The Onjon ni Ivadoy Association Inc. has accepted the apology of Southern country singer Romeo Ogong, undertaking the sabusab ritual to bring closure to the issue within the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community.
On March 2, the ritual was conducted at Ibaloy Park following a dialogue organized by the IP group, which led the Ibaloy Day celebrations where Ogong performed.
Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Max Edwin, Chairperson of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Cultural Communities, subsequently withdrew the initial resolution seeking to declare Ogong persona non grata in the city.
In a committee report, Edwin stated: “A press conference was conducted last February 21, 2026, at the Ibaloy Heritage Park, where the issue was addressed. During the press conference, Mr. Romeo Ogong expressed his apology before the local media, Onjon ni Ivadoy Association Inc. officials, and the various personalities in attendance.”
The report submitted to the Sangguniang Panlungsod further noted: “Moreover, a ‘tavtaval’ ensued after the press conference, where it was mutually agreed that a ‘sabusab’ would be conducted on March 2, 2026. This traditional ritual symbolizes closure to an agreement in pursuit of unity and forgiveness despite differences. In view of the foregoing, the Committee on Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Cultural Communities respectfully recommends that the proposed resolution be withdrawn and archived.”
During the ritual and community dialogue, Ogong was represented by elder and lawyer Anthony Wooden, the former mayor of Tadian, Mountain Province. The committee report was signed by Edwin, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, and Councilor Peter Fianza.
Following the sabusab ritual, elders accompanied Ogong to City Hall to meet with the Baguio City Council and make peace with available legislators.
Maria Cynthia Cornel Abalos of the Baguio Character Council was the first to call for a public apology following Ogong’s February 23 performance at the Melvin Jones Grandstand, where he made a joke that did not sit well with gender advocates.
Ogong faced significant public backlash after making a gender-based slur directed at women during the 17th Ibaloy Day celebration. The event, themed “Buday chiya Bagiw, makajowanan say wara e pan-aadivayan,” was held to recognize Ibaloy culture and the original settlers of Baguio. His performance raised serious concerns regarding propriety and respect for women, children, and gender sensitivity.
Abalos as well as representatives of women’s groups were not part of the dialog nor the ritual undertaken by the IP group. Maria Elena Catajan