Sagada renews call for culture respect

BAGUIO CITY — Sagada residents expressed concern about a Manila-based film company’s disregard for the sacredness of the local culture, where the company reenacted their traditional way of remembering the dead.

A video showing crew from CBM Film Services Inc. shooting inside the town’s cemetery last 25 November 2024 went viral on social media, where many Sagada people watched it. They were reenacting the traditional “panag-aapoy,” a unique way for Sagada people to pay tribute to their loved ones who passed away by lighting pine woods instead of candles.

The “panag-aapoy” is done every 1 November.

Sagada Municipal Councilor Kapon Gomgom-o lamented the obvious disrespect of the film company.

“We are again subjected to very disrespectful acts, not only to our culture but also to our existing ordinance, specifically the filming ordinance of 2012,” said the official, who is the chairperson of the Council Committee on Tourism.

He also stressed that such reenactment of culture is not among the provisions under the filming ordinance, adding that his committee will investigate the matter.

Gomgom-o also criticized the Sagada people who allowed the disrespect of their culture.

“The people behind this subtle mindset, allowing stupid people to reenact such rituals, have ambitiously exchanged our sacred identity for monetary gain,” Gomgom-o said.

Meantime, a group of Sagada local tour guides lamented that they had seen visitors disrespecting their customs and traditions, as well as damaging their natural environment.

“We believe that it is important for visitors to understand and respect our culture and environment, just as we believe that it is important for visitors to have a positive experience in Sagada,” the group stressed.

The guides then asked and encouraged all people who wish to visit Sagada to learn more about the Sagada people. They added that visitors — when in Sagada, should ask questions — walk with the town folks and eat and drink with them.