Thirty-Five Indigenous Groups to Participate in 2023 Dayaw Festival in Bacolod

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is set to hold the 2023 edition of its flagship Dayaw festival in Bacolod City, featuring participation from 35 Indigenous People (IP) groups nationwide. Scheduled from October 7 to 9, the three-day event seeks to celebrate and preserve the traditional cultures and heritage of the country’s diverse indigenous communities.

This year’s festival, themed "Weaving Culture, Enriching Future," coincides with the annual observance of National Indigenous People’s Month as mandated by Presidential Proclamation 1906, series of 2009. Attendees will include representatives from the Northern, Southern, and Central Cultural Communities, along with Muslim Cultural Communities.

"Dayaw is not merely a celebration but a call to safeguard our ancestral domains, uphold indigenous identities, and promote our rich cultural heritage," said Reden Ulo, NCCA Commissioner for Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts, who identifies as a full-blooded T’Boli.

The festival will feature a variety of showcases, including traditional dances, crafts, and products exhibited at SM City Bacolod. Additionally, a market area at L’Fisher Hotel will allow visitors to purchase indigenous goods, highlighting the unique identities of each group.

The opening ceremony is slated to take place at the Bago City Gymnasium with a parade and live performances by participating IP groups. The event will be graced by Senator Loren Legarda, further emphasizing the national significance of the festival.

Marichu Tellano, NCCA Deputy Executive Director, remarked on the festival’s 15-year legacy, noting the commission’s commitment to rotating the event across different regions. Bacolod City last hosted Dayaw in 2022, continuing a growing tradition of celebrating indigenous cultures throughout the Philippines.

The festival underscores the importance of cultural preservation and community empowerment among the country's indigenous peoples, aiming to educate the broader public while fostering pride within the communities themselves.