09/08/2026
Maayong adlaw kanatong tanan!
To our respected Barangay Officials, fellow Indigenous Peoples leaders, elders, brothers and sisters, members of our Subanen community, our youth, and to everyone who joins us today, a warm and respectful greeting to all of you.
Today, as we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, we gather not only to celebrate who we are, but also to remember where we came from, honor our ancestors, and look forward to a future where our Indigenous communities continue to thrive.
As your Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative and Gukom, it is both an honor and a responsibility for me to stand before you and speak on behalf of our Indigenous Peoples.
Our identity as Subanen is not simply a name. It is a heritage handed down to us by our ancestors. It is found in our traditions, our language, our customary practices, our clothing, our music, our stories, and most importantly, in the values that teach us to respect our elders, protect our community, and care for our land.
Ang atong kultura dili angay kalimtan. Ang atong pinulongan dili angay mawala. Ang atong tradisyon dili angay pasagdan.
As Indigenous Peoples, we have a very important role in preserving our identity. And this responsibility does not belong only to our elders. It belongs to all of us, especially to our young generation.
To our IP youth, I encourage you to learn about your roots. Ask your grandparents about our history. Learn our language. Understand our customs. Wear our traditional attire with pride. Participate in cultural activities. And never be ashamed of being Indigenous.
Because being Indigenous is not something we should hide.
It is something we should proudly carry.
As your IPMR, I will continue to advocate for the recognition, protection, and promotion of the rights and welfare of our Indigenous Peoples. I will continue to listen to the concerns of our community and bring your voices to the proper offices and institutions.
As Gukom, I also recognize the importance of our customary laws, peaceful dialogue, respect, and unity in resolving conflicts within our community.
Let us remember that our strength does not come from one person alone.
Our strength comes from unity.
When our elders, leaders, women, men, youth, and children stand together, our community becomes stronger.
Let us also work hand in hand with our Barangay Government, Municipal Government, NCIP, and other agencies so that the rights and welfare of our Indigenous Peoples will continue to be recognized and protected.
To our Barangay officials, thank you for recognizing the importance of Indigenous Peoples in our community. May we continue to build a barangay where our culture is respected, our voices are heard, and our rights are protected.
And to my fellow Subanen brothers and sisters:
Dili nato kalimtan kung kinsa kita.
Let us continue to preserve our culture.
Let us teach our children.
Let us respect our elders.
Let us protect our ancestral heritage.
And let us continue moving forward while carrying the wisdom and traditions of those who came before us.
On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, let us celebrate not only our differences, but also the unity that connects us.
Padayon kita sa pagbarog isip usa ka komunidad.
Padayon kita sa pagpreserba sa atong kultura.
Padayon kita sa pagpanalipod sa atong katungod.
Ug padayon kita sa paglambo isip mga Indigenous Peoples.
May our ancestors continue to guide us.
May our traditions continue to live.
May our youth continue to carry our heritage.
And may our community remain united, peaceful, and strong.
Mabuhay ang Indigenous Peoples!
Mabuhay ang Subanen!
Mabuhay ang Barangay Tinaytayan!
Daghang salamat, ug maayong National Indigenous Peoples Day kanatong tanan!
Madayaw nga adlaw sa atong tanan!
