Bulacan gets ready for Dayaw 2012

ABOUT four hundred participants from different indigenous communities around the Philippines will gather on November 27 to 29 in the city of Malolos, Bulacan for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Dayaw, the biggest celebration of indigenous culture in the country.

Dayaw is a project of the NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) headed by Commissioner Joycie Dorado-Alegre under the supervision of NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. and Executive Director Emelita Almosara, CESO IV. This celebration is guided by the theme “Katutubong Pamumuhay, Halawan ng Aral sa Buhay [Indigenous Way of Life, Source of Lessons in Life]” and is an extension of the National Indigenous People’s month celebrated every October.

The NCCA, along with the government of Bulacan, headed by Dayaw 2012 festival Director Sonny Cristobal, is now ready and has prepared everything for the gathering. Dayaw 2012 will be opened with a parade around the city of Malolos that will end at the provincial capitol. The opening of Dayaw will be attended by former senator Jamby Madrigal representing President Benigno Simeon Aquino 3rd, Sen. Loren Legarda, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Chairman de Leon and Commissioner Dorado-Alegre.

This year, Dayaw will be divided into four parts—the “Expo” in Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, “Village” in Bulacan Mini Forest, “Exhibit” in Gat Blas Ople Building and the “Tour” in different places around Bulacan—with activities that are simultaneously happening.

On the first day of Dayaw, a forum for the communities titled “Community-based Tourism Program That Seeks to Provide Employment to Indigenous Peoples” will be happening in the Gymnasium and will be followed by performances from different groups such as the T’boli/Mamanwa, Ati of Antique and Aklan, Teduray of Arumanen, Ilonggo of Hiligaynon, Kiniray-a of Aklan and the Mangyan. A jamming with the Philippine Baranggay Music Ensemble will also be held.

In the “Village” part of Dayaw, games from different indigenous groups will be played among the participants and the audience. It will manifest the sportsmanship of Filipinos around the world and would showcase different versions of the games that young Filipinos play.

Also, cultural performances from various cultural groups such as the Kundiman Singers, Hiyas Brass Band, Lahing Kayumanggi, Balsu Symphonic Brand and San Pedro High School Dance Troupe will also perform in the “village” for the three-day festivity.

The daily lives of our indigenous cultures featuring their cultural lifestyle will also be showcased. Aside from their everyday activities, a buffet of numerous traditional dishes will be served to the public. Their taste buds will not only be satisfied as the audience will have a chance to mingle and talk with the country’s indigenous people.

The cities and municipalities of Bulacan like Calumpit, Balagtas, Pulilan, Plaridel, Guiguinto and Baliwag will also welcome the guests of Dayaw and will allot spaces for cultural performances. There will also be concerts that will be held at Club Royale and Paradise Resort.

One of the highlights of this year’s Dayaw is the recognition of the 21 Masters of NCCA’s School of Living Traditions which will be graced by Commissioner Dorado-Alegre.

During the previous years, the NCCA has been celebrating Dayaw. Last year, Dayaw was celebrated in Tagum city, Davao del Norte while it was held in Manila in 2010. Roxas City, Capiz hosted the festival for the indigenous people in 2009 named “Dungog.” On the other hand, the festival happened in Santiago city Isabela called “Timpuyog” and in Davao city titled “Kalimudan: Panaghi-usa sa Mindanao” in 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Philippines is celebrating the National Indigenous People’s Month every October in consonance with Presidential Proclamation 1906.

This year’s conduit non-government organization is the Inter-skills Development Foundation, Incorporated and the Provincial Government of Bulacan. Ms. Marichu Tellano is the chief of the Policy/Plan Formulation and Programming Division of the NCCA, while Ms. Renee Talavera is the head of the SCCTA section.

For more details, contact Rene Napeñas, head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office at 527-5529 or 09285081057. E-mail us at ncca.paio@gmail.com or visit our Web site at www.ncca.gov.ph.