The three-day Indigenous Peoples (IP) Games organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) successfully concluded on Sunday in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, marking unity and camaraderie among participants.
The PSC coordinated the Oct. 10 to 12 games with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Agusan del Norte provincial government.
“Unity, camaraderie and cultural pride were in full display at the IP Games Mindanao leg,” the provincial government said in a statement on Monday.
Around 350 players from various IP communities in Agusan del Norte participated in the competition, which proceeded despite the series of strong tremors that affected most parts of Mindanao, including the Caraga region.
Despite the tremors, 11 municipalities sent their respective delegations to the IP Games, showcasing their skills, talents, and determination to win in every competition.
The IP players came from the three main tribal groups in the province, which are the Manobo, Mamanwa, and Higaonon. They competed in 10 traditional games—Pintik, Takyang, Bangkaw, Bika-bika, Bagud, Indigenous Race, Tug of War, Fire Making, Lubok-Humay, and Palosebo.
The municipality of Las Nieves emerged as the overall champion, with Cabadbaran City declared second, Nasipit in third place, Carmen in fourth, and the host town, Buenavista, in fifth place.
The winning towns received prizes ranging from PHP60,000 to PHP15,000, along with giveaways from the PSC and the DepEd.
Agusan del Norte Governor Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante, together with Buenavista Mayor Joselito Roble and PSC Executive Assistant Joselito Cinco led the closing ceremonies on Sunday.
In her message, Amante thanked the IP delegates from the different areas in the province, especially the tribal leaders, for their active participation in the event.
She also acknowledged the collaborations between the provincial government and the PCS, as well as with DepEd and NCIP, which contributed to the success of the IP Games. (PNA)
