The city government here, under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., on October 23, 2024 organized and sponsored the First Angeles City Ayta Tribal Games in Barangay Sapangbato.
According to Mayor Lazatin, the Tribal Games is a way to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Aeta community in Barangay Sapangbato which relies on the knowledge, innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities who live in direct contact with nature.
“Through a tournament like this, we want to make sure that our Aeta community in Barangay Sapangbato will learn how to preserve their cultural heritage,” Lazatin stated.
Members of the Aeta community from Sitio Balaraw, Sitio Bliss, Sitio Babo, and Sitio Target in Barangay Sapangbato competed in different tribal games as a way to showcase their culture and natural heritage, especially in the fields of sports and biodiversity conservation.
The Tribal Games features tribal archery, javelin throw, and blowpipe.
Gender and Development Officer Mina Cabiles represented Mayor Lazatin during the tribal games.
Also present at the tribal games are Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and City Councilor Carlos Salvador, and Barangay Sapangbato Kagawad Jun Jun Tolentino.
The winners for tribal archery Category A were Eddie David of Sitio Target (1st place); Aron Sevilla of Sitio Balaraw (2nd place); and Reynald Pamintuan of Sitio Babo (3rd place); while Benjie Puno of Sitio Babo took home the first place in the Category B of tribal archery with Narcito David of Sitio Target, and Jerryboy Miranda of Sitio Bliss capturing the second and third places, respectively.
Alex Cosme of Sitio Target had thrown the farthest in the javelin throw to get the first place in the Category A with Armie Unlad of Sitio Balaraw, and Jessie Laxamana of Sitio Bliss completing the podium.
For the Category B, Arot Sevilla of Sitio Target and Sil Boclay of Sitio Bliss finished first and second places, respectively.
Carlito David of Sitio Target got the victory in the blowpipe games beating Jun Tolentino of Sitio Babo (2nd place); and Maru David of Sitio Bliss (3rd place).
All first place winners received a plaque and P10,000 cash prize each, P5,000 and a plaque for the second placers, and a plaque and P3,000 for the third placers.