Testimonials from the Katutubo (Native Tribesmen) 4

DUMAGAT TRIBAL LEADER CONCHING:

“We really want this Tribal Games to continue so we may be heard. We are shy by nature, so when
people talk to us, we say nothing. With events such as this, little by little, our voices are
heard. …. One of the great benefits of this TG, we can show the world our culture, that we
are katutubos….We have been discriminated upon … we may look and act different from
you, we may not know what you know, but we are people, too….”

Testimonials from the Katutubo (Native Tribesmen) 3

AETA DUMLAO NABAL:

“This is what I want to do all my life. I just want to be a tribal athlete, to keep doing these.
It’s all I have. I never finished school. I don’t know anything, but I know this. It’s something
I can hang on to, for my family, for our tribe. Thank you, Col. Jeff.”

Testimonials from the Katutubo (Native Tribesmen) 2

MANGYAN ARNOLFO BERNARDO:

“This is our hope. That these Tribal Games continue. We are poor, we haven’t gone to
school, we don’t have jobs. I never imagined that we tribes people could do anything
significant. We never imagined that our bows and arrows would mean something …. And
here we are, doing something for our country, for our tribe. We are very grateful to Col.
Jeff Tamayo for this chance, for recognizing us and including us in this…”

Testimonials from the Katutubo (Native Tribesmen) 1

QUIPS FROM:

AETA ATHLETE JUNE ABLONG SAID IN DURING THE FIRST KOTA KINABALU TRIBAL
GAMES:

“We are happy to be here and carry our flag—our country’s and our tribe’s. We are proud
that the whole Philippines will see that we tribes people also have some ability, some
worth, that we can compete in games in other countries… This is a great opportunity
we’ve been given so our tribe may move forward and be recognized. We really thank Col.
Jeff Tamayo for this.”

Excerpt FROM COL. TAMAYO’S SPEECH BEFORE THE AUDIENCE AT KOTA KINABALU SOFT TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

“We wear the same face, the same skin, hair… We are all brothers in the same family: No more ‘Malaysian,’ ‘Filipino,’ ‘Indonesian’…. It’s important that we pass what we know to our youth. They should understand the importance of cultural heritage. They should know they play a significant role in the care of the environment, in the preservation of our biodiversity… We may use computers, cars—all these modern stuff, but we must never forget who we are. Through Tribal Games we are doing our part for the environment. And
when we speak of the environment, we don’t mean just yours or ours. We’re talking of
the whole world.”

Tribal Games has stirred up a collective awakening in all who witness it. The same threads links us
all. Our shared traditions transcend borders and time. It bares the values for which the
Olympic Games stood—sport beyond borders, friendship, solidarity and fair play with
genuine consideration for environmental protection.

Olympism is founded on utilizing sport as one of the great educational tools for the
youth: strengthening bodies and minds, instilling discipline and responsibility. TG
achieves these and more.

The tribes teach us important lessons: the wealth of simple living, humility, and
gratefulness for whatever is given.

Spotlight on the Philippine Indigenous Groups

Since the launch of Tribal Games, this laudable project has brought us many historical firsts:

First journey through the seas in colossal motorboats, in a jeepney, in the city (for most
of the katutubos).

First for fellow katutubos from our 3 grandfather tribes to be in one venue and
intermingle with each other.

First time they were given such significance.

First time they had participated in competitive athletics.

First time to strut their archery skills, even on trees!

First time for the Filipino youth to come face to face with their tribal heritage….

First time members of our grandfather tribes rode the giant bird in the sky donning Phil.
Team uniforms, leaving their homeland for the first time

First time katutubos have represented their country in the first-ever tribal sports event
in Asian history.

Tribal Games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbbuHdaFz5Q&feature=related