Last night’s dazzling convergence on University Avenue:

     About 3,000 members of indigenous peoples and national minorities from Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Abra, and Nueva Vizcaya clad in colorful weaves, led by Datu Humurito Guhaynon were  warmly received by host UP Diliman led by Chancellor Michael Tan on University Avenue last night. Chancellor Michael Tan’s welcome remarks, excerpts: “Ito ang national university at karapat-dapat lamang na maparito ang mga pambansang minorya [This is the national university and it is only befitting that the national minorities walk on University Avenue (translation with apologies)]… Mahalaga ang inyong pagbisita pagkat parte ito ng edukasyon ng iskolar ng bayan. (Your sojourn here is important because it forms part of the education of the  scholars of the people (translation with apologies)] … Hindi tayo maghihintay ng pagbabago, tayo ang pagbabago. (Crowd breaks into applause) (We will not just wait for change to happen — we are  that change.(translation with apologies)] … I-abante natin ang panawagan. Maging titser kayo sa ating mga estudyante at kawani. (Applause). (Let us carry forward the urgent task — let us be teachers of the students and the community. (translation with apologies).

    The groups exchanged torches to signify the warm welcome extended by UP Diliman to the indigenous peoples and national minorities.

    Datu Humurito Guhaynon expressed thanks and solidarity with his response: “Hanggang sa susunod na panahon, kami ay patuloy na magpapasalamat sa pagtanggap n’yo sa amin. (For generations more to come , our hearts will always be truly gladdened with your welcome (translation with apologies)]. 

(both photos by the Philippine Collegian, used here non-commercially for academic purposes.)