To increase awareness and understanding of Indigenous Peoples (IP), Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) showcased Aeta culture as part of the 2024 Indigenous Peoples Month commemoration, held at the DHVSU Porac Campus (DPC) on October 28, 2024.

Members of the Aeta community who participated in the program wore traditional clothing to express their cultural identity.

Differing from the usual invocation, the program’s opening prayer was recited through the Dururu, a traditional prayer of the Aeta community in Pampanga.

Traditional dances representing marriage, courtship, and planting were also performed, and a market bazaar featured root crops and traditional products.

The traditional dance of marriage, courtship, and planting was also demonstrated while a market bazaar of root crops and traditional products was also exhibited.

“DHVSU has its IP students we want everyone to know that the IPs has their rights and highlights their important role in preserving our natural resources and their culture as well,” Mr. Plato B. Mercado, Director of Office of Student Welfare and Formation (OSWF) said.

The celebration also recognized four Aeta alumni from DPC who are now Registered Social Workers.

Guided by the theme “Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan, at Parangalan,” the event was organized by the DHVSU Porac Campus (DPC), led by Campus Director Mr. Dennis Dizon, in collaboration with the Office of Student Welfare and Formation (OSWF) and DPC IP Coordinator Mr. Philip Carlo M. De Leon.

Officials from the Municipality of Porac, along with DPC faculty and students, were also present to participate in the celebration.

Photo credits: Office of Student Welfare and Formation