If you must wear a bahag on TV, do it right – Katribu party-list

Beverly Longid does not really watch Pinoy Big Brother, but she tuned in last night after receiving text messages from concerned viewers.

The episode was a Christmas special, where Big Brother presents the housemates with unique presents. The first two presents are “the gift of learning humility" and “the gift of learning frugality," which were given to housemates Paul Jake and Tibo. While Paul Jake was tasked to live in a wooden cart, Tibo was made to wear a bahag.

According to the Pinoy Big Brother website, Big Brother hopes Tibo will “learn to value simplicity over luxury in this materialistic world."

However, this received some criticism from some Cordillera viewers, who felt the bahag was not properly used.

The bahag is a native loincloth or “G-string," which is no longer worn for daily use by Cordillera males but remains standard or even formal wear during traditional occasions. In the Cordillera, the bahag is worn with pride, and care is exercised to make sure that it is worn properly.

'Inappropriate use' of Cordillera culture

In an open letter to Pinoy Big Brother, Longid explains that the use of the bahag in the show was an inappropriate use of Cordillera culture. 

Beverly Longid is a Bontok and a Kankanaey from Mountain Province, and president of the Katribu partylist, an indigenous peoples’ sectoral party.

“While we understand that the intent of its use (in the said television show) is to promote certain moral values, we believe it diminished the cultural symbolism and importance of the indigenous garb," Longid says. 

“Any inappropriate use of our culture not only offends our sensitivities but also demeans the integrity of our customs and traditions which we passionately defend together with our rights to ancestral land and self-determination," she adds.

Longid’s open letter was posted on different websites including Facebook and Multiply, eliciting various reactions from Internet users. Many feel that it is not a big issue, and that Longid is overreacting. But others say that is exactly the point: what may not be a big issue to the rest of the country may be a big issue to indigenous peoples.

In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV, Longid clarifies that there is a lack of understanding and information about the bahag. “For indigenous people, our traditional garment is part of our distinct identity. We wear it with pride and honor," she said.

Asked if it is against their tradition for non-indigenous people to wear she said it is not, but they have to be more sensitive.

Longid goes on to say that this is not the only occasion where indigenous people have reacted to the way they are portrayed. “If (non-indigenous people) wear the clothes in such a manner, give it some respect," she said.

She adds that Pinoy Big Brother is watched by quite a number, and it might send the wrong message.

Katribu’s offer: ‘We can teach you how’

“Pinoy Big Brother is widely followed and viewed by the public, including indigenous communities across the country," Longid explained. “In the spirit of promoting cultural sensitivity to your viewers, Katribu Partylist enjoins the producers of the show to correct the improper use of the bahag."

The Katribu president said her party-list group can extend assistance "in demonstrating the proper way of wearing it and in educating the public regarding its appropriate use, not to mention the importance of upholding the integrity of indigenous culture."

Pinoy Big Brother, a primetime reality show of ABS-CBN, is watched by millions and has a highly active fanbase on the Internet. Many have reacted negatively to the open letter, dismissing it as an overreaction. 

Some, however, appreciate the sentiment. 

Pinoyexchange.com user Krissy818 wrote: “I also don't understand the big fuss over it but that may be precisely the point. We don't understand certain things because we're not part of the cultural minority. What may not be important to us may be important to them. May the disrespect be intentional or not, if it's important to them we can't question that."

As for Pinoy Big Brother, it responded via Facebook a few hours after the open letter was posted. “Noted: kindly send us instructional how-to's," was the response of the PBB Secretary.

Katribu’s response: they are more than willing to demonstrate the proper way of wearing the bahag. – JV, GMANews.TV