'KALKALI'. National Commission for Culture and the Arts chair Virgilio Almario (center) poses with members of Banda Kawayan after the kick-off ceremony of the National Indigenous People (IP) Month held at the NCCA lobby in Manila on Wednesday (Oct. 2, 2019). A forum dubbed as "Kalkali" (word for conversations), set on October 28-29, will be held at the Maryhill School of Theology in Quezon City. (PNA photo by Cristina Arayata)
MANILA -- National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chair Virgilio Almario on Wednesday said it is important for the youth to learn about the indigenous people (IP).
"They (youth) don't know much about our IPs, because their education is very foreign-oriented. We need to tap their consciousness and make them aware about our IPs, for us to better understand our identity," Almario told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
The NCCA formally announced the observance of the National Indigenous People's Month, with the theme "Vital Wisdoms: Learning with the Indigenous People".
Almario said that what's different this year compared to previous celebrations is that the NCCA would conduct a forum that would be attended by IPs and government agencies concerned with IPs.
"I don't want our celebration to be just a fair or dancing. This (forum) is in line with the NCCA's program to promote intangible cultural heritage," he explained.
He said the forum would not only serve as an avenue for the IPs to introduce their culture, but also for them to air their concerns and problems.
According to NCCA, the intangible cultural heritage is grouped into five domains: oral traditions and expressions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.
The forum, meanwhile, is set on October 28-29 at the Maryhill School of Theology in Quezon City. The NCCA dubbed this forum as "Kalkali" (word for conversations).
During "Kalkali", the IPs could discuss how to safeguard their intangible cultural heritage. There will be eight sessions during the forum, and concerned sectors could also share their views regarding the legal, moral, ethical dimensions of intangible cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, aside from forum, the NCCA will also hold caravans to promote IPs. This will be held in Pampanga, Baguio City, Iloilo City, Bacolod City and Zamboanga City on different dates this month. (PNA)
