LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato (PIA) — A youth leader from Panay appealed to fellow young indigenous people to learn from their cultural masters and elders, particularly in playing traditional musical instruments.
Renel Lavilla, a Panay Bukidnon youth leader and cultural advocate, highlighted the importance of learning from tribal elders and cultural masters to preserve heritage as he spoke as one of the resource persons in a public forum during the recent Dayaw Festival 2024 celebration in Lake Sebu.
“Kapag nawala ang mga instrumentong pangmusika ng mga katutubo, mamamatay ang sayaw. Ano ang sasayawan natin kung wala na ang ating mga instrumento?” Lavilla said.
(When the indigenous musical instruments are lost, the dance will die. What will we dance to if we no longer have our instruments?)
Lavilla, speaking to representatives of more than 36 tribes from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao participating in the national Indigenous Peoples Month commemoration as well as students from different schools in the municipality, said one of the challenges facing indigenous communities is the gradual decline in adherence to cultural practices, including the use of musical instruments once popular among the tribespeople.
The IP youth leader emphasized further that preserving the material culture of a community is vital in the preservation of their heritage.
“Kaya mga kabataan, habang mayroong matatanda na gustong magturo ng kanilang kaalaman, huwag mag-atubiling matutunan ito. Huwag humindi,” he said.
(So, young people, don’t hesitate to learn from elders who are willing to share their knowledge. Don’t refuse.)
Lavilla reported that the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has helped them create and publish manuals on the use of traditional instruments of the Panay Bukidnon people.
These manuals, he explained, are useful to the young generation, who would like to learn to play their traditional instruments even beyond the confines of the schools of living tradition (SLT).
“Tayong kabataan lamang ang mga bagong punla ng ating mga ninuno. Sa atin nila ipinapasa ang kanilang mga katangian, ang kanilang mga adhikain, at kanilang mga talento upang ipagpatuloy ito at dalhin habang buhay,” Lavilla further emphasized.
(We, the youth, are the new sprouts of our ancestors. They pass on their qualities, aspirations, and talents to us so that we can continue and carry them for a lifetime.)
Hundreds of young and elderly indigenous peoples from different parts of the Philippines gathered in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, from October 3 to 4, for the Dayaw Festival 2024.
The event, a commemoration of October as “Buwan ng Katutubong Filipino,” featured cultural performances, traditional games, the sharing of best practices, workshops, and demonstrations on indigenous arts and crafts and Tboli cuisine.
It was capped by a forum on the third day where resource persons discussed various issues and concerns affecting the indigenous people communities. (DED – PIA Region 12)
