In a move to help preserve the culture and tradition of Indigenous People (IP) in Palawan, an IP Festival was held last May 30, 2017 in Barangay Sandoval, Bataraza, Palawan.

The IP Festival was organized by a Multi Stakeholder Group headed by the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) in cooperation with Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. (RTNMC), Kalipunan ng mga Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), Pinag Isang Lakas ng mga Kabataan Lider ng Palawan (PIGLAS), Province of Palawan and the IP Community.

RTNMC, an affiliate of Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), gave its all-out support for the success of the event aimed at preserving the culture and tradition of IPs in Palawan.

During the festival, IPs showed their traditional sports, songs, dances and their culture.

Ana Martha Galindes, ULAP Manager, said the IP Festival was so important because it taught young IPs to preserve their tradition and culture.

“Nakakalungkot isipin dahil marami sa mga kabataang Palawan ay wala ng alam at pagnanais na matutunan ang kanilang mga tradisyonal na laro, sayaw, kanta, ritwal at iba pang gawain kaya importante ang ganitong mga event,” she said.

Galindes also expressed her gratitude to RTNMC for its support in the successful implementation of the project.

“Taos puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa RTNMC for its unwavering support in the implementation of this project. Lalo na, sa pagiging parte ng pagdiririwang at pagtitipon na ito,” she added.

One of the highlights of the festival was the signing of a manifesto indicating support to all the initiatives and programs of Palawan Multi Stakeholder that aim to protect the communities in Bataraza.

Tatay Samidan, an IP from Barangay Sandoval, expressed his thanks to the company by singing the native song lantigue at ending.

“Magandang araw ngayon, kayong mga nandito kami ay nagpapasamalat sa inyo dahil kami ay inyong ginagalang. Kaming mga Palawan ay kasayangan, kami ay mahihirap. Pero dapat tayong mga Palawan iwasan nating ikahiya kung sino tayo dahil tayo ay pinupuntahan at hindi nila tayo binigo,” according to the song’s lyrics.

The song was translated into Filipino with the help of Freddie Tingcatan, an IP in Palawan, who has been working as personal guard at Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) Community Relations (ComRel) Division.

Prizes were also given away to the winners of various native games prepared by Perto Pital, a representative of the IP community.

In addition, RTNMC prepared a short quiz game wherein the questions covered the operation and programs of the company through its Social Development Management Program (SDMP).

RTNMC vowed to continue supporting such kind of activity to help in the protection and preservation of the tradition and culture of IPs in Palawan.