ILOILO – For the benefit of the children of Panay Bukidnon indigenous peoples in Calinog town, actor Ian Veneracion will hold a “concert-for-a-cause” at the West Visayas State University Cultural Center in La Paz, Iloilo City on June 12.
According to Veneracion, it is also his way of saying “thank you” to the Ilonggos who warmly welcomed him when he shot scenes in Iloilo in March this year for a Netflix series.
“I am also excited to show kung ano ang hitsura ng Iloilo in the film. It’s beautiful,” he said.
The Panay Bukidnon are one of only two indigenous communities in the Visayas, the other being the Iraynun-Bukidnon.
Also known as the Tumandok or Suludnon, the Panay Bukidnon communities are scattered across the hinterlands of Panay, particularly in the interiors of Tapaz, Capiz.
Because of this isolation, several of the community’s pre-Hispanic practices persist to this day. The community of around 18,000 speaks its own language called Ligbok or Igbok, a language related to Panay’s Kinaray-a language.
Award-winning actor Veneracion said he was drawn by the beautiful culture of the Panay Bukidnon, particularly their chants, music, dance, clothes, and their way of living./PN
