Warning: This article may hurt you if you are not ready to accept reality. Don’t proceed otherwise.
Many times Igorots or Cordillerans have been one of the victims of racial discriminations or racial slurs. It does hurt to hear such. Having been a subject for this matter, what actions have we done on our part to deal with it? Tell yourself.
Here are some few points that each one of us might want to think about:
TOO MUCH BRAGGING OF BEING AN IGOROT (or even FILIPINO when you are abroad) and that’s the END of it- What does it do when you say to the person next to you that you are an Igorot, that you are from Baguio, that you are from the Philippines? What difference does it do to you as a person? Have the English people bragged about their race being an English when they conquered most of the world? Are they bragging about themselves being an English that “English is the International Language? Did Steve Jobs boasted that he is an “American” rather than being proud of his excellent Apple Gadget inventions?
“Can we think many times before we shout to the world or before we become so outspoken about us being an Igorot, Filipino or whatever identity we are in?” Are we really so different among others? If yes we have a unique difference, what does it do to the world?
Being proud of our cultural costumes, gongs, and ethnic dances? We are not so different at all. Many ethnic groups in the world have their own ethnicity and cultural authenticity. Muslims, Arabs, Western People and Chinese have their own gongs or other musical instruments, costumes and other cultural figures. They have their own music, we have our own. We are unique and different in our own terms. Nothing is on top of any other culture. We are unique in our own ways.
So here is the point, whether you are an Igorot, ilocano, tagalog, bisaya, muslim, chinese, english, american, african, arab, mexican, or whatever ethnic group or race you belong, there is no big deal and there’s no point to discriminate others or boast about yourself. We are all the same but ironically unique in our own ways. Just be proud of what you can do for the world and humanity.
Being offensive or defensive, discriminatory or being so Boastful of who you are, are some kind of personal and psychological problem. Don’t be one of them.
THE CORDILLERA CONNECTION 
I always have high regards and deep respect to the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera and all the other IPs in the Philippines and the world…they have preserved their culture despite the trappings of globalization…what saddens me most: they have been driven away from their ancestral domain and deprived of their traditional livelihoods…logging, mining, mono plantations and the encroachment of settlers in their ancestral lands have made their lives miserable…
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Thanks for ur view Rommie.
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i think we are not bragging our being igorot, it’s just in response or defense to, as you mentioned, we are being the target of discrimination from our fellow Filipinos. It’s just showing that we can also achieve what they can achieve, thus, the start of “Proud to be an Igorot”. I think we are not even bragging our gongs, costumes or traditions, as in fact it is the source of the discrimination and i think we are even sometimes ashamed or hiding them. My point is we are just being defensive since it is already too much, thus we are just lifting up our group when we say “proud to be an igorot. It is just unfortunate that the discrimination is from our fellow Filipinos, which i think is because of being “regionalistic”.
I agree though about your point that it should be stopped and we should be united instead.
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This is a problem even in our grassroots. E.g Ibalois discriminating Kankanaeys, vice versa. Its a problem when someone think that his/ her racial or ethnic identity is better than others.
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Dear Author (of this essay):
You are correct in your own opinion and you have stressed well your point of view. Yes, in philosophical view, if someone says he or she is an Igorot from Mountain Province or Baguio or Abra etc etc etc, one may answer back, SO WHAT? Just as the Bible says, we are all one race and that humans are different from animals. WE ARE ALL CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD.
When I say to you that I am an Igorot, I do not mean to boast to you my race. I am not bragging that I am far superior than you. When I say, I am an Igorot, I am only stating the fact the I am from this race and that is my identity. I am proud to be of one of our tribe.
Do you know why discrimination still exists among us Filipinos? That Tagalog thinks they are superior than us Igorots? Do you know why until now they still think of us as ignorant and uncivilized? Do you know how Igorot feels when one is being insulted and why the rest of the tribes will gather in unity to defend even for just only one fellowman? Do you know why we pride ourselves that WE ARE IGOROTS?
