- NCIP calls on ABS-CBN Corporation to immediately rectify the injustice on using the word Bagani.
- The said statement referred to the Republic Act 8371 Section 32.
- The NCIP didn’t find it surprising that the Manobo Tribe and other ICCs/IPs took offense on the show.
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples recently released a statement on ABS-CBN’s epicserye, Bagani. Leonor T. Okalde-Quintayo, NCIP Chairperson signed said statement. The NCIP also believes that the show will distort the image of a real bagani.
They also didn’t find it surprising that Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) took offense on the show.
NCIP also wrote in the statement what a real Bagani does. They, then, described that a Bagani protects the domain from intruders. A Bagani also remains in a sensitive position that a regular person will receive.
“The Bagani is real, not a fictional and not even mythological group of warriors which the ABS-CBN TV series would like to portray. Bagani is an exclusively indigenous term that refers to the peace-keeping force of the Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities/ Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) and other ICCs/IPs in Mindanao. The Bagani defends and protects lives, properties and territory. Its prime duty is to guard the ancestral domain against any intrusion from outside forces that pose threat to the lives of the ICCs/IPs. It is a sensitive position and class not lightly ascribes to just any person and never to those outside the ICCs/IPs.”
NCIP also included in the statement that even though the show remains fictional, it still refers to the historical element. They, then, persisted that the show will confuse viewers especially the younger generation.
They also didn’t feel shocked that the Manobo tribe took offense on the said issue.
“By portraying Bagani as merely fictional or mythological, and without reference to its historical and cultural significance, the TV fantasy show distorts, misleads and confuses rather than educate the Filipino TV viewers on the indigenous concept and term “Bagani.” It is not surprising that members of the Manobo and other ICCs/IPs took deep offense on the appropriation of the term Bagani in the TV show.”
NCIP also called to “immediately rectify” the use of the word “Bagani” in the show. They explained that rectifying it will avoid confusion from the public. This will also avoid the increase of false information.
“Hence, we call on ABS-CBN to IMMEDIATELY RECTIFY the injustice committed in using the word “Bagani” and to prevent misleading or confusing the general public by giving false information about the concept. Otherwise, the NCIP together with the concerned ICCs/IPs will be constrained to take all necessary remedies to protect and fulfill the rights of the indigenous peoples to their cultural integrity as guaranteed by the Constitution and by law.”
The law stated above refers to Republic Act 8371 Section 32 which states:
“Community Intellectual Rights. – ICCs/IPs have the right to practice and revitalize their own cultural traditions and customs. The State shall preserve, protect and develop the past, present and future manifestations of their cultures as well as the right to the restitution of cultural, intellectual, religious, and spiritual property taken without their free and prior informed consent or in violation of their laws, traditions and customs.””
