Igorotak (I am an Igorot)

"Cordillerans have started coming out of their shells and raising the banner of the Igorots."

This is how I view the impact of Marky Cielo after he won the coveted title, "Star Struck Ultimate Survivor". For the first time in Philippine show busines, an Igorot became a part of that circle. With his famous press slogan, "Igorotak!" (I am an Igorot!), he won the hearts and support of his fellow Cordillerans. He dared to break the society's stereotypes of the Igorot, and showed the world another side of being a Cordilleran. No, he does not have a tail. No, he is not a monkey. No, he is not "dugyot". And definitely, no, he is not uncivilized.

Tracing his roots in Mountain Province, Cielo studied in Saint Louis University, one of Baguio's prestigious universities. After his first year, he joined the reality based "artista" search of GMA7. He succeeded to make it to the final 14, along with the other youths who too bore the pride of their own provinces. This made Star Struck a battlefield of wits, talents, looks, and a clash of cultures.

Cielo was not considered a threat in the beginning of the competition. Many thought he would not make it to the succeeding rounds. In one particular interview, one of the Star Struck contestants remarked, "Dapat si Marky ang matanggal, kasi mukha siyang Igorot!" (Marky should be elliminated from the competition because he looks like an Igorot!).

Despite of this negative comment, Cielo maintained an admirable stand. He never bragged nor tried to get back at his detractors. But this offensive comment fired the spirit of the Cordillerans. Attacks were made to that person through blogs poted in the website of the famed show. Some posted their own view of the Igorot, and made bold declarations of who they truly are. Support for the only Cordilleran aspirant was felt through the barrage of posters and streamers enticing fellow Cordillerans to vote for Cielo throughout the city of Baguio.

After all the adversaries, Marky Cielo emerged as the ultimate winner. He created a name not only for himself, but for the Igorot people as well. He served as an inpiration to his fellow Cordillerans, a living example of the Igorot's capabilities in this era of modernity.

With this, I give a salute to all the Cordillerans who never displayed shame of their legacy! And to those who are still wearing their masks, I leave you this: "The choice to become who you are is in your hands, but you can never change the roots where you came from."