Can-eo, Bontoc, Mountain Province - 170 half-cavan sacks of rice were distributed by the Otucan Clan led by WinstonV. Calde and Tomas M. Tawagen to the residents of Barangay Can-eo, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
According to Tawagen, this humanitarian action is a part of the clan's response-mechanism for their kin in times of calamities.
"The Otucan and Can-eo connection was established when a woman from Can-eo named Pelikew migrated to Otucan, Bauko, Mountain Province. Pelikew eventually married in Otucan and produced three children. Their heirs soon reached out to Can-eo and kindled the ties between the two barangays. This is the reason why the people of Can-eo rarely marry with the people of Otucan, Tawagen said.
"Intermarriage and kinship is one reason why the people of Mountain Province have stopped inter-village wars, consequently creating resilient communities that can stand the tests of time" he added.
"It is also because of this that different tribes which were once at odds with each other have come to realize that most communities have common traditions and customary practices like the "og-ogfo"/ ug-ugbo/ binnadang that automatically springs out in times of disasters or need. That although each barangay or municipality in Mountain Province has different terms, the core essence of the traditions are the same. People of Mountain Province are innately charitable," Calde added.
Furthermore, Tawagen said that that value of reaching out to others in times of need is the main reason why Mountain Province is quick to act during times of disaster - a character that is currently being manifested during this COVID-19 crisis.
"We do not fully depend on the government's help. As witnessed in past mishaps in the province, people have outrightly given help or assistance regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation," Tawagen shared.''
Credits:
- BBKM-MPPIO
- ComNet Mountain Province