Let me paste this essay contributed by Christian Lizardo Aligo (Note: I wrote this speech for Chelsea “Chotiyan” Likigan Afidchao years ago when she was still studying at the University of the Cordilleras. Thanks Chelsea for delivering our thoughts! We will miss you. Rest in peace, till the next speech!) I will give you five seconds stare at me. Ladies and gentle men, what I mean is simply look at me with your eyes and NOT with your minds! After looking at me, look at your seat mate. Compare. Do you find any difference with the skin? With the hair? With the fingers? With the eyes? With the nose? With the pair of eye brows? Believe it or not (BUT YOU MUST BELIEVE), there is no BIG difference. If you are not YET convinced that we share no big difference at all, imagine Robin Padilla, Bebe Gandanghari, Paulo Avelino or Ingrid Payaket. Good people, you are not being deceived. We all look the same: you and me, me and your seatmate, you and your seat mate. But why are some people still being discriminated? Why are Igorots being discriminated? Why are we still facing the product of IGNORANCE among people from the lowlands? Why are we still suffering from the STEREOTYPES that only the STUPID, UNEDUCATED, UNCIVILIZE and the UNPROFFESIONAL homo habilis throw on us? In the past days, the Igorot community was shocked with a remark on Facebook. It was giving a stereotype that Igorots are not so good-looking. It sparked angry comments from great people- Igorots and lowlanders who are NOT ignorant about us. A newspaper tagged it as another RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. For the information of those who do not know, Igorots is a collective term for the people in the Cordillera Mountains, Baguio City included. Thus, we are referring to Ibalois, Kankanaeys, Applai, Bontoks (like me), Kalingas and other natives of this town. Our forefathers were very strong, that the Spaniards were not able to conquer our region and our culture was NOT tainted. Until now we practice our proud traditions. Our traditions include beetle nut chewing, butchering pig, eating dog meat and all other things that only ignorant people associate to as “YUCK”.
I believe the father of ignorance is no other than the EVER respected Carlos P. Romulo. For you, he is a national name for his essays about patriotism and loving this country. But to us, he is a piece of EMPTY mind. He called Igorots not Filipinos because according to his EMPTY BRAIND, Igorots have TAILS. Let me prove you his ignorance. Do I have tail? I may have this skin, which is not as fair as Kris Aquino’s. I may have this hair not as shiny as that of Tony Gonzaga. But that will not tell anyone to disrespect me. We have the same anatomy. We have the same food. We also cry when we are hurt. We also laugh when Vice Ganda throws a joke. We also read the newspaper. And lastly, we also pay our tuition here in the University of the Cordilleras. I condemn those who are ignorant about us. I pity them because their teacher did not teach you properly with knowledge about Filipinos. I condemn those who discriminate us. I pity them because their parents did not do their responsibility. I condemn those who do not respect our culture. I pity them for not being aware that they have also their traditions that we always respect. I condemn those who think their ethnicity is better than us. I pity them because they do not know that no ethnicity is better. Now, look at me again. And tell me if you should discriminate me for being a full-blooded Igorot. Ladies and gentlemen, who are the future managers of the Philippines, have a great day ahead and always remember that the forefathers of the president of the United States of America were once slaves and were discriminated like Igorots.
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Being so defensive against slurs makes us not different to them. We too, Igorots are discriminatory against each other so making this up within our own selves is the solution.
We igorots sometimes brand our selves as cowboys but others see it as being in-a-way “dogyot”. On the other hand, other racial/ ethnic group brand themselves as high class or social but we see them as as “maarte”.
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Somehow i cannot connect this “Being so defensive against slurs makes us NOT DIFFERENT from them.” Thus this mean when i defend my ethnic origin by proudly pointing out that i belong to a race that someone just insulted is the same as me discriminating their racial origin? Also i would agree to those who mentioned that by proudly stating that I belong to the ethnic group that a certain someone just insulted is but a defense to lift up what has been degraded. If you haven’t notice all this “bragging” only happens after igorots being insulted. Anyway if you find such way of defense as bragging then why don’t you suggest a better way of handling such situations. I understand your essay in a way that suggest we Igorots should just shut up and do nothing about racial discrimination. I also believe that branding ourselves (cowboy) has nothing to do with our racial origins since you yourself mentioned that even among igorots there are clans who would see themselves above the other. It’s a people problem that happens all over the world, there are always different classes of people in our society that view others perhaps in a derogatory way something that even happens in a group of friends.
