Sen. Loren legarda (center) cutting the ceremonial ribbon during the National Indigenous Peoples Cultural Summit at the National Museum in Manila. With her are (from left) Joyce Alegre Brigada Hamada-Pawid, Jeff Johnson, and Dr. Jacqui Badcock.

MANILA, Philippines -- We congratulate Senator Loren Legarda for the success of various Indigenous Peoples Assembly she recently spearheaded around the country, and which was culminated with the National Indigenous Peoples Cultural Summit held Oct. 13 at the National Museum.

In her keynote speech, Senator Loren opened: “Today, we take pride in our cultural rootedness and recognize the people whose lives take us through many centuries of struggle to protect the land we live in, preserve the virtues we uphold and bring us back to who we are.

“Our indigenous peoples have shaped our story as a Filipino people- our music, arts and dance, our native knowledge and skills, our deeply held beliefs, our creativity, our sustainable ways of living with our physical environment and most important, our self-worth.

“Despite these overwhelming contributions, we have admittedly underwhelmed them as opportunities, services and share in decision-making, that are embodied in the Indigenous Peoples Rights law, have yet to be fully accorded.

“Through our Regional Assemblies in Baguio City, Tagum City and Iloilo City and this Summit, we have created venues to hear the voices of our IP leaders. Our actions and inaction have placed lives on the line, despoiled their lands, threatened their culture and deprived them of their rights. Our eyes were opened to the depth and diversity of the challenges our IPs face. The question I now pose to everyone of us: How sincerely will we address these issues that affect our IPs’ very survival?”

She added, “Beyond legislation, I will initiate a partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to document our oral traditions as an essential step in preserving our cultural heritage. Certainly, efforts can be launched, pursued and sustained through collective action. We have started to engage our indigenous peoples as active partners in development processes. It is now within our hands to fire up partnerships and make sure this convergence works.”

Wondergays stages major concert Tuesday night

Lito de Guzman’s latest group called the Wondergays is out to prove their worth as a gayband in their first major concert slated Tuesday night (Oct. 18) at Zirkoh Morato. Making their show “May Nag-Tweeeeetttt… Hur Hur” more exciting are guests Polo Ravales, Ahron Villena, Frank Garcia, Kris Lawrence and Baron Geisler.

The Wondergays – Gray, Pink, White, Green, Blue and Black – takes center stage individually as stand-up comedians in popular gay bars in the metropolis.

The members promise to remain focused on their own distinctive style refuses to be overshadowed by their guests, especially by the sexy Mocha Girls.

Aside from singing covers, the Wondergays included in its repertoire cuts from its debut album like “Blind Item,” “Pare,” “O Lala,” “Kiyeme Lang Yun,” which have all been composed by another Lito De Guzman talent, Blank Tape.

Having worked in comedy bars, cracking jokes is peanuts to the group so expect a really fun night tonight at Zirkoh Morato. And yes, they will show everybody including Vice Ganda, that they too can shine and be potential stars in the future.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Tuesday, Oct. 18, go to Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz, Prof. Sonia Zaldivar-Ronda, Col. Julian Malonzo, Dr. Oscar Lopez, Nellie Bengzon, Mary Anne Lizza Freking, Ernesto Bravo, Jennifer Ilustre, Fe Y. Puzon, Rodolfo Torres, Cora Ruiz, Dr. Violeta Dorado, Ashley Aurora Cortez, Lex Carreon, Rodolfo Alonzo, Reggie Sta. Maria, Mary Anne Gamboa, Jacob Fernandez, Annie de Leon, Steven U. Villareal, Connie Haw, Pam Dy, MB’s Danilo I. Bricia, Railey Valeroso of Star Magic…