Aimed to increase the level of awareness of the 4H youth to the tradition and culture of Indigenous People (IP) community, the ATI MIMAROPA conducted Sensing Journey to IP Community: Rising 4h-Club, Helping Mangyan Tribe on July 5-7, 2022 at Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.
Before the actual immersion on Mangyan community, ATI MIMAROPA prepared the 21 4H Officers and Members of Federation of Oriental Mindoro through a two-day training at B. Del Mundo, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.
Mr. Cyrus A. Aynungan, a member of Hanunuo Mangyan and a respected teacher of Mangyan Education Center discussed about the culture and traditions of different tribes of Mangyan. He also rectified the cultural misinformation and misconceptions about them. Mr. Aynugan also voiced out their cultural sensitivity from insult, offensive expressions and fun-poked they received against their culture and appearances. In addition, Mr. Aynungan inspired the 4H’ers from his experiences and achievement in life. It gave the participants a better understanding and appreciation to the Mangyan culture, beliefs, and determination. In addition, he taught the participants how to write and read Mangyan’s alphabet.
Meanwhile, Mr. Monchito L. Jalac, farm supervisor of ATI MIMAROPA Organic Agriculture Assessment Center served as resource person on Production and Raising of Organic Free-Range Chicken and Urban Agriculture that gave the participants additional knowledge and skills in agriculture production.
From this, the activity armed them with enough knowledge and skills to transfer the technologies to IPs by teaching and showing them self-help food production activities and agricultural technologies, thus, building food security in the IP community.
As the third day came, the actual immersion occurred at Sitio Tangkulang, Brgy. Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro where the Hanunuo Mangyan Tribe lives. The 4Hers together with the ATI staff lived there for a day and a night to witness and experience first-hand the Mangyan’s culture and tradition, their resources, needs, and living conditions. This activity strengthened their skills on community management and relations.
In the community, Mr. Jalac and 4H participants conducted a training on organic agriculture and highlighted the importance of concoctions in plants and animals. They also demonstrated the preparation of different kinds of concoctions such as Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ), and Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN). With the values and leadership skills of the 4-H officers and members, they applied their learnings and were able to establish a vegetable garden and planted fruit-bearing trees for the IP community.
The output in the hands-on activities were turned over to the IP community and were agreed that the IP youth will maintain the established garden. Also, the tools and other remaining supplies were given to the community.
According to Mc Justine D. Dimayacyac, 4H member from Bansud, Oriental Mindoro, through the activity, he learned to be more cooperative and active. He also learned to connect to other people with understanding, love and respect. He further said that valuing the different tradition and culture of IPs, everyone must create progress and do good things not only for themselves but also for the benevolence of the society.
Moreover, Mr. Gio Earl Laguerta, 4H President of the Municipality of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro encouraged his co-4Hers to prove and live by the platitude that indeed the youth is the hope of the country.
“Napakagandang opportunity na makasama dito sa Sensing Journey to IP Community, sana po sa aking mga kapwa participant na ang itinuro ni Sir Monch at ni Sir Cyrus ay madala natin sa ating mga munisipyo at yung awareness na itinuro ni Sir Cyrus ay magawa po natin. Sabi nga po ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan kaya nga paunlarin natin ang ating mga sarili at ang agrikultura, at kung ang lahat ng kabataan ay makikiisa ang lahat ng ating mga adbokasiya ay ating makakamtan.”
