‘Diwata’ hit for mocking Cordillera culture
BAGUIO CITY—Vlogger “Diwata,” who gained online fame for selling “pares” (braised beef) and his rags-to-riches story, is now facing social media backlash for reportedly mocking Cordillera culture during his recent visit to Baguio to attend the Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival) and neighboring La Trinidad town in Benguet.
In addition to the online uproar, Diwata, whose real name is Deo Balbuena, was even criticized by the Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on Wednesday. The agency condemned a vlog in which he performed a ritual dance while wearing a Cordillera vest and headdress, complete with a spear and shield—items regularly rented out to tourists.
According to the NCIP, the “well-known social [media] influencer has sparked widespread outrage” for wearing traditional Cordillera attire while acting inappropriately and performing “demeaning gestures” in a now-viral video that has been condemned for supposed cultural misappropriation.
A statement signed by NCIP Cordillera Director Roland Calde, NCIP lawyer Bryan Christopher Doggayao, and Rocky Jake Ngalob, administrative officer of the NCIP Benguet office and the agency’s spokesperson, said the video had “ignited the ire” of the Cordillera community—particularly after Balbuena referred to his outfit as a “costume.”
This, the statement noted, “relegated the [indigenous Filipino] attire—which is part and parcel of the Cordillera culture and identity—to a mere accessory or, worse, a trinket.”
The NCIP clarified that Balbuena was not a member of any of the 14 clans and tribes of the Cordillera provinces—Ifugao, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Apayao and Mountain Province—and that “his actions do not represent the values, beliefs, or cultures of the Cordillera.”
While condemning his actions, the agency acknowledged that Balbuena’s mockery might have not been intentional, attributing it to a lingering colonial mindset toward indigenous Filipinos. It also urged tourism establishments to help “educate” their guests about the Cordillera people and their rich cultural heritage.
Balbuena is the fourth nominee of the Vendors party list, which is seeking a congressional seat in the May 12 elections.
Early campaigning?
He boarded a floral float participating in the festival’s Grand Float Parade on Sunday. On Wednesday, the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) announced that it was investigating two participating floats for violating strict rules against campaigning during the parade.
Sen. Imee Marcos faced online criticism for appearing in a red campaign shirt along with a similarly dressed group of supporters.
She and her team were reportedly required to wear jackets to conceal their shirts before being allowed to board the Ilocos Norte provincial government float at the back of the parade line. However, the senator got off at the foot of downtown Session Road for another appointment and was later seen interacting with the crowd—potentially violating festival regulations against public engagement during the event.
The float of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) is also under investigation after campaign leaflets for reelectionist Sen. Lito Lapid, an actor, were scattered downtown. Tieza is chaired by the senator’s son, Mark Lapid, also an actor.
