TESDA Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (CSITE) Main Campus celebrated the โGalgaldang and Watwat Feast,โ commemorating Indigenous Peoples Month: A Tourism Perspective and Cultural Immersion, on October 28 at TESDA-CSITE, Military Cut-off, Baguio City.
The event was attended by TESDA CAR Regional Director Balmyrson Valdez, Mountain Province Acting Provincial Director Melita Pinic, Benguet Acting Provincial Director Arlene Cadalig, TESDA-CSITE Administrator Felixberto B. Matute Jr., employees and students of the institution.
In his welcome remarks, Matute reminded everyone that our culture and traditions hold generations of wisdom and history which we must immerse ourselves into, as part of our identity.
RD Valdez followed with a message saying that no matter where life takes us, we should never forget where we came from. โMahalin ang kultura, mahalin ang kinalakihan, dahil ito ang mag-i-identify ng ating pagkakakilanlan,โ he mentioned.
Resource Speaker Grace Batanes, a Community Officer from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), discussed the Indigenous Peoplesโ Rights Act which was established to recognize, protect, and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities. She emphasized points on the IP’s rights to the ancestral domain, self-governance, social justice and human rights, and the right to cultural integrity.
As part of the celebration, the attendees witnessed the traditional preparation of โwatwat,โ where a pig is killed using an โiwik,โ a pointed stick plunged into the heart of the pig. The pig’s scream after plunging the โiwikโ serves as an invitation to the community.
The program was followed by cultural community dances, an Indigenous Cuisine cooking competition, a quiz bee on Philippine culture, cuisines, and traditions, and “larong lahi” or Indigenous games.
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