RADIANCE BEACON OF FREEDOM
THE
FLAGSHIP OF CHANGE
October 2018 | THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PRESS CORPS OF MAYOR RAMON A. BENJAMIN SR. NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL | Volume 8 No. 1
Dayaw boosts Capiz tourism
Local, int’l IP communities unite to celebrate heritage By PRINCESS NICOLE ALIVAR
To highlight the country’s unique traditional practices and rich cultural expressions, the province of Capiz hosted this year’s “Dayaw”, the Philippine International Indigenous Peoples’ Festival, Oct. 8-10. BESTOWED RITUALS. As a symbolic expression of the warmth of Capiznon’s hospitality, Gov. Antonio A. Del Rosario, assisted by provincial tourism and cultural affairs officer Alphonsos D. Tesoro, bequeaths the ‘halad’ or offering – composed of kakanin made by the locals and a cup of native coffee from local lndigenous Peoples community – to the select national and international dignitaries present on Oct. 8 during the inauguration of the Dayaw Village at Nagba in Cuartero town. (Photo by MARK ANTHONY BAJADA)
25 Aeta kids get early Christmas gifts By ARIES BANGCOYO
From ponkans to pencils. Geared to recognize the Indigenous Peoples at reach, October turned December for the pupils of Heracleo M. Benjamin Elementary School who became the beneficiaries of The Radiance’s early Christmas gifts. Launching its #TakladTagao initiative on Oct. 12, at least 20 student-writers collectively called as “Team Ponkans” painted smiles for some 25 pupils who are mostly members of the Aeta community residing at Mt. Tag-ao located at Tamulalod, Dumarao, Capiz. Publication adviser Philip
NEWS
Barrio school slays Golden Pen
04
Jayson Falcis, said the project aims to provide school supplies particularly reading and writing materials to the Aeta community kids in celebration of the IP’s month which is observed every October. “We have chosen the school for it has many IP kids,” said Falcis adding that “we have prepared 25 sets of school supplies to make it more significant as Christmas is also celebrated on December 25.” Weeks before the outreach date, The Radiance made a campaign from students and teachers by placing a donation box at the school canteen.
AETA | 3
EDITORIAL
CRIES FOR RICE: Sounds of RP’s tummy
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Chosen by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), some 250 participants from 45 IP communities across the Philippines gathered at Roxas City and various towns in Capiz. In the inauguration of the Dayaw Village at Nagba, in Cuartero town, Capiz Governor Antonio A. Del Rosario welcomed national IP representatives, select ASEAN and Asian countries to the various attractions and fascinating array of activities including performances, rituals, traditional cuisine, traditional houses, arts and crafts exhibit and cultural exchanges. “I am happy that Capizeños join hands with our Indigenous People in safeguarding their diverse cultural expressions and these progresses take pride in their efforts to help preserve our IP’s cultural heritage,” said Del Rosario. With the efforts of the provincial government led by tourism and cultural affairs officer Alphonsos D. Teroso, Del Rosario further said Capizeños are working excellently in recognizing their rich cultural heritage and traditions as well as their talents and impressive music, arts, and crafts. “I am proud that the members of our cultural communities mingle freely with the members of our local communities and enjoy for what people to people exchanges”, the governor added. National and international dignitaries witnessed the opening of the village including Virgilio S. Almario, NCCA Chairman and National Artist for Literature; Alam Siam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Trinti Gunarti, Head of Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Indonesia to the Philippines, and; Ni Komang Sandini, Social and Cultural Affairs representative from Indonesia. As a responsive community-based publication, the Municipality of Dumarao tapped The Radiance as one of its local media partners to participate and cover the said event, particularly the opening of the Dayaw village on the first day. With the theme, “Celebrating Heritage of Creative Communities”, cultural communities of the Philippines gazed at the festivity including Panay Bukidnon, and the Aeta community in Mt. Tag-ao in Tamulalod representing the Dumarao town.
FEATURE
STICKS AND STONES: Stories of IP’s Houses
08
DEVELOPMENT
Gibato’s Nirvanic Treasure
12