Field Trip Reflection Paper

Patricia Anne S. Sioco 2009-11310

Reflection Paper on the Field Work at the Aeta Community in Pastolan Village, Subic, Zambales

The world is full of people relying on nature. Yet, we seem to destroy it. Good thing, there are still people who cares about our place of living, our source of life. This people, the Aeta Community in Pastolan Village, Subic, Zambales, taught me the importance of nature and peace. They taught me how to mingle with people of different race and how to treasure and nurture the environment around us. Last August 26, 2012, we went on a field trip to Subic, Zambales. I was excited with this trip as it is only my 3rd field trip since I started college and my 1st literally ‘field’ trip since my 1st field trip was within the museums in Manila and my 2nd was in a retreat house in Tagaytay. In this field trip, we hiked all the way up from the Pamulaklakan Village to the Pastolan Village, the community where the Aeta’s live. It was a very long walk. We started to hike on the forest where Kuya Albert, our guide, pointed out some of the important plants we must remember like the Rubber Tree. He showed us how we could us the sap of the tree to make fire. He also showed us a 200-year old Balete Tree that was so huge and broad that it would take three or four people to hug it. We went uphill via the leafy road. It was hard, yes. But I enjoyed it. Trekking was one of my favourite things to do whenever I’m allowed to go. Good thing I expected the trekking so I wore my rubber shoes and cargo pants. Mind you, my shoes are white before the trekking. We only stayed to that road for a good 15 minutes because some of the students with us are having a difficult time climbing or trekking. With their typical school outfit of flats or sandals, it was really difficult to trek. That’s why Kuya Albert decided to show us to the dirt road. When we got there,

we saw other students climbing already. We were bus 1 yet we ended up as last since we did not use the dirt road in the beginning. While climbing the dirt road, rain started to fall. The dirt road turned into muddy. Oh la la! My shoes are now brown, my legs are muddy and my clothes are wet. What a perfect hiking moment. The climb was pretty cool for me since I’m in a proper outfit for climbing, as for the others; it was very, very difficult. I could hear screams and curses whenever they slip. Paul and Alyssa, my groupmates, were both fine. We were actually helping each other out whenever we have to especially Alyssa since she is wearing doll/flat shoes. While walking up and down the muddy road, I realized how the Aeta were so amazing doing this every day. In the trek we would see a villager now and then so I saw how easy it is for them to walk such dirt road while wearing slippers or rubber boots. Amazing! I even saw how aware they were of their environment. A villager stopped in front of a tree and told us to walk faster since the branch of the tree might fall off, another amazing moment. After a good two and a half hour of trekking, we finally reached the village. We were so exhausted from the trek yet when we got there, all the energy I have went flowing back. The village was absolutely not the one I pictured it to be. Yes, I expected there would be a few concrete structures but not that many. The houses there, though some were made of bamboos and wood, are made of concrete materials. Their school is quite big for a small village. I think I saw around three to four buildings there plus they have a playground, stage and court. The villagers were nice. They are very much hospitable. We talked to two of them, a male and a female, and asked them about their ways of living. They said they are both kulot, intermarried to those they call unat, and have children. They are fluent in their native tongue which is Ambla, as well as their kids and they both enjoy the simple life in the village. The male villager said that their source of living came from the forest. Without it, there would be no Aeta. He also said that nature is very important to them and so far, there had not been any problem for them. He said that though there is a decrease in the number of wild boars they could hunt, it is still sufficient enough. He just hopes that in the future, there would still be enough food for the next generation. He

also said that though they do not encounter illegal loggers, they (the Aeta villagers) are still there to protect the forest as it is their main source of living. The male villager tried working in the lower lands but he said that he likes living and working in their community more than in the low lands. The villagers were very much hospitable and friendly. It seems like every kid knows each other, unat o kulot man. The villagers know each other and address each other through their first names. Though their community is located on the upper or high lands, they are not deprived of the luxury of the city life such as electricity and cellphone signal. They are also Christians or Roman Catholics. They have a church build inside their village. They have a tribal council and a chief or barangay captain. During our stay, they showed us their culture in hunting and gathering through a traditional dance and taught us how to survive in the jungle. They thought us how an itak is very important to an Aeta. In such a short period of time, we were able to see their culture and way of living. We were able to see how they are one with the environment. In doing this research work, I came to a conclusion that the environment is very important to everyone especially to those people who relies on it to survive. If man is going to continuously destruct it, then I don’t see a bright future for the next generation. As one of their town villager said “Wala ang Aeta, kung wala ang kapaligiran.”