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“Teaser idol!!” Have you experienced being humiliated in front of many people because they are laughing the race or place where you belong? I tell you it’s better to be punch than to hear those insulting word.
Gusto ko lang magcomment sa too much bragging etc. (…) palaisipan! sino bang tanga ang basta2 magsisigaw o magsasabi sa bawat kasasubong nya na Igorot o Filipino sya , de para ka ng baliw nun. Siguro naman may dahilan bago magsabi ng ganun. Sa mga English na sinasabi mo di talaga nila ipagmamayabang na nasakop nila MOST OF THE WORLD kasi dahilan yun ng pagkasawi ng buhay at pagkawasak ng ibang bansa. Ito pa ang mga biro na malapit sa katutuhanan Sa English na IL, siguro naman pag may magyayabang na sikat ang kanilang salita sasabihin ng mga English “Hey man are you aware that our language, English, is the IL?” kay Steve Jobs pag may palaging magaangas sa kanya tungkol sa nagawang RADYO’t TV, siguro naman kahit anung bait ni Steve mapupuno yun, sasbihin “ I just invented 1 gadgets where you can access tv and radio, if you want I can give it to you, for free”
Sorry ah. Pero para sa akin wala akong nabasa na kaugnay sa title.
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Hi TOlitz, I don’t get your point too. U’r seem to be out of context from what the article is trying to point out.
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To thecoldilleranconnection,
This is my own view and I don’t speak of other Igorots. It’s true that we discriminate other fellow cordillerans and I guess low landers do it also with other low landers. I’ve seen also British do it againts Germans and Frenchs and vice versa. But I don’t go out publicly to yell it out ( like C. Romulo ) or ” hindi po ako igorot, tao po ako” ( Miss Pangil…) or post it on facebook (“tang ina nyong mga igorot” ). With these, for me, it’s not discriminatory to be defensive. I guess that’s why some clothings came out with “Igorotak” printed on them and “Proud to be Igorot” in cars. Now that is not being defensive. So when I tell somebody I am an Igorot I am not bragging about because there is nothing to brag about (except if I am Pacquiao..hehe..just kidding)
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now that’s the problem Tabcao, we are too showy and somet. We are almost branding our identity way too much. I think being proud of our identity is best done by leveraging on whatever positive characteristics we have and use it for the good, not just showing who we are. I
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I am also a full blooded Igorota and yes, very proud of it for a lot of reasons. I am guilty of sometimes being proud of my ethnicity as I find that our values and way of living are different from others yet they discriminate us for being able to live simply and for living in the mountains. This has gone so far and it will not stop until we make it stop. The only reason I publicly say that I am proud of my ethnicity is in defense of their discrimination. No one will make it stop unless we stand up to it and prove them wrong. They say we are uneducated, I say I am an Igorot and I am educated, they say we are monkeys with tails, I tell them I’m an Igorot to show them we don’t have tails. They say we are filthy and don’t have manners, I say I’m an Igorot and I invite them to our home to show them it’s not true. Again, the reason I say I am an Igorot is because I want to correct their misconception. Simple as that.I don’t think its wrong at all to do that. Yes, we are not perfect, but so are they. Yes, there might be some of us who are indeed what they accuse as of, but we are not all the same. The problem with them is they generalize. We have been discriminated for too long. We used to just let it be. Now many are already fed up hence the start of what you call “bragging”. I think they all have the same reason as me. Even Mayor Domogan stood up and sort of “fought back” when Candy Pangilinan made a discriminatory comment against us publicly. We are all entitled to our own opinions, and we are all free to do what we think is right. For me, doing what I do, proving them wrong of their misconceptions is my right. I am an IGOROT, respect me and my ways and I will give you the same respect!
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Nice points Grail!
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* accuse us of..
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Thanks for all your thoughts regarding this article. You readers, might want to contribute with more ideas so we can edit and republish it for a more constructive purpose. Our goal is to open the reader’s eyes and instil in them that we must take pride of what we can do for others and for humanity rather than being proud of where, who and what we are..
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I just realized that We Igorots are just very sensitive about issues we hear against us. Lets not be too aggressive about it and just think about what we say first before we attack em 🙂
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That’s true Gareth, let’s take it constructively first.
