CHAIR Felipe M. de Leon Jr. and OIC-executive director Adelina M. Suemith of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) lead Dayaw 2015: The Indigenous Peoples Festival, the biggest gathering of indigenous people (IP) and cultural communities.

Organized by NCCA’s Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA), Dayaw is annually held in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples’ Month every October.

Theme this year is “Katutubong Kaalaman para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapsaan” (Indigenous knowledge for environment and peace).

Dayaw 2015 will be held Oct. 15-17, in Angeles City and San Fernando, Pampanga.

Opening ceremonies on Oct. 15 will be held at the Bayanihan Park, where the IPs representatives will gather in their traditional wear for a parade.

An exhibit of traditional clothing and Manlilikha ng Bayan crafts will be opened at SM City Clark.

IP delegates will conduct traditional games demonstrations at the mall’s Event Center. Capping the opening day is a public performance at the Plaza Anghel of Angeles City.

On Oct. 16, the IP Summit will open in San Fernando where about 100 IP delegates will discuss various concerns, including IP rights, environmental issues, and promotion of peace and unity.

The IP delegates will also conduct outreach performances in schools, such as the Holy Angel University, City College of Angeles, City College of Mabalacat, Angeles University Foundation and Systems Plus College Foundation.

They will showcase their traditional dances, songs/chants, games and cuisines.

They will later conduct cultural exchanges and performances with the local communities in Lubao, Santa Rita, Macabebe, Arayat, Porac and San Fernando.

The NCCA will also showcase the winning entries of its Tri-Regional Weaving Design Competition, ready-to-wear clothes and school uniforms inspired by traditional textiles and patterns, during a dinner hosted by Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda in San Fernando.

Closing the festival is a ceremony and the recognition of cultural masters, particularly the masters for the NCCA’s Schools of Living Traditions, at the Plaza Anghel.

The SCCTA is composed of the National Committee on Southern Cultural Communities headed by Al-Anwar Anzar, National Committee on Northern Cultural Communities headed by Edwin V. Antonio, and National Committee on Central Cultural Communities headed by Alphonsus Tesoro.

Call Rene Napeñas, head of the Public Affairs and Information Office, at 0928-5081057, 527-2192 loc 208; e-mail [email protected].