By Stephanie Camille Ilar

Working towards uniting all indigenous peoples (IP) students in the university, the MMSU Advocates for Cultural Development (MACD) and its official publication, Salaysayen, took their oath of office today, September 5, at the FEM Hall Achievement Wall.

MACD president, Charles Jasper Mamawag, a physical therapy student and proud Kalinga Igorot, said the organization is gathering data from different colleges to identify all members of the MMSU IP community. 
“Our mission is to give proper acknowledgment to IP students in the university and to let others see that there are IPs on campus. We continue to promote cultures, not only within the university, but also beyond,” Mamawag said.

He stressed the importance of cultural advocacy, adding, “We want to remind people that even during modernization, we are still here. We must promote our culture, our people, and our traditions before they are lost.”

Meanwhile, Salaysayen editor-in-chief John Zhen Viernes said the publication seeks to reach more IP students and cultural advocates, to gather more members, for them to be known, and to feel a deeper sense of belonging.

MACD adviser, Prof. Henedine Aguinaldo, stressed the importance of having an organization for IP students, saying it recognizes that “they belong to the community and that MMSU is an advocate of inclusivity without bias.” She added that this also empowers minority groups who have long been part of Ilocos Norte’s history while being given equal access to education.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., who administered the oath, reminded the officers of the responsibility tied to extracurricular engagements. “Joining such organizations comes with significant and impactful accomplishments. Let us not do the minimum, but we must serve above and beyond.”

MACD, guided by Prof. Aguinaldo and Mr. Melver Ritz Gomez, was initially composed of IP students but has since welcomed non-IP cultural advocates. The organization now aims to convene all IP students in MMSU to strengthen cultural promotion and representation.