Agusan mayor conferred Manobo ‘Bae’ during opening of Magdiwata Festival

By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews )— The Magdiwata Festival of this municipality kicked off Thursday at the municipal grounds with Mayor Grace Carmel Paredes-Bravo conferred an honorary title as

Manobo Bae or female tribal chieftain during ceremonies early dawn.

Manobo tribal leaders led by Bardo “Datu Hag-um”

Bando, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative to the municipal council, performed the Manobo ritual naming the mayor as “Bae Pinintu Maganhon,” which translates to “leader filled with love and patience.”

Another ritual praying to Magbabaya to offer the bountiful resources of Mt. Magdiwata followed the installation of Bravo as a