Indigenous People's group in Cordillera calls out Diwata for demeaning gestures, insensitivity to culture

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR) on Friday condemned the video of vlogger Diwata for "demeaning gestures" and "insensitivity of cultural appropriation."

In the video, Diwata can be seen doing various poses and gestures while wearing a native attire of the indigenous community in the region in front of a group of people who are not seen but can be heard laughing.

The Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) in the Cordillera region, in a statement, said Diwata wore the traditional attire of the Indigenous Cultural Communities of Cordillera, "only to accompany it with demeaning gestures."

 “This all too sudden viral moment has left a bitter aftertaste, igniting the ire of ICCs/IPs throughout the region and awakening their five senses to the insensitivity of cultural appropriation,” the group said.

“Also, from the vlog, Diwata attributed the ICCs/IPs native attire as a costume. In effect, relegating the IPs attire, which forms part and parcel of the IPs customs and identity, as a mere accessory, or worse, trinkets,” the group added.

The NCIP-CAR stressed that Diwata, whose real name is Deo Balbuena, is not a member or affiliated with any of the 14 ICCs in the Cordillera region.

They also said that his actions and portrayals also do not accurately represent the values, beliefs, and cultures of the ICCs of Cordillera.

GMA News Online is exerting efforts to reach out to Balbuena for his statement on the issue.

Diwata is part of a party-list group as fourth nominee that filed its certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for the upcoming elections in October 2024.

The NCIP-CAR also acknowledged that Diwata may not have intended to demean or degrade the ICCs but they alleged that his actions are a set back to changing the public's perception of indigenous peoples.

"It is vital to recognize that his actions, either intentional or unintentional, reflect a broader societal sense," the group said.

"This incident highlights the persistent challenges in the Information and Education Campaigns aimed at decolonizing the mindset of the Filipino population towards ICCs/IPs," they said, adding that “The backlash experienced from this event indicates that significant work remains to be done in promoting cultural awareness and sensitivity, thus, highlighting more the urgent need for continued efforts to educate and reshape perceptions towards the ICCs/IPs.”

The group is also calling on stakeholders and establishment owners to educate their customers.

“We urge them to educate and even police their patrons, in the most subtle way possible, about the appropriate use of ICCs/IPs cultural materials and expressions,” the NCIP-CAR said.

“After all, one culturally educated tourist means one less potentially controversial and culturally insensitive vlog in the future,” it added. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA Integrated News