In this world full of toxic mindsets about sexual harassment against women, there is still

a place in the Earth where no one knew the idea about rape.
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of
sexual penetration carried out against a person without that person's consent. The act may be
carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person who is incapable
of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an intellectual
disability, or is below the legal age of consent.
Last month, in celebration of Women’s Month, the Film Development Council of the
Philippines (FDCP) and Gabriela Network of Professionals (GNET) held special screenings of
the multi-awarded documentary, “Walang Rape sa Bontok,” one hour and 58 minutes of rich,
informative details of the traditional culture and practices of Bontoc, the crossroad to the
Cordillera Region, and affirming that indeed, rape did not exist in this slice of heaven, at least for
a very long period, before militarization crept in. There was no word for it, no concept and no
punishment for such a crime that did not exist in Bontoc.
The film showed how the Bontoc women were bare-chested almost all their lives, even in
public places, even when they walked to the market hoisting a basketful of camote on top of their
heads. No jeers, no disrespect come from anyone in the community. For them breasts did not
elicit anything sexual. Breasts were sources of milk and nourishment for their children. No
naughty fantasies exist in their minds.
In case of inter-village wars, no rape can ever occur, because when the enemy forces
approach the women of the rival village, all that a woman has to do is to raise her skirt and show
her genitals, and the enemy will scamper away, because in their culture this is a bad omen, and
synonymous with death. Their notion is that no man can look at a woman’s genitalia, that being
the channel from whence he came into the world.
When a person reaches the puberty stage, sisters and brothers are made to sleep
separately, the girls in the ologs, accommodating about eight lasses at a time. The atos are the
sleeping quarters for the males, and these can accommodate around 20 to 30 of them. Strict rules
and discipline are imposed in these sleeping cottages, so that no malice or hanky panky can
happen.
When a man commits a crime in this society, there is no forgiveness. He is ostracized
forever. If he attends gatherings, he is assigned to a space at the rearmost and his food and drink
are given him, but in the rudest and unwelcoming manner.
We must send a message across the world that there is no disgrace in being a survivor of
sexual violence – the shame is on the aggressor. – Angelina Jolie