Dear Cordi-Bel,
On behalf of us all at MABIKAs Foundation, I would like to express how grateful we are to all of you for having us in Brussels on May 12 & 13, 2018. Thank you so much for warmly welcoming us like your own brothers and sisters with your superb hospitality and accommodation. Our hearts are full of appreciation and thanks for the valuable time, efforts and indigenous knowledge and skills that you’ve generously shared with us that Saturday. To top it all off, the food you have lovingly prepared are delicious! So thank you, thank you, and thank you, leaders and members of Cordi-Bel!
As my fellow MABIKAs constituents have said, we have learned a lot from the cultural workshop.
“I learned the details of wearing the tapis. It was a very interesting weekend,” said Beth de Wolf, one active member of MABIKAs Support Team.
“I wasn’t aware that there is really a right way to make the costume or the attire of an Igorot or Cordilleran,” added Michelle Gumatic, a MABIKAs supporter. “It is really nice to learn more about these.”
“I didn’t imagine that one day I will be learning how to play the gongs to the rhythm of Ballangbang since I thought that only men beat the gongs. However in learning to to do so, we women did,” continued Yvonne Belen, member of MABIKAs Advisory Committee. “It is during the gong-playing workshop that I realized there are two ‘lead’ gong players, who exchange sounds to create the rhythm. Without the two lead gong players, the rhythm is out of tune and women couldn’t dance to an ‘out-of-tune’ rhythm. I also learned there are ‘helper’ gong players and this is what I trained myself for. The gong is smaller and beating is less complicated.”
There begins the learning and teaching, starting off with the Ballangbang dance and gong playing.
Some of us have also learned for the first time what our dance steps really meant, and that is one mission accomplished that day!
“Nasayaat ta uray nu ada kayo ditoy abroad, enthusiastic kayo lata nga agadal panggep ti nagapuan tayo. Uray siak nga ammo-ammo na ag Bendian dance ket tattak lang naamuan ti kusto nga meaning na dagidiay steps kas kuma nu ‘inushungan’ gayam diay ket it means protection,” says my mom Cora Colis, who came here for a 3-month visit. She added that the experience has given her the motivation and interest to indeed dig dipper about the meanings of our Igorot dance steps.
MABIKAs’ turn to share, dancing the Bendian dance while explaining what the different dance steps mean.
If you remember, we also have a non-Igorot guest from Syria, and he too shared his deep appreciation for what you’ve done for us all that day. In a reflection shared by Sam Saad, he said:
Sam Saad learning how to play the gong.
“I am deeply impressed by the Igorot cultural fiesta I could witness and be part of. It was a fruitful bonding between MABIKAs Foundation-The Netherlands and Cordillera Community in Belgium (Cordi-Bel). It’s amazing that the young generation of Igorots are still willing to stay faithful to their roots and keep the traditions and the culture of their ancestors alive and that the elders are willing to teach them the Igorot traditional dances and playing the Igorot musical instruments. These efforts were met with respect and dedication to their roots wherever they live and whoever they become. Be proud you’re Igorot!”
As for me, I do find the cultural workshop a valuable contribution towards our mission of preserving our indigenous knowledge. That 2-day activity is uplifting and inspiring in many ways because despite of all our differences, we can actually be united by one thing: understanding and learning more about our roots.
I believe many of us who came also shared the same reflection as what MABIKAs Treasurer Renijune Abaya wrote:
“Our trip to Brussels is now listed as one of my most memorable event that MABIKAs have ever experienced. I have learned more about our own culture. That evening was very educative and happy. I am glad to learn the proper gong playing. Though we were all learning, as manong Ric has said, I become more eager to master most of it. Though we were not allowed to touch the gongs when we were young, it is just automatic that we learn fast. It’s in our blood. I also learned and appreciate the dance steps. It looks easy but actually it’s not. Practice is really needed.”
