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Posted: October 13, 2006 |
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Cordillera youth in Manila celebrate Tribal Filipino Week |
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ACTION ALERTS & UPDATES: Continuing harrassment and surveillance of CPA staff Justice for Rafael Markus Bangit! Justice to all victims of state terrorism MAY 2006 Updates on the surveillance and threats to Cordillera political activists APRIL2006 Updates on the surveillance and threats to Cordillera political activists |
October 12, 2006, Metro Manila Some Cordillera youth held several activities here in Metro Manila last Saturday, October 7. These were done in observance of the Tribal Filipino Sunday which is scheduled yearly during the second Sunday of October. This year, the Cordillera youth in Metro Manila celebrated this at the St. Andrew’s Theological Seminary where there is a concentration of Cordillerans. The activities conducted included a film showing, a prayer service and a solidarity night. The first part of the celebration was the viewing of four documentaries that featured burning issues in the region. This commenced at about 2:00 in the afternoon. The first to be shown was Sabidong ti Balitok or “Toxic Gold”. This is about the adverse effects of the operations of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company which first put up mines in Mankayan, Benguet in 1936. The film emphasized the impacts of Lepanto’s operations to the land and resources in Mankayan and nearby municipalities. It also related how the Abra River, an extensive river was polluted and endangered by the mines. The other three documentaries that followed relate the sad story about the brutal and relentless killings committed against Cordilleran activists and advocates to the Cordillera peoples struggle for the right to ancestral land and self determination. One of these films was a tribute to Kalinga pangat and activist Rafael Markus Bangit. Bangit was shot in Isabela by unidentified armed men. The other documentary is in honor of Alyce Omengan Claver, who also resides in Kalinga who was ambushed by armed men. She was with her husband Dr. Constancio “Chandu” Claver in the attacked vehicle but the doctor and their daughter survived the attack. The third film regarding political killings pays tribute to those who died serving the cause of indigenous peoples in the Cordillera. Aside from Markus and Alyce, this film also gave honors to Cordillera advocates like Romy Sanchez, Pepe Manegdeg and Albert Terredano. The film showing was followed by a short open forum. This was the time when the statement of the Children of the Cordillera was read. The statement called upon the Cordillera youth in Metro Manila to be more active in education and information dissemination of Cordillera issues especially mining and killings. It also relates CHICO’s stand regarding these issues. At around 5:00, a liturgical celebration was held at the SATS chapel. Here, the Cordillera youth offered prayers for the Cordillera cause in defending their land life and resources. Prayers also were said in veneration of Cordillera martyrs whose lives were sacrificed in the service of the Cordillera people. The concluding activity for the celebration was a solidarity night where participants had dinner, sang songs, played games and shared some messages. Reference: |