NCIP dismayed over the way 'bahag' was worn in a male pageant

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) - Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) released a statement on Monday, June 13 saying that they did not allow the way traditional "bahag" or G-string was worn in a male pre-pageant competition.

"NCIP-CAR did not allow nor tolerate the way the 'Bahag' was worn during the said competition. The way they were worn during the said competition rest solely with the organizers and their supposed cultural consultant," said in the statement.

The pre-pageant of Man of the World held on Saturday, June 11 at Okada, Manila received a backlash for its swimwear competition where contestants were seen wearing different types of "bahag" from indigenous peoples of CAR.

Some netizens called out Man of the World on their Facebook page for the segment being "disrespectful", "misrepresentation", and "cultural appropriation."

NCIP-CAR said they received a letter on June 3 from the organizers of the pageant notifying that the "bahag" of ethnic groups in CAR will be featured during the swimwear and on the finals.

They were also informed that an expert will be present at the competition to ensure they were worn the right way. NCIP-CAR said they did not object to the notice so long as it would be properly worn by the contestants.

NCIP-CAR , in the statement, asked the pageant organizers to provide a "concrete and anthropological proof" that would support their claim that the indigenous peoples' ancestors wore "bahag" when going underwater.

The commission also asked for evidence that will show that the contestants wore the traditional clothing the way it was worn by the indigenous peoples of CAR.

"We call upon these proofs, as many of us have grown in a society where we did not witness our ancestors tie their G-string the way it was during the competition," NCIP-CAR added. (Luisa Cabato)