Dear Reader,
We end this volume of Critical Civitates with two snapshots. But they are more than that. They represent the vision of an indigenous man. Backy Cadiogan is an Igorot who lives in the Cordillera Mountains on Luzon Island, a place resistant to colonial domination for more than 400 years. He is a member of an indigenous people who staved off a development movement by the World Bank in league with the Marcos regime that aimed to build a hydro-electric dam, a development movement that would have destroyed sacred places.
Backy's words on that topic are vital, and I feel it important to share a paraphrasing of his testimony. Backy wrote that one of his heroes, Macli'ing Dulag of the Kalinga tribe, told the Philippine government: "You may own the paper (legal documents proclaiming ownership), but we own the land."
There is great hope in the content of such words, and we ought to remain grateful for what Backy has shared. Words like these put power in perspective. Words like these remind us that no government, no matter how sadistic and powerful it may seem, can ever destroy the spirit of a people who intimately know their place, a people who honor the earth.
My hope is that you will spend a few minutes of your day finding out a little about Macli'ing Dulag. Philippine resistance leaders are remarkably valiant, especially knowing that they will, almost inevitably, be martyred for having the audacity to work for the liberation of their people. Dulag provides an amazing example of such bravery. He worked for the love of his people.
So does Backy. You can see that in his imagery, which was made with an affordable camera. If you ever get the chance go to Sagada on Luzon Island, I hope you take the time to find Backy. I think you will not soon forget him. He is a wonderful guide and a great source of cultural awareness. These two pictures he allowed us to publish are important: they are images of a place that remains unconquered because of people like Backy.