MABIKAs Foundation, the first Igorot Organization in the Netherlands, has joined the Filipino community in celebrating the 119th Philippine Independence Day. The acronym MABIKAs stands for Mt. Province, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao. The organization was formed in 2016 with the aim of uniting and empowering all Netherlands-based Cordillerans through education and understanding own cultural roots.
Interestingly, what sparked the idea of forming an Igorot organization in the Netherlands was the surprisingly, unexpected meet up of six Igorots during the June 2015 celebration of Philippine Independence Day in The Hague. At that time, Myra Colis (who is now founding chairperson), Renijune Abaya (current vice chairperson), Aida Tingalon (now member of the MABIKAs Advisory Committee), Sophie Lonogan and Lourdes Japson (both are now active members of core & support teams), as well as Michelle Gumatic (sister of Romelita Gumatic, who is currently treasurer of MABIKAs) were the ones who first found each other and were in a bliss, knowing fellow Igorots do exist in the Netherlands! From the 6 came more and so the forming of MABIKAs Foundation, which is currently powered by about 30 active constituents.
These active constituents and members of the MABIKAs core team committed their time to learn more of the Cordillera dance steps and practice for a dance presentation both for the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Spaarnwoude (June 3) and in The Hague (June 10).
The team of 11 MABIKAs performers who were able to make it for the Spaarnwoude event were Myra Colis, Renijune Abaya, Gina Labaguey, Cesar Taguba, Jean Bocarile, Christine Moncado, Minerva Bulong, Tess Gayao, Rachel de Weerd, Mirasol Bocarile and Yvonne Belen.
On June 3rd, MABIKAs joined the booth of fellow MABIKAs constituent Jean Bocarile, who was also there to raise funds for her own Stichting Bocarile. The group enjoyed building camaraderie, while having a picnic, of which everyone bring food to share with the rest. Being there mingling with fellow Igorots and showing up our cultural dances in front of hundreds or even a thousand crowd have definitely attracted other Igorots whom we haven’t met yet to come over and introduce themselves to us.
On June 10th, MABIKAs has also coordinated with the organizers of the Philippine Independence Day celebration in The Hague and, therefore, was able to avail a spot for own tent. Among the 14 performers that day were the same 11 performers on June 3rd plus Joy Tallayo, Aida Tingalon and Lorita Bocarile. Before the dance performance ends, the dancers invited the rest of the audience to join the Cordillera dancing, of which everyone get a taste of ‘tayaw.’
One of the highlights of the June 10th activity was also the ‘boddle fight’ or kamayan, whereby everyone’s share of food were all laid out on a long table covered with banana leaves and everyone enjoyed a real community eating together. As always, the team is also proud having Mercedes Dewalan, who once again shared her beautiful voice by singing one Filipino song and dressed in her Benguet attire.
In both occasions, MABIKAs Chairperson Myra Colis got a chance to speak for the organization and for the Igorot community in general in relation to the celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day.
“Today, we Igorots or Cordillerans join you, our compatriots and friends in the Netherlands, in celebrating the 119th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence,” began Colis as she delivered a statement written by Rev. Cesar Taguba, member of the MABIKAs Advisory Committee, on behalf of MABIKAs and the Igorots in general. “On this particular day, we, the Igorots or Cordillerans are drawing on our experiences in the long anti-colonial struggle to raise our voice and demand for the right to self-determination, defense of their ancestral land and respect.” (See full transcript of statement)
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