NVSU honors indigenous culture, traditions in 'Ummong' 2024

In celebration of the 2024 Indigenous Peoples Month and the 27th Commemoration of the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA), Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups from across Nueva Vizcaya gathered for the UMMONG event with the theme, "Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan, at Parangalan" held simultaneously at the Bayombong and Bambang campuses of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU), Oct. 22, 2024.

Participated in by various student IP organizations, Sangguniang Bayan members, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) from different municipalities, and representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the event aims to honor and preserve the cultural heritage of IPs in Nueva Vizcaya, particularly in NVSU.

The celebration featured key invited speakers, including Mr. Flodemonte Gerdan, who represented Madam Ruth R. Padilla, and Hon. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, Congresswoman, Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya.

In his message, University President Dr. Wilferdo A. Dumale Jr. emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the strong presence of the IP community within the university.

“We cannot afford not to celebrate the IP Month Celebration because we recognize the strong presence of our IP community in NVSU. In fact, one of the marching orders of the administration is for our student IP groups to organize themselves into recognized student organizations in the university because there are a lot of projects and program activities that can be done by our IP student organizations,” Dr. Dumale stated.

The President also highlighted NVSU’s ongoing collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the StudyPH program, which aims to preserve the songs, dances, chants, and culinary traditions of the province’s IP groupe by working closely with them.

“Alam nyo po ang unibersidad ay mayroong isang malaking proyekto kung saan ang grupo ng StudyPH team led by sir Boie Tumaneng, is connecting with communities. ‘Yong mga heritage, cultural practices lalo na yung songs, dances ay ma-pe-preserve at mado-document natin,” he explained.

He further highlighted the importance of respect for cultural heritage, noting that NVSU is committed to promoting an inclusive environment and recognized the role of elders in preserving and passing down cultural knowledge.

As part of the festivities, the President reiterated the need to raise awareness of Nueva Vizcaya’s cultural richness by documenting and celebrating IPs’ cultures and by preserving the cultural heritage of the province.

Completing the celebration were the opening of booths showcasing various products, a gastronomic segment led by the College of Human Ecology, where different groups proudly presented their unique delicacies, “Laro ng Lahi” and Bugan ya Wigan, a showcase of beauty and wit.