Aetas Honored at SM City Olongapo Leni Kiko Rally

Posted on May 6, 2022

VP Leni hugs Aeta Botolan Chieftain Fe Dumulot; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Written by

Jude Bautista

Beneath the glass, steel and concrete of SM City Olongapo façade, our Aeta brothers and sisters danced and spoke from the heart. They are the first peoples, here when all you could see were forests, plains of grass. Far removed from the bustling city you see today.

“Prior to colonization, the Aeta people became the first human population who inhabited what is now Zambales. Due to Malay migration waves, the Tagalog people displaced the Sambal people in southern Luzon, which led to the arrival of the Sambal people into present-day Zambales”. From: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Zambales

Aetas were centerstage at the Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Hundreds of years later, they are still oppressed. They are still driven away from their ancestral lands. However, in one clear, hot day in April 19, 2022, they took center stage at the Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo. In a campaign, that wanted to make the poor, the layalayan (those in the fringes) to be the focus.

Aeta Botolan Chieftain Fe Dumulot and community endorsed Leni Kiko. Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Titindig At Lalaban

Fe Domulot, chieftain of the community of Aetas in Botolan, Zambales said, “Kami po ang nandirito sa inyong harapan ngayon, mga katutubo kami. Titindig at lalaban kami para sa tambalang Leni at Kiko Pangilinan (We are here in front of you, we are indigenous people. We are going to stand and fight for the tandem of Leni and Kiko Pangilinan),” she said. From MB.com: Leni-Kiko get hands raised by aetas in Olongapo

“Kaya ako, mga kapatid, alam niyo po kung bakit si Madam Leni at Kiko ang gusto namin? Alam niyo po kung bakit? Dahil sila po ang merong malawak at may malalim na karanasan sa paglilingkod (That’s why, my brothers, do you know why we like Madam Leni and Kiko? Do you know why? Because they are the ones with a vast experience and deep experience in service),” the IP chieftain added.

She also praised Robredo and Pangilinan for knowing how to pay their debts and for never being involved in corruption in their years of service.

(center) Former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr endorses Leni Kiko; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

“Kaya po mga kapatid, bakit pa tayo maghahanap? Alam po natin sa kanilang panunungkulan ay ni isa sa atin hindi nila itininda. May sarili silang paninidigan. Alam po natin ‘yan (That’s why my brothers, why are we looking for more? We know that in their service they did not sell any one of us. They have their own stand. We know that),” Domulot said. From MB.com: Leni-Kiko get hands raised by aetas in Olongapo

[Written by Raymund Antonio]

Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Senatorial candidate Teddy Baguilat part of the Tropang Angat ticket made note of the fact that our Aeta brethren do not ask for pity. They have their own innate knowledge of nature, “Mayroong Sariling kaalaman ang ating kapatid na Aeta. Kaalaman na nagpoprotekta ng ating kalikasan. Cong. Teddy Baguilat is himself a member of the IP.

VP Leni hugs Aeta Botolan Chieftain Fe Dumulot; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Lakas Ng Kultura

A few weeks later, May 2, 2022, Leni Kiko’s powerful Pink Wave reached Baguio. An estimated 30,000 filled the Melvin Jones Football Field for the rally dubbed TAKDER KORDI (Stand up Cordillera).

3 National Artists: Virgilio Almario (Literature), Ben Cabrerra (Visual Arts) and Kidlat Tahimik (Film) spoke out in support of the tandem.

3 Leaders of Baguio based Universities also endorsed Leni Kiko: University of the Cordilleras’ board chair Ray Dean Salvosa, St. Louis University President Fr. Gilbert Sales, and University of Baguio former president Virgilio Bautista. From: Leni-Kiko Takder Kordi rally in Baguio shatters Solid North

From left: VP Leni Robredo, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, National Artists Virgilio Almario and Kidlat Tahimik; Takder Kordi – Leni Kiko Rally, May 2, 2022, Melvin Jones Football Field, Baguio. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

But it was the diminutive Kidlat Tahimik dressed in bahag (loincloth) that reminded everyone of the strength of the indigenous people, “Ngayon nag titipon tayo ngayon dito. Wag tayo masindak sa mga polls predicting the return of the dark days of Martial Law. Hindi babalik dahil meron tayong alternatibong na ilalabas natin. Let us also know here in the Cordilleras. Hindi makapasok ang kadiliman ng kolonyalismo dahil sa tibay ng kultura ng ating Cordillerans. Wag na rin natin ibalik ang diktadura.

National Artist Kidlat Tahimik; Takder Kordi – Leni Kiko Rally, May 2, 2022, Melvin Jones Football Field, Baguio. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

He saw in his mind’s eye, the war cry of our ancestors saying it is our chants, our music, our culture that is our strength against colonialism: “Let me recall using my imagination kung ano yung sigaw dito sa bundok. Mga taga Benguet, taga Ifugao, Apayao, Kalinga at Abra. In those days laban sa kolonyalismo. Ganito yung sigaw nila, ‘Hagiyo! Ka Andres Bonifacio, Ka Emilio Jacinto, Ka Heneral Luna, wala kaming armas! Wala kaming kanyong maihandog sa inyong himagsikan. Ang handog lang naming ay lakas ng aming kultura! Limang daang taon na naming winawagayway ang mga bahag namin! Ang mga tapis, ang mga kanta! Ang mga hudhod! Ang mga ulalem! Ang mga gansa! Lahat ng ating kultura ay panglaban sa ating mga dayuhan.”

