Bukidnon IPs Celebrate 51st 'Alrew te Matigsalug' Heritage

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — As the morning sun rose over Barangay Sinuda in Kitaotao, Bukidnon, the national highway came alive with a sea of vibrant beadwork, handwoven garments, and the rhythmic beat of indigenous music as the Matigsalug people celebrated the 51st Alrew te Matigsalug, a tribute to a heritage that has endured for generations. Children walked proudly beside elders dressed in traditional Indigenous Peoples (IPs)attire, while community members gathered to honor the customs of the Matigsalug, which means “people of the Salug River.” For many, the celebration was more than a festival—it was a living expression of identity passed from one generation to the next. The weeklong observance blended community activities with cultural traditions. Sports competitions, Nutrition Month activities, a drug symposium, and a patronal fiesta with a procession and Holy Mass preceded the highlights of Laha te Matigsalug 2026, a cultural beauty pageant. The celebration culminated on July 16 with a civic parade, cultural presentations, championship basketball games, an awarding ceremony, and a community concert. The heart of the celebration, however, belonged to the tribe’s cultural performances. The haunting chants of Ulagingan, the graceful Bangkakaw dance, indigenous music, and traditional rituals reflected stories, beliefs, and practices preserved long before the arrival of modern influences. For the Matigsalug, Alrew te Matigsalug is a reminder that culture is not confined to museums or history books. It is found in the language they speak, the clothes they weave, the songs they sing, and the traditions they continue to teach their children. Tribal leaders said the annual gathering strengthens unity among Matigsalug communities while encouraging younger generations to value and preserve their ancestral heritage. The Matigsalugs are among Bukidnon’s recognized indigenous peoples, with communities in Kitaotao and neighboring areas of Davao Region. Once known as hunter-gatherers living along the Salug River, they continue to adapt to modern life while keeping alive the traditions that define who they are. Through Alrew te Matigsalug, they reaffirm that their culture remains vibrant, resilient, and deeply rooted in the land of their ancestors./coa