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E Pluribus Unum. This is a latin phrase found in the Great Seal of the US of A which means: “Out of many, one.” This is in recognition of the different States coming together as one. I think this should also apply in a lot of other varied things such as ethnicity and culture. We should be cognizant of our cultural and ethnic differences, and respect each other as co-equals. There is nothing wrong in celebrating who we are, and nothing wrong in being proud of who we are or where we come from, but we should not be putting anyone down who is “not like us”. Upholding our identities, and respecting others’ are not mutually exclusive. I wholeheartedly agree with the premise of the article that we are all the same and should not be one upping each other. We are, after all, citizens of Earth. The problem comes when pride is infused with feelings of superiority. This is where discrimination comes in. We should teach our young ones to respect and uplift each other–whether they are from the same culture/race or not. This will put an onus to each and every one of us adults to really examine ourselves and try to expunge any discriminatory thoughts or feelings that we may harbor against others outside of our circles–especially ethnic and cultural. Variety makes our world a much more interesting place to be in. I love my etag and pinikpikan, but I also love my Kapampangan friend’s tocino, my Ilokano friend’s Vigan longanisa, etc, etc. My dad hails from Mankayan, Benguet and my mom’s ancestry can be traced to Sagada, Mountain province and I can say I’m proud to be Igorot, but I do respect other cultures and ethnicities. I did marry a wonderful lady whose parents hail from Pangasinan, so that proves my point…but that’s another story. Live and let live, but more importantly…live and love!!!
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Dear author:Your article sounds like you don’t really care about your own ethnicity being tainted with misleading definitions and being mutilated by these ignorant individuals. Just my thought: your arguments are so alarmingly absurd. You have actually inspired me to write an article with devotion and interest about what makes a fellow Igorot like you become so disappointed about the realities of your roots which have been embraced and practiced by your forefathers. They say there is the wisdom of the head and the wisdom of the heart. More often, the words that come from our mouth are related to what we feel. I hate to think that you are ashamed of your place of origin or so your being an Igorot. If I may ask, what’s really making you so bitter about us Igoys who are just proud of our own ID?
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Hi IgorotedKada, it is more alarmimg how we react on this things u see in facebook. The writer is a lot concerned and cares of our ethnicity and so this org and site was made in view of promoting our culture. The way you react with this post shows a typical reactive character which others ( let say non-igorot) see as unproportional. Your term ignorant as well as mutilated is so strong and it shows that you are not far different those who discriminate us. If I may ask you, how where are u based (aside from what your profile name says)? It seems that you are the one who is bitter against someone.
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Hi IgorotedKada, just traced your IP adress and points out that your using SKY Broadband here in London. No wonder why your comment is so explosive and out of context. Kindly read again the article and read your comment so you can see if there is a good relationship of what you wrote to what the writer is trying to convey.
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Thank you for your opinion. I get your point.
However, I think your 3rd paragraph definitely raised some eyebrows. Other comments have already pointed out that it is not bragging but defending ourselves. Lately, it has been alarming to see Facebook posts which are grossly discriminatory, negligent and totally disrespectful. So what was actually your initial reaction? Were you not pissed off? The responses of our fellow Igorots varied from mild to serious, over the top comments which included threats to the person’s death or infliction of physical injuries. YOU CAN’T BLAME THEM. Maybe this is what you saw which made you conclude that we do so much bragging. We don’t have other choice but to step up and say “Hey! We’re humans too!” We know how to read, we know how to do facebook, we have feelings too, and most importantly, we are also hurt. The point is, it is not us who started the argument, we are merely defending ourselves. Like I said, we are all humans. We were born to have defense mechanisms which we employ when we are in compromising and difficult situations. The bragging will not happen if we were not provoked. That is why it was called a defense because we were first offended.
Happy Valentines Day! Spread the love. @.@
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I totally agree… We just can’t blame our brothers for reacting to discrimination. We can’t expect everybody to throw back bread every time we are stoned, c’mon.
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Unfortunately, throwing back a stone is not what we are trying to convey. Maybe that’s yours.
