I was part of a media tour hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development here in our region, last November, where media practitioners from various outfits get to visit indigenous villages in some municipalities up north. In the municipality of Leon Postigo where their sources of income are farming and fishing, some native Subanens can still be found. Some of these Subanens have been recipients of the government's social pension and poverty alleviation programs. To express their gratitude, they have prepared a Subanen Dance for us, with a gong providing the rhythm in the background.
One of the touching moments to experience is for the native Subanens to express their gratitude through their traditional dances.
The dance has been performed in many rituals like christenings, weddings and other major festivities in the area.
The gong is being sounded at a corner, some more Subanens dressed in their cultural attires have also come to say "thank you".