PRESS RELEASE

Remaining true to its mandate, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) protect and promote the interest and well-being of the ICCs/IPs Artisans with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions, and institutions. In partnership with JCI Davao Gulf President Arthur Warren L. Zata, and the Department of Tourism – Region XI together with JCI Manila President Richard B. Lim Jr. and JCI Mandaue 2022 LO President Jude Raymond Solamillo, JCI Diamante EVP Ms. Mary Ann Manalo conducted a two-day cultural trade fair dubbed as YAKAP KATUTUBO: Showcasing the Philippine Culture Bearer Artisans on July 8-9, 2022 at Sotogrande Davao Hotel.

In observance of the Cultural Communities Week, the two-day event showcased the Mindanao Cultural Bearer Artisans from General Santos City, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, and Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. The display of cultural products such as the Tnalak fabrics and clothing from the Tboli communities, tribal attire, and accessories from the Blaans, and the handicrafts from the Manobos and Blaans proved that the Indigenous Cultural Communities have a variety of world-class products to offer.

The highlight of the Yakap Katutubo was the seminar and workshops for our Artisans on how to manage and sustain their Small-Medium Enterprise conducted by the Department of Tourism Region XI Office. The workshop is intended to an develop opportunity to create more sustainable entrepreneurship for our IP communities. While the Lake Sebu’s prime and renowned Tboli performing group, the Helobung Community Dance Troupe, Inc. also performed at the beginning of the program to showcase Tboli arts and culture, especially the performing arts; its proper executions, movements and meanings.

This activity is a continuous effort of NCIP, JCI, and DOT in addressing issues on equity, discrimination, and dispersion of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) as the most authentic way of cultural heritage preservation and promoting the Philippine Cultural Bearer Artisans projects that have a valuable form of grassroots development for the IPs simultaneously serving economic and social goals.

The activity was fully supported by NCIP Ethnographic Commissioner for Central Mindanao Bo-I Jennifer Pia “Limpayen” Sibug-Las, Region XII Director Jeanne Anne Moendeg-Zoilo, South Cotabato Provincial Officer Dra. Nievez Cabije, Sarangani Provincial Officer James Ramirez, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Hon. Edgar Gulada Sambog of South Cotabato Hon. Manuelo Mangalon, IPMR of Alabel, Sarangani, IPS Fulung Vergelio Balco, Hotel Sogo through its Sogo Cares Program, Lake Sebu Mayor Floro Gandam and IPMR Hon. Leo Tang. The Chairperson of the National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC), Atty. Franklin M. Quijano along with his Commissioners, Hon. Reymar Mansilungan and Hon. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III also graced the event showing their appreciation and recognition for IP culture bearers and the first visitors to arrived in the venue.