Polytechnic University of the Philippines

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management-Open University System

Student: Pasasadaba, Sheilo F. Subject: Reading in Philippine History geed 002

Year & Section: BSTM 1-4 2023-2024 Instructor: Gambito, Jasper Christian

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: SOME NOTES

The term “indigenous people” is commonly used for uncolonized people. They are also referred
to as "katutubo." Indigenous peoples are brave for depending on their beliefs and culture toward
the conquerors and the outside of their community. Most of them aren’t able to study and don't
have a decent job, probably because of the distance, and they are afraid that if they learn
something new, their cultures and beliefs might change.

After watching the documentary video of Kara David titled “Ambulansyan de-paa," I feel
saddened about the status of indigenous peoples in our country. The video was taken 15 years
ago, and yet their status was still the same. There may be improvement, but we can’t deny the
fact that most of them are “belittled” by those modernized people of this generation. Sometimes
they are the laughing stock because of their physical appearance and dialect.

The video was about one of the old tribes in our country, the Mangyan tribe, in the faraway
community of Oriental Mindoro. The indigenous peoples were deprived of education, medical
needs, electrical needs, and even basic needs such as water and food. Their situations make them
more pitiful because, if they have a medical emergency, the nearest clinic or small hospital is too
far. The volunteers, which are the neighbors or relatives, need to carry the patient by using a
blanket entangled on the bamboo where the patient is seated. The volunteers and the patient need
to travel just to go down from the mountain to the town, which takes approximately 4 to 5 hours
through walking. Most of the patients were not able to survive the distance and die.

Indigenous peoples are indeed a disadvantage group in our country. They are deprived of the
opportunities to be successful and have a better life. The schools are too far from their
community. They need to travel a minimum of 4 hours a day just to go to school. And because of
the distance, most of them did not prioritize education. They are forced to work in a rice field on
a farm to fill their hungry stomachs. Their only thought is how to survive the day.

I hope that “The Indigenous People’s Right Act’ will be implemented rightly and will be felt by
our indigenous peoples. They are also humans and part of the Philippines. They also deserved
the equal rights that were given to every Filipino. They deserve to be treated right and with high
respect because of their bravery to fight the conquerors and preserve their cultures, which are the
origin of some Filipinos.