BIMAAK

NATIONAL HEROES DAY 2023

Macli-ing Dulag symbolizes unwavering courage and dedication, deserving of recognition on National Heroes Day. As a Kalinga tribal leader and activist, he valiantly championed the rights of his people against the encroaching forces of progress and exploitation. Dulag's heroic legacy is rooted in his resolute stand against the Chico River Dam project in the 1980s, which threatened to displace his community and disrupt their lives.

Dulag's commitment to his people's well-being was unyielding, as he fearlessly challenged powerful corrupt entities to protect their ancestral lands and preserve their cultural heritage. Despite facing immense pressure and personal risks, he courageously championed their concerns through protests, advocacy, and community organizing. His leadership ignited a movement that united Kalinga and other Cordilleran provinces, illustrating the power of collective action against injustice.

Tragically, Dulag paid the ultimate price when he was assassinated in 1980, an act intended to silence his voice but only served to amplify his cause. His death galvanized the nation, sparking outrage and a renewed commitment to defending indigenous rights. Macli-ing Dulag's legacy inspires contemporary activists and leaders to stand up for justice, equality, and the preservation of cultural identities.

On this National Heroes Day, we honor his memory and the legacy of his selfless determination that has left an indelible mark on our nation's history.

CALLING INTERESTED BSU STUDENTS!

Our organization is currently calling for interested students who want to be members during our application as a BSU chapter! Please use the registration form below or message us regarding your intent.

REGISTRATION LINK: tinyurl.com/JoinBIMAAK

Sumali kayun!

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY

As people worldwide gather to celebrate International Indigenous Peoples Day, we from BIMAAK and other Igorot students pay tribute to our ancestors' treasured cultural heritage and precious wisdom. This day holds special meaning, reminding us of our deep history as indigenous communities and our ongoing efforts for justice, recognition, and empowerment.

ONE MORE DAY BEFORE INTERNATIONAL IP DAY!

With only a few hours before the event, we would like to share more entries showcasing the talent of indigenous people in the Cordillera. Here is one from an online contributor:

Glitter Dance
By Artanis

Sky and hills mingled as they assumed the form of an all-consuming darkness. Slowly they crept across the lawn and around the house, and the outline of trees I was admiring only a few minutes ago gave itself to the growing night.
A moment of oppressive silence followed, and the crickets seemed to be confused. Gradually, the fading of light should've been, but evidently, Nyx was in a rush. Thus, the crickets fell silent until one of them decided to chirp.
In no less than a few seconds, the nighttime orchestra began.
My mind drifted back to the scene in front of me, and as though summoned by my glance, a few snowflakes descended.
They cut through the darkness of night with flickering reflections of the house's light, and I was left to wonder
What would it feel like to dance under those icy glitter rain?
Oh, how I longed to feel the burning coolness as each flake melted on my skin.

To share your own creative entry, please reach us via our email at [email protected]. Iyaman!

TWO MORE DAYS BEFORE INTERNATIONAL IP DAY!

In line with the upcoming event, we would like to share the sentiments of one of our members on why she is proud to be an Igorot:

Katutubong Ako
By Ferlyn Toclo Marcelo
Pagiging Katutubo ay nasa puso't diwa ko
Yan ang tatak na Pilipino akong totoo
Puso para ipaglaban ang mga karapatan ko
Diwa para ibahagi ganda ng isang katutubo
Maharlikang mandirigma nananalaytay sa aking dugo
Katangian ng isang Katutubo may matapang na pagkatao

Nakakatanggap ng papuri at mga puna
Papuring makakatulong upang maging matatag ka
Mga puna na masakit sa damdamin lalo na sa tainga
Gaya ng mga karanasan ko mula pagkabata
Kung saan ang iba'y nagulat at di naniwala
Pag sinabi mong katutubo ka tatawanan ka pa

Di sila kumbinsido dahil iba daw kulay ko
Gaya nalang noong sinabi ko purong Igorot ako
Ang iba'y nagwika Kaya pala ganda mo ay iba
Samantalang ang iba nama'y nagkonot noo pa
Wari bang di tanggap kung sino ako talaga
Di sila kumbinsido dahil di naman maitim ang balat ko

Magkahalong inis,galit at awa ang nadama ko
Sapagkat iba ang pagkaunawa nila sa tribong kinabibilangan ko
Sana man lang ay nabasa nila ang wastong libro tungkol saking tribo
At nang hindi na sila makapanakit ng damdamin ng ibang tao
Ilan lamang yan sa mga pagsubok na napagdaanan ko
Ang rasismong naranasan ng isang katutubong ako

INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY 2023

On this International Day of Indigenous Peoples 2023, we come together to honor the rights of Indigenous communities worldwide. With a focus on "Indigenous youth as agents of change for self-determination," we acknowledge the historical challenges faced by us and our fellow Indigenous Peoples.

Recognizing that Indigenous Peoples make up just 5% of the global population yet represent 15% of the world's poorest, we affirm the importance of protecting their identities, way of life, and access to ancestral domains and natural resources. As inheritors of diverse cultures and environmental wisdom, Indigenous communities are keepers of essential knowledge and wisdom that can equip the world with more sustainable methods to care for our world and society.

This August 9, let us stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and acknowledge the significance of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. By raising awareness and fostering understanding, we can strive to ensure that IP rights are upheld. Together, we embrace diversity and work towards a world that respects and cherishes the heritage and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. 🌏🙌

BIMAAK joins 39th Peoples’ Cordillera Day!

