PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS CULTURES PROMOTED DURING
NATIONAL HERITAGE MONTH
Around 50 members of the Filipino community in Cambodia were treated to an enjoyable morning of discovering the rich diversity of Philippine culture when they attended the “TAOID: A Seminar-Workshop on Philippine Indigenous Culture” held at the Embassy’s Multipurpose Hall on 18 May 2019, as part of its celebration of National Heritage Month (NHM). Taoid is the Ilokano word for “shared heritage.”
The seminar-workshop was conducted by Dr. Edwin Antonio, Founder and President of the Katutubo Exchange Philippines. Katutubo Exchange Philippines is a volunteer organization of youth and cultural workers who advocate for the promotion of indigenous culture, traditional arts, and cross-cultural understanding among adults and children.
Noting that the theme of this year’s NHM is “Mga Pinuno Para sa Pamana,” Consul General Myca Fischer, in her welcome remarks, challenged the audience to take the lead in preserving and promoting their cultural heritage. “As we live outside the Philippines, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to promote and share the cultural heritage of the Philippines, both tangible and intangible, among us and with others. Through this seminar-workshop, we hope to equip you to take on this challenge.”
During the event, Dr. Antonio showed interesting videos and documentaries on the Philippines’ cultural heritage and traditions. He then briefed the audience about the various indigenous peoples in the Philippines and taught them how to read and write Baybayin. The seminar-workshop was interactive and included demonstrations of indigenous games and the wearing of several indigenous attires.
The half-day event was thoroughly enjoyed by the participants. “Dr. Antonio did a fantastic job of bringing everything to life. The interaction, games, writing exercises and dress-up were so enjoyable. The latter was the highlight for me though. Not only were the clothes intricately done, they also hold very special meanings. What touched me the most about that activity was seeing our kababayans from different regions help each other correctly put on different attires. I felt that such gesture was their way of taking ownership and spontaneously responding to a point raised during the discussion: a need to help create awareness and bridge understanding about our own indigenous people and culture. The whole experience was just so meaningful and special,” said Jean Guittap, an author of children’s books and an English teacher.
Dr. Antonio’s itinerary in Phnom Penh also included a seminar-workshop for students of the American University of Phnom Penh. For many of the students, it was their first time to learn about the indigenous culture of the Filipinos. END
