Some 35 indigenous peoples (IP) clusters will converge in this city for the Dayaw 2025, the Philippine IP Festival, from Oct. 7 to 9.

Led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the festival will feature three days of performances, forums and discourse, community outreach, and an overall celebration of the IP Month.

“People are anticipating the celebration of MassKara Festival in October, and they will also see a very colorful display of our culture during the Dayaw,” NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano said in a press conference at L’ Fisher Hotel here on Wednesday.

Participants from the Northern Cultural Communities are the clusters of Iloko Bago, Pangasinan, Ga’dang, Bugkalot, Ivatan, Kapampangan, Kalinga, Kalanguya, Ibaloy/Kankanaey, and Balangao.

Those joining from the Central Cultural Communities are the clusters for Palawani/Jama Mapun/Molbog, Pala’wan/Tagbanua, Rombloanon, the Ati of Iloilo/Guimaras, Ati of Antique, Ati of Negros Occidental, Panay Bukidnon, Ilonggo/Hiligaynon, Boholano, Waray, and Dumagat Remontado.

Coming from the Southern Cultural Communities are the Yakan, Sama Banguingui, Manobo, Bagobo Klata, Mandaya, T’boli/Ubo, Blaan/Sangir, Mamanwa, Agusanon Manobo, Maranao, Maguindanao/Iranon, Teduray/Erumanen, Tausug, and Subanen.

A parade starting at the Bago City gymnasium will kick off the activities on Oct. 7, followed by a recognition of participating communities.

A special forum on “Future Proofing Dayaw and the Indigenous Cultural Communities” will highlight the opening day events alongside performances of indigenous communities.

On Oct. 8, a series of community outreach events in select locations will be held in the towns of Don Salvador Benedicto and Binalbagan, as well as the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Talisay, and Kabankalan.

The three-day celebration will cap with an Inclusive Governance Forum on Listening to Indigenous Experiences, with stakeholders from various sectors and representatives from various government agencies.

The Dayaw 2025, themed “Habi ng Kultura, Yaman ng Kinabukasan” or “Weaving Culture, Enriching Future,” seeks to facilitate knowledge and skill-sharing towards mainstream IP system and education pedagogy, support IP youth contributions in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, and further raise awareness on the sustainable development of the IP and their communities. (PNA)