Cesar T. Taguba (The Netherlands) to Gil, Julie, Maite and Mark

    Cesar T. Taguba

My dear a-aki tan kailian, abadeg ja pagyaman iti adivay tan tavtaval tayo. You helped me recall my Ibaloi years, thus renewing my roots and getting connected with my past. Your hospitality, the tapuey and the kintuman gave a memorable taste of a bit of our culture, thousands of miles away from home. 

Gil, I congratulate you for your outstanding leadership in BIBAK Barcelona and in seeing through a successful ICBE, which also gave honor to your Ibaloi roots. Your interaction with the ICBE participants was warm and friendly, not arrogant; you were calm and above all you enjoyed yourself. You also have a positive role in fostering unity and mutual respect among our ethno-linguistic groups with the wider Filipino community. And it is good to know that you - Julie, Maite and Mark are supportive and in your own way helping make your family be a family for others.

Maite and Mark, you have the advantage of having a father and mother who are deeply rooted in their culture and identity as Igorots and Filipinos and who freely share their time, knowledge and friendship to empower others, gaining the respect and love of many.

With friends like you and with the upcoming Igorot/Cordillera gatherings, growing old (in age) is full of joy and hope making life adagsak. Agbiag.