DOCUMENTATION for Saturday afternoon, 11 May 2013

14:20 – 14:40 (Discussion on forthcoming ICBE Consultations, Planning for the 8^th ICBE Consultation, and other Announcements)

·       Ms. Marilyn Aro-Forte of Cordillerans in Italy shared that she’ll be asking her comrades back in Rome if they were willing to host the 9^th ICBE Consultation in 2017.  If ever they decline, Bologna instead will accept the responsibility of hosting the consultation.

·       The Igorot Austria-Cordillera will be the host for the 8^th ICBE Consultation in 2015. No specific dates have been announced yet, but the organization ideally plans to have it during summer. The focus of the consultation that has been proposed is “Ifugao”. Ms. Yvonne Belen’s proposed schedule for the next consultation are as follows:

o   1^st day, Thursday 

Afternoon: Arrival (participants may also like to arrive a day earlier),

Evening: Introductions and socialization

o   2^nd day, Friday

Daytime: Speeches and workshops on the theme; Workshops on other topics.

Evening: Video showing

o   3^rd day, Saturday

Daytime: Lectures on songs, dances and chants; Corresponding workshops 

Evening: Cultural Night

o   4^th day, Sunday 

Morning: Attend mass or service.

Afternoon: Planning for the next consultation; Closing session.

o   5^th day, Monday

City tour of Vienna.

o   6^th day, Tuesday

Visit to the Ethnology Museum in Vienna.

o   7^th – 9^th day, Wednesday through Friday

To Salzburg and Salzkammergut. 

·       On the 18^th of May 2013 (Saturday), Ms. Leonida Ostermayer-Lunag announced that Igorot Austria- Cordillera will be having a Cañao in Austria. Everyone is invited to celebrate with them.

·       On the 25^th and the 26^th of May 2013 (Saturday and Sunday), Ms. Conchita B. Pooten announced that Igorot U.K. will be having a Cañao in London. She added that attendees should confirm early and that accommodations will be free.

14:40 – 15:15 (Migrant Issues and Cordillera Concerns)

                        Facilitator: Mr. Ricardo Cuyob of Cordillera Community in Belgium

ISSUES/CONCERNS/SUGGESTIONS/REACTIONS

#1 Ms. Beverly Pooten of BIBAAK-Madrid regarding ICBE Consultations

·       Ms. Pooten suggested that there should be two ICBE conferences every two years instead of one. She also suggested organizing conferences that cater to each ethnic group or province.

·       Ms. Yvonne Belen replied, saying that it would be difficult to have an ICBE conference every year and that every conference covers all aspects of the Cordillera: all the issues, all the provinces, all the ethnic groups.

*Note: giving of souvenirs (fan and pouch) courtesy of BIBAK Barcelona

#2 Ms. Beverly Pooten of BIBAAK-Madrid regarding the Creation of a Party List

·       Regarding migrant issues, Mr. Ric Cuyob mentioned the past 2013 Philippine elections and how Filipino migrants should have thought of supporting and voting party list/s that represented migrants, so that they (Filipino migrants) have representatives in Congress.

·       In line with Mr. Cuyob’s statement, Ms. Pooten suggested that Igorots/Cordillerans should have their own party list since there is a big population of Igorots, especially abroad. This is in order for the Igorots to be able to voice out their concerns to the government and to be well-represented in Congress. She added that it is unfortunate that none of the Igorot migrants has been given the opportunity to represent the Igorots and/or the Filipinos in general in Congress. According to her, the making of such a party list concerns Filipinos who are of dual citizenship and Filipinos abroad who vote during Philippine elections.

·       Ms. Lydia Udasco-Konarski from the U.S.A reacted to Ms. Pooten’s proposal by saying that the creation of such a party list is very impossible since Igorots/Cordillerans are scattered throughout the world. It will be difficult to manage.

·       Ms. Pooten replied by saying that maybe in the future, if all Igorots/Cordillerans could come up with a common base, such a party list can be possible.

