After two years of being held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, Katutubo Exchange Program has returned as an onsite and in-person event with the 2022 staging organized by the Katutubo Exchange Philippines, with the support of the city government of Malolos and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Youth delegates from different indigenous ethnic groups and cultural communities — Isnag of Apayao; Balangao of Mountain Province; Ifugao of the province of Ifugao; Bugkalot of Nueva Vizcaya;
Bukignon of Negros Occidental; T'boli of South Cotabato; Blaan of Sarangani; and Tausug of Sulu — gathered in the predominantly Tagalog province of Bulacan for the tenth Katutubo Exchange, from 15 to 18 October.
The youth program was held in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month in October, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1906 s. 2009. This year, Katutubo Exchange carried the theme "The role of youth and women in safeguarding language and other intangible heritage," in response to United Nations' declaration of the years 2022 to 2032 as International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Annabel Flores, a Bugkalot adult leader, related that "ako ay may mahalagang papel na ginagampanan sa aking komunidad para maipasa ang mga intangible cultural heritage, mas lalo na ang aming katutubong wika, sa ating mga kabataan. Mas napaigting ang aking pananaw sa pagsali sa programang ito at ipagpapatuloy ko ang paggabay sa mga kasama ko na kabataan (I have an important role to play in my community in passing on intangible cultural heritage elements, particularly our indigenous languages, to our youth. My resolve in joining this program and in continuing to guide the youth has become stronger)."
On the first day of the program, the delegates were brought to población or city center of Bulacan's capital, Malolos, for a heritage tour. Some old houses were visited such as the notable Art-Deco Dr. Luis Santos House built in 1933 and significantly the historic Barasaoin Church, the birthplace of the First Republic, the Philippines.
The delegation was then brought to San Jose Del Monte City the following day for a cultural immersion experience. Tagalog songs accompanied by music from string instruments welcomed the participants and guests while the Dumagat people shared their culture and traditions by showcasing their dances, songs, and remarkably the language of love and courtship through the use of various leaves.
The KX delegates, in turn, shared their traditional dances such as tagem of the Bugkalot, tadok of the Isnag, pangalay of the Tausug, and maral of the Blaan. The T'boli played native instruments hegalung and kubing while the Isnag performed the disodi, a chant, the Ifugao the hudhud, and the Tausug the lugu, both also chants. They even taught the audience with some basic words and phrases from their respective languages.
A similar program was held at the Robinson's Place Malolos in the afternoon and the Malolos plaza in the evening time for the weekenders.
On the third day, delegation joined the Malolos city government officials and employees during their flag raising ceremony and paid a courtesy call on mayor Christian Natividad. They then proceeded to visit the provincial capitol where a short benchmarking program was held. A cultural exchange program and workshop were conducted in Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School and City of Malolos Integrated School where a workshop on writing the baybayin or old Tagalog abugida was included.
The closing program was held over dinner sponsored by vice mayor Miguel Tengco Bautista at their ancestral house. Burlas and puni workshop was enjoyed by the KX participants at the same event.
Jasyon Dala, a Blaan participant, was emotional about the experience, saying, "Akala ko habambuhay ko na ikakahiya na ako ay katutubo dahil sa panununtok na ginawa sa akin noong bata ako sa paaralan. Mas naging proud ako ngayon dahil sa mga opportunities na dumarating sa buhay ko, mas lalo na itong pakikilahok sa programang ito. Mas lumalim ang aking pananaw sa buhay at pipilitin kong ibahagi ang 'di lamang ang karanasan na ito, pati na rin mga mga dunong katutubo para sa aking mga katribo (I thought I will be ashamed of being indigenous all my life because of I was being punched in school. I am now proud because of the opportunities that came my way, especially being part of this program. My perception on life has deepened and I will try to impart not only my experience but also indigenous knowledge to my community)."
Before parting ways, they were brought to the newest NCCA property and a cultural icon, the Manila Metropolitan Theater, a prospective venue for future events of Katutubo Exchange.