Mark

October stands as the Philippines’ National Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month, and this year’s theme, "Weaving Culture, Enriching Future: Empowering Indigenous Communities as Bedrock of Sustainable Development", weaves together a powerful narrative of identity, justice, and collective progress. The metaphor of "weaving" is deeply symbolic: it echoes the intricate craft that defines many IP communities—from the Cordillera’s backstrap textiles to the T’boli’s vibrant t’nalak, while also representing the act of interlacing traditional values, knowledge, and practices into the very fabric of national life. Culture here is not a static artifact but a living thread that connects past generations to the present, shaping how communities understand themselves and their place in the world. The phrase "enriching future" reminds us that honoring IP culture is not just an act of preservation, it is a pathway to sustainability. Indigenous peoples hold time-tested wisdom in ...