Kuyog Sandiwang Bayan Katutubo Festival

From one of his numerous travel-related yahoogroups, an email invitation to be part of the new Katutubo Festival (katutubo means native or indigenous) at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City. Tutubi invited fellow bloggers Sidney and Estan, but, too bad, due to short notice, didn't make it.

The email invite, sent just a few days before the event said:

"An INVITATION from KUYOG, the United Natives Movement
October 13, 2008

Dear Ka-KUYOG:

In celebration of the TRIBAL MONTH (October), KUYOG, the United Natives Movement will launch for the first time an activity in Quezon City that will pay homage, give importance, honor and respect to our indigenous roots through the Sandiwang Bayan KATUTUBO FESTIVAL isang pagdiriwang at pagtitipon para sa mga Katutubo on October 17-19, 2008 at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City.

Activities will include WORKSHOPS & LECTURES on KATUTUBO WAY OF LIFE (hunting, fishing, gathering, agriculture, handicrafts, trade, language) thru FOOD, MUSIC, MOVEMENTS, FASHION SHOW and SPORTS, PUBLIC FORUM on the indigenous question: PARA KANINO ANG KAUNLARAN? Lupa, Kalikasan at Karapatan ng mga Katutubo, Ipaglaban! FILMSHOWINGS, STORY TELLINGS, ALIBATA LESSONS, TRADE FAIR OF KATUTUBO ARTS AND CRAFTS, MUSIC JAMMING with KUYOG ARTISTS (Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad) & CELEBRITIES, a tribute to the late National Artist LUCRESIA KASILAG, KATUTUBO ARTS & CRAFTS DEMOS, MUSIC INSTRUMENTS MAKING, TRIBAL CAMPS AND GATHERINGS. All these will entice the public to EXPERIENCE INTERACTIVE CULTURAL TRADITIONS...LIVE!"

Pictures, only a few due to Tutubi's lazy fingers and further spoiled by a slight drizzle:

concerts of various musicians during the day, There's a Joey Ayala live at night but Tutubi can't make it

probably some sort of offering by the natives to appease the gods.

too bad, tribal dances were held the day before, a Friday, something Tutubi would love to cover, what you see are stalls selling tribal gear and stuffs

a trade fair is present at the place where various products from around the Philippines are sold.

After taking a few photos, Tutubi went on a shopping spree, bought a couple of bags for his nephews and nieces, well ahead of Christmas, nachos from Talavera, pancit bato noodles from Bicol, macapuno rice cake puto from Albay and various other delicacies. He even bought a nice reusable bag rather than have them all stuffed in non-biodegrable plastic bags that's so unfriendly to the environment.

Katutubo Festival runs from October 17-19, 2008 so if you happen to read this on time, you can still catch it.

Tutubi advocates the rights of indigenous people, in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, of which the Philippines is a signatory, but falls short of its implementation. Respect of rights of indigenous people is the way to understanding and peace, not just in the troubled south, but in the whole country.

Lastly, for the nth time, please stop calling ancient Filipino writing alibata, it should really be called Baybayin.

How to get to the festival grounds, just see the post on Quezon Memorial Circle.