MANILA, Philippines — Last August, Nas Academy and its proprietor Nas Daily (real name: Nuesir Yassin) were under fire for setting up “Whang-Od Academy.”
They were accused by Gracia Pelicas, Whang-Od’s grandniece, that they did not consent to the workshop. However, the platform asserted that Whang-Od agreed to it herself. Nas also said that the issue was due to “internal disputes” they had no control over.
This prompted the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to conduct an investigation. They concluded that Whang-Od did not have an agreement with Nas Academy. Although Nas has previously denied this verdict, the academy has now established that the contract is “null and void.”
Last October 24, the platform’s Facebook page posted about their reconciliation with the Butbut Tribe. Their visit and customary reconciliation was organized by NCIP.
Representatives of Nas Academy danced with the members of the community, conversed with tribal leaders, and ate with them. Members of the tribe expressed an openness to forgive Nas Academy.
Nuesir Yassin (Nas Daily), who received criticism for “Pinoy-baiting” and exploitation, was not present at the customary reconciliation. Jacqueline Lim, Head of Nas Academy Philippines, led the Nas Academy team during the meeting.