National Artist Ben Cabrera; Takder Kordi – Leni Kiko Rally, May 2, 2022, Melvin Jones Football Field, Baguio. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

For him, VP Leni and Sen. Kiko will be our nation’s light, “Sa ngayong gabi ituloy natin ang mga panata. Tuloy sa liwanag. Tulungan natin si Leni Liwanag at si Kiko sa kaliwanagan ng bayan ngayon, Ka Leni-wagan ngayon! Mabuhay Hagiyo!”

3 National Artists take stage in Leni-Kiko rally in Baguio

Lang Dulay & Whang Od

Lakas Ng Kultura (Strength of Culture) Kidlat Tahimik spoke about can refer to our two most celebrated members of the indigenous people: Whang Od Oggay and Lang Dulay.

Kalinga Tattoo artist Wang Od mural in SM Aura Premier (completed 2017 by Archie Oclos).

Whang Od is the oldest tattoo artist in the Kalinga tradition and member of the Butbut Tribe. She was awarded Dangal ng Haraya Award and is in the final stages of receiving the National Living Treasures Award. The NCCA (National Commission for Culture and the Arts) should make sure to grant it as soon as possible while she is with us. She was born February 17, 1917 and is currently 105 years old. From: Whang Od Wikiwand

National Living Treasure Awardee Lang Dulay’s mural in SM Aura Premier (completed 2017 by Archie Oclos).

Lang Dulay was a traditional weaver and T’Boli Princess and was awarded the National Living Treasures Award for preserving T’nalak weaving. She set up the Manlilikha ng Bayan Center workshop in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. She was conferred the National Living treasures Award in 1998. Dulay, passed away in 2015 age of 86. From: Lang Dulay Wikiwand

Both of them of them have been immortalized in immense murals. SM Aura Premier management commissioned artist Archie Oclos in 2017 and provided a prominent wall. From Philstar.com writer Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo: Malls now turning into art museums

Mural artist Archie Oclos painted the portraits of Lang Dulay and Wang Od in SM Aura Premier.

The murals’ immense size and location is in the main entrance stairway so it cannot be missed by mall goers in the high end SM Aura Premier at BGC. Slowly, there is a growing appreciation for the culture of our IP community. But there is still a very long way to go in defending their rights and improving their lives.

National Living Treasure Awardee Lang Dulay’s mural in SM Aura Premier (completed 2017 by Archie Oclos). (15)

IP People’s Covenant

Even before her political career, VP Leni Robredo worked for 10 years in Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) as a lawyer defending the interests and rights of indigenous peoples. Sen. Kiko Pangilinan has been helping IP’s since his college days in U.P. and work as lawyer as well.

On April 5, 2022 in Rizal Province the tandem signed the Indigenous People’s Covenant which include the recognition of the important role of indigenous peoples in national development, respect of their right to self-determination, and the call for long and lasting peace.

From left: Cong. Teddy Baguilat, VP Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan sign the Indigenous People’s Covenant, April 5, 2022 in Rizal Province.

The covenant was signed with 1Sambubungan , a coalition of indigenous peoples (IPs) composed of tribal members of Aeta, Dumagat, Igorot, Monobo, and Remontados scattered across the country, particularly in the Southern Tagalog provinces. From Senate.gov: Leni-Kiko tandem signs Indigenous People’s Covenant, receives the backing of various IP groups in Rizal Province

“Ako po, sinisiguro ko sa inyo na popreteksyunan namin kayo. ‘Yung pagpili po namin kay Congressman Teddy Baguilat bilang bahagi ng aming senatorial ticket, ito po ‘yung pinakasimbolo kung gaano kayo kahalaga sa magiging administrasyon natin (For me, I will make sure that we will protect you. Our choice of Congressman Teddy Baguilat as a part of our senatorial ticket, this is a symbol of how important you are in our administration),” said Robredo. From MB.com: In Antipolo, Leni-Kiko tandem signs pact with IPs promoting their rights, welfare

Igorot boy welcomes Aika Robredo, People’s Rally, April 20, 2022, St. Louis School, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Laylayan, Magsasaka, Mangingisda

“Pinirmahan na po natin ang covenant na ito upang sang-ayunan ang pagsuporta sa agenda ng ating mga katutubo…At sa pagpirma nito, ganoon din ang ating commitment para sa welfare, para sa issues na dinadala ninyo bilang mga katutubo — ang ating mga IPs,” Sen. Kiko Pangilinan said after he and running-mate vice-president Leni Robredo signed the Indigenous People’s Covenant which outlines the 1Sambubungan agenda.

