The Ulnoh ni Kalanguya, an organization representing members of this Indigenous Peoples (IP) tribe, is set celebrate IP month with various sets of activities.
In a courtesy call to the Office of Benguet Vice Governor Johnny D. Waguis, who was served as former president of the group, leaders and elders heading the organization presented their proposed activities to celebrate the upcoming IP Month, of which the aim is to create and make a solid mark for the acceptance and recognition of the Kalanguya Identity and to make Kalanguya as the center post of culture and beyond.
It is recalled that the month of October was declared by Proclamation No. 1906, s. 2009 as National Indigenous Peoples Month. The proclamation, signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 5, 2009, stated that the celebration is declared in the context of the Philippine indigenous peoples’ rights and the preservation of indigenous cultural communities as part of the life of the nation.
The event, dubbed Kalanguya Octoberfest, is tentatively set on October 26, 2019 and includes a musical and literary competition, a Kalanguya inspired concert, a sportsfest, a fun run, a Mr. and Ms. Pageant, and a Kalanguya Canao. The Fun run will open the celebratory happenings while a mass will usher the concert where the final portions and announcement of winners of the Mr. and Ms. Kalanguya will also take place.
According to Roderick Pacuyan, the event coordinator, the participants of the competitions and contests will be mostly from Benguet and Baguio but to Kalanguyas from other provinces and regions have an open invitation to join the events, noted most especially was the Mr. and Ms. Kalanguya pageant.
On his part, Waguis thanked the officers for the courtesy call and informed the group that a representative from Kalanguya is set to take possession of the Benguet Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) on 2020 in accordance with the proposed rotation of tribal groups in holding this office. The IPMR is being elected every three years
Boardmenber Sario Copas, who represents the Kankan-eys, is the current Benguet IPMR. He took his oath to office on December, 2017. He succeeded Blas Dalus, who represented the Ibalois.
The Benguet Chapter of the Ulnoh ni Kalanguya is currently headed by Recto Alawas, who couldn’t attend the courtesy call as he was out of the country.
By: Armando M. Bolislis