MEMBERS of a Cordillera family trooped to a polling center in their native attire.

Nicolas Cawed, 75, a tribal leader from Bontoc in Mountain Province, cast his vote in Baguio in his traditional attire.

"Just being a proud Igorot to show to the people that we have a culture, we have a heritage that we are proud," he said.

Nicolas, known as Bong, was accompanied Monday, May 13, by his granddaughter, Chandra Danglipen, and Igor Nickolai Cawed, who also cast his vote.

Igor said this is the third time he had voted and did not hesitate to use the traditional attire.

"It's been the tradition of our family to show to the people that we do this and to encourage everybody that even though you are from the mountains, you are an Igorot, you're vote still counts," Igor said.

"I have been doing this since I was a child performing with people with the traditional attire," he added.

Igor also urged the people to practice their tradition.

Chandra, 15, who studies in Bontoc, expressed optimism to continue to wear the traditional attire.

"Proud po kasi ako na ipakita ang pagiging Igorot ko po (Because I am proud of my being an Igorot)," she said.

The Cordillera has different tribes, such as the Ibaloys, Kankana-eys, Kalanguya and Iowak, among others.