University of San Agustin promotes and preserves Indigenous People’s Culture and Filipino Heritage

The preservation and promotion of the Indigenous People’s Cultures and Filipino Heritage are two significant goals of the University of San Agustin (USA) Center for Heritage and Indigenous Cultures (CHIC).

To achieve these aims, CHIC, together with the Claravall-Gonzalez School of Classical Ballet and Festive Walk, spearheaded “Handumanan: National Heritage Month” which showcased “Panublion”, featuring dance performances  the Claravall-Gonzalez School, and “ Manggad sang Paghigugma”, which highlights the musical performances by members of the Ati community and the USA Conservatory of Music alumni.

The performances of the Ati include Fidel Salveo’s original composo in inati language. Salveo played his banjo and sang at the same time. The composo talks about the community life of the Atis in Tag-ao, Dumarao.

Perla Moreno, another performer from Sitio Cati-Cati, Guimaras, performed an a capella which tells the story of Panay.

The Ati youths were represented by Mary Angelica Tahan. Tahan in her binalaybay narrated the social struggles of the Atis and their hardships in trying to find recognition in society. Despite the setbacks faced by the youth, her binalaybay conveys a message of hope.

The USA Conservatory of Music alumni, on the other hand, delivered renditions of a mix of Original Philippine Music, folk songs, classical Filipino pieces, such as the Cavatina by Nicanor Abelardo and some Visayan Folk songs, such as Tuburan and Pinalangga.

“Manggad sang Paghigugma” aims to create awareness of the struggles of the Ati community and provide a venue to express their culture.

“The celebration is an outward acknowledgment of our Ati brothers and sisters as an important part of society. We encourage the youth of the Ati to take up the cultural practices of their elders, despite popular influences that surround them. They must never lose sight of their culture and USA supports them by giving them the impetus in the practice of their culture,” according to Dr. Clement Acevedo, USA CHIC director.

John Paul Petrola, IP researcher and scholar from the University of San Agustin acknowledged that the activity has given confidence to the Ati performers.

“The event is a way of creating awareness of the existence of the Ati communities from all over Panay, the preservation of their culture, recognition of their needs as part of society, and respect for their rights,” Petrola said.

More than the glitz and glamor of the event, there is a deeper meaning that lies in highlighting the Ati community and that is to contribute against marginalization and discrimination which the Atis continue to experience to this day and age.

USA CHIC vows to continue to cater to the needs of the  indigenous people’s culture by launching various activities that focus on the IPs, especially during the annual celebration of the National Indigenous Month of October and the National Heritage Month of May, conduct research studies such as Petrola’s “Ang Paghinun-anon: Understanding the Ati People’s life in struggle for Cultural Recognition”, and Binalaybay sang Ati: Mga Istorya sang Kabuhi sa Tunga sang Calamidad Kag COVID 19”, and mount awareness programs as well as recommend appropriate policies.

All of these efforts and initiatives will surely generate a remarkable impact in the lives of the Indigenous people. (RGC)