Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized the importance of preserving and passing on the country’s cultural heritage as Bago City hosted the opening of the Dayaw 2025: Philippine Indigenous Peoples Festival on Tuesday, October 7.
Lacson, in his speech, said it t was an honor for Negros Occidental to host the national celebration, which was led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The opening ceremony, held at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center, gathered over 200 delegates from 36 clusters of Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups from across the Philippines.
“This occasion is an opportunity to raise awareness and deepen our understanding of culture, which has shaped what our nation is today,” Lacson said.
He stressed that Dayaw is not just a celebration of culture but a call to take care, celebrate, and pass on the culture’s rich heritage to the next generation.
Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao welcomed the delegates, stating the festival reflects the strength found in the country’s roots and heritage, and called on the public to help preserve and promote the vibrant traditions of Indigenous Peoples.
The festival, held in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, is guided by the theme “Habi ng Kultura, Yaman ng Kinabukasan (Weave of Culture, Wealth of the Future)”.
In his message delivered by NCCA Chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored that culture and heritage — rooted in the creativity of IPs — form the foundation of national identity, unity, and progress.
The event showcased cultural performances from various IP groups such as the Yakan, Panay Bukidnon, Maranao, and Kalinga.
The NCCA also opened the Future-Proofing Dayaw and Indigenous Cultural Communities Forum, which discussed crucial issues concerning IP groups, including sustainable livelihood, culture-sensitive governance, disaster preparedness, and Indigenous Peoples empowerment.
The three-day festival, one of the country’s biggest celebrations of Indigenous culture, runs until Thursday, October 9, and will feature forums, exhibitions, and community outreach activities across the province.*