COTABATO CITY — To culminate the Indigenous Peoples’ Month celebration in the Bangsamoro region, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) awarded the winners of its online competition on Oct. 29.
Php20,000.00 was awarded to Ms. Judith D. Caubalejo for winning the ‘COVID-19 Preventive Measures, The IP Way’ 3-minute video presentation contest.
Under the ‘Showcase of Authentic Ethnic Attires’ category, 12 y.o. Joey Manal from Cotabato City National High School- Main Campus got P15,000.00 for being the first placer, while Wonderland Indigenous Peoples’ Youth Organization from Wao, Lanao del Sur and TLAMABANG team from South Upi, Maguindanao received P10,000.00 and P5,000.00, respectively, for being the 2nd and 3rd placers.
Php15k, Php10k, and Php5k prizes were also awarded to Anthony Mao, Armando Calantungan, and Sheila Mae Navos, respectively, for being the first three placers of Cultural Collage Making category.
Meanwhile, MIPA also granted Php17k educational assistance to five (5) IP students.
Ten (10) IP tribal leaders from the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur , Basilan, and Sulu were also given plaques of recognition for their inspiring valuable contribution and exemplary services to the IPs in the BARMM.
This year’s IP month celebration carried the theme: “Kulturang Katutubo Kilalanin, Pahalagahan, Pagyamanin, at Ipagmalaki sa Bangsamoro.”
MIPA Minister Melanio Ulama led a ritual prayer during the activity and expressed his gratitude to partner agencies that supported the IP month celebration.
“Marami kaming ginawa na pampukaw loob sa mga IPs sa kung ano ang gagawin nila lalo na sa ngayon,” MIPA Minister Melanio Ulama said in his speech during the awarding ceremony.
“Manatili sana tayong matulungin sa ating mga kapwa, manatili sana ang pagmamahalan. Kahit ano man ang iyong tribo, kultura, at relihiyon ay huwag natin yun tingnan bagkus ang tiningnan ay tao tayo na nilikha ng diyos ng pantay-pantay,” said Minister Melanio. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
