ZAMBOANGA CITY - Muslim leaders have reacted negatively to the cultural performance by the Cebu Technological University during Cebu’s annual Sinulog celebration of the feast of the Santo Niño.
Commissioner Merfa Ahamad-Ampao of the Bansamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage watched the street dance and said the cultural performance of the "Kapagapir-apir" misrepresented the Muslim culture.
Kapagapir-apir is a famous Maranao dance in which the female dancers gracefully perform with their hands, holding fancily colored fans, and then slowly moving in small steps while twisting and balancing, with fans covering their faces.
"Firstly, I want to appreciate the effort put into showcasing the BARMM culture and promoting diversity. However, I couldn't help but notice some aspects of the performance that seemed to misrepresent our culture. It is crucial to remember that cultural performances should strive for authenticity and respect for the traditions they represent. Misrepresentations can perpetuate stereotypes and misconceptions, which can be harmful to the culture and its people," she said.
Ampao encouraged the Sinulog organizers to consider collaborating with cultural experts like Bansamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage or community members who can provide valuable insights and guidance.
"I believe it's essential to ensure accurate research and consultation with individuals from the culture being portrayed.
This way, performances can authentically capture the essence and significance of the traditions, avoiding any misinterpretations," she said. " By doing so, we can ensure a more accurate and respectful representation of our beautiful culture. Let's continue to celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding through performances that truly honor and respect the traditions they showcase.
Deputy Speaker Rep. Mujiv Hataman of Basilan province also reacted to the cultural performance of the Sinulog dancers showing them in traditional Muslim attire but one of the dancers was seen holding a statue of the Santo Niño above her head.
"The inaccuracies in the performance, depicting a historical narrative that does not align with the true history of the Bangsamoro people, are truly regrettable," Hataman said, adding "while it is commendable to see efforts to showcase the cultural diversity of our regions, such representations must be accurate, especially when they involve regions with distinct histories like the Bangsamoro."
"Makikita natin sa mismong pagsasayaw ng mga taga-CTU na hawak-hawak nila ang imahe o rebulto na simbolo ng ibang pananampalataya. Lilinawin lang natin: Wala pong kahit na anong credible o opisyal na historical account na ang mga mamamayan ng Bangsamoro ay napailalim sa colonial rule ng mga Kastila," he added.
The controversial performance by the Cebu Technological University that depicted the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was made during the opening salvo of the Sinulog Festival.
"Cultural performances must be carefully researched, particularly when those executing them are not from the region they seek to represent. Mahalaga ang wastong pagkilala sa kasaysayan ng ano mang sining, kultura o tradisyon, lalo na sa isang pagdiriwang tulad ng Sinulog Festival na pinagbubunyi anmg pagkakaiba-iba ng mga kultura sa ating mga rehiyon," Hataman said.
"Nawa’y maging aral ito sa mga susunod na pagtatampok ng lahat tungkol sa kultura ng mga mamamayan sa Bangsamoro araling mabuti ang sining o tradisyon na nais ipalabas. This way, we can ensure that cultural representations are respectful, accurate and contribute positively to our shared understanding of our nation's rich heritage. Let us celebrate diversity with accuracy and respect," he added.
The Cebu Technological University Community has apologized for the blunder. "We, the Cebu Technological University community, write to express our deepest and most sincere apologies for any offense or disrespect caused by our Sinulog dance presentation during the Sinulog Festival Launching organized by the Sinulog Foundation Inc.," it said.
"We understand and deeply regret that elements of our performance may have been perceived as insensitive or disrespectful towards your culture and religion. We assure you that there was absolutely no intention to cause harm or offense, and we are truly sorry if any aspect of our presentation came across as such," it added.
The Cebu Technological University said it values and respects the rich cultural and religious diversity of the community, including the significant contribution of the Muslim community to Cebu's vibrant tapestry.
"Inclusivity and understanding are core values of our university, and we strive to celebrate all cultures with sensitivity and awareness. We are committed to learning from this experience and taking steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur again. We will be conducting a thorough internal review of our performance practices to identify areas where we can improve our understanding and respect for diverse cultural and religious backgrounds," it said.
"We understand that apologies alone cannot fully repair the hurt caused. However, we hope that our sincere remorse, commitment to learning, and proposed actions demonstrate our genuine desire to build bridges and foster understanding between our communities," it added.
The Cebu Technological University assured that it has learned a significant lesson from the incident and will work diligently to ensure that such mistakes are never repeated. "We value the diversity that defines our community and will strive to create an environment where all individuals are treated with the utmost respect and dignity," it said.
There was no immediate statement from the Sinulog organizers or the Cebu provincial government on the fiasco. (Mindanao Examiner)
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