Ang Tipo Kong Babae

Published December 31, 2006 4:59pm

Reporter: Raffy Tima

Episode aired on March 7, 2005

Raffy Tima visits some of our indigenous groups and discovers the
heartening truth that they have held fast to their own ideals of
beauty. It is in this journey that he discovers that the true beauty of
a Filipina is found in the celebration of our diversity.
For many Filipinos, a beautiful woman is one who has a fair
complexion, sleek long hair, even white teeth, and an aquiline nose.
The media constantly bombards us with images of dolllike mestiza actresses and product endorsers.
Some indigenous cultures have stuck to their own ideas of who and
what is beautiful.
The Matigsalog tribe in the remote town of Kitaotao in Bukidnon
province in the southern Philippines show traces of assimilation into
modern society but they have still managed to retain a good part of
their traditional culture.
The mountain tribe is fond of wearing colorful clothing and
accessories. Most striking perhaps, both men and women adorn
their bodies with tattoos, which are proud emblems of being a
Matisalog. The true meaning of the tattoos dates back to old times.
"As far as I know, back in the old times, our ancestors use these
when they die, it becomes their guiding lighton their way to the
In our tribe, we call heaven maibulan," says a Matisalog tribesman.

Before tattooing, Mabenay Damlay calls for the guidance of the

spirits. Though sporting a tattoo is not compulsory, many members
of the tribe troop to tattooing sessions most of them, little girls
aged eight and above.
None of the Matisalog showed fear of the pain that comes with the
operation. A blade is used to cut the skin and ash is rubbed over the
wound to serve as ink. Indeed, their women, even from a young age,
see the beauty of taking pride in being a Matigsalog.
The Dumagats of Dinapigue, Isabela are isolated by seven rivers and
five mountains deep in Sierra Madre. They are related to the Aytas
and are commonly referred to as the Agtas. Hunting and fishing
persist as their way of life.
Until now, their women wear traditional clothing and use accessories
such as necklaces and bracelets made of beads, and earrings made
of cloth and flowers.
Beauty, for the Dumagats, goes beyond the physical. They also
consider women who know how to help their husbands provide for
their families as beautiful.
Considered one of the most colorful tribes, the Tboli of Saranggani
Province continue to wear colorful, traditional clothing and
accessories made of beads. They also adorn themselves with bells
made of bronze because they love to make noise while they move.
The Tboli believe that God meant for men and women to be
beautiful so as to help in the procreation of human beings.

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