Exhibit paying tribute to Lumad leader opens

by Maujerie Ann Miranda

An art exhibit commemorating Lumad leader Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay was launched at the College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines – Diliman on April 25.

The exhibit titled “Pagpapatuloy: Isabuhay ang Legasiya ni Bai Bibyaon” features various artists’ works in different forms.

“Through art, the legacy of Bai Bibyaon is remembered, and the struggle for ancestral lands and self-determination is continued,” said Lala Empong, chairperson of Sabokahan, an organization of Lumad women campaigning.

Bai Bibyaon passed away in December 2023. She was believed to be more than 90 years old at the time of her death.

Bai Bibyaon was the first female Manobo leader.

She led the struggle for ancestral lands in Mindanao and self-determination, and against the destruction of the environment in the Pantaron Range.

Her tribe launched a successful Pangayaw (tribal war) in the 1980s against logging company Alcantara and Sons and went on to lead further resistance against corporate mining in their ancestral domain.

She also led evacuations throughout the years in protest of the militarization of their communities.

In 2017, she was named the Gawad Tandang Sora honoree given by the University of the Philippines College of Social Work and Development.   

READ: UP CSWCD names Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay 2017 Gawad Tandang Sora honoree

The art exhibit is open until April 27 at the Multipurpose Hall of the said college. #