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just a short word. I think lets just Respect our selves so that individual will respect us too. Teach our selves first. Before we teach others too. Humble our self so that God will raise us up. Do the Right thing, do not do things right. because even you do good things still someone someone from your you are bad. how much more to to the other group. The speech of Mr. M. Quezon is maybe not to remove Igorots as a filipino. Maybe He want to say something that is more higher respect than a filipino. because if you study well the meaning of filipino, not good. but i respect my self as a filipino, i am an Igorot. i am challenge with the speech of Mr. M. Quezon positively. will.. if He really meant hes speech negatively, that is hes sin alone. many more but i might not in the right point you want to gather. thank you and God bless you.
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sorry there is missing words between someone and you are. it should be”someone from your ethnical group will still say you are bad”
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… ..(Dear Author of this essay)
We are not Bragging because we have Bragging rights; the thing is that We tell them WE EXIST!!! and our existence is what matters. SIMPLY! to correct the term Bragging/Boasting MISUSED!. The difference it makes RECOGNITION!! not as superior but Valuing Who We Are..
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This is one point of the article.. We don’t need to tell others that we exist. The best thing to do if we want to be RECOGNISED AND RESPECTED (as we demand) is for us to leverage on the strengths and positive traits that we possess. To be one of the leaders in many fields like agriculture, sports and other areas where we could excel. Integration and assimilation with other group of people is also a key where we can be recognised without needing to tell them verbally or visually. Yes we are proud of our being, and so we wear tshirts like IGOROTAK… That’s how we feel.. We are proud to be one if we wear that TSHIRT. But that is within us only… In the eyes of non-igorot, they don’t know what it is. It is pointless for them so we are telling to ourselves that we are Igorot not to others. So being so outspoken or visually expressive or showy of our being is near to bragging. The point is, we should do more valuable things and ideas that will help us be respected and recognised…
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dear author: I somehow like your point. But I am thankful to your critics.
Whenever I see discriminatory posts against Igorots, I cannot help but get pissed off. The temptation to lambast back the poster is so strong, yet, I easily gather myself and say, “d ako papatol nor magsasayang ng oras sa ignoranteng eto”. Yet, I find comfort reading the defensive feedbacks of others and I am somewhat relieved somebody else vocalized them. Kasi nga, the real reason why d ko sila pinapatulan is because I do not want to be like them (the posters), as you pointed out in one of your replies here.
I totally get your point (or so I think, hehe), but the way you delivered it was way much too strong that it insulted some readers (me, included). The first paragraph was certainly great, your point was clear. But the analogies that followed were somewhat out of place, as was pointed out by many of your critics. There’s no comparison between the English People and the Igorots (this made me laugh, sorry). Comparing the two is like comparing the Pacific Ocean with the Abra River. Nor is there any analogy between Steve Jobs with his apple gadgets and an Igorot with his “Igorotak” t-shirt.
Here’s a simpler analogy: Someone would say ur folks are dirty uncivilized people. You, the well-mannered professional that you are, choose to ignore such ignorant remark (lest you would be stooping to his level), and keep your cool. But then a cousin of yours who heard the same remark stands up and points out that the statement is not true, and that in fact, your parents are highly-educated members of an international rotary club. How would you feel? Would you be humiliated, would you say your cousin was bragging and scold him about it? Or would you just be relieved somebody cared to defend you and say to him, “hayaan mo lang sila, let’s just do our best and prove them wrong.”
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Thanks for the interaction Grace.. I think I have said enough in my comments to other commentators. The only thing that catched my interest is your comment about the English and Steve Jobs paragraph which you said it made u laugh (that’s nice of you, how I wish I can join you with your laughters). I think it is clear in the article that there was never a comparison made between IGOROTAK TSHIRTS and Steve Jobs Apple Gadget inventions. I think its you who linked it to the tshirts upon seeing other comments. Here it is, the point and analogy of that paragraph is simply to emphasise that the English or british people and Steve Jobs have done a highly recognisable record in history but they were never so loud about their identity as being english nor as being a Steve Jobs. Instead, they are so proud of what they have done and invented, respectively. I’m wondering what made u arrive to the analogy u have stated, probably an intelligent literal interpretation of yours. Taking into account those racial slurs or discriminations u have heard, at what level have you responded? Don’t take the reactions of your “cousins” because your personal response is more important. It might even greatly help in helping your “cousins” react in a more constructive way. Let say a more christian way. Me personally, I actually don’t understand why we are too defensive when in fact there is seemingly only one in a million who picks to discriminate us. Is it worth putting our energy pointing to those very few discriminatory individuals that we are completely opposite of what they have said?
