Mary Grace Y.

Paracha BSED-FILIPINO III

Module 2 in EDUC 110 (Building and Enhancing New Literacies across
the Curriculum)

Interview one student in your community who is a part of the

Assignment cultural minority. They could be foreigners or fellow Filipinos who belong to
a different ethno linguistic group. Ask them about their culture, their
difficulties in adjusting to the mainstream culture, and how students like
you can help them. Write it in a form of narrative report in a long bond paper.

I asked my friend to have an interview about his tribe and culture and luckily he said
yes. He is a pure B’laan lived at purok Malagante Baranggay Landan. First I asked him
about their culture and he defines it. He said, The Bilaans have their own system of weaving
using abaca fiber, before weaving the typical patterns, rituals are held in accordance with
the Bilaan culture, but only the weavers know about these rituals and before making any
pattern or design divine guidance is first sought. It is believed that the designs were
imparted to the dreamer through the l'nilong (fairies), who are considered guardians of
nature. Their handicraft and traditional attires are being brought to almost every ceremony
and are considered as priceless possessions that are offered as dowries during weddings
and used as payment for crimes committed against a person or clan or for settling disputes
among warring clans. The Bilaan culture is unique, the tribe practices indigenous rituals for
almost everything that they do because of their belief on the supremacy of the great Creator
named Malu or D'wata, who is the source of everything. 

Then, I asked him, what are the difficulties he encountered in adjusting to the
mainstream culture? Then he answered that it is the language barrier. For him this is the
difficult one because he didn’t know any words in Cebuano or illonggo, maybe the simple
words are understandable for him but it is just hard for him to adjust. And along my
interview, he said his reason why he decided to study in Gensan because he wanted to help
not only his family but with his fellow b’laan to improve their place. And he wanted to teach
young ones in his area so that the children couldn’t have to experience all the difficulties that
my friend encountered along the way.