Baguio City Mayor, now Congressman, Mauricio Domogan delivers "Ugayam" during IIC-1
Baguio City Mayor, now Congressman,
Mauricio Domogan delivers "Ugayam" during IIC-1
Hosted by BIBAK Los Angeles, IIC-1 was held in September 1995 in West Covina,
In summarizing the Consultation, Dr. Arturo Pacho, Executive Director of the Filipino American Public Affairs
Council in Los Angeles, who chaired a team of outside observsers/evaluators, wrote:
The participants gained valuable information on the profile of the Igorots today in America,
the culture and history of the Igorots, and the geography of the Cordillera. This was crucial
to achieve an understanding of where the Igorots are now and whre they are heading.
One significant outcome of the conference was reaching an awareness of the conflicts that exist between
the youth and their parents. There was also the realization that the youth are now zealous in learning
more about their roots and are proud to be Igorotsl. The candid exchange between the youth, their parents,
and other elders during the panel on Generational and Cultural Conflicts was possibly the highlight of
the event. For the first time, social and cultural problems exist that require attention by the community.
Participants became aware also of the move to establish autonomy in the provinces of the Cordillera into
one regional unity. The autonomous region, while still an integral part of the Philippines, will have self
governance and full control of its socio-economic development consistent with its history and culture.
The attendance of political leaders from the Philippines made the participants aware of the emerging political
power of the Igorots.
Finally, the action benefits of the conference relate to the decisions of the
participants to become more involved in their BIBAK associations, to develop more communications with the
youth, to support cultural program that would maintain and enrich Igorot heritage, to develop innovative
programs for the youth and the seniors, to reach out to gain a bridge with other minority groups,
to sponsor a more comprehensive survey of the immigrant Igorots, and to continue helping their homeland.
The prognosis of the conference theme "Looking to the Future" is positive, encouraging and bright for
overseas Igorots because they are dynamic, they have a strong sense of community, and they are proud
of their ethnic identity.
(Click on pictures to enlarge)
California, and was attended by about 500 participants from the United States,
Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Philippines. The conference theme was,
"Looking to the future of the Igorots". The topics of discussion and other
major parts of the program included:
The positive benefits from the consultation conference were enormous.
The benefits may be summarized as:
