Beyond the notes and the words, rooted in a history of resilience and cultural preservation, the Blaan community continues to thrive through storytelling and music. TIGKANAYAN: ILCA Speaks continues its online forum by offering a safe space platform to celebrate and share the Blaan’s rich heritage on September 26, 2024, via Zoom.

The second episode encapsulates the Blaan communities’ unique beliefs and culture in Mindanao. The stories they believed in were obtained from their ancestors, believing these stories and music had become part of their daily lives. They reside primarily in the provinces of Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Sarangani, and South Cotabato; as with many indigenous communities, they, too, face challenges in preserving their culture due to modernization, economic pressures, and external influences. As we are all aware, language is a crucial aspect of cultural identity, and these communities have dedicated efforts to safeguard their language, Blaan. Despite the widespread use of English, both Filipinos and Bisaya in the region continue to speak their language in homes and community gatherings. Efforts to preserve these languages include teaching them to children, integrating them into local school curricula, and incorporating them into traditional songs, stories, and customs. As a means of artistic expression, the Blaan IPs utilize music and dance as integral elements of their cultural heritage.

Hosted by the Literature Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Ms. Maria Danica P. Ching, the forum provided a safe and open platform to inform people about the tigkanayan (Bagobo term for origin) by exploring the language and culture of the Blaan Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) in Mindanao. The Institute of Languages and Creative Arts (ILCA) aims to realize this vision by acknowledging the valuable contributions of various sectors, including external organizations, IP leaders, IP youth representatives, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, government agencies, research advocates, and students, in raising awareness and working towards the preservation of the Mindanao culture and heritage.

“Let me acknowledge and honor the Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land long before us,” in Dr. Marnie Grace I. Sonico’s welcoming remarks, Dean of CAS.

This acknowledgment serves as a respectful nod to those who have been caretakers of these lands for millennia and as a reminder of our collective responsibility to honor and sustain this legacy. Dr. Sonico’s message reminds us that recognizing the deep connections between indigenous peoples and their environments is crucial in nurturing a more inclusive and understanding society. “Languages are more than just a means of communication; they are the vessels of culture, identity, and history. Each language we will discuss today carries unique worldviews, traditions, and stories that have been passed down through generations. As we engage in this forum, let us remember that preserving these languages is vital not only for the communities themselves but for humanity as a whole,” she added.

Following the discussion on the stories, struggles, and successes of the Blaan community, Dr. Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano initiated a conversation about “Stories and Poems of Empowerment for the Blaan Community.” She notably highlighted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), which acknowledge the rights of indigenous peoples to their lands and natural resources and the importance of upholding their treaty rights. Despite these well-crafted laws, there is a need to assess their implementation in order to develop more inclusive and culturally sensitive programs for various ICCs in Mindanao.

“There are widespread misconceptions surrounding IPs, as they are often depicted in a negative light during the Pre-Spanish era.”

Dr. Serrano-Quijano argued that IPs are peacemakers, elaborating the traditional practices of 𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪 (peace pacts) and 𝘬𝘢𝘴𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘢 (dispute settlement) carried out by the council of elders within the cultural community. “We are inherently a peace-loving people, but this is often not depicted in other stories, movies, or media,” she stated. Also, she conveyed the importance of being advocates and educators, emphasizing the responsibility to safeguard the environment and preserve the culture as culture bearers, using their indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSPs). “𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯-𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯 𝘶𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘺𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺𝘢, 𝘴𝘢 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘺 𝘴𝘢 𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯 (It is crucial for the youth and the next generation to understand the importance of the stories and wisdom passed down by our ancestors).” The book she authored, “Dili Pwede Mogawas ug Ubang mga Sugilanon,” which won awards, was inspired by the tales shared by her elders. Despite the challenge of weaving the elders’ stories into one book, the result was a powerful narrative that speaks to one’s identity.

Prior to wrapping up the discussions, Dr. Serrano-Quijano acknowledged the Blaan ikat weavers/masters, including 𝘍𝘶 (grandmother) Yabing Masalon Dulo and 𝘍𝘶 Estelita Bantilan, for their significant role in preserving the community’s traditions. Emphasizing the wealth of knowledge and wisdom held by the elders, she encouraged the participants to heed their stories attentively. It is crucial to recognize the elders as the custodians of these stories, as they are the ones who verify the authenticity of these stories.

𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘬 (brother) Raydan Masangkay Tangwayan, Founder of the Pagsebad IP Youth Organization and Program Manager for the River Above Asia and Oceania Ecclesial Network’s (RAOEN) Biome-Based Synodality Project, responded to the struggles and successes of the Blaan in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao Occidental. In spite of their efforts, the Blaans still encounter several challenges in safeguarding their cultural heritage. Economic hardships, including poverty and the demand for jobs, frequently compel younger generations to leave their communities searching for employment, resulting in a diminished transfer of traditional knowledge.

