By Christine Moncado

The Igorot in France headed by Julia Geston, the IFA President are beating the solibao and gongs to send invitations to kakailians living in all parts of Europe and across the sea to come and join them on their First Grand Canao on July 1 and 2, 2017 with the theme: Igorot Migrants: Their contribution to Cultural Awareness. This event marks the 5th year anniversary of Igorot in France. July 1 is the gala night and July 2 is a joint parade with the different Filipino organizations in France.

The sounds of invitation reverberated across the mountains of France to the wide open waters of Holland that brought forth enthusiastic response from the 18 members of the MABIKAs Foundation -The Netherlands headed by the chairperson, Myra Colis, and where everyone donned their cultural attires.

Invited speakers were Ms. Mia Abeya , from USA and the Igorot Global Organisation and Ms.Maria Theresa Lazaro, the Ambassador of France and Monaco.

During the gala night, Ambassador Lazaro gave a very well turned speech and Ms. Mia Abeya gave a very eloquent speech regarding the contributions of Igorot migrants with regards to their contribution to cultural awareness.

Moreover, the candidates from the different provinces of the Cordillera who won during the Search for Ms. Igorot France were presented to the guests.

Ms. Yvonne Belen of ICBE and a member of the MABIKAS gave a birds eye view about the upcoming 10th year ICBE consultation which will be held in the Netherlands in the summer of 2019.

Mr. Edwin Abeya also shared some notes about the IGO and invited everyone to join there event in Hawaii which will be held on August 5 – 8,2018.

The MABIKAs joined in the festivity by rendering a song and a dance number..

The IFA culminated the night by singing Nan Layad Nan Likatanled by Ms.Mia Abeya.

The second day was joint parade of different Filipino, organizations. After the parade, the IFA and the rest of the guests proceeded to for the RAMBAK in a nearby park. In here, the group had lunch and continued with the dancing and playing of gongs. It was a very memorable occasion since it paved the way to a good connection between different Cordillera organizations here in Europe.

The Grand Canao was attended by around 70 individuals coming from the US, Netherlands,Finland,UK, Switzerland,Belgium,Spain, Austria,Italy,Philippines,Ireland, Germany, Lyon and Sweden.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christina T. Moncado is from the kankanaey tribe of Benguet and Tadian. She used to work as a community organizer, community relations officer and a contributing writer with the Northern Dispatch in Baguio City.