Boracay Tumandoks' Strive for IP Recognition

What are the chances?

By: Gil delos Santos

The Bukidnon Indigenous Cultural Communities of Boracay (Bukidnon ICCs) - is a group of Tumandoks seeking recognition as Indigenous Peoples in the island - in which, celebrated its 5th founding anniversary today, February 10, 2024 held at "what they call" Pinaungon Tribal Hall in Barangay Balabag. 

In attendance is the highest authority from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Secretary Jennifer Pia Sibug-las herself. Tagged along are the various NCIP commissioners and Engineer Edgar Labordo, who represented the Western Visayas Regional Director, Ana P. Burgos.

It was my first formal appearance to join a gathering of this sort in Boracay. It has always been my desire to hear, observe, and understand the whole story of the movement. 

Coming to the event, I brought no expectations. I was there only to comply an insistent invitation from relatives whom some happen to hold a position in the organization.

The program of activity starts with a welcome presentation of a Babaylan Ritual conducted by one of the two remaining Babaylans in the island. Dāgâ was performed to show the visitors the tradition in making "Alay" to spare the community from harm. A live pig is offered while oration is given by the babaylan. 

The good NCIP Secretary then give her message - highlighting the life of her father, a Datu in Mindanao, who among the IP pioneers who stirred the government to set policies to protect the rights of the indigenous peoples in the Philippines decades ago.

Facing the crowd of mostly women elders whose in red batik costumes, Secretary Sibug-las is welcomed by a loud clap as she approaches the audience. As a reaction, she joked if what the clap means for the community...as hand claps in their tribe is a signal to call for dogs to hunt. She queried if there's a traditional word or phrase that is being used to show praise or affirmation. One lady from the audience said, "yehey". It seemed modern to her so she suggested to use "yesen" - a word their tribe uses. The acclamation for the entire talk sounded "yesen" from the audience.

Witnessing all this, I start to critic my mind if there's really some authentic traditional expressions that, we, tumandoks have as a distinction. That's one cultural value I question its existence (in my mind).

Going to the next speaker, Engineer Labordo of the NCIP Regional Office; he deliberated the rights of the IPs based on the Indigenous Peoples Right Act (IPRA) more than what I expect to be a presentation of the requirements for IP recognition as he expressed on the opening statement that part of their visit is a procedure of validation for IP certification.

Noting from his talk, I have listed key points that brought me to realize the difficulty or impossibility of achieving the community's clamor for IP recognition or certification from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. 

1) CONTINOUSLY LIVE AS AN ORGANIZED COMMUNITY.

To be able to pass this requirement, communities should be in a common and governed place where they practice the old traditions and practices - some sort of an ancestral domain where the century old traditions still exists, where; for instance, DATUs are known Datu, not a self-proclaimed Datu of the moderm time.

2) HOMOGENEOUS COMMUNITY.

There should be cultural integrity or factual record or evidence of the origin that can be traced back linking to the Bukidnon bloodline.

3) TRIBAL LIFESTYLE.

Looking at the current state of Boracay, this seems inexistent. No hunting ground, no hunting activities. Even the "Panagda" tradition for All-Souls Day aren't practiced anymore, and others.

3) ORIGINAL SPOKEN LANGUAGE.

The Boracaynon dialect is a mix of Hiligaynon, Karay-a, and Aklanon. 

4) BURIAL GROUND.

I only know public cemeteries, nothing specific for IP communities.

These impressions are taken from today's event. IP certifications is mostly paperworks. In case the papers can qualify the requirements, the question is that: Can we really live the IP ways, practices, and traditions in Boracay given the realities of the present time?

Though we know how detrimental to have our inherited land taken away from us, NCIP recognition is not the solution to the problem. NCIP is bound by rules and regulations. Individual private properties are categorized outside the IP ancestral lands.

I am all for the support to preserve our local traditions, cultures, and practices. I am all for the protection of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples. I am in genuine support of the Bukidnon Indigenous Cultural Communities of Boracay. My only hope for us is that we remain pure with all our intentions.