abel morales cadias

A female comedian was banned from visiting, and airing her shows and movies in the city of Baguio. It all began when she uttered a snide remark about the Igorots. She claimed that the “racial slur” was a blunder during her public apology on TV. But many Igorots were not satisfied of her explanation and apology. Her name is Candy Pangilinan.

The Igorots lived in the Philippines’ Cordillera region. It comprises the six provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province, plus the lone city of Baguio. Among the people in the Cordilleras, not all Kalinga and Ifugao accept the designation of Igorot due to its perceived negative stigma which is incorrectly connected to backwardness and inferiority.

Candy Pangilinan is guilty of ethnic discrimination. There is no doubt about that. It will take time, patience and understanding for her to regain her reputation back among the Igorot communities in the Philippines and around the globe. The “persona non grata” branded to her which led to her banning may look like an overreaction of local politicians to other Filipinos including some Igorots but it was the right thing to do. And this is no longer about Candy Pangilinan…this is all about the Filipinos’ mentality and attitude towards the minorities and even towards the “inferior” countries due to constant stereotyping of color, language and traditions.

Candy Pangilinan’s gloomy fate was used to campaign against any form of racial discrimination. It is a strong gesture of sending a message to all Filipinos and the world that there is a need to check on our values and attitudes. In all honesty, Candy Pangilinan is not guilty alone. We are all guilty because we do tend to “discriminate” others even in our intention of just injecting humor into our conversation.

This case is a reality check…a call for self reflection.

I. Host
Association of Cordillerans in Thailand (ACT) in coordination with Philippine Embassy – Bangkok, Thailand

II. Date and Venue
May 10, 2009 / Philippine Embassy – Bangkok, Thailand

III. Guests
1. Consul General Edgar Badajos, Philippine Embassy - Bangkok
2. Vice-Consul Andy Arquiza, Philippine Embassy - Bangkok
3. Joan Carling, Secretary General – Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
4. Josephil Saraspe, President – Federation of Boholanos in Thailand
5. Ian Cordero, Junior Faculty – St. Robert’s Training & Management Center
6. Marie Fe Elhabashy – Former Baguio athlete

IV. Partners, Sponsors and Donors

Partners:
1. Cordillera People’s Alliance
2. Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact
3. Federation of Boholanos in Thailand
4. Siam Pinoy
5. Artist Society
6. Filipino Expat Community Services

Sponsors:
1. Siam Pinoy
2. Filipino Expat Community Services
3. San Miguel Corporation
4. Coca Cola Company
5. St. Robert’s Training and Management Center
6. Philippine Sari Sari Store
7. Mabuhay Restaurant
8. Four Seasons International House
9. Global Experts: Muang Thai Life Insurance

Donors:
1. Bernice A. See, Programme Officer, Forum-Asia
2. Lorna B. Coral, Vice-President, ACT

V. Accomplishments

1. More than 150 members and guests attended the whole-day activity
2. Membership renewal commenced
3. ACT ID distributed
4. Members and guests registered in OFW Absentee Voting
5. Exhibited Cordilleran photos
6. Conference program successful
7. Siam Pinoy Sing-galing karaoke contest successful
8. Cordilleran dance presented
9. ACT singers presented local and country songs
10. No ACT fund (2008-2009) was used in this event.
11. Accumulated funds from remaining sponsorship, donations and sales.
12. Able to establish partnership with NGO’s.
13. Able to strengthen collaboration with other Filipino organizations based in Thailand.

VI. Highlights

1. Consul General Edgar Badajos expressed the importance of not losing our Filipino identity, specifically, our Cordilleran identity despite of the effects of globalization. He recognized the efforts of the Association of Cordillerans in Thailand (ACT) in promoting native/ethnic culture in Thailand.

2. Mr. Josephil Saraspe zeroed in the importance of commitment of every member rather than the number of members in an organization. He reiterated that even a small group can make a difference anytime and anywhere. Promoting one’s culture is indeed necessary to strengthen not only the group but the country as a whole.

