CLEMENTE, Alyssa K.

OSDPEOP - A52
Mumbaki (1996) Film Analysis

With four doctors in the family, I was never hesitant with modern medicine. Whenever a

loved one felt ill, our first instinct would be to consult my cousins’ medical opinion on how to

move forward. Most people would do the same, but Mumbaki (1996) gave me a unique

perspective on how indigenous communities respond to medical complications.

Prior to watching the movie, I was quite familiar with the lifestyle of our fellow Ifugao

countrymen, especially since my previous school held immersion events with their community.

Our conversations revolved around their livelihood, family life, and culture, but the topic of

healthcare was untouched. Mumbaki (1996) uncovered the difference between traditional and

modern medicine, as seen in the reluctance of the Ifugao community to Joseph’s methods. Even

with a life-threatening pneumonia outbreak, the Ifugao people remained committed to their

healing traditions of communicating with their gods and ancestors. This may have been quite

difficult for Joseph and Nancy to understand, but the Ifugao community is inseparable to their

faith, much like Christians are committed to their Bible. Nevertheless, the community would be

more accepting of “new” medicine if the epidemic worsened and if there was a need to exhaust

all possible cures. This cultural difference has shown that we cannot simply interject a medical

method unaligned with the traditions of the patient. In this scene, I was reminded of the

Hippocratic Oath pledged by doctors which outlines various medical ethics, etiquette, and

endeavors.

Modern medicine may be scientifically proven, but its efficacy may not be appropriate to

anyone who rejects it; therefore, we cannot expect modern medicine to have the same effect on

people with different cultural backgrounds. In Mumbaki (1996), they were able to solve this
dilemma by integrating both cultural sensitivity and modern medicine. Many would often think

that you can only choose treatment or the other, but I believe our society is currently working

towards the marriage of both. With the lack of access to medicine in several parts of the country,

traditional and modern techniques can work hand-in-hand when resources are scarce.

Amidst harsh assumptions of savagery, I have observed that the Ifugao people are

systematic. There is a strong sense of camaraderie and cooperation among their people, which

leads to communal initiatives and social order. In times of difficulty such as the pneumonia

epidemic, they are beyond capable of strategically responding to issues. Moreover, the Ifugao

community is abundantly connected to nature, allowing them to maximize the surroundings’

resources for their welfare as seen in the movie’s landscapes. However, these positive attributes

cannot overcome the grave lack of community doctors around the area. Felix stressed how

professionals often forget about their people after they’ve pursued their studies. Doctors would

often leave their provinces to work in urban areas for higher pay without batting an eye towards

their communities, resulting in the deficit of local physicians. This was a difficult pill for me to

swallow, especially since I wanted to pursue a career outside the Philippines. I realized the

importance of giving back to our communities, and I was even prouder when I found out Joseph

reunited with his people. Truly, career and family can be balanced.

A difference in cultures calls for a difference in social institutions. One shoe cannot fit all

people, and we must be open-minded to cultures other than our own. There are many more

untouched health-related issues, with family planning being one of them, so we must continue to

navigate new techniques. Mumbaki (1996) was my eye opener towards the Ifugao people’s lives,

and I am more enticed to know about how other Filipino ethnic groups live. Mumbaki or doctor,

an ideal healthcare system is possible.