The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has given recognition to 21 cultural masters in the celebration of Dayaw, the biggest gathering of indigenous cultures of the Philippines, last November 29 in front of Barrasoain church.

These cultural masters were gathered by the NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) headed by Commissioner Joycie Dorado-Alegre under the supervision of NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. and Executive Director Emelita Almosara, CESO IV. The recognition is the closing event of Dayaw initiated by NCCA’s Program Monitoring and Evaluation Division headed by Adel Suemith.

Those who were awarded were Ifugao’s Michael Dexter Aliguyon, Ellenora Aliguyon and Emilia Alindayo, Rebecca Reyes of Ayta, Ampara Mabanag of Ga’dang, Panay’s Cenia Lastrilla and Aurelio Damas, Nedecio Badac of Pala’wan, Gloria Emag of Tagbanua, Ati of Negros Oriental’s Richard Impil and Marieta Mahinay, Rodrigo Panganiban of Aklan’s Ati, Delia Pauden of Antique’s Ati, Jama Mapun’s Janeth Hanapi and Kamaria Sabturani, Tirso Serdena, Francisco Eligio of Tagalog, Sangir’s Abay Tacabil and Solaw Duca, Florita Sobilos of Subanen and Datu Josefino Gonlibo of Manobo.

During the awarding ceremony, the participants of Dayaw 2012 were also given a chance to perform on stage and showcase their different cultural performances. Aside from the indigenous communities, Bayang Barrios also performed before the crowd.

Also gracing the event were de Leon, Dorado-Alegre, Mayor Christian Natividad of Malolos City and Dayaw Festival Director Sonny Cristobal.

The three-day festival happened in different parts of Bulacan giving cultural presentations, outreach activities, film showing, cooking demonstrations, among others.

Students from the city of Bulacan and local tourists interacted with the indigenous communities in Dayaw. Spectators were able to wear the traditional outfits, play the indigenous games and taste the dishes from different parts of the country. The three-day festivity happened last November 27 to 29.

Dayaw 2012 was opened in Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium. It was attended by former Sen. Jamby Madrigal in behalf of President Benigno Aquino 3rd, Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado of Bulacan, de Leon, Dorado-Alegre, Cristobal, Al Anwar Anzar of the NCCA National Committee on Southern Cultural Communities and Francis Degay of the NCCA National Committee on Northern Cultural Communities.

According to Dorado-Alegre, there were about 600 participants in this year’s Dayaw. Next year, the NCCA-SCCTA is planning to hold the festival in Visayaw. Dayaw 2012 is guided by the theme “Katutubong Pamumuhay, Halawan ng Aral sa Buhay” (Indigenous Way of Life, Source of Lessons in Life).

The NCCA has been annually celebrating the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month in different parts of the country through Dayaw. The festival is in consonance with Presidential Proclamation 1906, declaring October as National Indigenous Peoples’ Month.