This article is the author’s final requirement for her DC 43: Development Writing class. They were asked to write a development article based on their interviews, observations, and experience from their immersion in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon on August 31 – September 2, 2018.

Saloringan, Are We There Yet?

With the hopes of having a decent transportation that brings us to our respective barangays, we walked. Carrying a loaded bag on our shoulders with a tray of egg on the right hand and a bag of canned goods on the left and walking a steep rocky road got all of us utter the words “Are we there yet?”. Every person we pass by who lives at Cabanglasan would say “Gamay nalang!” with a huge smile. We’re all confused, but at the same time lifted up by the glowing smile on their faces.
Then I pondered – this is how the people of Barangay Saloringan live their life. Whenever they need to buy something from the province or go to a health center, they will spend most of their time walking for approximately three hours. It’s that far. For me, it’s a new thing.But for them, it’s something they have been doing for the longest time. It seems like they even enjoy walking. Other than that, they have no other means of transportation rather than a “habal-habal motor” and not all of them can afford to have a ride so instead, they walk. What if one needs to be rushed to the hospital for immediate medication? What if they need to buy something important in the city? Is there a teacher willing to invest her time and effort at Saloringan to educate the children? How is the education system in Saloringan?

The difficulty in going to Saloringan leaves me with so many questions in mind. But once I’ve reached the place, it feels so heartwarming to see the people, who call themselves the Umayamnons, we’re grateful to see visitors. The place is breathtaking, they live on a hilltop with only about 15 houses on sight. The community is small; they have one sari-sari store, one source of water supply, and a small school but full of proud and welcoming people who values their culture whole heartedly.

The People of Saloringan

I have always been fascinated by the fact that the people who have less have the most to offer – not material things, not a comfortable place to sleep in, not a big welcome feast but a deed that made me realize that the people of Saloringan have a heart full of sincerity. It is their joy and pleasure to serve their visitors, even with the slightest thing they can do to help.

“Kami ra hugas plato ate, pahulay na mo.” Jinjin said, a granddaughter of the datu.

Of course, I hesitated and told them they should not worry. But they insisted and even carried the pale full of plates that was used for dinner down to the only hose of water by the side of the hill. I really can’t do anything about it anymore, so instead, I helped them washed the dishes and had a small chitchat that seemed like we’ve known each other for long because they were comfortable enough to share and talk about their life. That same night, the datu and her niece spent the night with us to talk about their how their life is as Lumads and basically just getting to know their tribe and their way of life. And that was the time when I realized how this tribe by the farthest hilltop continue to survive by trying to improve their chances of escaping from persistent poverty. The struggle to have access to education to their children or even to their younger generations was the bottom line of their concerns. It led to problem after problem and opened the eyes and hearts of everyone inside the room.

Ignorance Is Bliss

“Ako ma’am, wala gyud ko naka skwela. Pero hinaot unta ma edukar ug insakto ang among mga kabatan-unan.” The datu’s niece said.

Her words hit me. Their lack of being educated thereof led to problems like not being able to defend their land from those who wanted to claim it because they are not aware that they have the right to do so. The way she said it, it was like being stolen the chance to be one step ahead to a brighter life because she did not know how to speak for herself. She would often refer to the educated people as the one hindering them to the things they deserve. The Umayamnons know that they should fight for their land to protect and preserve the people in their tribe and as well as their culture. But they do not have the courage to speak for themselves knowing that they will end up the one being wrong in the situation. Her determination to make their young educated is inspiring. They may have been deprived of education, but the hope for their younger generations is still there. Hoping that slowly, if the time is in their favor, they will be lifted up from the oppression and enhance their livelihood.

Their tribe is known to be fierce. Their ancestors were regarded as warlike and expert in fighting for their people. Even before, they have been defending their land for so long to an extent that they kill someone without knowing that it’s wrong to kill someone. For the same reason, they did not know that it was wrong to kill someone because they are not educated about it. They have no idea what a law is and what is written in a law – so they commit crimes they are not aware of.

Their situation with regards to the lack of education in their tribe or in their place is alarming knowing that even the basic rules of the law is a new thing for them. If only these Lumads were educated, would it be possible that they did not go through all these things? If only they were educated, would they already have a sustainable life? One of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations includes access to quality education. Basic knowledge to writing, speaking and more. To start small, this could be our government’s main concern to the Umayamnon tribe. The younger generations can still benefit for the education they have been longing. Government officials or even volunteer groups can initiate several projects that leads to educating these Lumads. Regardless of this tribe and place being far away from the city and can be so hard to reach, this does not deny the fact that they should not be deprived of quality education. These people are helpless people who have innocent minds and educated people take advantage of that. A lot belittle the Lumads, without realizing that we should be helping them sustain their life, tribe and culture.

Most of our leaders nowadays talk a lot about having a quality education but do too little to address the issue. Quality education can be a reality to these people only if the government took extra effort to implement such. Yes, the money and power has always been there. What was lacking, however, was prioritization. If quality education is a global goal for the years to come, the government should recognize their responsibility to the community towards the realization of its significant development. The Umayamnon tribe should be one of the many people in our country that should enjoy the equal benefits and opportunities that our government provides. It’s time to hear out these people because their struggles only add up if no one will take the lead. I know the government and even private sectors have a lot in mind. But it’s time to walk the talk in order to help not just the Umayamnon tribe, but the Lumads in general.

On Cloud Nine

After a day with the people of Saloringan, it was time for us to leave the place. With the short span of time that we were able to get to know and immerse in their culture, each and everyone of us has a story that is worth sharing. But before we left, I noticed that I still have packs of biscuits that I know I will not eat and consume. So, I called Jinjin together with her other cousin.

“Inyoha na ni, Jin.” I said to her.

“Thank you, ate!” She responded with an uplifted mood. “Kabalo mi nga lami ni ate, bisag wala pa mi nakatilaw.” Then my heart melted.

The happiness that I can see on their face was priceless. Seeing these children smile from ear to ear just because of a vanilla filled chocolate biscuit is a face that I will never forget. At the back of my mind, I wish these kids to get the quality education they deserve. No matter how hard their situation is, I hope that these kids will realize one day that they are the voice that their tribe needs. These kids will be the future of the Umayamnons towards its betterment, progressive and significant change. One just needs to take the lead – to open the doors of opportunities to the Lumads and give them the voice that they have been longing for years.

The passion and determination in the Umayamnon tribe to attain quality education is like looking through a magnified lens. At some view, people see how unethical and uneducated these people can be which then leads to assumptions that these kinds of people will never attain quality education because they are ignorant and lack knowledge at everything. But if you look on a different perspective, it is the total opposite. These people are struggling to be heard because they are given the least priority and not given much importance. Until now, they are still looking forward even to a slight chance that someday, their concerns will be heard and addressed. These people are not trying to fit in this world. All they desire is to give a chance to their tribe to be provided with the quality education that will lead them to development. It may take time, but it’s never too late for the people who deserves every chance at giving another shot at a better life.