Synthesis 1 (Group 1)

[ Introduction to the Ethnic Groups of the Philippines ]

According to the 2000 Census, there were 76,304077 people living in the Philippines. The
majority of the population (95%) is made up of ethnic Filipinos, who are descended from later
Austronesian-speaking migrants who came to the archipelago from Taiwan and mixed with
other sporadic migrants from the Asian mainland. The Aeta, who are genetically related to
Andamanese islanders and make up the majority of the Philippines, number between 20.000
and 30,000 people.

The Chinese are the largest foreign ethnic minority and have contributed significantly to trade
since they first came to the Philippines in the ninth century. Mestizos, or people of mixed
ancestry, make up a small minority but speak Spanish, which is the official language of
business and the professions. Roman Catholicism, which makes up the majority, is the
dominant form of Christianity in the archipelago:

Islam is practiced by a small but considerable minority, especially in the southern Philippines.
Filipinos refer to the inhabitants of the Philippines. The name "Filipino" initially solely applied
to the Spanish and Spanish-mestizo minority during the colonial era. However, the definition
was later modified to encompass all Filipinos, regardless of their ethnic background

Austronesian immigrants from Taiwan arrived in the Philippines in large numbers during the
Iron Age. They are referred to as Filipino ethnics. The Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bicolano,
Kapampangan, Maranao, Mindanao, and Tausug are the biggest ethnic groups in the
Philippines.

An ethnicity or ethnic group is a collection of people who identify as one another based on
traits that distinguish them from other groups. These traits may include a common history,
culture, language, nation, society, or even social standards in the area where they currently
dwell.

Occasionally, the terms "nation" and "ethnicity" are used interchangeably when ethnic
nationalism is present. Race and ethnicity are unrelated ideas.

Ethnicity can be viewed as a social construct or as an inherited trait. A person's ethnicity is

often discernible from their shared cultural heritage, family history, origin myth, history,
nation, language, or dialect, symbolic system like a religion, mythology, or ritual, food,
dressing style, art, or physical appearance.
Ethnic groups may have a narrow or wide variety of genetic origins, with many having mixed
genetic ancestry, depending on how they define themselves as a group. Similar languages are
still spoken by many ethnic groups today.

Language change, acculturation, adoption, and religious conversion are some of the ways that
people and communities can move from one ethnicity to another over time. Ethnic groupings
may split into subgroups or tribes due to endogamy or physical isolation from the parent
group, which finally disperses into autonomous ethnic groups.

Synthesis 2 (Group 2)
 [ Problems and Issues Confronting Ethnic Groups ]

According to this study, there is physical confrontation or overt ethnic discrimination, which
can include racial, religious, linguistic, or national components. The retention of ethnic and
social differences and discrimination, as well as social injustice and exploitation, as well as
cultural invasion and a lack of integration, can all lead to ethnic strife. Widespread poverty,
restricted access to resources, violations of human rights, a lack of national integration, and
worries about global peace and security all serve to exacerbate ethnic violence. It serves as a
tool for achieving national unity as well as a catalyst for internal strife and conflict. The
stability of countries with a large number of minorities is threatened by strikes, boycotts, and
other forms of disruption"

The ethnic groups in the Philippines are also currently dealing with four significant issues. The
first is a lack of land ownership. Traditions allowed them to establish a claim on their
property while their adversaries used the law and titles to do the same.

The second is the Communists' and the government's abuse of them. Both the government
and the Communist organizations split the tribes apart.

Third is the widespread illiteracy among them, which the Communists exploited by subjecting
them to the Communist system of education and using them as human shields and weapons
against the government. Government did its best to sway public opinion in a moderate
manner.

Finally, there is the Health. They had little access to matters of health and safety. There aren't
many TRUE volunteers, but the majority of them are associated with Left-leaning
organizations, often known as progressives, who took advantage of the circumstance to incite
them against the government.