Paul Cenizal

Reflection Paper on Anthro 185 Field Trip

August 26, 2012, Sunday, was a supposed part of the apparent long weekend everyone else was having. I will be the first one to admit that I find it such a hassle to go on a field trip on weekends and holidays. No, scratch that; to go on field trips, period. I have had one too many "failed trips" to say that I have been traumatized enough to even feel a sliver of joy in going on educational field trips. But for some reason, the trip to Subic, Zambales shattered every bias I had conceived against field trips. Actually, it felt less like a school chore and more of an integral part of my long weekend. The bus ride from UP Manila to Subic wazs really long. Waiting and enduring long, vacant periods of sitting idly by were rarely a treat for me, but at that particular moment, it was a very much period of vacancy as I needed to catch up on sleep (I came from one of my orgs' acquaintance party the night prior which lasted well into the midnight). By the time we arrived, I was reenergized- very much alive and kicking. I was thankful for that fact because, in hindsight, I needed every calorie of energy at my disposal. The first phase of our trip was the field work proper, which was an ecological inquiry on the Aeta Community in Pastolan Village. Saying the activity's name may be a mouthful, but it is nothing compared to actually getting to the place. We had to trek; to brave the woods, traverse the rough road, and try our hardest not to fall. I would say that I am the least-connected-to-nature person I know, but I would also say that I quite enjoyed it. And, in any case, upon getting to the place, it was well worth it.My groupmates and I were able to secure interviews with two Aetas, one male and one female. We were also able to structure a format for the interview and there was little disparity between their answers (interestingly, even the objective ones). They both have been living in the community for more than twenty years now. They have been intermarried, have kids, and are fluent in their native language

(Ambala). I was testing a theory (linguistic approach) when I asked them whether their children were fluent in Ambala and which cultural identity they assumed. Both of them affirmed the former and answered "kulot" on the latter. Both have also emphasized their interdependent, symbiotic relationship with their environment. They also told us that their community is tight-knit and generally harmonious. We were treated to a performance of their cultural dance and taught us how to survive in the jungle with only an itak and bamboo at hand. The whole experience was a revelation of sorts to me: how the Philippines is an intricate, beautiful framework worthy of a closer look and much appreciation and just how much pleasure there is to be derived from trying new things every once in a while. We capped off the trip with a sumptuous lunch at Meat Plus and dolphin and sea lion shows at Ocean Adventure. Indeed, while going on an educational field trip on a Sunday would seem taxing; this particular field trip is a clear exception and is definitely one for the books.

Alyssa Mae C. Lorenzo 2010-13805

Reflection Paper on Anthro 185 Fieldtrip at Pastolan, Hermosa, Bataan

August 26, 2012: a day to observe the Aetas of Brgy. Pastolan, Hermosa, Bataan. It was a threehour trip from Manila to Subic and a two and a half hour walk from the foot of the mountain to their village. Three hours of stay on that village already I learned and realized a lot. I was actually very excited for this trip. I love nature, outdoors, adventures, experiences and taking beautiful pictures. I figured, this will give me those and it did. The walk was interesting. We were introduced to the biodiversity of the forest from the tallest and the oldest of the trees to the smallest of shrubs that was there. When the rain started to pour, adding more drama to the beauty of the forest, our group joined the others on the muddy and rough road. I wasn’t expecting a heavy trekking so I was not prepared. I was on my regular shoes and in shorts. By the time we’ve reached the village my shoes were (from pink) brown and my legs white because of the dry mud covering it. The village is a symbol of simplicity. I was actually surprised by it. I was expecting people on bahag and nipa houses like those in Ifugao. Instead, some houses were concrete. They have electricity. They have a school, a church and small sari sari stores. I was surprised to hear they are mostly Christians. They are civilized—almost like the typical provincial towns only with fresher air and rougher, muddier roads. The people in general like all other Filipinos are hospitable. They’re very welcoming and ready for interviews and pictures. We’ve interviewed two natives, both intermarried and have children. They

said most of them work at SBMX and that they live somewhere near the forest where they get food. Some are hired guards for the forest against illegal loggers and some are tourist guides. The coming of tourists or schools and researches to their town seems normal to them, since as they said, a lot has gone there. They were not as indifferent to us even though we are not from there. They value their environment much like it’s theirs. Though they are not what I thought Pagan and worshippers of nature, I found out in the interview that they treat their forest with respect. They don’t cut trees or litter. It’s the forest that gives them food and shelter. They use bamboos for ther houses. They hunt animals in the forest for food. Though modern arms are available for hunting, they use their traditional bow and arrow in hunting. Natives call themselves “kulot”. It then came into my mind, what if someone not “kulot” calls them kulot, will they be offended?. I think not. The way I see them, they are proud of what they are. Though a minority, they are rich with culture and love for their fellow Aeta. They are not ashamed that they’re kulot and that they have dark complexion. They even showed us their bahag and native dance and their old ways of survival in the forest. I asked one native we interviewed, “kung papipiliinpo kayo san ninyomas gusto tumira? Saibaba o dito?’’. He chose the mountain and the forest for the simple yet touching reason that, they have what they need there. I love the simplicity of their life there—away from the busy, polluted and chaotic life of the city. They don’t even complain of their road that which the government must repair or the school having only one teacher. When I ask them what are the problems they encounter. They can’t think of any, when I, myself, can see a lot. Instead they are thankful of what they have. They are satisfied with what they have and they (I think) are happy. It is their humility that has taken me by surprise and has inspired me all the more. Truly, happiness is not having a lot but appreciating what you have.