The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on Monday, Oct. 2 kicked off the month-long celebration of Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month 2023.
“The month-long observance is an avenue to promote reconciliation and understanding between our IP brothers and sisters and non-IPs that they may be able to overcome the barriers of discrimination and be able to actively participate in nation-building with their perspectives taken into account,” NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las said in a statement posted by NCIP on Facebook.
As the celebration commenced, various activities took place including "Ipitik," a solemn act of offering the first drops of a newly opened indigenous wine to "Kabunian", the highest-ranking deity of the Mountain Province; "Pamaas," a thanksgiving ritual as a sign of gratitude among indigenous peoples to the heavenly creator and the spirits of their ancestors; and community dance, with the playing of gongs, symbolizing unity among indigenous peoples across the country.
“The celebration aligns with the administration’s brand of governance and leadership - Bagong Pilipinas, calling for a deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, reinforced by unified institutions of society, whose common objective is to realize the goals and aspirations of every Filipino,” NCIP said.
The opening of the 2023 IP month celebration and the 26th Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) commemoration was held at the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Office in Manila.
During the event, NCIP provided the PMS copies of Project Epanaw’s three coffee table books: the “Pagkilala,” “Paggalang,” and “Pagtaguyod.” (Erika Escover)