Kirby Pábalan-Táyag Aráullo is a renowned Filipino Culture Bearer and currently the National Coordinator for Culture and Heritage for NAFCON (National Alliance for Filipino Concerns). He is a Dátû and Lakan by blood, and an Activist at heart. Kirby is a direct descendant of the last Paramount Kings of Luzon (of both Lakandúlâ of Tondo and Rája Matandá of Maynílâ), and of the anti-colonial revolutionary Katipuneros and World War II Guerilyeras who fought for the liberation of the Philippines from colonialism. His upbringing exposed him to the contradicting worlds of traditional politics and grassroots activism.

With a keen interest in varying fields (such as history, government, and human rights) and a strong commitment to serve the community, Kirby studied in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, such as the University of California, Davis, Harvard University, and Université catholique de Louvain. Kirby is also the Co-Founder of the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at UC Davis and author of the groundbreaking book “Black Lives & Brown Freedom: Untold Histories of War, Solidarity, & Genocide.”  He is a visiting professor at various colleges in the Philippines and a research fellow with Ágúman Sínúpan Singsing, an institute for indigenous advocacy and the study of Kapampángan language, history, and culture. Kirby is also well-known for his educationally engaging YouTube channel where you can find videos about history, culture, and everything in between!

Dátû Kirby is an educator who is well-rooted in his culture and passionate about his colorful heritage (Kapampángan, Tagálog, Indigenous Áytá, Pangasinan, and Spanish-Basque-Portuguese Mestizo); he strives to decolonize Philippine history and democratize Ethnic Studies through knowledge and creativity.