BAGUIO CITY – The city government in cooperation with the Onjon Ni Ivadoy will celebrate the 8th Ibaloi Day on February 22 and 23 at the Ibaloi Heritage Garden, Burnham Park with the theme, “Pansigshan Pan-Aatngan (Let’s Work together for the Benefit of All)”.
On Wednesday, February 22, a “Daing Tan Tahal Ni Ivadoy (Talent and Skills of the Ibaloys)” will be held starting 7 am with rituals (Sepnak Ni Bangkilay and Sepnak ni Indutsek) followed by ribbon cutting led by Soledad Go, wife of Congressman Mark Go, to formally open an exhibit and presentation of books, handicrafts and compact discs on Ibaloy culture.
A program follows with Dr. Ryan Guinarang, one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines 2016 awardees and a member of the Doctors for Indigenous Health and Culturally Competent Training Education, Networking and Governance (DITENG, Inc.), as guest of honor and speaker. A skills competition will then ensue and end with a tayaw or native Benguet dance.
On February 23, Thursday, dawit ceremonies will be conducted by Ibaloi descendants followed by a parade starting 8 am from the Baguio Convention Center, thru the city’s main thoroughfares ending at the Ibaloi Heritage Garden where a skills competition will ensue.
A program will follow with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Virginia Orogo as guest of honor and speaker. A historical background of the Ibaloys will be delivered by former councilor Isabelo “Popo” Cosalan.
Messages will also be given by Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Baguio Congressman Mark Go, Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso, Benguet Congressman Ronald Cosalan, former Baguio Mayor Peter Rey Bautista and Onjon Ni Ivadoy president Leopoldo Lamsis and vice-president Eroll Tagle.
Awards will then be given to outstanding Ibaloys followed by cultural dances, a concert featuring Ibaloy bands and western line dancing.
The Ibaloys are the original inhabitants of Baguio formerly known as “Kafagway” where one of its patriarchs, Mateo Carino, was named by the Philippine Centennial Commission as a Centennial National Hero in 1998. His bust is at the Luneta Park in Metro Manila with other Centennial heroes.**gaby keith
