Ifugao hosts PSC Indigenous Games

IT’S all systems go for the staging of the 3rd leg of the Indigenous Peoples Games (IPG) in the province of Ifugao on August 21 to 23.

A total of 400 participants from 11 local government units (LGUs including Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Asipulo, Banaue, Hingyon, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Lamut, Mayoyao, and Tinoc are expected compete in the three-day competition which will feature the traditional sports and games of the IPs.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey, who oversees the project implementation, said he is very excited to witness the unique traditional games of the Igorot.

“This is our third leg of the IP Games

following the two previous ones in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato and Davao del Norte. We very excited to witness and learn from the unique traditional games in Ifugao,” he said.

Ifugao Provincial Sports Coordinator Maureen Inhumang, for her part, said they have worked in close coordination with the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) for the selection of the participating LGUs and traditional games that will be played.

The 11 municipalities will be divided into 6 cluster teams who will compete in the traditional games such as pating race, akkad, hanggul, volleyball in g-string, bowot, lattik, labba race, kadangkadang, paktilan, bultong, log race, guyyudan, pig catching, munbayu, and munparti ya munlagim.

Maxey said the food for the participants as well as collared and round neck t-shirts, and transportation subsidy will be provided by PSC while the venues will be provided by the host province.

Ifugao governor Pedro Mayam-o is expected to grace the opening ceremony.

SSB photo IP GAMES. Young boys compete during an indigenous game called ‘kadang-kadang’ or wooden stilts during a cultural celebration in the Cordillera. IP games will take center stage in Ifugao next week hatched by the Philippine Sports Commission.