Thursday, August 7, 2014

Indigenous peoples’ plight for recognition of their ancestral domain in iSYU & iSTORYA

If you went to Mindanao and failed to taste Chedeng's Peanuts, you missed out on a food 'tradition', big time. Chedeng's is not only patronized by Mindanaoans and vistors from all over the country, it is also a "pasalubong of choice" that has travelled across seas in thousands of Balikbayan boxes and luggage for so many years. Who is the genius behind Chedeng's? That's reclusive Filipino -Chinese businesswoman, Isidra Tan of Iligan City. For the first time, Mrs. Tan sits down in a full-length interview with Isyu & Istorya to tell people about her journey to making Chedeng's a household name.

The Isidra Tan interview is but one of the highlights of this Saturday's Isyu & Istorya. Prepare for a fully informative Saturday morning as host John Paul Seniel tackles the issue of ancestral domain that up to now continues to trouble many tribal communities in Mindanao.

Contrary to the Indigenous Peoples Right Act (IPRA) of 1997, which aims to recognize and promote all the rights of indigenous peoples in the country, several ethnic groups still face the tough struggle of claiming the lands they have inhabited for years.

Most of the time they were displaced by the influx of either people or big companies who want to explore their ancestral land. In this Saturday’s episode, Seniel personally witnesses the lumads’ anxiety and hears their plea when he visits the Manobo tribe in Las Nievez, Agusan del Norte. Catch this in the segment “Dinhi sa ilang Yutang Kabilin.”

Also taking the spotlight is the t-shirt printing business of the Mindanao State University students in General Santos City via “My Mindanao Story.”

Lastly, join Seniel in his "sour" journey to Asuncion, Davao del Norte where he gets to rediscover the town’s famous vinegar.

Do not miss iSYU & iSTORYA’s episode this Saturday, August 9, airing at 7:00am on GMA Channel 5 in Southern Mindanao, GMA Channels 12 and 35 in Northern Mindanao, and GMA Channel 8 in GenSan. (30)