·       In reaction to what Ms. Pooten’s proposal, Myla Mayayeo, BIBAAK-Madrid’s president, thought of the creation of a party list that represented the Cordillera in the future as a good suggestion. But she argued that when BIBAAK-Madrid was created, it was meant to be non-political in nature. If they pushed for such a proposal, the organization will become a political organization.

·       Ms. Belen replied by saying that such proposals and concerns that are political in nature should be delivered to other organizations instead of the ICBE.

#3 Ms. Leonida Ostermayer-Lunag of Igorot Austria- Cordillera on Helping out the Philippines as a Migrant

·       Ms. Ostermayer addressed Filipino migrants in the EU about helping others back in the Philippines. “When we help people in the Philippines, we help ourselves”. She mentioned several good deeds that she and her comrades from Igorot Austria- Cordillera have done in the past years in order to help people in need back at home.

·       In relation to the past 2013 Philippine elections, Ms. Ostermayer emphasized the importance of supporting candidates, such as Teddy Casiño, who are truly trying to improve the political and economic situation of the Philippines, especially in matters of corruption and poverty.

·       Mr. Cuyob added that Filipino migrants should not only be helping out the country economically through remittances, but they should also be active politically through voting during Philippine elections despite working and living abroad.

#4 Mr. Chico B. Taguba from The Netherlands on Voting Wisely

·       Mr. Taguba stated a challenge to everyone present on voting and the Philippine elections. It is to look into the programs of political candidates, especially on their programs concerning migrants. He also discouraged the concept of “group voting” and suggested that voters should rather make their own choice on who to vote.

#5 Mr. Chico B. Taguba from The Netherlands regarding the Issues of Migrants in The Netherlands and Solutions to such Issues

·       Mr. Taguba talked about his organization back in the Netherlands called the 3K (Kaibigan, Kababayan, Kaisa). Most of its members were Filipinos married to a Dutch. What concerned not only the Filipino migrants, but also the Dutch, was how to integrate both cultures together, to understand each one’s culture. Mr. Taguba mentioned that in this case, it was important for Filipinos to learn the ways of the Dutch and for the Dutch to learn the ways of the Filipinos. What he and his comrades in 3K did is that they provided the members of the organization with different interactive and fun activities that integrated both cultures.

·       Mr. Cuyob added that it is important to work and build relationships with people from the country or area Igorots/Cordillerans have migrated to, especially for the sake of the second generation.

15:15-15:40 (Intermission Number from BIBAK Switzerland)

·       BIBAK Switzerland prepared a short film that highlighted the beautiful country of Switzerland and what it really means to be Swiss. The first part presented common facts and different stereotypes associated to the country and its people. The second part depicted the positive and negative aspects of the Swiss. The last part of the film was the climax as it revealed the origins of the Swiss flag. “A white cross in a field of red” which emphasizes on the country and its people’s NEUTRALITY as well as their role as the aide of wounded soldiers during World War II, which in turn founded the Red Cross. Also the cross in the Swiss flag, according to the film, symbolized the resurrection of Christ and the strong Christian faith of the people who made Switzerland a nation back in the Middle Ages.

15:40-16:10 (Discussion on the Draft Resolution for the Commemoration of the 1887 Madrid Exposition)

·       Mr. Cuyob presented a brief history of the Igorot expositions and the current developments regarding the commemorations of such. The very first exposition was in the Exposición de las Islas Filipinas held in Madrid in 1887 where (20?) Igorots were publicly displayed to the amazement of the Spanish. The second exposition was in the St. Louis World’s Fair held in Louisiana in 1904. Then followed the exposition in Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exhibition held in Washington in 1909. One of the last ones was in the Gent World Fair (Universal Exposition of Exotic People?) held in Gent, Belgium in 1913.

·       So far, the province of Gent has already issued a public apology for the 1913 Igorot exposition. Also, the Timecheg Tunnel, a road tunnel being made in Gent which is named after one of the 55 Igorots who were exhibited in Gent, has been officially made a monument in 2011 to commemorate those Igorots.

