BAGUIO CITY — On this day in 1909, Ibalois were recognized as the original indigenous people of the city, all thanks to Mateo Cariño’s fight to claim ownership of his family’s ancestral land.

"From the lowest court to the highest court of the Republic of the Philippines, he (Cariño) lost his case. But he did not give up. With that passion in his heart, not only for himself but for his people, he brought his case before the Supreme Court of the United States of America," said former city councilor Isabeo Cosalan Jr. during his welcome remarks.

This lofty quest gave birth to the term “native title,” also called Cariño doctrine, which has been helping indigenous people from all over the world in claiming ownership of their ancestral lands.

One hundred and eight years after Cariño won his battle, Ibaloys and other indigenous people in Cordillera continue to benefit from his hard work, while his family remains respected in the local community.

In 2009, the city council of Baguio declared February 23 as Ibaloi Day.

On Thursday, Ibaloy communities from across Cordillera gathered at Ibaloi Heritage Garden in Burnham Park to celebrate Cariño’s victory as well as to showcase their traditions.

A native pig was butchered in front of the main stage, where elders and representatives from different communities gathered to dance “tayaw.”

The loud gongs and drums were played as young Ibaloi men butcher the pig while the “mambunong” looks at the animal’s fresh liver to read what it says about the community’s luck.

According to Leopoldo Lamsis, the president of Onjon Ni Ivadoi, the largest Ibaloi organization in the city, one can learn so many things about the Ibalois by simply observing their traditions.

“We always help one another. Whenever there is an occasion like this, we come and work together. No one has to get paid,” he said.

He added that Ibalois continue to celebrate this day to show the younger generation how much their rituals and traditions mean to them.

“Ito ang mga kaugalian noon. That's why we're here to revive so that the younger generations can continue. 'Yong mga rituals, these are what bind us together,” he told ABS-CBN News in an interview.

As elders dance to the rhythm of the gongs and drums, their grand children silently watch while wearing bahag, waiting for their turn to take the stage and mimic the dance moves of their ancestors.