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Thanks for the comments.. In my point of view, there are still few people who doesn’t understand what the article implies.
Here is a part of a more profound article which I have come across and u might want to find the whole article to help u understand:
“Amu da…Igorot Ka”
“…amoy Igorot!”
“…Ang pangit ng mga Igorot!”
“Mamumugot ng tao ang mga Igorot!”
“Para kang Igorot…so barbaric!”
“Asan yung buntot mo? Buti alam mong gumamit ng computer?”
This will sound familiar to us mountain people, and also to those who have been here in the social media for quite some time. Such irresponsible and ignorant comments have surfaced, and resurfaced almost every quarter in Facebook and blogs. Unsurprisingly coupled with such expressed thoughts are the comments and replies containing more or less the following:
“..Pugutan ka ti ulo nu Makita ka!”
“ Pangit ka, Magaganda at Gwapo ang mga Igorot”
“Matay ka koma!”
“Awan ti amamum ignorante nga bitch/pangit/gago (insert any demeaning noun)”
“Haan mi nga padpada dakau…educated ken mestizo/mestiza ti igorots…haan nga kasla kanyau!”
Perhaps, we can also acknowledge that we have the tendency to give any of these reactions. It is a natural backlash from offending the person of one, or in this case a whole group. It is grounded on a very ancient rule of “reaping what you sow”, or “pain begetting pain, and goodness begetting good things”.
However, this cycle has been going on and on in a sickening phase. A chapter stuck in the pages because actions and reactions remain to be the same to a degree where emotions are vent only to satisfy the urge of defending pride and belongingness. Perhaps, we must move on.
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“i am, i am” i am” what those it means, yes of courses we are, we are proud of what we are, but some are using this just to…. you mean (what i mean) but when you till you are igorot, ilokano, Tagalog, Hindi, Chinese, English, etc. you are discriminating. because you are separating your own to others like as human being…. we are one as GODS children so why do we separate are self to others ……….. this is just my own opinion my dearest friends i am not igorot, ilocano, tagalog, bisaya, christian, muslim, etc. “i am a human”
so stop discriminating my friends…..
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An idea of humbleness.. Yes we can be proud of whatever identity we belong without having so loud and outspoken about it. We can achieve recognition and respect by making positive contributions to the improvement of humanity, using our unique characteristics.
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Dear writer of this article,
I can’t stop myself not to reply to this article. You have your point in your own.
In my own experiences, and for sure others too, I was oftentimes asked where my place of origin is. I proudly reply ” i am from Mt. Province, a pure Igorot.” They awkwardly reply that i don’t look like one. Then they describe what they know our ethnic group looks like, that others find offensive. For me, i am not offended because they are just being ignorant of us so i always take advantage of that time to educate them and proved them wrong. I understand our kakabsat who is being offended because others really show how bad they look down to other ethnic groups like us, eatas, mangyans, etc. Those who assume themselves being a higher class of individual while in fact they are more ignorant than us, need to be given a dose of their own medicine. That way, we are helping them to learn for themselves.
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Explaining that you are an Igorot and what igorots are should not be a problem. The article is about those who are being too proud and raising their chins about their identity without nothing really to be proud off. The article is implying that we must be proud of what we can contribute to mankind not who are we.
Only few are discriminating us so its not a big deal at all. We are actually giving a dose of our own medicine ( as how you described it) to ourself as we ourselves discriminate other tribes.
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Ay uston, kedeng nan sungbat tay nay men nose bleed ak et isnan kankanan you.
What matters is what we can do to correct those who think of us negatively, we need not point at other tribes or ethnic minorities, we need not tell them that we speak better english, we need not tell them that we look better. We should show them the truth, that we are Humble, and that we also live with them in the same planet,
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Here’s a suggestion: be yourself. No one really cares about what you do and what you look like. In the end you wish you lived your fullest. If you’re a Filipino, English, Scottish, etc. so what? Live your dreams and be the person you want to be.
