By Emmanuel D. Taghoy
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – “The Subanen youth are the hope of the tribe and strength to keep their culture and traditions,” said Pastor Allan B. Mangangot, Zamboanga Peninsula Subanen youth adviser in a statement.
The Subanen tribe has recently formed the Subanen Youth Organization for region 9 during the 1st Subanen Youth Congress held at Roderic’s Resort here recently.
Around 80 participants from Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga City attended the event.
Mangangot said the gathering of the Subanen youth from all provinces in the region proved the oneness and unity of the Subanen people in the area.
“Through the youth, the Subanen culture, beliefs, and traditions will continue to flourish and grow,” he said.
He even shared that the Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) including those in Misamis Occidental as the real Mindanaoans who had historically never been seized nor enslaved by other groups.
“As modernization flourishes, the Subanen Tribe grows as well, keeping intact its values and customs.”
According to Mr. Louie P. Lanaja, field coordinator of ZamPen Subanen youth, the youth gathering was a vehicle for change and transformation for the Subanen Tribe.
He said the activity was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the National Indigenous Peoples Commission (NCIP), Global Subanen Association (GSA), and the Zamboanga Sibugay NCIP Provincial Coordinator Princess “Bae Labi” Sonita Ryde.
