THE management of SM-Clark in Pampanga apologized to students of Pines City National High School (PCNHS) for a recent incident where cultural performers of the school almost failed to present Igorot dances because of a perceived slur made by a mall official.

The decision to apologize was reached after Baguio Representative Mauricio Domogan, PCNHS Teatro Pino cultural performing group coach Kiko Peñaflor and the 30 affected students met for a dialogue.

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In a letter addressed to members of Teatro Pino, SM-Clark assistant mall manager Lana Erroba said it was just a misunderstanding.

Reports said the PCNHS contingent was discriminated for wearing g-strings.

"It was not my intention to discriminate you and if I gave you that impression, I am sorry for the misunderstanding," said Erroba.

She said promoting culture is an SM mall practice. "Your group has brought much pride not only to the northern Philippines but also to our country."

Erroba assured there will be no repeat of the incident in the future. "My deep apologies for whatever inconvenience and embarrassment this may have caused you."

The mall management's apology is a welcome development for the school and members of Teatro Pino. However, they insist that a public apology be made.

Based on the account of Peñaflor and the affected students, 30 members of the group were invited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to stage a cultural presentation for the Wow Philippines celebration last November 14 at SM Pampanga.

The groups' team leader, 16-year-old Clever Panyag said they already experienced difficulty in dealing with some mall personnel even before the presentation itself.

He said security did not assist them and asked a lot of questions before allowing them to enter. As a result, they had to rush.

The contingent had to make do with only two cubicles for changing their clothes.

"There were 30 (15 to each comfort room) of us, how can we dress easily?" Panyag said, narrating further that at that time, they hadn't eaten their lunch yet as they had to rush to the venue because their driver failed to find where the mall was located.

But contingents from other regions were allowed to use the lavatories, said Panyag.

Based on Peñaflor's account, Erroba reportedly told the PCNHS contingent that Cordillera cultural performances "should only be done in the mountains not in the plains of Central Luzon."

Erroba reportedly feared the audience, mostly children, would be exploited if they watched dancers in g-strings.

However, Peñaflor said he and the director of the DOT regional office found the statement discriminatory because it looked down on the Igorot culture.

He stressed that the group has performed several times at SM-Clark and they have always been treated with respect by the management until the November 14 incident.

"We were invited, we did not just barge in. Besides, the children will not parade in their costumes. They will only wear it during the program," he said.

PCNHS principal Rachel Bugtong also welcomed the development.

"It is a lesson learned for the management. They should be careful in their statements," she said.

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo.

(December 5, 2008 issue)
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