Tarlac State University, through the International, Differently-Abled, Indigenous & Marginalized Student Services, celebrated the Indigenous Peoples’ Month and IPRA Commemoration on October 29-30, 2026, at the Student Center Lounge and TSU Amphitheater, Lucinda Campus.
The country celebrates this year’s 29th National Indigenous Peoples Month and the commemoration of the signing of the IPRA law (Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997).
IDIMSS opened competitions for IP students, namely storytelling, poster-making and slogan-making contests, spoken word poetry, and the search for Binibini at Ginoong Katutubo 2026, and conducted a seminar on IP rights during the two-day celebration with the theme “Empowering Indigenous Peoples: Strengthening Rights, Culture and Ancestral Domains”
The opening ceremony was graced by Dr. Roland Rivera, former Commissioner of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) for Region 3, and Ms. Marilou Modelo, a member of the Ayta Abellen tribe from the Municipality of San Jose and Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), along with other Ayta Abellen elders and IP scholars who performed a sacred ancestral prayer called “Dururu”.
“Countless of discrimination, lalo na noong nakabahag pa ako, noong maitim pa ‘ko nang sobra. Yung mga kaklase ko noon, yung mga nambubully sa’kin, ngayon ipinagmamalaki nila ako… Sa mga katutubo, ‘wag na kayong mag-alala. Sa mga kabataan ngayon, sinalo na namin ang hirap noon kaya guminhawa na kayo ngayon. Wala nang diskriminasyon, lalong-lalo na dito sa TSU,” former NCIP Commissioner Rivera said in his speech.
University President Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza emphasized the importance of knowing the rights of every IP, preserving their culture, and defending and enriching their ancestral domains.
The president also shared that the TSU San Jose Extension Campus will soon be opened to serve a larger number of indigenous students with accessible education close to their communities.
“Sana sa mga nandito at sa ating mga estudyanteng katutubo, sana bumalik din tayo sa mga community lalong-lalo na yung mga scholars natin. Dahil ang greatest achievement ng isang estudyante ay hindi sa success sa iyong pangalan kung hindi yung mga naiambag mo sa iyong komunidad,” Atty. Sharmaine Valenzuela, Legal Officer for the NCIP Tarlac, said in her message.
Atty. Valenzuela also seconded President Mendoza’s advice to the IP students to pursue courses in Education and Agriculture. She also added that they should also choose Engineering courses (Geodetic) and Law.
“Kailangan po nila ng magtatanggol sa kanila dahil minsan hindi na nila alam kung saang ahensya ng gobyerno sila pupunta,” Atty. Valenzuela added.
Meanwhile, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brendalyn A. Manzano credited the contribution of former NCIP Commissioner, the “Project Epanaw Coffee Table Book (CTB)”, which is divided into three volumes, namely Pagkilala (Recognize), Paggalang (Respect), and Pagtataguyod (Promote), that are now placed in the TSU library for students to access.
“Ang edukasyon po ay hindi po dapat maging dahilan upang talikuran ng isang mag-aaral ang kaniyang pagkakakilanlan bilang isang IP. Sa halip, dapat itong maging daan upang mas makilala niya ang kanyang sarili, mas mapagpahalagahan ang kaniyang pinagmulan at mas mapaunlad ang kanyang kakayahan,” Mr. Allan Santos, IDIMSS Unit Head, said in his closing remarks.
The afternoon of the first day featured a seminar on IP rights discussed by TSU SOL alumnus Atty. Gabrielle Kenth Hayashi.
Student competitions were held during the second day, including the Binibini and Ginoong Katutubo 2026 held at the TSU Amphitheater.
Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Dr. Niño B. Corpuz gave the opening remarks and emphasized that the IP Month is not only a celebration but also an opportunity to learn and to advocate.
“Hindi mo pwedeng proteksyunan ang isang bagay, ang isang tao, ang isang pamayanan, kung hindi mo ito naiintindihan. Kailangan kapag may protection, may understanding. Protection begins with understanding. Listen to their stories; listen without judgment. Kapag nakikinig tayo, alisin natin yung mga biases. Advocate after listening. And here at TSU, we should be an inclusive university. We push for policy changes to protect the rights of our brothers and sisters. We push for curriculum, we push for inclusive programs,” VP Corpuz said.
Family members of the pageant candidates who traveled from Sitio Sula and Moriones in San Jose, Tarlac were also present to show their support.
The candidates showcased their talents, including singing, dancing, and spoken-word poetry, with themes drawn from their experiences of military expansion.
Ms. Erica Pauline Lacsina, a 1st-year Hospitality Management student from the Ayta Abellen tribe, was crowned as Binibining Katutubo 2026, and Mr. Justine Nathan Licudan, a 1st-year Physical Education student and an Ayta Mag-antsi from Calangitan, Capas, Tarlac, was named as Ginoong Katutubo 2026.
“Nagkaroon po ako ng willingness na maging kabahagi sa pulitika, pero hindi yung pulitika na nakikiisa sa pagiging korap, at nakikiisa sa pagkamkam sa lupain ng mga katutubo. Bagkus, ako po ay magiging isang pulitiko na magiging tagapagtanggol ng ating mga kapwa katutubo,” Ms. Lacsina said during the question-and-answer portion.
Binibining Katutubo 1st runner-up was Ms. Ruhamah Grace Olimpo (Ayta Abellen) from the College of Education, while Ms. Lowiesa Madayag (Ayta Abellen) ranked 2nd runner-up from the College of Business and Accountancy.
Meanwhile, Mr. Maher Reyla from the College of Computer Studies (Ayta Abellen) was named 1st runner-up, and Mr. Jesstony Victoria, a criminology student (Ayta Mag-antsi), was named 2nd runner-up.
