Officials grace 7th IP Day in Paracelis

By Robert Ramos

PARACELIS, Mountain Province –This eastern town of the province celebrated its 7th Indigenous Peoples’ Day Oct. 25 which began with a civic parade participated by ethnic tribes, government officials and employees and ended with a program and unveiling of tribal murals.

Fred Balao-as, an elder from the Balangao tribe recognized the different participants representing the 12 ethnic tribes within the municipality:  Majukayong, Ayangan/Tuwali, Balangao, Kalinga, Ga’dang, Bago, Ha’ki, Licoy, Kadaclan, Kalanguya/Ibaloi/Karao, Kankanaey/Applai/Bontok, and the Changyasan/Fialigha tribe.

Mayor Marcos G. Ayangwa welcomed visitors and participants, by emphasizing the real essence of IP day celebration.

He cited the Baliwon word “Kakarefin” term which literally means solidarity.

The 12 tribes will now be dubbed “Kakarefin Tribe” of Paracelis, according to the mayor.

He urged tribes to stop factionalism towards a better Paracelis. Ayangwa is an IP from the Kalinga tribe.

Meanwhile, lawyer Willbroth Managtag delivered the message of Rep. Maximo Y. Dalog Jr. as guest of honor and speaker.

In his message, Dalog said that as an IP belonging to the Bontok ethnic group, he understands the feelings for the pride of being an IP in his heart, getting the strength of mind and soul from his faith in traditional culture.

“Cultural advocacy through cultural festivals signifies our desire to educate our young generations to instill the values learned from our traditions and practices and to strengthen the bond that connects them to their IPhood. Our cultural festivals have dealt more on the performances of cultural dances, rituals and folk songs including the display of ethnic attires and costumes. These had been highlighted with a feast of foods shared by all the different ethnic groups,” he added.

All municipalities of Mountain Province have their own cultural festivals with the Lang-ay Festival dubbed mother of all festivals, which was initiated by the late Rep. Maximo B. Dalog, Sr. when he was still governor of the province.

Paracelis is now home to the Kakarayam Festival, which, by virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 2015-002 was enacted, giving birth to Kakarayam Festival, meaning a gathering of the people, residing in and out of Paracelis, to come together and foster kinship and community ties.

Aside from Kakarayam, the municipality of Barlig has its Menaliyam Festival for the Kadaclan area, Changyasan Festival for Lias, and Fortan for the central town. Natonin has its Sas-aliwa Festival, Sadanga has the Fvegnash Festival, Bontoc – Amamong Festival, Besao – Ubaya Fesival, Bauko – Begnas di Bauko Festival, Sabangan – Gagayam Festival, Sagada – Etag Festival, and Tadian has its Ayyoweng di Lambak di Tadian Festival.

Rep. Dalog also commended the people of Paracelis for being among the few municipalities in the province that annually conducts a municipal celebration for IPs.

Highlights of the celebration include the unveiling of the Kakarefin murals painted by nationally-acclaimed painter and artist Angelo Aurelio featuring the different cultures of the 12 tribes of Paracelis including the indigenous trade fair and indigenous games.

Lawyer Wilson Kalangeg, provincial officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Mountain Province also graced the event.