Proud Igorota working at Malacanang calls on educators to come up for better ways to depict IPs

Photo Courtesy || Marie Rafael-Banaag

Cordillera - Presidential Communications Operation Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Marie Rafael-Banaag takes a stand concerning cultural sensitivity and has called on concerned agencies to come up with  better ways to depict Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the country. 

“We call on publishers, writers, fellow workers in government, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the National Commission on Indigenous People to work on better ways in coming up with how different indigenous peoples are depicted. And, making our children understand and appreciate the cultural sensitivities of each tribe, not only for us but for other indigenous groups," PCOO Assistant Secretary Banaag said via PNA.

Banaag took her stand on the issue of the Igorots being misrepresented in some of DepEd learning modules.

She said, Igorots are people born in the Cordilleras who come from the different tribes and of ethnic ancestry but are neither barbaric nor ignorant that other people have in their minds.

Banaag who hails from Mt. Province said Igorots have high pride of their ancestry and respect for elders. 

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“I was raised by my parents who take pride in who they are as a people. We grew up listening to stories of bravery and honor of our forefathers. We grew up learning our native dances and respecting our rituals. More than anything, we were taught the value of giving due respect to our elders and take pride in every sacrifice they have gone through,” she said.

“I am proud of my roots, my tribe and the people I call ‘kailyan’ (town mates) and we attach our lives to the land we and/or our ancestors lived and had toiled. We are just proud, no whys,” she added.