Mayor Dagadag of Tanudan says 2025 Kalinga Prov’l Meet reminiscent of elders’ culture of friendship

Tanudan, Kalinga – The biggest provincial sporting event in the province just ended on January 25 and Mayor Jaedicke Rhoss Dagadag underlined some important lessons which could be drawn from the event which include culture of friendship and harmony which helps prevent tribal wars, exemplified by the young athletes.

Reflecting on the challenges of having many tribes in the province – Kalinga has about more than 42 sub-tribes -, Dagadag said the kids can teach a valuable lesson on how conflicts can be handled and that is through making friends with other tribes, citing the friendships of competing athletes from different municipalities and the coming together of various sub-tribes in forming teams to compete together.

In his message, Dagadag underscored that Kalinga has a unique and beautiful culture that the ancestors instilled in many generations of iKalingas. The culture of harmony and friendship displayed by the young athletes across Kalinga is a reminder to adults of an old practice that seems to have been forgotten in modern times, says Dagadag.

“Dagitoy ubbing tayo tatta ket kasla diay kultura idi nga mapan makigaygayyem dagiti lallakay tayo; tatta ket dagitoy u-ubbing tayo iti agar-aramid idiay nga kaugalian,” he said.

Dagadag said it is unfortunate that some adults who should be setting good examples to the younger generation are the ones carrying out negative practices such as starting or firing up tribal conflicts.

“Ta dagiay kultura kuma nga madi ken haan tayo aramiden nga mangperdi kadagitoy ubbing tayo ket isu ar-aramiden dagitoy daduma nga nanakman … kasla daytoy tribal war, agasem iti mataktak nga uskwela,” he said, appealing to all the officials in the province to be the first ones to intervene in case of brewing conflicts to prevent escalation. 

Dagadag, in his closing message, encouraged the youth to keep on honing their skills in sports and to keep doing their best in their studies, adding that the government shares joy with their parents when they watch them display their talents and gifts and succeed.