Name: Lorraine C.

Otaza
Subject: Bukidnon Cultural Studies
Schedule: MWF 7:30-9:00
REFLECTION

Philippines is composed of different tribes, in which each of it has its own tradition,
culture and beliefs. Particularly, Bukidnon, one of its provinces has seven tribes namely:
Manobo, Talaandig, Umayamnon, Higaonon, Bukidnon, Matigsalug and Tigwahanon.
These people are part of the Indigenous People (IP’s) in which they are somehow
traditional; they were able to preserve their culture despite of being colonized. Through
the cultural mapping activity, we were able to have a direct observation and interaction
with some people. It is a nice experience to actually learn about them than solely by being
inside the four-walled classroom.

Last November 10, our group went to Barangay Mapayag to conduct our cultural
mapping. We have to commute in order to get there. The said barangay is not really a
remote area but the road is narrow, rocky and steep. It took us an hour or two to get there.
We were able to meet their datu named Patricinio Libohan and visit their school, barangay
hall and church. The people there were kind and approachable, they were willing to
cooperate and they answered our questions. We have observed that there are a lot of
kilala and sayote plant there and seeing the kids play their lut-hangs was a great sight to
see. The people there are somehow united because I saw a group of adults having a
meeting and I saw some of them who have already finished gardening.

I have observed that they were not really traditional compared to some tribes
because they are maybe influenced by modernization and the barangay is not solely
composed of the Bukidnon tribe. The datu was wearing casual clothes when we met him,
I always thought that they must wear their traditional clothes the whole time. The church
that we saw there is a Catholic church for me this reason is enough to justify my claim.
Religion has a big impact on one’s belief and culture; this might change some of their
beliefs, rituals and more. They have some musical instruments but they disassembled it
because it is rarely used. I can also say that there are some parts of their culture, which
are similar to others, examples are agong, lut-hang and kadang. I am from Agusan del
Sur but these are not foreign to me.

It was a good thing that we have conducted a cultural mapping because we were
able to discover a lot of things, through direct experience with the barangay and its people.
I like how simple their life is, they are not into internet and gadgets. It was good to get to
know them by learning their culture because we were able to understand them and it
takes away the stereotype towards IP’s. I was amazed because there are parts of their
culture that I found interesting. I realized that we are not really different.