Our journey to Mindoro started at 6 in the morning. From Manila, we headed south to Batangas where sea vessels dock at the Batangas International Port. After almost three hours (no thanks to heavy traffic) of travel, we reached the international port. After another hour of cruise, our eyes feasted on the virgin forest of Oriental Mindoro.
As a child, I have always remembered
Mindoro as the land of the tamaraws and gateway to the famed
Puerto Galera. But a true-to-life experience kept me from actually seeing this kin to the
carabao, since, as I learned afterwards, the
Tamaraw colony is situated in Occidental
Mindoro.
But then again, even without the
tamaraw, the
Mindoro journey proved to be an experience worth the while.
MAY-I
Mindoro, according to local historian Florante Villarica, was known as May-I or Ma-I, hence the inhabitants were called the May-ians or Ma-ians. This word eventually evolved to a word now used for the original inhabitants of the island -- the
Mangyans. The
Mangyans are said to be one of the first group of tribes to populate the country.
The province played an important part in the economic history of the Philippines since the
Mangyans, known mostly as the people who live in the shore, have played an active part in the country's trading relations with China long before the colonization of Spain. Historical records and ancient artifacts also proved that the
Mangyans also dealt commercially with the Indonesians, Malays, Arabs and Indians.
MINA DE ORO
The modern name of the province --
Mindoro, that which we use at present -- came from the words 'Mina de Oro, coined after the Spanish words meaning 'gold mine', after Spanish navigators led by
Juan de Salcedo found Chinese cargoes containing gold threads, jars, silverwares and porcelain.
After the colonization, trading relations with foreigners were downplayed in the province. It however gained popularity during the early part of the 17th century as it was separated from
Batangas as one of its territories.
Puerto Galera became
Mindoro's capital at this time.
MANGYANS IN THE CITYThe
Mangyans are very visible even in the city proper. They proudly roam the streets of Oriental
Mindoro as any city dweller would, in their g-string or swastika designed top. (Yes, swastika. While in the west, this sign was met with a lot of negativity. In Asia, the swastika is actually a sign of good luck and has been used for centuries long before
Nazism.) City dwellers also interact with them without reservation, unlike in other places where indigenous peoples are feared or treated less of the person they are.
Responsible for this confidence and trust s the city government of
Mindoro and Sister Maggiorina Arenas, a nun who devoted her life in caring for the
Mangyans. For more than 35 years now, Sister Maggiorina has been living with the
Mangyans. Hardworking, trustworthy and intelligent are only a few adjectives she used on the people. "It is easy to educate them because they welcome change like the flowers welcome the rain," she added of the
Mangyans. Although, she admitted, the
Mangyans still face problems on their ownership of ancestral land.
FESTIVALSThe indigenous peoples of
Mindoro also play an important role in every celebration observed by the
Mindorenos. The first of which happens every third month of the year when children in banana leaves dance in rhythmic beat through the main streets of the province. This event is known as the Banana Festival, an act of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvests each year. It also celebrates
Mindoro's title as the Banana King.
A bigger festival comes eight months after on the first week of November. The Sanduguan Festival is important to the
Mindorenos as
Moriones is to
Marinduquenos,
Ati-atihan is to
Aklanons and
Sinulog to
Cebuanos.
It commemorates the lost civilization and rich cultural heritage of the May-I which flourished between 700 to 1200 AD. The Sanduguan Festival reenacts the first historical and cultural contact between the natives of the island and a fearless band of traders from the ancient kingdom of
Cathay, or now more popularly known as China.
During these festivals, the
Mangyans are given the option to live in the upland or in the city. A
Mangyan Village is usually put up especially for them in the heart of the city.
In this village, they are able to show to city-dwellers how they ordinarily live. They can also peddle their wares here, handmade products that they made by themselves or vegetables that they grew. But more than these products, the biggest come-on of the
Mangyan village to the city-dweller could very well be the hanging bridge from where one can have a bird's eye view of the
Mangyans' everyday life. I knew I was hooked.
A closer look at their ways and products will make one realize how far the Filipinos have gone and how important indigenous peoples are to us, if only to realize what we should remember as we go on changing with the rest of the world.
Text by:
Chared Q. BalloPhoto's by:
Jay Javier,
Dylan Walters,
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