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You have a point there dude, too much pride is a manifestation of a racist or insecurity. But I don’t agree with how you presented your idea. You know, the brainless and stupid mainstream pinoys still believe what their Spanish masters have painted in their thick skulls a long time ago – that Igorots are more of a huminid species that a homo sapiens. Maybe you had not been to the lowlands. I tell you, it makes your head shake in disbelief to witness firsthand how ignorant this mainstream pinoys are. What your commentors are saying is that we should not be ashamed to identify ourselves as Igorots inspite of what they percieved upon us. That’s just it. Nothing near to saying, “hey I am Igorot, look at me, I have a fairer complexion than you, I am more muscular than you, I eat pinicpican, and I am better than you.” And by the way, why do you exclaim you are an Igorot if nobody is asking anyway.
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The writer has lived and worked in the lowlands (and with the people in the lowlands) and so there is confidence with what this article is trying to imply. Again, the article simply wants to say that we should be proud of what we can do to the improvement of humanity and not because of our identity. Stereotyping, just how you unfairly described lowlanders, are common to all groups of racial identity. Igorots are not alone being discriminated. Igorots discriminate others too, and even their own kind. So again, lets boast and take pride of ourselves of how can we help others or how we can contribute to the improvement of society. Not being proud of who, what and where we are.
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I have encountered someone at work today. I interacted nicely with him, he asked me where I was from in the Philippines, I told him I was from Mountain Province. He acted rude and arrogant towards me when I told him where I was from, something I did not expect from someone who also came from the Philippines(Manila). He mocked the language of our people, I kindly explained that like other tribes we had our own language. He mocked our outfits saying that men’s balls hang out of their Bahags, and he gave me a look of disgust, but I informed him that it wasn’t so because we are a conservative group of people and wardrobe malfunction was a big no! no! He told me they had huge farms where they came from, I also informed him that we had such individuals in our tribe who possess huge amounts of properties. He told me that Igorots were not Filipinos, I paused and thought to myself. I responded with, Yes. You are right Igorots were not Filipinos, because the definition a Filipinos are those people who were enslaved by the Spanish Empire for 350 years . Used like animals from the age of 17-70 years old, in huge plantations. I informed him, that our traditions and monumental feats (such as the Rice Terraces) are still visible and usable to this day. What I learned from this interaction, was to stand up from where you came from, not tot boast, but to be able to understand the sacrifices your ancestors have paid just to save you from a life of misery and limitations. Yes, we are just like any other tribes in these world, but our history and the choices made is the distinction that makes us unique.
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Well my dear, you are right that about the notion that we are just like any indigenous culture in the world. However, you shoul also realize that you are in no position to enforce you apathetic ways to other Igorots. You may not like your that your brother or your neghbor proudly proclaims to that they are Igorots, but none of it is your business. Another individual being proud of their heritage is not a bad thing, so long as they don’t discriminate. Each one has a way to dealing with their own background and accomplishments, some like Steve Jobs really are loud and proudly headstrong about the way they handle their business, and there are some people like you. Remember, we are all humans who are in a journey called life. Just be you, and let them be themselves.
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Well said TCC. Para kenyak met, no maminsan datayo piman ti ayan na. Usto jay naibagam mga too much bragging ta adu ti makitkita tayo ti facebook nga kasjay. Ken maysa pay ket dijay kinasensitibo tayo, mejo sobra. No datayo ti makaibaga iti ‘kuripot ti ilocano’ or ‘nalalastog ti taga baba’, haan met nga big deal kenyada. Ngem no isuda ti nakaibaga ti ‘dogyot or badoy ti igorot’ ket apo kasla da lang nakapatay ti tao ti ikasta tayo nga agreact.
Discrimination is everywhere. Uray datayo adu ti aramid tayo ken sao nga makadiscriminate ti daduma nga puli ngem haan tayo mapupuotan ta jay garud ,sensitibo tayo laununay. Dagijay iloco nga sumangsang at ditoy baguio no maminsan ket katawaan tayo piman ti accent da, ti kulay da. Isunga saan tayo unay palaloan di reaction tako adi.iman.. baybay an tayo nalang isuda . Instead nga ipost2 ti fb ti experience tayo ti discrimination koma ket itatalna tayo nalang ngay. Tano knyak ket haanak nga masaktan met ta no alalaen ket napudpudaw ken natataerak met no isuda hehe. Basta keep silent tayo lattan uray nya kunkuna da . Dijay sa ti kamayatan.
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