Reflections by our ICBE Pioneers by Cesar Tomilas Taguba
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12th Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK-Europe (ICBE) Conference
Salle Dupréel, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Solbosch Campus
Avenue Jeanne 44, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium
May 29-June 1, 2025
REFLECTIONS by our ICBE PIONEERS
By Cesar Tomilas Taguba
Let me share six points for my three-minute reflection as one of the pioneers and at 82 years old, the oldest ICBE Elder:
(1) It is highly significant that in our 12th ICBE Conference, we are witnessing the outstanding role of the 2nd generation. I recall our 2002 Assembly of Cordillera People in Europe (ACPE) in Gent, where some of the children like Marivonne Cuyob, Cristobal Agnaonao and others from different organizations and the academe are now in the leadership and management of our 12th ICBE Conference. Thus, we are given much hope for a bright ICBE future.
(2) Through all the ICBE assemblies, we affirmed the principle of Unity in Diversity. We took pride in our own tribal and/or provincial hymns and chants and singing together the Cordillera Hymn, Philippine National Anthem, anthem of the host country and ended up with the European Anthem in recognition of our growing multiple identity. We listened to presentations of the History and Culture of each province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
We take pride in our tribal culture and take part in Cordillera-wide movement for land, life, defense of ancestral land and Right to Self-Determination expressed through unity songs, dances and chants. We unite in our Liturgy of Unity, Hope and Love.
(3) We uphold the principle of gender equality and honor outstanding women leadership in indigenous peoples (IP) Cordillera organization in various countries. In ICBE, a growing number received national, regional and global awards for outstanding performance in their work and social, cultural and academic achievements.
(4) We uphold the principle of Tongtongan ti Umili and Self-Reliance, Volunteerism in the planning, funding and management of our ICBE conferences and in maintaining our ICBE website. Those with technical and communication expertise freely share their talent and expertise to sustain communications and connections, and access to information relevant to our ICBE concerns.
(5) We respond to historical and structural issues impacting on our lives as Cordillerans and migrants through our Resolutions
(a) Commemoration and satisfactory closure of the 1887 Madrid Exposition where our Igorot ancestors, among others were displayed in what Rizal said was a “Human Zoo”;
(b) Visits to historical places in Barcelona and Belgium;
(c) Repeal of the Philippine Mining Act 1955 and
(d) Setting up of a CAR Migrant Desk.
(6) Finally, we affirm our right and responsibility to tell our own stories, sing our own songs, express our hope and dream as Cordillera migrants through the publication of two volumes of Travels, Travails & Triumphs of Igorot Cordillerans in Europe conceptualized, written and published by us. It is remarkable that our 3Ts Editors launched Volume 2 during the 12th ICBE Conference, which I anticipate will spark a call for a 3rd volume!
Kakabsat, Kakalian, Kakadwa,
Matago-tago tako!
Agbiag ti ICBE ken Cordillera ili!
Ooway, Adivay, Ooy, Ooy!