Philippine Indigenous Community
THE PEOPLING OF THE PHILIPPINES
1. Creationism
 Creationist are frequently requested to
propose a theory of creation, namely, why the
particular life forms that exist were created.
2. Migration Wave Theory
 According to Dr. Henry Otly Beyer, the
ancestors of the filipinos came in different
“wave of migration”.
First Hominins
 Ardipithecus Ramidus – early stages (4.4M)
 Australopithecus Afarencis – Lucy/ Ape like,
Human like (3.9 – 2.9M)
 Homo Habilis – homo genus-tools (2.8 –
1.5M)
 Homo Erectus – upright man (1.9 – 140k)
 Neanderthals – Europe and part of Asia -
cultural practices (130 – 40k)
 Homo sapiens – present language (300)
Dawn Man – related to: java man and peking man
Negritos – aboriginal hunters and gathers via land
bridges.
Indonesian – across the sea
Malays – introduced iron age dominant group
3. Core Population Theory
- Suggest that early inhabitants of Southeast
Asia were once of the same ethnic group with
similar culture, but eventually- through a
gradual process driven by environmental
factors – differentiated themselves from one
another. (Felipe Landa Jocano)
4. Austronesian Hypothesis
- Petter Bellwood suggest that the growth of
the population of the Philippines is a result of
a group of people from Asia known as
Austronesians.
- Out of Taiwan
5. Nusantao Hypothesis
- This theory aims to explain the spread of
people by looking closely at their cultural
traits rather than language.
- Boats/ material culture
- By Wilhelm Solhein
WHO ARE THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Indigenous People
- The word “indigenous” comes from the Latin word
“indigen” which means native or original
inhabitant – an idea that became popular in the
17th century
Different Definitions
 Asian Development Bank Framework
- defines IP’s as “those with social or cultural
identity distinct from the dominant or
mainstream society.
 International Labor Organizations Framework
- the IP are characterized first by their historical
continuity, and their societies thriving during
pre-conquest and colonized.
- The territorial connection and their ancestors
inhabiting the country or a region of the
country of which they have claim.
- They have distinct social, economic, cultural,
and political institutions and retain either
some or all of their institutions.
 United Nations Framework
- having historical continuity with pre-invasion
and pre-colonial societies that developed in
the territories.
- That consider themselves distinct from other
sectors of those societies that are now
prevailing on those territories or part of them.
- That form at present non-dominant sectors of
society and are determined to preserve,
develop and transmit to future generations
their ancestral territories and their ethnic
identity.
 World Health Organization
- Identify themselves and are recognized and
accepted by their community as indigenous.
- Demonstrate historical continuity with pre-
colonial and/or pre-settler societies.
- Have strong links to territories and
surrounding natural resources.
- Have distinct social, economic, and political
systems.
- Maintain distinct language, cultures and
beliefs
- Resolve to maintain and reproduce their
ancestral environments and systems as
distinctive people and communities.

Summary:
 Self-identification
 Ancestral Roots and Descent
 Historical Continuity and Way of Life
 Ancestral Language Sustained
 Ancestral Land Claim
 Distinct Way of Life and Non-Dominance
 Aspirations for Self-Preservation and Self-
Determination
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RIGHTS ACT R.A. 8371
( IPRA LAW)
- An act to recognize, protect, and promote the
rights of indigenous cultural
communities/indigenous peoples, creating a
national commission on indigenous people,
establishing implementing mechanisms,
appropriating funds therefor, and for other
purposes.
- 13 chapters and 83 sections
- Signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on
October 29, 1997
- 10 years after the 1987 Constitution
Recognition of Indigenous People Rights Duting
Colonization
 Regalian Doctrine
- “The King owns everything”
- Encomienda System
 Native Title Doctrice
- “Time immemorial possession”
- In IPRA, Native title is defined as pre-
conquest rights to lands and domains
which, as far back as memory reaches.
- Before the Spanish Conquest
- Have never been public lands
Who are the Indigenous People according to the
IPRA Law? (chapter ii, section 3)
- Refers to a group of people of homogenous
societies identified by self-ascription and
ascription by organized community on
communally bounded and defined territory,
and who have, under claims of ownership
since time immemorial, occupied, possessed,
and utilized such territories.
The PH Indigenous People
 110 Ethno-linguistic groups
 Estimated population of 14 million
 Estimated 16% of PH population
 Cordillera and Region I
- Bontoc, Balangao, Isneg, Tinguian,
Kankaney, Karao, Ibaloi, Kalanguya, Ifugao,
Tuwali, Kalinga, Bago, Applai, etc.
 Region II, Caraballo Mountains
- Agta, Kalanguya, Bugkalot, Isinai,
Gaddang, Aggay, Dumagat, Ibanag, Itawis,
Ivatan, Yogad, etc.
 Region III, Rest of Luzon/Siera Madre
Mountains (RIII, RIV, &RV)
- Aeta, Negrito, Abelling, Agta, Dumagat,
Remontado, Bugkalot, Cimaron, Kabihug,
Tabangnon, Abiyan, Isarog, Itom, etc.
 Island Groups (RVI & RVII)
- Agutaynon, Tagbanua, Dagayanen, Tao’t
Bato, Batak, Pala’wan, Molbog, Iraya
Mangyan, Hanunuo Mangyan, Alangan
Mangyan, Buhid Mangyan, Tadyawan
Mangyen, Batangan Mangyen, Gubatnon
Mangyan, Ratagnon Mangyan, Ati,
Cuyunon, Sulod/Bukidnon, Magahat
Korolanos, Ata, Bukidnon, Escaya, Badjao,
etc.
 Southern and Eastern Mountains (RXI &
RXIII)
- Manobo, Mandaya, Mansaka, Dibabawon,
Banwaon, Bagobo, Ubo Manobo,
Tagakaolo, Talaingod, Higaonon, Blaan,
T’Boli, Kalagan, Tagabawa, Mangguangan,
Tigwahanon, Sangil, Agusan Manobo, etc.
 Northern and Western Mountains (RIX & RX)
- Manobo, Subanen, Arumanen Manobo,
Araka Manobo, Teduray, Dibabawon,
Banwaon, Bagobo, Ubo Manobo,
Tagakaolo, Talaingod, Langilan, Blaan,
T’Boli, Kalagan, Tagabawa, Manobo Blit,
Matigsalog, Tighawanon, Tagabawa,
Sangil, etc.
 Central Mindanao (RXII)
- Aromanon, Tiruray, Bagobo, Ubo Manobo,
Higaonon, Subanen, Iranon, B’laan,
Lambangian, etc.