Synthesis 3 (Group 3)
 [ Ethnic Groups vs Indigenous Groups ]

-According to these Group the reporters claim that Indigenous people are recognized as
having exceptional rights under international law because of their historical ties to a territory
and cultural distinction from other politically dominant communities. The exploitation,
marginalization, and oppression of nation-states or politically powerful ethnic groups affects
these populations more than others. A population group known as an ethnicity is one whose
members identify as belonging to the same country or having similar cultural practices. The
definition of ethnicity is based on shared ancestry, whether it is real or just assumed. From
one era to the next, ethnic groups distinguish themselves differently, and they are frequently
characterized by dominating group stereotypes.

Indigenous people it is a group of people who, through resistance to political, social and
cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became historically
differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. it's Refer to a group of people sharing common
bonds of language, customs, traditions and other distinctive cultural traits. they are clearly
native to their countries who are the first inhabitants of a geographical region, and whose
identities and cultures are inextricably linked to the land on which they live and the natural
resources on which they depend.

In addition, an ethnic group is a collection of people who share similar physical and cultural
traits, such as race, nationality, language, religion, customs, and social perspectives. It is a
social group or demographic classification bound together by common racial, linguistic,
national, or cultural traits. An complete society's way of life is referred to as its culture, which
includes norms for conduct, speech, attire, and even rituals and art. Eight main ethnic groups
can be found in the Philippines: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bicolano, Kapampangan,
Maranao, Maguindanao, and Tausug. Indigenous groups are linked to their lands and natural
resources since they were the first people to live there.

Indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities both have the right to own land, but due to the
varied customs, languages, and religious beliefs of these groups, discrimination against girls
and women is a common occurrence.

Synthesis 4 (Group 4)

[ Indigenous people in the Philippines ]

- According to the group's reporter, the indigenous peoples of the Philippines are
ethnolinguistic groups or subgroups that have maintained a degree of separation or
independence from other groups throughout the colonial era and have largely maintained
their pre-colonial customs and cultures.

Indigenous peoples in the Philippines are divided into 110 ethnolinguistic groups, with 14–17
million people living in these groups as of 2010. Austronesians make up the vast majority,
with partial or complete Negritos dispersed throughout the archipelago. In the Philippine
archipelago, the highland Austronesians and Negrito have coexisted for countless generations
with their lowland Austronesian relatives and neighboring tribes.

The non-Muslim culturally indigenous peoples of mainland Mindanao are known as the
Lumad collectively, whereas the culturally indigenous peoples of the northern Philippine
highlands can be divided into the Igorot (comprising numerous separate tribes) and unique
Bugkalot groupings. In the archipelago, Australo-Melanesian ethnic groups go by the names
Aeta, Ita, Ati, and Dumagat, among others. Outside of these two indigenous corridors, a large
number of culturally indigenous communities are also present.

There are 135 local indigenous Austronesian languages officially recognized in the Philippines,
of which one (Tagalog) is used for transportation and the other 134 are vernacular, according
to the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.

Synthesis 5 (Group 5)

Republic Act no. 8731

[The Indigenous People Rights Act of 1997]

 Act to Establish a National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Recognize, Protect, and
Promote the Rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, Appropriate
Funds for, and Other Purposes.

The Act sets provisions for the promotion and recognition of the rights of Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), in order to preserve their culture, traditions, and
institutions and to ensure the equal protection and non-discrimination of members.

The Act is divided into the following Chapters: General Provisions (I); Definition of Terms (II);
Rights to Ancestral Domains (III); Right to Self-governance and Empowerment (IV); Social
Justice and Human Rights (V); Cultural Integrity (VI); National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (NCIP) (VII); Delineation and Recognition of Ancestral Domains (VIII); Jurisdiction and
Procedures for Enforcement of Rights (IX); Ancestral Domains Fund (X); Penalties (XI); Merger
of the Office for Northern Cultural Communities (ONCC) and the Office for Southern Cultural
Communities (OSCC) (XII); Final Provisions (XIII).

The term "ancestral domain" is defined in Chapter II as "lands, inland waters, coastal areas
and natural resources therein, held under a claim of ownership, occupied or possessed by
ICCs/IPs, by themselves or through their ancestors, communally or individually since time
immemorial. "; the term "ancestral land" is defined as "land occupied, possessed and utilized
by individuals, families and clans who are members of the ICCs/IPs.

