UMMONG: Celebrating Cultural Diversity, Strengthening Cultural Sensitivity

?UMMONG?, an Ilokano term for ?gather? happened today at Nueva Vizcaya State University to celebrate togetherness of the different ethnolinguistic groups in the university.

The ?Ummong,? which aimed to celebrate cultural diversity and raise awareness to strengthen cultural sensitivity in the academe, is the university?s culmination activity of the Indigenous Peoples Month Celebration.

The event commenced with a community theatre featuring a Bugkalot dance performed by selected Ilongot/Bugkalot students, a Kalanguya dance performed by the Kalanguya Student Organization, and an Ifugao dance performed by the Ifugao Student Organization. The performances were capped off with a community dance participated by all student participants.

Prof. Romana P. Dulnuan, Director of Culture and the Arts, stated the rationale of activity and highlighted the importance of the event in celebrating harmony in cultural diversity.

Dr. Jonar I. Yago, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training encouraged the students to promote their own ethnolinguistic groups through implementation of programs and activities which will showcase their own beliefs, customs, and traditions. In his message, he also highlighted how the university commits to deliver quality and equitable access to education through plans of increasing the number of scholars, and protect the rights of each IP student through university policies and programs.

Afterward, an IP dance was performed and participated by university officials led by the Ifugao Student Organization.

One of the highlights of the event is the showcasing of the rich material culture of each ethnolinguistic group (Bugkalot, Kalanguya, and Ifugao) to raise cultural awareness. Student representatives of each group discussed the meaning and importance of their material culture such as clothing, accessories, and instruments.

To celebrate togetherness, the IP students also participated in Laro ng Lahi (Ay-ayam din Kanaman) and enjoyed an indigenous feast and shared ?watwat? or slices of boiled pork.

In the afternoon, a symposium on Indigenous rights were conducted to raise awareness about cultural sensitivity.

The event was organized by the NVSU office of the Culture and Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Department, in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

This was also made possible by the steering committee?s collaboration with the following organizations: Kalanguya Student Organization, Ifugao Student Organization, Association of Social Science Enthusiasts, League of Culture, Arts, and Physical Education Students, and the Northern Campus Supreme Student Council.