Philouise’s Weblog

Igorot Diaspora giving: Strength recognized

(Philian Weygan, Feb 7,2009)

The Christian Philosopher, writer and Anglican churchman CS Lewis stated “Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of a map. But the map is based on the experience of hundreds of people who really were in touch with God; experiences compared with which any thrills or pious feelings you or I are likely to get on our own way are very elementary and very confused. And secondly, if you want to get any further, you must use the map…. (This) is just why a vague religion… all about feeling God in nature, and so on is so attractive. It is all thrills and no work; like waves from the beach. But you will not get to Newfoundland by studying the Atlantic that way, you will not get eternal life by simply feeling the presence f God in flowers or music. Neither will you get anywhere by looking a maps without going to sea. Nor will you be safe if you go to sea without a map.”

Existential theists attempt to find meaning in making rational decisions in irrational situations, trying to define meaning of existence and nonexistence in this real world. And in that search an anchor is sought. For some Indigenous peoples, it is anchoring in their traditions, beliefs and spirituality. Many have become Christians as they search and find meaning of their existence in a fast changing world where the “ili traditions” seemingly become romanticized by many.

Many Igorots of the Diaspora continue to be connected to the Igorotlandia in terms of giving financial support to families, organizations, individuals and government. Many Igorot migrants continue to support their direct families in the hope of making life here in the Cordilleras a little bit better. Some of these families have invested in the educational needs, the housing, income generation projects and business from savings after food and clothing. To some who were asked, felt it their Christian obligation following the example of a God who cares for family, a God who gave his only Son for the redemption of sin, poverty, suffering and ills of the world. It is finding meaning in why they were able to migrate in better worlds. It is finding meaning for themselves and their loved ones. Some I met have anchored it in practicing their Christian life, and I were to relate with what CS Lewis said, it is using the map of Christian virtues to navigate the sea of uncertainty and demands of the changing Igorot communities.

Based on my years of working among our people, locally and overseas, I still have to see documentation of how much migrant Igorots have given towards the development of our region. My recent experiences since I came home in 2000, working with Upland Development Institute, (UDI) BSBT Foundation Inc., Association of Young Igorot Professionals (AYIP) Igorot Global Organization (IGO) and with partners like several overseas Bibak organizations, Caritas Australia, Japan Environment Development organization, ICCO –Netherlands, EED-Germany has given me a certain degree of understanding of how much money can be poured in towards the development of our people in the grassroots. Sitting in technical working groups or as a member of a regional or provincial board with local government units and regional government agencies likewise allows me to see sizable amount of money geared towards development work. In the macroeconomics to things, these government funds are likewise taken from the people and foreign partners in terms of loans or grants.

In all these financial giving, corruption in terms of misappropriated funds, ghost projects, double funding become words that seem to defeat the purpose of the giving. Heads rolled, contracts rescinded and projects discontinue were some of the results of these ills that come out of handling finances. I have participated in the Bibaka organizations including Bibak Vancouver medical mission as well as facilitating medical and educational donations to our people, sat in the board of the Bibaknets Educational Subsidy Fund (BESF) the VP of IGO-Philippines and as board and Past president of AYIP.

The Igorot migrant giving is enormous directed to various projects. Yet I am aware that no record has been circulated on the quantity and total sum of all these donations. It is a challenge to see a total figure as some of these do not flow through channels where it is recorded in government statistics. Despite of that lack of statistics it is recognizable that the Igorot Diaspora has helped tremendously in uplifting the Igorot communities. We are now entering the frenzy of various festivities like Pengabenga, Ullalim festival, Lang-ay Festival, Imbayah and other festivities including that of Abra and Apayao. My friend Agnes Barroga of Kent is coming home to attend the Apayao fiesta this February 13-14. And surely we know, she and other migrants would be donors in various items in the celebration. This is duplicated in the other festivals and activities in the provinces and municipalities. As various school, family and clan reunions are organized, the Diaspora continue to make it’s presence felt.

Wayne Simsic summarizes it “Faith, hope and love can wither without community. We are connected to one another in a web of relationships that form a common ground in God. We exist to awaken goodness in each other and to serve each other.” Sangal di Kultura continue in the Igorot global community awakening faith, hope and love in our connectivity in a web of culture. (Feb 07, 2009)