Book repatriation honors Panay Bukidnon heritage

1 of 10

To honor the cultural contributions of the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous communities—the original sources of the epics and ethnographic materials resulting from years of research and publication—a book and multimedia repatriation ceremony was held July 25, 2025, in Calinog, Iloilo, and Tapaz, Capiz.

Organized by scholars from the University of the Philippines, the event marked a commitment to ethical scholarship, cultural respect, and intellectual return.

The UP team included Dr. Maria Christine Muyco, Professor Emeritus Dr. Alicia Magos, Anna Razel Ramirez, Prof. Jose Taton, and Prof. Jocano Jr., who formally turned over key literary and cultural works to the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs).

International scholar David Gowey of Arizona State University also played a key role in the initiative.

In Calinog, the following materials were presented to community representatives:

• 10 volumes of theSuguidanon (epics) of Panay
• Pagdahû ka Surundon: A Reference Book on Panay-Guimaras Traditional Knowledge Systems
• Musika Jornal, volumes 5 and 9, coveringagung and bamboo instruments used in the Panay Bukidnon Binanog(hawk-eagle) dance
• Humanities Dilimanjournal, Vol. 20, No. 2, featuring the essay “Visual Depictions and Ponderings: Sinday-Muro and Other Beings of Panay Cosmology”

These works were published by the University of the Philippines Press.

The epic collection was facilitated by Dr. Galileo Zafra, who donated three sets to the Gararangan, Masaroy, and Agacalaga (GMA) ICCs.

The turnover was attended by members of the Caballero family, descendants of main chanter Preciosa Caballero and GAMABA awardee Federico Caballero.

Among them were Romulo Caballero, Teresita Caballero, Rodolfo Caballero, Rolando Caballero, and Rowena Caballero.

Representing Indigenous governance were IPMR Jimmy Lastrilla of Barangay Agcalaga and Mirasol Lozada.

Another set of materials was also handed over:

• Documentary filmGa Sibod Dai-a! (funded by UP OVCRD outright grant)
• IP-Scholar Collaborative Module and Material Making for Curriculum Enhancement and Teaching (NCCA publication grant)
• Panay Bukidnon Arts Festivalbooklet (Makinaugalingon Press, Iloilo)

During the ceremony, discussions also addressed the increase in royalties for the Caballero family and the GMA Panay Bukidnon ICCs from Suguidanon book sales.

A second repatriation ceremony was held the same day in Tapaz, Capiz, where the same materials were turned over.

The Tapaz event was attended by elders and IPMRs from the barangays of Taganhin, Siya, Hilwan, Aglinab, Agpalali, Tacayan, Rizal Norte, Aglupacan, Rizal Sur, Batobato, Daan Norte, Nayawan, and Maliao.

The program was led by Rafe Laluma in coordination with Dr. Ronilo Beronda of Capiz State University in Tapaz.

Roxas City Department of Tourism staff member Rennel Lavilla served as event emcee.

Representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Tapaz office, Rubie Capada and Jim Camarig, were also in attendance.

This historic initiative reflects the University of the Philippines’ ongoing commitment to Indigenous cultural preservation, collaborative research, and the ethical return of knowledge.

Through the repatriation of books and cultural documentation, the event reaffirmed the invaluable role of the Panay Bukidnon people and underscored the importance of returning intellectual property to its original cultural custodians. (AL Ramirez, IPO)