And yes, your CHICO team is inspiring! CHIldren of the COrdillera indeed! We admire them so much for embracing who they are and their rich cultural heritage! Having that youth group of actively involved second-generation Igorots to get involved is something we at MABIKAs would also like to emulate. Thank you for the inspiration!
The amazing CHICOs!
Speaking of which, our youngest ‘delegate’ 7-year old Umudi van den Bos also gladly shared his impression by saying, “It was good and I liked it very much. It was fun playing hide and seek.”
Before I close our heartfelt letter of thanks to you Cordi-Bel, MABIKAs would like to specially thank Marivonne Cuyob for booking our stay at Train Hostel and for further extending her time and leading us to the ins and outs of Brussels. Marivonne, you are amazing! Our Sunday city tour in Brussels wouldn’t be as enjoyable and smooth as it was without you.
Before heading on our way to the venue of the cultural workshop, we kicked off with a group picture taken right next to Train Hostel where we stayed for the evening.
Like what Umudi (one of our CHICO) further said, “Our trip to Brussels was beautiful. The Atomium is big!” And as manang Yvonne added, “Our group of 19 persons would have been unable to go to several places using the public transport if not for Marivonne being our guide.”
At the Atomium, a landmark building in Brussels, originally constructed for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.
There’s really much to be thankful for for that weekend. It was truly a blessing to have met you all in person. Thank you so much, dear manong Ric Cuyob, for the very informative workshop. Your welcoming talk is inspiring and the background information you have all prepared and shared with us before learning the dances and playing the gongs are all greatly appreciated. Also thank you Sherwin Khayad, Loren Puguon, and Peter Agnaonao for patiently teaching us how to play the gongs.
To you all Cordi-Bel leaders, committed members, and all who worked behind the scene to make this May 12-13, 2018 a remarkable weekend for us (you know who you are), dakkel unay nga iyaman mi kadakayo. Thank you so much to those who have cooked and prepared for our meals. Ni Apo Dios ti mangsubalit iti kina-imbag yu amin kadakami. Without you, our going back to the Netherlands with joyful and super satisfied hearts won’t be possible!
Last but not the least, I would like to also express our CALL-TO-ACTION especially for us all Igorots and Cordillerans- both at home and abroad- it’s never too late to get involved, learn and understand where we came from. Only when you do it that you will realize how much you are missing when you don’t. As MABIKAs Board member Tessie Gayao have shared in her reflection:
“This cultural learning experience between MABIKAs and Cordi-Bel is indeed enjoyable. Back home in the Philippines, I haven’t tried dancing ‘tayaw’ during canao. I’m simply watching. Never ak nakijojoin iti daytoy. Sunga agyamanak unay iti daytoy nga opportunity nangruna kadakami nga ada abroad. Only this time that I have also realized how excited everyone is to learn and to teach, to pass and to receive. Ituloy tuloy tayo ngarud kuma ti kastoy.”
Hence, consider yourselves privileged, CHICOs of Cordi-Bel as well as you all, fellow Igorots, Cordillerans or indigenous people back home in the Cordillera. You are so lucky to have first-hand resources to learn from. Grab every opportunity you have to get involved, talk to our elders, understand why they do what they do, and most of all, keep our dances and cultural awareness alive!
Matago-tago tayo ngarud amin!
Toy nanumo nga Founding Chairperson of MABIKAs Foundation,
On behalf of us all at MABIKAs, especially us 19 who came, who saw and who learned to play the gongs…
From left to right standing: Umudi van des Bos, Tom de Weerd, Doris Wilson, Leticia de Jong, Gina Lagayman, Christine Moncado, Tessie Gayao, Cora Colis, Janet Barcena, Beth de Wolf, Sam Saad, and Yvonne Belen. Sitting down from left to right: Fe Ciriaco, Romelita Gumatic, Myra Colis, Marivonne Cuyob, Maridel Gayao, Michelle Gumatic, Renijune Abaya, and Rachel de Weerd.