In addition, the natural resources within the Ancestral domains or the lands within the grasp
of the Indigenous People should always be for the ICCs/IPs. They have all the rights in
harvesting the crops, extraction of minerals if there is, development and exploitation if ever
they want it to develop into something more usable. It also said that the non-ICCs/IPs can
only take part or be allowed to use the land in making development and utilization of the
natural resources for 25 years only and can be renewed for not more than 25 years provided
that a formal and written agreement must be done. And if ever the land is under a contract
for a Non-ICCs/IPs, the Indigenous people have the power to visit the site to secure if the
action they are raking is not against the appropriate action. These doings are done to
safeguard their rights under the same contract.

The Ancestral domain is needed for critical watersheds, mangroves plantation, wildlife
sanctuaries, wilderness, protected areas, forest cover, or reforestation with the partnership
or authored by other agencies and with full participation of ICCs/IPs they are the ones who
will monitor and protect the said project or infrastructure. And if ever they don't want it to
take good care, there should be a written decision with the consent of the Indigenous people.
The said written agreement shall only be temporary and the full responsibility and ownership
should always be for the ICCs/IPs . Provided that no indigenous people will be relocated or
displaced.

Synthesis 6 (Group 6)

[ National Commission on Indigenous People ]

On the day that the Reporter's disseminate these lesson to give us knowledge about National
Commission On Indigenous Peoples. The rights and welfare of the indigenous peoples (IPs) in
the Philippines are promoted through the national commission on indigenous peoples (NCIP),
a government organization. The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, which
acknowledges the inherent rights of IPs to their ancestral lands, self-governance, and cultural
integrity, served as the legal foundation for its creation. According to the national
commission's mandates, the NCIP is responsible for promoting and protecting the interests of
ICCs and IPs while giving proper consideration to their institutions, beliefs, and practices.

Additionally, while discussing the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the powers
and duties of this system were also covered. All I know is that this system exists to advance
the rights and welfare of Indigenous Peoples in the nation. So here are some of the Powers
and Functions which I had takenote on there reports, To serve as the primary government
agency through which ICCs / IPs can seek government assistance and as the medium, through
which such assistance be extended; To review and assess the conditions of ICCs / IPs including
existing laws and ideas pertinent thereto and to propose relevant laws and policies to
address role in national development.

In line with this, to formulate and implement policies, plans, programs and projects for the
economic, social and cultural development of the ICCs / IPs and to monitor the
implementation thereof; To formulate and implement policies, plans, programs and projects
for the economic, social and cultural development of the ICCs / IPs and to monitor the
implementation thereof; To convene periodic conventions or assemblies of IPs to review,
assess as well as propose policies or plans; To advice the president of the Philippines on all
matters relating to the ICCs/IPs and to submit within sixty (60) days after the close of each
calendar year, a report of its operations and achievements.

The National Commission has a significant impact on Indigenous peoples in terms of

promoting their rights and welfare because there byare numerous cases of human rights
abuse occurring daily in our nation, according to what I have learned about this topic.
Therefore, it is crucial that the law also established the National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples, which has been given the responsibility of serving as the primary government body
in charge of developing and carrying out policies, plans, and programs to recognize, defend,
and advance the rights of ICCs/IPs. Despite the passing of RA8731, reports have shown that
Indigenous People still face abuses with regard to their political, economic, and cultural rights
because of the inefficient use and non-exclusive possession of their ancestral lands and the
other resources found there. The "Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development & Protection
Plan (ADSDPP)" was implemented by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to
safeguard the political, economic, and cultural rights of IP.
 Synthesis 7 (Group 7)

[ Ethnic Groups in the Philippines ]

The Philippines is considered as an archipelago consisting of many islands, the people

wherein the who live in this country have many culturally and linguistic variations. Apart
from that, the Philippines is a country with a very diverse culture. This is due to the colorful
combination of different nations with the country, such as Spain, United States, China, India,
and the Arabs. The culture of the Philippines is reflected by the complexity of its history
through the blending of Pre-Hispanic indigenous Austronesian civilizations. The locals of the
Philippines are called Filipinos, and their primary ancestors are the Malays who came from
Indonesia.

