DAVAO CITY -- The "Kalinaw Kultura" (culture of peace) ended Friday with Davao Region's 11 tribes taking center stage during the two-day cultural festivities that featured dance performances, film showing, and a visit to the Kadayawan Village inside Magsaysay Park.
The "Kalinaw Kultura" in Davao was the last leg of a series of events organized by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in partnership with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and other government stakeholders.
Similar events were earlier held in Iligan, Butuan, Zamboanga, and Koronadal.
PIA Director General Harold Clavite said the "Kalinaw Kultura" was crafted in 2017 with the aim of promoting Mindanaoan culture, showcasing local talents, and engaging the local tribal communities.
It also aims to correct some notions about Mindanao and raise awareness on the island's rich and diverse cultural heritage, Clavite added.
At the opening of the event at the Abreeza Mall on Thursday, dance performances featured the 11 major ethnic tribes of Davao City – Ata, Iranun, Kagan, Klata-Guiangan, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Tausug, Tagabawa, Matigsalog, Ovu-Manuvo, and Sama.
Undersecretary Lorraine Marie T. Badoy of the PCOO, who represented Secretary Martin Andanar, said Mindanao, unlike other parts of the country, is the land of the unvanquished and therefore the culture here has been untouched and unsullied by foreign influence.
“This is the gift of Mindanao to the rest of the Philippines: that the rich and diverse culture of Mindanao reminds us of who we really are: peaceful when left in peace but fierce when provoked and that we will not allow ourselves to be slaves to anyone,” Badoy said.
During a press briefing that day, PCOO Undersecretary Joel Egco described the holding of the "Kalinaw Kultura" as timely in the age of social media, and a great equalizer in promoting culture.
Egco said the event would help correct the prevailing negative perception of Mindanao and the Philippines, citing the "systematic negative reporting" about the country.
“This activity would aggressively promote Mindanao culture,” he said.
Clavite said the "Kalinaw Kultura" campaign this year was only the beginning for "a better and brighter promotion of Mindanao culture with the support of all government agencies."
“Now, we’re in the day and age of easy communication that lets us utilize to change the narrative of Mindanao,” Clavite added.
NCAA Executive Director Rico Pableo vowed to continue similar projects that promote and preserve culture and the arts.
Pableo noted that culture is not only about dancing, singing, and visual arts but also “making our life transform into something significant and beautiful.”
The event ended with a visit at the Kadayawan Village where the 11 tribes showcased their culture and way of life, from cooking food to building their houses. (PNA)