3. Mr. Ian Cordero enumerated the importance of availing the benefits of transnational education as global citizens. As global citizens, he said that transnational education is one of the keys for professional development with a low cost plan. He provided answers to seven questions related to transnational education.

4. Ms. Joan Carling, our keynote speaker, gave a short account on the history of the celebration of Cordillera Day. She reminded the audience the importance of fighting for our rights as indigenous people in the Philippines, helping to campaign against exploitation of Cordilleran natural resources and promoting awareness and practice of our rich culture to our children who lived in other countries. She acknowledged the ACT officers and members in holding this important event.

5. Ms. Marie Fe Elhabashy gave an inspirational message to Cordillerans by sharing her experiences which inspired her to pursue her dreams through hard work, perseverance, prayer and a bit of luck. She implored that every Cordilleran should do the same. She also said that it takes two to understand a new culture and to accept a different way of life.

Whole day activity:
Garage Sale
Mini-Exhibit
Fun Games
Membership renewal and registration
Overseas’ voters registration

Morning Session (10 - 12:00 AM)
Morning Activities
10:00 – 10:15 AM
Opening Program
Invocation Mr. James Ignacio
National Anthem Mr. Satty Padtoc (conducting)
Welcome Remarks Mr. Abel Cadias

10:15 – 10:40 AM
Introduction of Guest Speaker Miss Kim Tauli
Guest Speaker: Hon. Edgar Badajos
(First Consul, Phil. Embassy – Bangkok, Thailand)
Awarding of Certificate of Appreciation

10:40 – 11:20 AM
Introduction of Resource Speaker
Presentation 1: “The Role of Filpino Ethnic Groups in Thailand and Its Impact to Philippine Solidarity”
Speaker: Mr. Josephil Saraspe
(President, Fed. Of Boholanos in Thailand)
Awarding of Certificate of Appreciation

11: 20 – 12:00 AM
Introduction of Resource Speaker
Presentation 2: “Transnational Education for Global Citizens”
Speaker: Mr. Ian Cordero
(Academic Consultant, St. Robert’s Training and Management Center)
Awarding of Certificate of Appreciation

Afternoon/ Evening Session (1:00 – 7:00 PM)
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Keynote Address: “Cordilleran’s Solidarity amidst the Global Economic Crisis”
Speaker: Joan Carling
Secretary General, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Awarding of Certificate of Appreciation

2:00-3:00 PM
Introduction of Guest Speaker
Inspirational Message
Speaker: Ms. Maria Fe Elhabashy
Former multi-awarded Baguio Athlete

Cultural and Musical Show (3:30 – 9:00 PM)
Part 1: Cordilleran songs and dances
Baguio – Benguet c/o Terio and Marissa
Mt. Province / Abra c/o Nesia and Alex
Kalinga / Apayao c/o Delia and Vivian
Ifugao c/o Janet Dupacnay
Part 2: SP Sing-galing Karaoke Contest
Part 3: ACT Plug: Acoustic c/o Rayong Group
Featuring Filipino male and female singers based in Thailand
Closing Program
Announcements and Recognition
Closing Remarks Ms. Lorna Coral

ANNOUNCEMENT AND RECOGNITION

We would like to thank the following individuals, groups and establishments for their invaluable participation and support:

Philippine Embassy
ACT members and guests
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Federation of Boholanos in Thailand
Siam Pinoy
Artist Society
Filipino Expat Community Services
San Miguel Corporation
Coca Cola Company
St. Robert’s Training and Management Center
Philippine Sari Sari Store
Mabuhay Restaurant
Four Seasons International House
Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA)
Global Experts

And to those others who in one way have contributed to the success of the event! Thank you very much!

Activities for the month of May and June:

May – ACT membership registration

June – ACT Cordillera Cultural Show

June 14-21 = 60th Anniversary of the Philippines and Thailand’s diplomatic relations