PSC’s Indigenous Games return to face-to-face in Puerto Princesa

THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in close coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) will continue its mandate to preserve the cultural and traditional games in the country with the staging of the Indigenous People’s Game this weekend at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Through the Office of PSC Commissioner Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston and in close coordination with the Provincial Sports Office, the IP Games is back face-to-face for the first time in the post-pandemic years with nine participating tribes playing in eight disciplines from November 18-19.

“It’s our mandate to preserve, promote, and propagate the rich cultural heritage of our Indigenous Peoples as embodied in the Republic Act (RA) 8371. This is my second time to be involved in IP Games face-to-face. Although yung una kay Com. Bong Coo yun dahil sa Women’s Sports activity sa Benguet,” said Gaston during the special session of the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) “Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room in Malate Manila.

“Our big challenges are coordination with the tribe leaders. But with the help of the NCIP and local officials of the province of Palawan, nakausap natin ang lahat and after a series of meetings naisaayos natin ang lahat and all systems go for the return of IP Games,” added Gaston in the forum supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine and Pocari Sweat.

The last time the IP Games was held was in 2021 after two years of hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Games were held through recording for documentary purposes by the Office of the Commissioner Charles Maxey.

The nine participating tribes are Molbog, Palaw’an, Tagbanua Central, Tagbanua Tandolanen, Tabuana Calamianen, Batak, Cuyonon, Agutaynen, and Cagayanen. The participating tribes will compete in the Games of Pana, Sibat, Supok, Pagbayo as Palay, Santik, Trumpo and Kadang-Kadang.

“Currently, we listed 196 tribe members to compete. We expected na madagdagan ito during the Games proper,” Gaston said.

The creation of the Indigenous Peoples Games (IPG) of the Commission is under the United Nations Educational and Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) appeal for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the World. This is a unique platform for the IPs to showcase their traditional sports and games. The objective of this program is the preservation of the traditional sports and games of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs); promote peace, unity, and harmony among different IPS and identify potential talents among them.

Gaston said coordination is also in work in progress to conduct IP Games in the other parts of the country and a National Games might be possible in the future.

“Marami tayong IP sa Luzon andyan ang mga aetas, igorot in Ifugao, sa Visayas mga kapatid nating Magyan at mga Manobo. Marami pa. Tukuyin natin at isa-sahin natin at kung kakayanin natin Magandang ideya yung gumawa tayo ng National Games para sa mga kapatid nating IP,” said Gaston.

“We are also glad that our private partners Pocari Sweat and Milo will provide support for the project. Hopefully, we will be very much ready for the IP Games and have a successful event for us and our IP communities in Palawan,” added Gaston.