MSU-IIT Holds Campus Organization Fair: The Narratives of Lumad Students

Cultural awareness is a critical skill that one has to develop to have a constant engagement with the complex realities of culture and how it shapes our identity as a whole. Earlier today, CASSyuran was able to interview members of a thriving student organization for Lumad students in the University. Among them was “Rephael”, a Biology student from Brgy. Rogongon in Iligan City expressed his stand on putting an end to stigmatization towards Lumad individuals where he emphasized that equal respect towards the culture of the Lumad students are among the things that he hopes to see around the campus, with equal opportunities and inclusive spaces. He also stated the importance of student support in their projects and initiatives specifically on cultural items and or products which are the cultural indicators of their presence in MSU-IIT.

In another interview with one of the organization’s members, freshmen Language Education student “Bey” from the College of Education also shared her thoughts on the importance of “embracing the IP students” as part of fostering inclusive spaces inside the campus. She’s also positive about the future of the organization in sustaining its advocacy in providing visibility for the Lumad students and promoting their interests to students. Bey is also hoping to see a change in admission policies such as giving more priority to Lumad students especially for first-generation college students.

Rephael and Bey both shared the challenges they faced as Lumad students and they highlighted the importance of self-acceptance to those who have fears of showing their identity as a Lumad. According to them, there are some Lumad individuals who are afraid to express their true identity as a Lumad because of the ongoing stigma that is forwarded to their culture. According to Rephael, the lack of knowledge of the Lumad people in Iligan City and neighboring regions are among the reasons why they want their organization to bridge the gap in understanding and exploring more on the realities of the Lumads, their culture, and practices.

Currently, they are still working on creating a name for their organization that would embody their goals and mission and collectively aiming to gather and identify other Lumad students in MSU-IIT as they continue to strengthen the foundation of their organization and to effectively create a space for cultural awareness and lasting peace.

As part of celebrating the campus organization fair, Sir Jed Otano from the History Department is calling other Lumad students to approach their organization and become part of this cultural undertaking. They are located outside of the Institute Mini Theater.

About the Author

Adjemore Manabat

ADJEMORE A. MANABAT is a young Filipino writer from Lanao del Norte. His fields of interest in writing are mainly prose and poetry, while his research interest includes sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, media, gender and literature. His journey in writing started as early as grade school and certain school level writing competitions while also served as an Editor-In-Chief in high school, has earned him an experience in both the rigors of writing and editorial work. In his early days in CASSAYURAN as a freshman student, he became a correspondent for Palakasan and worked as both feature and literary writer. To date, he is a senior student pursuing a degree in English Language Studies and has plans to pursue a graduate degree in the same field while also serving CASS as a board member for Training and Development.