Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines – About 1,500 Subanon People and visitors have witnessed a weeklong “buklog”, the highest form of Subanon traditional festival, in Barangay Conacon this municipality.

The majority of the Subanon attending came from the 16 Barangays of Bayog, which cover the Ancestral Domain Application area, as well as different provinces and municipalities throughout Zamboanga Peninsula.

“Peksalabukan Gukom de Bayog (PGB)”, a traditional Subanon organisation led by “Timouy”, or Chieftain, Lucenio Manda held the activity with the purpose of celebrating the reconciliation among the leaders, and other developments they have achieved.

The event was started on September 21 with the gathering of some native materials for the establishment of the so-called “Buklogan” or a traditional dancing infrastructure where they can express their feelings, prayer and praise in the form of dancing.

It culminated on September 24-25 after a week long formal program, including traditional Subanon dancing.

“Timouy” Sumigol Umbang, an elder traditional leader of the royal family of the Subanon, declared before the spectators on the morning of September 25 who were the current traditional and anointed Subanon leaders in the community.

In addition, Chieftain Sumigol declared before the public that Timouy Lucenio Manda would be the local promoter of Subanon Culture, and will act on his behalf in leading the traditional governance of the local Subanon.

Some Higaonon and Maranao tribe from Misamis Oriental and provinces of Lanao came to witness and give moral support to the activity.

The Local Government Unit of Bayog, through its incumbent Mayor and members of the municipal council, morally and materially supported the event by providing security, a stand by vehicle for transportation and additional food.

The Mayor, Marry-an Locero Cartalla, expressed her happiness in supporting the strong unity of the Subanon of Bayog and agreed to recognize and respect the traditional way of life and governance of the Subanon People.

Some Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) from different areas of the country provided moral and financial support to the event, including DIOPIM Committee on Mining Issues (DCMI), Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), Ecosystem Works for Essential Benefits (Ecoweb) and many more.

No one from the regional or provincial office of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) attended to witness the Buklog, despite being invited long before.

It was reported that the NCIP staff from the regional and provincial office had explained their failure to attend by saying they had another important event they need to attend to, although did not elaborate what the event was.

Some observers worried that the NCIP’s failure to attend might follow the pattern of their tendency not to recognize the chosen traditional leaders, but instead recognize others upon the request of some higher politicians to legitimize business interests, such as mining companies.

A few years ago, the Subanon people of Bayog held a trial and charged certain NCIP personnel with violating the tradition, culture and norms of the Subanon due to their action of calling a meeting of the Subanon leaders outside the tribal area of Bayog.