Comments on: Back at Oton: Searching Katagman’s Cultural Treasure

By: Mark Segador

Mark Segador — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:05:00 +0000

yes, I believe Oton has a greater place on our country’s history. it’s one of the major preHispanic settlements that is fully civilized with its own rich culture, beliefs, society, and everything that the europeans have in their facet of life. I believe that we must once again retell the story of the great Ilonggo Nation because we must re-instill pride among our people and to revive the spirit of unity among us here in Western Visayas.

By: Vic

Vic — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:05:31 +0000

Mark I appalaud your young Ilongo Cultural SPirit, young enough to shed light on the newer generation and revived Ilongo Nation great history.
the very truth is— Iloilo have Civilization prior to coming of Spanish.We always heard from our teachers or read on textbook about history to say Spain came her to civilize Iloilo. No No NO NO NO!
Iloilo has civilization. We have our own language , form of government , religion , clothes , liqours , laws , months , numbers everything.

By: Mark Segador

Mark Segador — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:46:45 +0000

Last I read, the binukot are no longer strictly practiced in Central Panay. Women are more active in their society and prefers to be outside now. But one of the important roles of a Binukot is the preservation of their indigenous culture. So in the absence of the Binukot, I believe some govt agencies set-up schools in their communities to keep the culture alive. I would love to go up in the mountains to see for myself the Panayanon culture (Panay Bukidnon), i’m even thinking of having my thesis focused on them (just dreaming though). thanks alfred for the suggestion! =)

By: Alfed Adrian P. Chavez

Alfed Adrian P. Chavez — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:30:42 +0000

Sadly, they too do not know about Bayluhay other than being a festival? I hope I am wrong. Anyhow, you may also feature here (just a suggestion) one of Panay’s unique culture — the Binukot. You can access about the culture in UP. They have various reading materials, studies and theses about the culture.

By: Mark Segador

Mark Segador — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:52:24 +0000

i definitely agree with this. i had a little experiment with my coworkers this evening, I asked where they took their secondary education – one answer from Pototan, the other in San Joaquin. I then asked if they have any idea about Hinilawod, and to my surprise they stared blankly at me. I then asked if they had classes on local iloilo history, and they said very little, they can’t even remember now. hmmm… how can we become proud of our heritage if we’re not told about it.

By: Alfred Adrian Chavez

Alfred Adrian Chavez — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:29:49 +0000

Indeed, history is something that is taken forgranted in the Philippines. Local history eventually dies because they are not part of the curriculum. So what do we expect from this generation? None could appreciate our past and ourselves as well since we are not taught at home neither in school… how sordid…

By: Mark Segador

Mark Segador — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:52:22 +0000

hehe yeah, but think about it. it’s much easier to show to people if they could see, touch and feel history

By: Keeno

Keeno — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:15:39 +0000

i love your story Mark! much emphasis had been given to our colonial past, thanks to Oton we are able to keep our links to our ancestors.
A nayong pilipino park in oton?! would love to see how we could recreate a community that existed more than half a millenium ago.