(A message written and delivered by MABIKAs Founding Chaiperson, Myra Colis, during the Cultural Night of the 10th ICBE Conference held in Amsterdam on July 27, 2019)

“Great things come from small beginnings,” says a Finnish proverb.
But “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,” says
educator Helen Keller. “For the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself
in the service of others,” says change maker Mahatma Gandhi. These are
three of my favorite words of wisdom that I find so fitting to describe what
have been achieved so far as individuals, as Cordillerans in Europe, as Igorot
organizations, and as a thriving tribe of indigenous people.

For ICBE to have reached almost 20 years of existence and ten consultations or conferences during these times is a great pride of the tribe. It is a living proof of the wonderful things that can be accomplished when people are united with one goal, fueled by that genuine desire to make things happen and serve others for the betterment of the community we live in. My biggest and sincerest thanks and appreciation go to all our elders and leaders who came ahead of us. Thank you so much for paving the way for us, younger generations, to continuously enjoy our access to our indigenous roots… no matter how globalized and modernized the world around us has become.

Having been given the opportunity to establish MABIKAs Foundation (as well as other entrepreneurial and/or charitable initiatives), I understand fully well how challenging it must be to build up the ICBE platform. But YOU, our elders and leaders, did it! YOU ALL, who took the time and showed up during the past ICBE gatherings, did it! It was your time, your talents, your skills, your efforts and your presence that made it all together possible for us to reach to this point— this moment when we can celebrate the 17th year of ICBE, the 10th series of ICBE consultations, and more to come! Sala-salamat unay kadakayo.

Hence, it is my utmost hope and desire that we too, the younger generations of the indigenous people from the Philippine Cordillera region, can and shall keep the fire burning… that we all, the Igorots, shall keep our indigenous identities alive wherever we go, in whatever we do, and whoever we may become from today onwards. For there is nothing greater as our survival means in this globalized and highly advanced world than staying true to who we are. The more progressive our societies become, the more we should keep on living and preserving the values that have been taught to us by our forefathers— the values of unity, strength, courage, integrity, commitment, and learning. The more globalized our world become, the more we should stay enthusiastically eager in developing ourselves to become contributors of peace and progress, while keeping our indigeneity or Igorotness sustainable.

On behalf of all the pioneers, volunteers and leaders at MABIKAs Foundation- The Netherlands, I wish everyone who are present during this 4-day conference a truly wonderful time! Thank you so much for this opportunity to host the 10th ICBE conference, and thank you very much for joining us, for supporting us, and for being there with us— in person and/or in spirit! Mabi-MABIKAs tayo amin!