By Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA CITY - A respected indigenous people (IP) elder in Zamboanga encouraged the youth belonging to various tribes in the city to change the stereotype the public has about them.
Dr. Tuan Raja Agong, a leader of the Sama Badjao here lamented that other groups perceive them negatively. “Sinasabi nila, IP ka lang, ignorante, walang pinag-aralan.” (They say that if you are an IP, you are ignorant and have no education.)
“But just like any other people, we have the potential to achieve more. It does not mean that if you are an IP, you have no potential,” Dr. Agong told the 28 youth participants to a journalism seminar here conducted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Embassy of the United States.
“Huwag kayong magtago, huwag kayong mahiya (Don’t hide and don’t be shy),” Dr. Agong exclaimed. “This is the time for our youth to stand up and be proud of their heritage.”
Meanwhile, NCIP-IX Regional Director Timuey Woy Lim P. Wong told the participants that it is only through “education that we can compete.”
Director Wong shared that during his days as a student, he was very shy and hesitant to speak in front of people, mainly because of his feeling of “inferiority.” But through inspiration from a teacher of his, he learned to cope with insecurities, studied hard and worked hard eventually reaching his current position.
“The journalism seminar that we are conducting aims to hone and develop your talents so you can go back to your communities and be the voices of the IPs to other people,” said Director Wong.
The NCIP looks forward to developing a newsletter focused on IP issues and development, with the youth comprising the pool of writers. The IP students also elected officers for the IP youth for climate change mitigation and adaptation movement as follows: President – Robert Aroman, Vice President – Mumar Ibbin, Secretary – Raffy Daud, Treasurer – Zildjian Eduard Dulaca, Project Managers – Mohammad Jibrimar Sandag, Amraida Tangkapa, and PIO – Saddam Omar.
