Representatives of various indigenous communities from different parts of the country expressed their deep gratitude to the organizers of the three-day 2023 Conference-Workshop on Indigenous Languages and the Sustainable Development Goals, which concluded last 23 Feb. 2023. The theme of the conference was “Carrying Out the Global Action Plan and the 2023 Agenda."
Touching closing statements were given by IP representatives, including Carol Dagani, Stanley Anongos, Jr., Zenaida Garambas, Matet Gonzalo, Roger Jugatan, and Billy Pobre. All of them were thankful to be given the opportunity to be heard where it concerns the challenges their respective communities are facing today amidst calls to suspend the implementation of the mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB MLE) in Congress.
The conference opened doors for relevant dialogues, which participants hope will emphasize the value of preserving indigenous languages and promoting MTB MLE further instead of suspending its implementation.
The plenary session on the third day featured sterling speakers from various sectors: Dr. Maria Corazon A. De Ungria, Head, DNA Analysis Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines (Strengthening Research and Maintaining the Highest Ethical Standards when Involving Human Participants); Atty. Magtanggol Gunigundo I from 170+ Talaytayan MLE (What Threat Does HB 6717 Pose to the Philippine Basic Education?); Jose Andoni Santos from the Philippine Business for Education (PBED); and Dr. Gregorio E.H. Del Pilar, immediate past president of the National Research Council of the Philippines (Paghahambing ng Bisa ng Ingles vs mga wikang Pilipino bilang wikang panturo: Mga empirikal na pag-aaral 1953-1986).
A segment of the closing program was dedicated to pay tribute to the remarkable work of sociocultural anthropologist Dr. Alicia P. Magos, who spent 40 years of her professional career in UP VIsayas doing research, extension work, and teaching. She is best known for her exceptional work in translating the ten epics of Panay into four languages, establishing the first School of Living Tradition in the Visayas, and initiating the recognition of the Panay Bukidnon culture, among others.
Tributes were given by Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Executive Director of Tebtebba and Anna Razel L. Ramirez, Dr. Magos’ long-time research assistant, who bravely traversed the various terrains in Panay with her over the past years.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Magos could not help but feel emotional. She shared about how she started her career in both teaching and research, hoping to inspire the conference participants to pursue their passions relentlessly just as she did.
Jaco du Toit, Chief of Section of the Section for Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion and currently the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s Global Lead for IDIL, gave his recorded closing statement towards the end of the event.
Kernie D. Fanagel, a Blaan Cultural Performing Artist, sang songs to entertain the participants. Tony Igcalinos, one of the organizers of the conference, officially closed the conference with a short message on behalf of Tauli-Corpuz.
The three-day conference was organized by 170+ Talaytayan MLE in partnership with Tebtebba Foundation. UPV hosted the national conference, which is one of the major events initiated to highlight the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) here in the Philippines.
The conference partners included UNESCO, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Research Triangle Institute or RTI International, ABC+, Philippine Normal University, and the Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Talaytayan and Tebtebba are expected to mount more national conferences related to the IDIL celebration this 2023 and Mindanao will be the next destination.
