CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will conduct a national forum as a highlight for the celebration of the Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) Month.

Kálkalí, the Kankana-ey word for conversations, takes on the theme “Vital Wisdoms: Learning with the Indigenous Peoples” (Buháy na Dúnong: Pagkatúto Kasama Ang Mga Katutúbo).

“Kálkalí will feature speakers from cultural communities and representatives from concerned sectors who will share views and experiences pertaining to Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the Philippines,” NCCA Committee on Southern Cultural Communities head Elmalyn Abatayo said in a press conference in Pampanga.

It will be an avenue for IPs to appeal to the public to take heed and listen to their issues in the community.

“Initiatives and advocacies in safeguarding the ICH in the Philippines will also be discussed in this national forum,” she added.

For his part, vice head committee Dr. Abubacar Datumanong said language preservation in their community is very significant as this is a unique identity among IPs.

Each IP language represents location, culture and values taught in each tribe.

The Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) is the response of the Department of Education in the right of IPs to basic education that is aligned with their context, respecting to their identities, promoting value for indigenous knowledge, skills and other aspects of their cultural heritage.

Teachers for the IPEd are members in the IP community and use their mother tongue as mode of instruction in the classroom.

Celebration for the IP Month included a Dayaw Suroy Media Caravan with performances from the T’boli community of Lake Sebu.

The caravan visited key cities nationwide namely San Fernando, Pampanga; Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao and Zamboanga.

The eight sessions in Kálkalí will be held on October 28 to 29 at Maryhill School of Theology, Quezon City. (PIA-Central Luzon)