Despite scorching temperatures, over 400 Cordilleran migrants and Filipino association members gathered on Chater Road Sunday to commemorate the 40th Cordillera Day, a celebration of cultural heritage and ongoing struggle for land rights.
The event, organized by the Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society (ATIS), Cordillera Alliance HK, and United Filipinos HK, kicked off with a Mass presided over by Rev. Canon Dwight dela Torre of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente HK.
Luz Afidchao, adviser to Cordillera Alliance HK, emphasized the day’s significance in her opening remarks. “Cordillera Day honors the legacy of Apo Macliing Dulag, who fought against the Chico Dam Project during Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s presidency,” she said. Afidchao added that Cordillerans continue to face challenges, including “plunder of natural resources, destruction of ecosystems, and human rights violations.”
The celebration featured vibrant competitions among four of the six Cordillera provinces. Kalinga Province Workers Association clinched first place in street dancing, while Ifugao Association took top honors for their cultural booth. Mountain Province and Abra representatives also participated, showcasing the region’s rich cultural tapestry.
Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, General Manager of Mission For Migrant Workers, Ltd., delivered the keynote address. She drew parallels between past and present struggles, quoting Pangat Macliing Dulag: “Land is life; if you take away the land, you take away our lives.”
Abdon-Tellez urged attendees to embrace the event’s theme: “Celebrate the Cultural Heritage of Defending Our Land, Life, and Honor! Strengthen Our Unity to Advance Cordillera Migrants’ Rights and Welfare.” She emphasized that land rights remain a crucial issue for all Filipinos, both at home and abroad.
The day-long festivities also included cultural performances, provincial updates, and solidarity messages from various organizations, underscoring the community’s unity in facing ongoing challenges.
As the sun set on Chater Road, the beats of traditional music and the colors of indigenous attire served as a poignant reminder of the Cordillerans’ enduring spirit, even thousands of miles from their ancestral lands. (reported by Luz Afidchao)
