On October 10, 2026, members of the University of Baguio’s Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Apayao, Abra, and Kalinga (UB-BIMAAK) Student Organization successfully held the 2nd Indigenous Peoples (IP) Convention at the Multi-Level Parking. Bringing together students from diverse cultural backgrounds, the convention provided a meaningful space for learning, dialogue, cultural appreciation, and collective action in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month.
Centered on the theme, “Rooted in Heritage, United in Community: Empowering Indigenous Students for Action,” the convention opened with an “Ugayyam” (opening prayer) delivered by Mr. Joel Dagson of the University of Baguio Biban Ubbun Kaafuan (UBBUK). Ms. Wylleth Praise G. Sacyaten, UB-BIMAAK Adviser, then delivered the welcoming address, underscoring the vital need for dedicated spaces where students can connect, learn, and honor their cultural identity.
Throughout the event, invited speakers led engaging discussions focusing on IP rights, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and active youth involvement in community development. These sessions inspired participants to deepen their self-awareness, embrace their collective responsibilities, and champion meaningful advocacy for their communities.
Ms. Sacyaten expressed her hope that the convention would inspire students to translate their knowledge and experiences into meaningful initiatives that promote unity, cultural pride, and positive change within their communities.
Understanding Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, NCIP, and the FPIC Process
Led by Atty. Roman A. Antonio, Legal Officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) CAR, the initial session focused on Indigenous Peoples’ rights, the NCIP’s mission, and the critical function of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). He highlighted how FPIC safeguards ancestral domains while securing IP communities’ right to take part in decision-making processes regarding their lands and resources.
Atty. Antonio stressed that Indigenous Peoples are the rightful guardians and protectors of their traditional territories, cultural heritage, and natural resources, not merely inhabitants. Consequently, any outside entity, institution, or corporation must secure the community’s collective agreement before initiating projects within ancestral lands. He also outlined the two essential components of the FPIC process: the Resolution of Consent and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
The presentation reinforced to participants that cultural preservation and environmental stewardship are intrinsically tied to IP rights. Emphasizing the duty of involved individuals to protect forests, watersheds, and mountains for future generations, Atty. Antonio framed FPIC as both a formal legal protection and a cultural validation of community ownership.
Culture, Knowledge, and Heritage in the Digital Age
In the second session, Ms. Catherin Cimatu-Toyeng from IPeace Inc. urged attendees to reflect on cultural identity in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape. Her address highlighted the importance of fostering cultural appreciation online, stressing that while culture naturally evolves and adapts over time, it remains firmly grounded in a people’s core identity, values, and lived experiences. She advised participants to exercise mindfulness when sharing traditional attire, dances, videos, photographs, and other expressions of culture on digital media.
Youth were urged to leverage digital tools to inform, offer meaningful context, and cultivate authentic cultural respect, rather than posting cultural elements merely for profit or popularity.
Furthermore, Ms. Catherin underscored that traditions should be respected for their inherent worth rather than rated against one another. Warning against treating cultural expressions as competitive, she noted that every culture carries its own unique history and significance. She also addressed common misunderstandings about traditional garments, noting that the ba-ag represents heritage and identity as a traditional loincloth, not a “G-string.”
The session also highlighted the digital divide separating information-rich and information-poor populations, emphasizing how disparities in technological access affect Indigenous communities. Although she acknowledged the benefits of creative innovation, she reiterated that preserving cultural identity must stay a core priority.
The Sense of Belonging Through Collective Engagement
The afternoon session centered on fostering collective engagement, unity, and a sense of belonging among Indigenous youth. Led by Ms. Cristel Coloma Gawisan from the Cordilleran Youth Center (CYC), the session highlighted the vibrant heritage of the Cordillera and underscored the deep-rooted bond linking IP peoples to their traditional ways of living, natural resources, and ancestral domains.
While recognizing that sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism, and local initiatives sustain numerous Indigenous households, the session stressed the collective duty to safeguard the territories and cultural traditions that ground these communities.
Furthermore, Ms. Gawisan urged attendees to critically address pressing modern challenges facing IP populations, such as environmental decline, resource extraction, commercial mining, and dam installations that impact ancestral territories and community livelihoods. This dialogue reinforced the vital need to respect Indigenous rights, actively engage communities, and be informed when making decisions about ancestral lands and cultural heritage.
Alt Text: Members and student participants during the 2nd IP Convention 2026, hosted by UB-BIMAAK
The convention concluded with closing remarks from Jocelyn C. Lupasi, President of UB-BIMAAK, who encouraged participants to carry the convention’s lessons beyond the event and apply them in their classrooms, organizations, and communities. She emphasized that knowledge gains its true value when transformed into meaningful action and service.
Fostering the importance of ensuring that IP voices are heard, respected, and included in decisions that shape their future, the event championed various parameters endorsed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), primarily:
- SDG 4: (Quality Education) – by promoting learning on Indigenous rights and knowledge systems
- SDG 10: (Reduced Inequalities) – by encouraging inclusion and meaningful participation
- SDG 11: (Sustainable Cities and Communities) – by highlighting the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage
- SDG 16: (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) – by raising awareness of Indigenous rights and inclusive decision-making
- SDG 17: (Partnerships for the Goals) – by fostering collaboration among students, speakers, and the wider university community
More than a learning event, the 2nd Indigenous Peoples Convention became a platform for students to deepen their understanding of their rights, reconnect with their cultural identities, and reflect on their roles as future leaders and advocates. Through conversations on Indigenous rights, responsible cultural representation, environmental protection, and collective engagement, the convention reinforced the importance of ensuring that voices are heard, respected, and included in decisions that shape their future.
As the University of Baguio community celebrates Indigenous Peoples Month, UB-BIMAAK reaffirms the importance of cultural pride, respect for rights, and solidarity across communities. The convention reminds us that preserving heritage is not only about remembering the past but also about actively protecting the knowledge, values, lands, and traditions that Indigenous communities continue to nurture.
—
Written by: Jocelyn C. Lupasi | Aprielyn P. Liwan
Article enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