Mr. Tangwayan’s talk on “From Heart to Harmony: Blaan Music and its Significance” opened the conversation in understanding Blaan music by asking what Blaan music is or, generally, what the Indigenous people’s music is. The accomplished Blaan artists, including Mr. Jimjay Van Balandan, are recognized for their contributions to indigenous folk music, which richly represents the culture from which they originate. In his discourse on 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘮/𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘮, a vanishing oral tradition of the Blaan and Sarangani Manobo IPs in Davao Occidental, music within his community can manifest as a spontaneous song of welcome for visitors, a song celebrating a person’s life or praising nature. He stated, “Based on our cultural masters, Malem is used in various ways to express emotions. By expressing emotions like love even at a distance, we can actually sing a song to express our love to the community. Also, this is used in arguments and negotiations that can be seen in our 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘸; elders argue in a beautiful manner.”

However, this beautiful tradition is gradually diminishing. He elaborated that this decline is attributed to various factors, including colonization, which often leads to the demonization of these traditions, modernization that shifts focus and values, the passing of cultural masters who are the keepers of tradition, a lack of intergenerational responsibility where younger generations may not feel compelled to carry on these traditions, migration which can lead to a dilution of cultural practices as people move away from their ancestral lands, and challenges in achieving genuine representation in media and global discussions, which affects the visibility and appreciation of these cultures. He also added, “Fortunately, in some regions, the educational system increasingly integrates traditional knowledge and practices into their curricula. This enriches the learning experience and instills a sense of pride and responsibility in younger generations to preserve their culture. Collaborations between cultural practitioners and artists across different mediums create new forms of expression that honor traditional roots while engaging contemporary audiences.”

“We are the new ancestors. Our descendants will judge us based on the actions we take or fail to take,” Mr. Tangwayan concluded.

In the pursuit of upholding the Blaan’s culture, Mr. Ronnel T. Matanod, a full-blooded Blaan, dedicated advocate, and educator from Caburan Small, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, emphasized the importance of integrating IKSPs within the framework of formal education. By doing so, students can develop a deep sense of pride and responsibility toward preserving the Blaan cultural identity. As he committed, “We will always integrate traditional knowledge and practices into educational systems that will enrich the learning experience, preserve Blaan tradition, and promote inclusive and culturally sensitive forms of expression to ensure the sustainability of the Blaan cultural communities in Mindanao.”

Next was Mr. Jorge David B. Cabagte, an Obo-Manuvu Agricultural Business student of USeP-CDM. He was a proud member of their ICCs, committed to supporting his community and preserving their culture. With a bold conviction to support his community, he said, “I commit to educating both our community and the public on our challenges and successes, intending to enhance awareness and cultivate understanding. I shall adhere to traditional practices and languages to safeguard our cultural heritage, actively promoting cultural engagement among the younger generation to ensure its preservation and continuity.”

The recent remarks from Assoc. Prof. Luden L. Baterina, General Education Department Chair and Asst. Prof. Josephine May Grace A. Famoso, Extension Head of CAS, served as a reminder of the resilience of the ICCs in Mindanao. It is a legacy that truly merits recognition and celebration. TIGKANAYAN: ILCA Speaks, an initiative of ILCA, has provided a secure platform for ICCs to share narratives that have contributed to their identity. As academic community members aligned with the University’s vision, they have ensured that these stories and aspirations are given due attention. Both offices have reaffirmed their dedication to collaborating closely in order to honor our heritage and promote mutual understanding within the wider society. As added by Asst. Prof. Famoso, “We will seek more partnerships that reflect our values and uplift our community, ensuring that we are not just engaged in conversations but also take the lead in shaping our future.”

In closing the online forum, Assoc. Prof. Angelo Lenard E. Yu, program head of MA Literature, wrapped up the episode by emphasizing the importance of academic conversations like TIGKANAYAN in empowering Indigenous communities. He highlighted the role of academic institutions such as USeP, ILCA, and SPJRD in leading meaningful discussions to address both common and uncommon social issues faced by IPs. The Institute’s engagement with Kagan and Blaan advocates has contributed to a deeper understanding of indigeneity and indigenism, shedding light on the epistemological pursuits of these communities and their efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.

This collaborative initiative involves ILCA, the CAS Language and Literature Department, and the Language Students’ Society Organization, particularly Ms. Marjorie M. Encarguez, Ms. Julianne P. Lomarda, Ms. Jamaica A. Prado, Ms. Darlyn D. Lames and Ms. Jessa Joy C. Odog, ILCA Staff as the event’s technical committee. It signifies a service-oriented expression between faculty, students, and staff. With the groundwork laid during the event, this October, TIGKANAYAN: ILCA Speaks will present another episode offering a valuable resource for academics, researchers, and students in applied linguistics and cultural studies.

#TIGKANAYAN:ILCASpeaks
#TransformingLivesAndCommunities
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#WeBuildDreamsWithoutLimits

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