Detail from one of the subject pre-nuptial photographs as reposted by user @Frank Cimatu on his Facebook page. Used with permission from Frank Cimatu.
InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
The online news portal of TV5
SAGADA, Mountain Province - Local officials and villagers here condemned the pre-nuptial pictorial of a couple that took place inside Lumiang Cave, an act considered as a desecration of their sacred burial ground where their ancestors' remains have been laid to eternal rest.
While Lumiang Cave is open for visits by tourists, the area is only for them to see and appreciate the cultural heritage of the indigenous people, but not for purposes or acts deemed unacceptable, and which disturb the peace of the spirits of their ancestors buried there.
The town has many burials caves, part of the traditional way of life of the indigenous Kan-kaney tribes in the area. However, only a few caves are open for tourists as these grounds are considered sacred.
Due to what has been described as an act of desecration, Mayor Eduardo Latawan Jr. and the Office of the Municipal Tourism Officer are to bring the issue to the attention of the Sangguniang Bayan.
"A legislative inquiry must be carried out to give clear answer for the lapses that happened in Lumiang Cave. Through this inquiry, we will know who were the ones who participated in the pre-nuptial picture taking, and what actions may be taken against them," the mayor said.
He pointed out however that the inquiry will be primarily for the purpose of coming up with municipal legislation that would govern the protection and prevent acts of desecration in the heritage and tourist areas of Sagada.
For his part, Vice Mayor Benjamin Capuyan said that the local government officials will tackle the urgent issue in their Sangguniang Bayan meeting on Monday next week.
He is supportive about coming up with an ordinance for the protection of the Sagada heritage and tourists' attractions.
Capuyan added that he is open to allow the participation of various stakeholders in coming up with a relevant ordinance in this tourist-frequented highland town.
While Lumiang Cave is open for visits by tourists, the area is only for them to see and appreciate the cultural heritage of the indigenous people, but not for purposes or acts deemed unacceptable, and which disturb the peace of the spirits of their ancestors buried there.
The town has many burials caves, part of the traditional way of life of the indigenous Kan-kaney tribes in the area. However, only a few caves are open for tourists as these grounds are considered sacred.
Due to what has been described as an act of desecration, Mayor Eduardo Latawan Jr. and the Office of the Municipal Tourism Officer are to bring the issue to the attention of the Sangguniang Bayan.
"A legislative inquiry must be carried out to give clear answer for the lapses that happened in Lumiang Cave. Through this inquiry, we will know who were the ones who participated in the pre-nuptial picture taking, and what actions may be taken against them," the mayor said.
He pointed out however that the inquiry will be primarily for the purpose of coming up with municipal legislation that would govern the protection and prevent acts of desecration in the heritage and tourist areas of Sagada.
For his part, Vice Mayor Benjamin Capuyan said that the local government officials will tackle the urgent issue in their Sangguniang Bayan meeting on Monday next week.
He is supportive about coming up with an ordinance for the protection of the Sagada heritage and tourists' attractions.
Capuyan added that he is open to allow the participation of various stakeholders in coming up with a relevant ordinance in this tourist-frequented highland town.
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| Lumiang Cave. Photo by Robert Pangod |
Robert Pangod, the tourism officer, revealed that there are rules and guidelines for the protection of these areas, though not necessarily instituted as ordinances.
"These rules are used for the guidance of the tourist guides and visitors for their strict observance. But it is high time that these should be included in an ordinance," he said.
As standard operation procedure, tourists are to register at the tourism center before they are assigned accredited guides.
From interviews, it appeared that the guide of the Ruffa and Mike Photography agency allegedly came from George Inn in this town. The guide accompanied the photography party to Lumiang Cave, where the photographer took the pictures of the couple the Lumiang Cave among the ancient wooden coffins as background.
When the photographs were posted on social media, it was unavoidable that some of the villagers saw the images.
A concerned villager, Mia F. Longid, shared some of them on her Facebook page, eliciting comments and observations that tended to criticize the pictorial as an act of desecration of the Sagada indigenous culture.
"Another rape of our Sagada culture," pointed out Baguio-based Sagadian Braile Van Reyes. "We lost a lot, can we afford more losses?"
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| Another sacred ground: the hanging coffins in Sagada, Mountain Province. Photo Arthur L. Allad-iw |
While the photographer named Mike is said to have apologized on Facebook and explained that they did not intend to undermine and desecrate the cultural value of Lumiang Cave, they also allegedly indicated that they will withdrew from social media the pre-nuptial pictures that have been called into question.
But the village elders still want to discuss the repercussions of this incident act in the community, in their dap-ay, indigenous socio-political institution.
Rituals could be performed to cleanse the act, which is at least the equivalent of a nightmare, an elder explained.
As this town considers the burial grounds as sacred, the desecration of Lumiang could lead to stricter rules for the protection of ancient burial grounds and tourist attractions.
At least one specimen of the controversial pre-nuptial photos may be seen by following this link.
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