Different organizations gathered at Keystone, Ucab, Itogon, Benguet to celebrate the 39th Peoples’ Cordillera Day. The program is themed “SUMKAD PARA ITI DAGA, BIAG KEN DAYAW.”

The event is a week-long celebration domestically and internationally that recognizes the Cordilleran struggles in pursuit to protect our land, life, and resources.

NOW HAPPENING: BIMAAK joins Kaigorotan Youth Week meet

Commemorating KYW, various indigenous youth groups in La Trinidad and Baguio joined together at the Ibaloi Heritage Park today, March 25, 2023.

IBALOY DAY 2023!

February 23 is National Native Title Day. In Baguio, it is annually celebrated as Ibaloy Day, as the native tribe is recognized as the original inhabitants of the city. The Onjon ni Ivadoy (Union of Ibaloys) has been organizing the festivities since 2010, sometimes lasting several days.

This event cascaded from Mateo Cariño’s endeavors to appeal his family’s ancestral land ownership. He faced several losses starting from the lowest courts all the way to the highest in the Republic of the Philippines. Determined, Cariño then presented his case before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

The quest gave rise to the concept of "native title," also known as the Cariño doctrine, which has been assisting indigenous people all over the world in asserting ownership of their ancestral lands.

Despite the years passed after the acknowledgment of ancestral land ownership, tradition and culture are kept alive as this occasion connects the Ibaloys scattered by distance.

𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐈 𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈!
Entry #1!

In my 22 years of being a Baguio girl, only once have I seen the Grand Street Parade of Panagbenga Festival in person. It was in 2015 during highschool, when our class was assigned to help the performers during the parade and the dance competition. I was there as a backstage crew member, an aid to the entertainers, never the entertained.

To the locals, the word Panagbenga would cause their skulls to crack from too much brain throbbing stress. Panagbenga meant going home late, pollution, heavy traffic, and ignorant tourists who didn't know how to throw their trash properly or follow traffic signs. Everytime February came, the locals would brace themselves and mentally prepare for all the problems they'd be facing during the longest month in Baguio. In the city, February is not the month of love, it's the month of the daily utterance of "andaming tao" and other reasonable complaints.

- RNS

Adda ba metlang ti experience mo nga kasla ken RNS? Share your thoughts using the comment section!

Want to participate? Email your entry to: [email protected]

𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐈 𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈!

BIMAAK is now starting a project that welcomes writing from IP youths to share their experiences in their walks across the different provinces of Cordillera! This initiative wants to showcase the rich and varied people in the Cordilleran community and share a glimpse of what the Igorot people are in the usual day-to-day.

If you are interested in sharing a piece, you may send us your entry that walks us through your insights as an Igorot youth. In more particular, these are the guidelines for participation:
1. This project is open to all interested Cordilleran IP youth members with a passion for writing.
2. Entries can be in the form of creative stories, poems, or other forms of writing.
3. There is NO DEADLINE for the submission of entries.

You also may or may not request the usage of a pen name for posting.

Email your entry to: [email protected]

𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐈 𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐊𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐏𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘𝐀𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐈 𝐁𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐀𝐊!

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑰𝑷 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚, 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑩𝑰𝑴𝑨𝑨𝑲’𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑰𝑷 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓.

BIBAK was formed in the 1950s to aggregate Igorot students in Baguio City who were having a hard time adjusting to the city, far from the ‘ili’ and in a different position from their traditional communities. It has been an organization that brings families together to preserve the culture of those communities through performances and gatherings.

BIBAK represents the 5 indigenous tribes in the Philippines, also known as Igorots through each letter in its name BIBAK: Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc (now called Mountain Province), Apayao, and Kalinga.

In 1987, the Cordillera Administrative Region was created under EO no. 220 joining the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province and the chartered city of Baguio. Through this, BIBAK then was also expanded to BIMAAK which now includes the Province of Abra and to replace Bontoc with Mt. Province. The BIMAAK is now the term used by the local and international Cordillera Organizations for its identity and unity.

At present, BIMAAK is in several academic institutions in CAR and abroad, with its proliferation as chapters locally and internationally. We push to unite youth from BIMAAK as one to preserve the rich culture of Cordillera.

REGISTER VIA THIS LINK: https://tinyurl.com/joinBIMAAK

Daga, biag, kinabaknang, salakniban!

𝗥𝗲𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞!

Naragsak mi nga ipadamdamag nga nabuo manen ti BIMAAK (Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Abra, Apayao, ken Kalinga)!

We are proud to announce that the premier organization to promote Igorot culture, tradition, and solidarity is officially reestablished!

𝘚𝘐𝘕𝘖 𝘒𝘈𝘔𝘐 𝘕𝘎𝘈 𝘛𝘈𝘎𝘈-𝘉𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘈𝘒? (𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘐𝘔𝘈𝘈𝘒?)

We are Cordilleran youth and students that seek to develop ourselves the dynamic and positive qualities of a true Cordilleran. To do this, we involve ourselves with relevant issues confronting us, safeguard our noble ideals and aspirations, and sustain our cultural integrity and independence in the struggle for self-determination. Ultimately, we commit ourselves to defending our land, life, and resources.

In this commitment, we uphold the positive indigenous values and traditions inherited from our forefathers, ensuring they will remain for future generations to nourish and enjoy.

Daga, biag, kinabaknang, salakniban!
kaigorotan, lumaban!