos made out of woven cloth, and a big surprise to see Ibaloy men in their kuval (G-strings). Young men and women were in high spirits and enjoyed dancing as they paraded through Session Road as if this was a common daily routine for them.

 If we look at the Cordillera provinces today, Benguet has a lot of catching up to do, particularly on cultural upliftment, strengthening and unity among its people. While on our way down Session Road, I happened to march alongside Leopoldo Lamsis, the vice president of the Onjon Ni Ivadoy who told me in Ibaloy language that this is the time for us to rise up, stand proud, shout up, so they will hear of our good harmony, caring for one another, and unity.

With Jackson Chiday, the Onjon President on my side, he said “the youth must love our culture, the virtues left by our ancestors that we cannot go against, since these are the traditions that we instituted.” When I asked what he can say about the statement, "today's event is tomorrow’s history", he said, “Our Ibaloy children will have to be members of the Onjon and be recognized, all they have to do is register and participate in the yearly activities. Soon they will be the next leaders not only of the association but of the communities they belong to.”

 A city official came near and asked me to stand beside him while he was saying, “may I have a picture with this fellow of the vanishing tribe?” While that may not be true, the Ibaloys have a lot to catch up, and realize the urgency of cultural rehabilitation. Tribes do not vanish but keep on increasing their number, but culture and language may disappear.

 I am happy to see friends and relatives during a meeting under an unfinished huge hut built inside the Ibaloy Park. Onjon officers Erol Tagle, Benny David and Macmac Tidang were there. Mary Jo Dulnuan, Max “Jun” Edwin, Sammy Amistad, Judith Maranes and March Fianza and other Ibaloy leaders were there too. The Ibaloy hut had to be rushed for the big day event on February 23, 2014. Indeed, we really have to catch up with cultural activities. This generation should take the responsibility to put the Ibaloy in his place in history.

Maybe the city official was right when he said that we are the “vanishing tribe” because I recall that during the past Onjon days, we had auntie Cecil Afable, Manong Guillermo Fianza and others in our midst. They have vanished. They are gone but they are still in our hearts and our memories. Where have all your great sons and daughters gone? But life must go on, the Onjon must go on.

“Aaki tan kakait, kalajo shiya Ibaloy Park ta man aadivay kitejo no pitsa beinte tres (23) ni February 2014!” This is our day, come and be counted. Today's event is tomorrow’s history. Regardless of who we are, come and be counted. It is nobody else’s event but us Ibaloys.

Happy trails to all Ibaloys everywhere in the world!