47th ugat international conference (day 2)

Last November 13, returned to Holy Name University for Day 2 of the 47th Ugnayang Pang-aghamtao (UGAT) International Conference and attended the panels “Folklore Between Linguistics and Anthropology,” “Transdisciplinary Engagements in Archeology” (particularly for the talk on reviving the asin-tibuok of Alburquerque, Bohol through chemical engineering which was very, very interesting), and “An Ethnography of Ibanag Warfare and Weaponry Based on Spanish Colonial Texts.” The panelists were demonstrating martial arts movements and included capoeira!

Before the day closed, attended the film screening of Tumandok by Richard Jeroui Salvadico and Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay, a Cinemalaya and Gawad Urian award-winning docu-fiction movie with my colleagues from the National Museum of the Philippines-Iloilo. We were all seated in one line while watching the movie, and when the lights turned back on, we apparently found ourselves on Hikbi Row. Namula ug nanghubag among mga mata, friends. 

The displacement of our indigenous communities like the Ati in Western Visayas, the bureaucratic red tape they are forced to endure, and the violence they face which includes the Tumandok massacre on December 20, 2020, simply for defending their most basic rights, were gut-wrenching and massively frustrating to watch. And this is all still happening today. In fact, the inspiration for the film’s lead character, En-en, was present that night in HNU to share her story herself.

I cannot stop thinking about the film. It’s one of those works that lingers; one that feels essential viewing for everyone, especially in this country.

After the screening, I approached one of the co-directors, Arlie, and mentioned the possibility of bringing the film to Dumaguete. She was enthusiastic and hoped an institution could help make it happen. We will see. 

[ More photos here ]