Day 2: Cordillera 101

Our entourage met up with professors and students from University Philippines of Baguio of the CSC to learn more about the historical, socio-political, geographical and economic issues of Baguio. There are a total of 27 municipalities and 303 barangays within the Cordillera political structure. The main produces of the Cordillera are rice, corn, coffee, vegetables, fruits and poultry. The primary mining industries of Baguio are gold and copper.

The Cordillera region has many traditional indigenous communities that have been dynamically transformed due to modernization. Nonetheless, ethnic identities still remain significant amongst Cordillera communities despite them living under the thumb of capitalism. Commercialization has turned the cultural lifestyles of indigenous communities into money making businesses. In addition, Filipino tourism industries are responsible for churning indigenous cultural lifestyles and practices into marketable commercial value. For example, misrepresentation of indigenous culture happens when tourists get to wear an igorot costume for 10 pesos.

During the afternoon seminar, social activists from the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance enlightened us on major issues related to the rights of the indigenous groups. The indigenous people of Cordillera are collectively addressed as the igorots.

Issues confronting the Cordillera communities are development aggression, conflicting laws and policies, lack of basic social services, tribal conflicts and militarization. Governmental incentives such as 100% foreign ownership and complete repatriation of capital profits are given to foreign companies to invest in major development projects. Hence, the Mining Act of 1995 was established to combat environmental degradation and socio-political issues concerning labour and land exploitation.

Increasing tribal conflicts also inevitably ensue due to escalating crime rates involving youths in cities like Tabuk and Baguio who are drawn into drug addiction, robbery and inebriated drunkenness leading to aggressive behaviours like murders and physical injuries. Militarization has also oppressed indigenous people in fighting for self-determination of land ownership and ethnic identity. Military groups would impose physical torture on protestors and political activists by pricking big nails into their skin. Some members of Cordillera Peoples Alliance have also received death threats by trying to voice out their rights.

After such an enlightening seminar, our student guides took us to Baguio's famous Burnham Park. Vendors are seen peddling around selling snacks and local delicacies. About 10 adventurous peers from our entourage gulped down Baluts. Balut is a duck's embryo which is a well-known local delicacy.

Everyone has been having a ball, riding on those creatively decorated Jeepneys that transport passenger from random stop-by spots to anywhere in the city. Riding on a Jeepney abreast with two other Jeepneyson our left and right shows how significant Jeepneyse to serve as the pulse of Baguio's public transport. As we returned to the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance HQ for dinner, Dr Yeoh aka Daniel whipped up a Malaysian-meets-Thai dish for all of us to savour.

In the evening, members of the Baguio Muslim Community Association were invited to participate in a conducive and enriching seminar on racial discrimination towards Muslims who are the minority in the Philippines. The tables turned when our entourage shed some light on how non-Muslims from Malaysia also get unequal rights. Therefore, we came to a mutual conclusion that minority groups in society will always be marginalized regardless of ethnicity, nationality or religion.

By Jasmine Chew

For more photos on Day 2, head over here.