Aika Robredo, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya April 20, 2022; Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

The agriculture sector advocate said that it is easy to make promises especially in the middle of the campaign period, but what sets the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem is their clean track record and their ability to deliver on their campaign promises.

“Tayo po estudyante pa lamang sa UP ay ipinaglalaban na ang mga karapatan ng mga katutubo, ang mga nasa laylayan, mga magsasaka, manggagawa, mangingisda. Tayo po ay naging abogado para sa mga mahihirap. Inuna po natin ang mga marginalized sectors noong nagpa-practice pa tayo ng abogasya at itong nakaraang isang dekada, tayo po ay champion ng mga usapin ng mga nasa laylayan,” he said. From Senate.gov: Leni-Kiko tandem signs Indigenous People’s Covenant, receives the backing of various IP groups in Rizal Province

“Hindi po tuwing eleksyon lamang. Sampung taon mahigit na po nating isinusulong ang mga programa, mga batas hinggil sa mga usapin ng mga magsasaka’t mangingisda,” he added.

VP Leni; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

(23) Elmo Magallona; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

“Dito sa amin sa Botolan, Zambales, napakahalaga ng pagpapalakas sa mga programang agrikultura kagaya ng organic farming. Kung mapapalakas ang kabuhayan ng mga katutubo, ito ang magdadala sa kanila sa “Kainomayan,” sa mas maginhawang pamumuhay. Kapag umuunlad ang isang katutubo,mas dumarami ang maaari niyang bilhin at mas makakapagpaaral siya ng kanyang mga anak.

Kaya naman suportado namin si Senator Kiko Pangilinan dahil nakatutok siya agrikultura na direktang nakakatulong sa mga pamayanan namin dito. Kapag nanalo siya, sana ay hindi lang proyektong pang-agrikultura sa lowland ang itaguyod niya kundi maisama rin ang mga nasa kabundukan. Sana matulungan kaming mapalakas ang pagtatanim ng mga native na punla sa halip na gumamit ng mga baguhang punla. Kailangan maprotektahan ang mga native na punla namin para hindi sila mamatay.

Tubag Jugatan endorses Leni Kiko; Photo from Photo from official Kiko Pangilinan fb:
https://www.facebook.com/officialkikopangilinan

Kung mananalo rin ang tambalang LeniKiko, sigurado kaming mas makikilala pa ang karapatan ng mga katutubo,lalo na sa lupain ng aming mga ninuno. Napakatagal na panahon na pero hanggang ngayon ay may mga lupain pa ring hindi naiaaward sa mga pamayanang katutubo. Umaasa kami na sa pamumuno nina VP Leni at Senator Kiko, matatanggap na rin ng mga katutubong Aeta ang nararapat para sa amin.

Mahalaga sa amin na manalo silang dalawa. Kumbaga sa aming mga katutubo, kung ano yung pinakabunga, nandoon na intact na, hindi ka na dapat pumili pa ng iba.”

— Tubag Jugatan, Pangulo, Lubos na Alyansa ng mga Katutubong Aeta ng Zambales

VP Leni with PANAGKAKADUA-AN SAN FELIPE STREET DANCERS; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Gab Valenciano, April 19, 2022; Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

“Salamat kay Sir Kiko dahil iniisip niya kung paano makakakain nang maayos ang mga katulad naming katutubo. Napakalayo ng lugar namin dito pero alam namin na may malasakit si Sir Kiko sa aming kabuhayan.

Nagsasaka ako ng saging, niyog, at gabi. Anim ang aking anak. Isa sa kanila ay kakagraduate lang ng high school at sabik nang makapagkolehiyo. Gusto niyang kumuha ng kurso sa computer. Pangarap ko na makapagtapos ang mga anak ko kahit gaano kahirap ng buhay. Mahalaga para sa akin ang edukasyon kaya nagtuturo din ako sa mga batang Dumagat sa lugar namin.

Marilyn Buendicho endorses Leni Kiko; Photo from Photo from official Kiko Pangilinan fb:
https://www.facebook.com/officialkikopangilinan

Inspirasyon sa amin si Sir Kiko. Nakikita lang namin siya sa TV noon pero ngayong araw ay nakita namin siya nang personal. Umaasa kaming manalo silang dalawa ni Mam Leni dahil alam naming tutuparin nila ang mga pangako nila.

Kaya para sa buong pamilya naming kasama ko ngayon dito, Leni-Kiko kami!!!”

— Marilyn Buendicho, Katutubong Dumagat, Magsasaka at Gurong Pangkomunidad

(31) Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

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Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

(34) Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

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Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

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VP Leni with PANAGKAKADUA-AN SAN FELIPE STREET DANCERS; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

(40) VP Leni; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

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VP Leni; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

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VP Leni hugs Aeta Botolan Chieftain Fe Dumulot; Olongapink Leni Kiko Rally, SM City Olongapo, April 19, 2022. Photo from Official VPLeniRobredo https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH

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