·       Mr. Cesar T. Taguba then read the draft resolution that he authored which is entitled: “Calling for the Commemoration of the 1887 Madrid Exposition”.  It mentioned the public display of Filipinos and Igorots in different countries in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, where some Igorots brought to the Exposition died due to maltreatment, ill health, and hunger. It also mentioned Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s condemnation of the Exposition, referring to it as “inhumane”. Dr. Rizal was quoted from a letter he sent to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt regarding the Igorots who were at the 1887 Exposition in Madrid. “I would rather that they all got sick and died so they would suffer no more. Let the Philippines forget that her sons have been treated like this — to be exhibited and ridiculed”.

·       The resolution also mentioned the developments in Gent with the construction of the Timecheg Tunnel as an Igorot monument.

·       The resolution was made “to render justice, to rethink justice, and to acknowledge the individuals involved” in the 1887 Exposition.

·       The resolution urged the ICBE and its member organizations to take part in the commemorative activities.

*Note: The Philippine Embassy in Madrid’s Consul-General Catalino Dilem was present during the Gala Night.

REACTIONS regarding Resolution:

·       Mr. Gil Catimo of BIBAK Barcelona announced that they support this resolution and that they will try to present it to the government of Barcelona.

·       BIBAAK-Madrid announced that they also support this resolution and that they will channel it to whichever branch of the Spanish government to approach regarding this matter.

·       BIBAK Barcelona and BIBAAK-Madrid will be working together on the resolution.

·       Ms. Lydia Udasco-Konarski, representing the U.S.A. and the Baguio City National High School Alumni Association, announced her support of the resolution and that she might be able to help in making the processing of the resolution easier. She’ll present the drafted resolution to her colleagues from the BCNHS Alumni Association that are connected to the Philippine and U.S. government. She mentioned her colleague Ms. Della Domingo-Albert who is active in the concerns of Filipino migrants and is a retired DFA Secretary.

16:10-16:20 (Update on the 10^th Igorot International Consultation or IIC-10)

   Speaker: Ms. Cristina Malani-Suanding, Vice-President of Igorot Organization-Austria 

·       The IIC-10 will be held in Vienna, Austria from the 7^th to the 10^th of August, 2014 and will be hosted by the Igorot Organization-Austria. The very first IIC was held in West Covina, California in September 1995.  The last IIC was held in Baguio City in 2012. It has since been held every two years to “bring together Igorots all over the world to consult on issues, interests and concerns that are common to Igorots”. 

·       The venue of IIC-10 will be in the Eventhotel Pyramide Congress Center in Vienna. Near the hotel are the State Opera House, Vienna’s historical center, and the Shopping City Sud, Europe’s biggest shopping center.

·       The IIC-10 registration details are:

o   PACKAGE 1 (Registration Fee only) 

Adults:                        Early Reg. (until 31 Jan., 2014)         – € 250

                        Regular (1 Feb. – 30 April, 2014)      – € 300 

Youths:           Early Reg. (until 31 Jan., 2014)         – € 200

(13-18 y/o)      Regular (1 Feb. – 30 April, 2014)      – € 250 

Children:         TO BE ADVISED

(up to 12 y/o) 

*Package includes the registration fee, conference materials, the Gala Night, 3 Dinners (Thurs.-Sat.), and 3 Lunches (Fri.-Sun.)

o   PACKAGE 2 (Registration and Accommodation package) 

Adults:                        Early Reg. (until 31 Jan., 2014)         – € 380

                        Regular (1 Feb. – 30 April, 2014)      – € 430 

Youths:           Early Reg. (until 31 Jan., 2014)         – € 350

(13-18 y/o)      Regular (1 Feb. – 30 April, 2014)      – € 400 

*Package includes the registration fee, accommodation for 4D/3N, conference materials, the Gala Night, full board meals, and transportation to and from the airport or train station.

·       The Pre- and Post-Consultation activities are still being planned according to Ms. Ruth Licay of Igorot Organization-Austria. The first destination would probably be in Salzburg. Other possible destinations would be Bruck and even Budapest in Hungary. In addition, Igorot Organization-Austria is also looking for wine-making establishment or vineyards in the town of Krems where IIC-10 attendees will be able to visit via a boat/ship ride.

·       For more information regarding the IIC-10, visit Igorot-Austria’s website at www.igorot-austria.at/iic-10 or email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.