The country has more than 170 ethno-linguistic groups whose distinct cultural traditions are
overlaid with influences from waves of Malay, Hindu, Arab, Spanish, Chinese, and American
migration, trade, and conquest. The nation is divided between Christians, Muslims, and other
religious-ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and rural people; between upland and
lowland people; and between the rich and the poor. The culture of the Philippines is
characterized by cultural and ethnic diversity. The sense of a national identity is fragile, with
true allegiance given to a kin group, a province, or a municipality

Luzon Island, located in the northern part of the Philippines, is known for its rich culture and
history. The island is home to numerous ethnic groups, with approximately sixty ethnic
groups living in the mountains of northern Luzon. Some of the famous ethnic groups are the
following: Aeta people, Batak people, Bicolano people, Bugkalot, Gaddang people, Ibaloi
people, Ibanag people, Ilocano people, Itawes

Ivatan people, Pangasinan people, Sambal people, and Tagalog people. The region is also
known for its strong economy, with numerous industries such as agriculture, manufacturing,
and services. Luzon Island is considered the birthplace of a rich tradition of Philippine culture
in language, politics, economy, and literature. Visitors to the island can explore its mountains,
beaches, preserved buildings, and experience its vibrant food culture

The Visayan people are a Philippine ethnolinguistic group or metaethnicity native to the
Visayas, the southernmost islands of Luzon, and a significant portion of Mindanao. They are
the most numerous ethnic group in the Philippines, with a population of around 33.5 million
The Visayan people are composed of three main ethnolinguistic groups: Cebuano, Hiligaynon,
and Waray-Waray. The Cebuano people are the largest subgroup of the larger ethnolinguistic
group Visayans, who constitute the largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group in the country. Other
ethnic groups in the Visayas include Abaknon, Caluyanon, Aklanon, Capiznon, Karay-a,
Magahat, and Porohanon. The Visayan people predominantly speak at least one of the
Bisayan languages, most of which are commonly referred to as Cebuano. The majority of
Visayans are Roman Catholic, but there are also minorities who practice Aglipayan,
Protestantism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism. The Visayan people have a rich
culture and are known for their carefree and easy-going attitude.
Mindanao is the second-largest group of islands in the Philippines, and it is home to a diverse
range of ethnic groups. There are more than 40 different ethnic groups in the Philippines, and
many of them are classified as "Indigenous Peoples" under the country's Indigenous Peoples'
Rights Act of 1997. The Muslim-majority ethnic groups of Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan are
collectively referred to as the Moro people, which includes some indigenous people groups
and some non-indigenous people groups.

in line with this, some of the ethnic groups that are recognized in Mindanao are first the
Lumad in which there are 18 Lumad ethnolinguistic groups recognized by the Philippine
government, although there are probably more. The Lumad are indigenous groups who still
live in a rather traditional way, and each group lives in a specific region on one of the islands.
Some of the Lumad groups include the Subanen, Manobo, B'laan, T'boli, Mandaya, Mansaka,
Tiruray, Higaonon, Bagobo, Bukidnon, Tagakaolo, Banwaon, Dibabawon, Talaandig,
Mamanua, and Manguangan. Second the Moro people which are a broad category that
includes several Muslim-majority ethnic groups in Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. Some of the
Moro groups include the Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Kalagan, Sangil, Ilanun/Iranun,
Palibugan, and Yakan.

Third, the T'boli which is considered as one of the most well-known indigenous groups in
Mindanao. They are known for their elaborate embroidery, appliqué, and beadwork, and
they have a distinct culture and language. Fourth the B'laan, also known as "Bla-an," is
another well-known indigenous group in Mindanao. They have a distinct culture and
language, and they are known for their traditional way of life. Lastly, the Kalagan is a group
that lives in the uplands inland from the western coast of the Davao Gulf on Mindanao. They
have a distinct culture and language, and they are known for their traditional way of life.