22/10/2025
𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗟𝗨𝗜𝗦, 𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗣𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗣𝗥𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
The three ethnolinguistic groups—Banwaon, Manobo, and Talaandig of San Luis celebrated the 2025 IP Month and the 28th IPRA Commemoration on October 20, 2025, at the Municipal Gymnasium, Doña Maxima, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. The theme of the event was: “𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙀𝙣𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚: 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝘽𝙚𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩.”
NCIP San Luis and the office of the IPMR hosted this year’s 4th Indigenous Peoples Day, with support from the Municipal Local Government Unit of San Luis, through the enactment of Municipal Ordinance No. 04, which formally designates the third Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day within the Municipality of San Luis.
The activity commenced with a 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘨𝘵𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘨, a ritual invoking spirits to seek guidance and protection for the entire program. This was followed by a flag-raising ceremony, with other national agencies also participating in the Indigenous Peoples’ special day.
A cultural presentation by the IP Youth of Balit was one of the highlights of the IP Day celebration, showcasing the traditional binaylan, wedding, and war dances.
Atty. Fritzie Lynne C. Sumando, representing the NCIP Regional office, conveyed her message, stating that commemorating the 28th anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA) Law, also means remembering the dedicated advocacy of previous Indigenous People (IP) leaders that made it possible. She emphasized that this Law is designed to empower Indigenous Peoples specifically within the Philippine context and that it is imperative for future cultural bearers and IP leaders to prioritize intergenerational knowledge transfer to ensure the continuity of cultural practices for future generations. She also stressed the objective of organizing IP youth within San Luis and expressed her hope that IPs would continue to proudly express their identity and actively preserve their cultural practices.
Hawudon Tumawan Raul Minglana, Municipal Tribal chieftain emphasized the importance of respecting and recognizing their culture, especially in using their own justice system as part of their rights to self-governance and empowerment as IPs.
MLGU San Luis, through Vice Mayor Hon. Ely B. Yecyec, also expressed strong support for Indigenous People, recognizing their foundational role in their culture. He further emphasized the importance of unity in achieving collective aspirations and cultural respect. On behalf of the MLGU, he pledged his full support and advocated for continued active involvement to provide the best possible assistance to the three IP groups in the municipality.
Also present during this event were: members of the Sangguniang Bayan—Louie Lani A. Yecyec, Rian C. Acedo, Andres C. Cullantes Jr., Jinny Minglana, and Ronaldo L. Corvera Jr.,; Demetrio Dejolde Jr. of PSA Provincial Office, Atty. Edumer Bryan Loren from Clerk of RTC Lianga Surigao del Sur (guest speaker for IP Forum), Betcheba Prochina of DepEd San Luis-District Supervisor, Joemar Salmoro of DILG San Luis, RHU San Luis, Municipal Tribal Council led by Hawudon Tumawan Raul Minglana, Bae Kahubadan Ederlina N. Precioso (IP Leader, CADT 250), Katangkawan Wilfredo Napongahan (Banwaon IP leader), Julito T. Gomez (Municipal IPMR), IP leaders and community members of Banwaon/Manobo/Talaandig, Barangay Captains and kagawads. And to the ACCORD with support from BRIDGE project, partner NGO which consistently providing assistance to the IPs in San Luis, was also present during the program.
This celebration highlights the enduring traditions, unity, and resilience of our Indigenous Peoples. The NCIP San Luis Community Service Center stands with our IP brothers and sisters in preserving their culture and building a sustainable and inclusive future.
