Cultural performances, traditional games, the sharing of cultural practices, and demonstrations of local arts, crafts, and Tboli cuisine highlighted the Dayaw Festival in Lake Sebu on October 3–5, 2024. (Photo by Danilo Doguiles/PIA Region 12)
LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato (PIA) — Different tribes from across the Philippines gathered in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato for the commemoration of “Buwan ng Katutubong Filipino” through an event called “Dayaw Festival 2024.”
The 3-day event, which ran from October 3 to 5, highlighted the celebration and preservation of the rich heritage of the country’s indigenous peoples (IP).
“Dayaw is a national event dedicated to honoring and showcasing the rich heritage of the indigenous peoples across the Philippines. It aims to raise awareness of the diverse traditions, the arts, and practices of indigenous communities across the country,” according to Reden Ulo, Commissioner on the Subcommittee on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
“For 16 years, we have been celebrating Dayaw to further thrust our indigenous people into the spotlight,” said Dr. Eric Zerrudo, NCCA Executive Director.
“Importante sa atin ito, lalung-lalo na sa ating mga katutubo dahil kailangan natin ng recognition, at dahil sa recognition, dito natin makikilala kung sinu-sino tayo, ang ating pinanggalingan at ito po ang nagbibigay dangal sa ating kabuhayan,” Zerrudo added.
(This is important to us, especially to our indigenous people, because we need recognition, and through recognition, we will know who we are and our origins, which also gives dignity to our livelihood.)
Dayaw Festival featured cultural performances and traditional games as well as sharing of best practices between and among the IP communities.
On the second day, visitors were immersed in the Tboli people’s rich culture by visiting the town’s GAMABA centers, schools of living traditions, and other facilities where they were treated to cultural performances as well as workshops and demonstrations on the Tboli arts and crafts and cuisine.
Capping the event was a forum with resource persons who were experts and cultural masters. The local government of Tboli and the National Museum of the Philippines also signed a usufruct agreement for the establishment of a national museum in Lake Sebu.
Tribes represented in the Dayaw Festival here include: Tboli, Blaan, Arumanen, Mandaya, Tausug, Subanen, Kolibugan, Chavacano, Yakan, Sama, Maguindanao, Iranon, Bagobo, Kalagan, Kagan, Tagakaulo, Mamanwa, Agusanon Manobo, Talaandig, Manobo, Hiligaynon, Ilonggo, Kinaray-a, Romblonanon, Bukidnon, Ati, Waray, Ati/Ata Bukidnon of Negros Island, Tagbanua, Batak, Palawan, Jama Mapun, Molbog, Ati of Aklan, Boholano, Tagalog, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Ga’dang, Isinay, Iloko, Bago, Balangao, Bontok, Applai, Ifugao, Kalanguya, Bugkalot, Kankana-ey, and Kalinga, among others.
Also, in a rare opportunity, 10 Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees gathered in Lake Sebu for the Dayaw Festival 2024 as honored guests.
Lake Sebu has recently earned the moniker “Land of the Living Treasures” for having four GAMABA awardees: the late Lang Dulay, who was named National Living Treasure in 1998, and Ofong, Sula, and Fara, who were conferred the same title via Proclamation No. 427 series of 2023. (PIA Region 12)
