Spirit of Resiliency: Defying Odds Against Life’s Impediments

Words by Mdpwn. Erica F. Opinion, Jessiea B. Flores, Rose Antonette A. Ramos and Mdpn. Franklin Kyles M. Matricular

Photos by Mdpn. John Jerard D. Tejero

A quest for progress and defiance of leaving behind the rich and diverse culture are the mantra of the certain aeta community housed in the terrains of Brgy. San Nicolas, Buenavista Guimaras. As one of the country’s indigenous groups, they face several challenges such as exclusion, marginalization, and prejudice—an unfortunate truth. With a distance of almost 5 kilometers from the main road, the community has strived to survive the uphill battles in their daily lives. It was never easy to build a community from a dire situation, originating from a desolate and remote plain that appeared to be an abandoned tribal community among the other six indigenous communities on the entire island. The chieftain, Mr. Sito Mesahon, and his wife have been in charge of the village for almost seven years without receiving any financial compensation, which has taken an enormous amount of work, sacrifice, and tears, withholding only their firm belief that one day the community could arise from their unfortunate circumstances. Ma’am Sharon Mesahon, the chieftain’s wife and the teacher of the daycare center at Sitio Serum, shared her aspirations for the community.

“Handum namon nga mag-improve ang ila nga pangabuhi kaypara indilangkamimagsaligsa buligsang gobyerno,nga didtolang kami magtangla pirmi kag mangayo. Nga makasarang man kami sang amon kaugalingon. Kag handum ko gid nga ang mga kabataan gidman makatapos para daku gid ang improvement sang amon community. Kagpara walanadiscrimination,kaynakataposna tosila,indina tosila pag-iamuni. Kay ati na sila pero nagtinguha sila nga makatapos sila, indinatonsilapagikapanubokaymaymgatinapusannasila,”she said. Various charity organizations, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), and other private or people’s organizations (POs) have helped the community pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Since there was almost nothing at the community from the start, it is indeed surprisingly to witness the progress and development that have emerged. Nevertheless, change definitely happened, and it was for the better. Recently, two students from the community who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the courses of Business Administration and Criminology who are now serving back to their community and are being emulated as beacons of hope and aspirations by the younger aeta children.

“Handum gid namon nga halos tanan tani namon nga mga kabataan, matapos gid sa pag eskwela. Kay indi sa tanan nga tion makapang-uling ka, pananum-tanom rootcrops kag gulaygulay. Mag-antos ka gid sa bilog nga kabuhi. Indi maka-support bala, pero kung nakatapos sila, makabulig sila sa ginikanan kag ma-improve man ang ila pangabuhi. Manami subong, kay naga eskwela na sila. Wala na sila subong ga huya-huya kung diin na sila dal-on namon. Bale gintudluan namon sila nga , kay amu taya sini nga indi manago lang. Kundi, ipagwa naton nga maski ati kita, kabalo kita makipagbagay sa iban,” she added. Over the years, no one from the community has graduated from college, which is why Ma’am Mesahon persistently encouraged her students to value education more than anything. With the help of various kindhearted individuals, organizations, and their local government unit, the community has established a daycare center that currently caters to 26 students. Upon reaching the community, a tribal hall is situated just beside the daycare center. The mini learning center is filled with educational books and a set of desktop computers, which are all utilized for their children to study and learn. The hall also serves as a place for gathering and holding meetings with tribe members.

“Sang-una bal an ma’am ang mga bata, indi mayo mageskwela kag sa kung diin-diin lang mangayog-kayog. Subong, nakatuon sila sang mayo nga pamatasan sa eskwelahan. Tungod sa indi kamigusto nga hambalon kaminga walagaubra,gindula na namon na. Pero ang ila kultura, ang ila panghambal sa inati,kagang ilatradisyon,sige-sigegidya halin sa katigulangan pakadto sa kabataan. Wala gid namon gindula. Subong, damu na ang mga manug grade 11 kag 12. May college na kami nga tatlo, nagakuha Agriculture, Electronics kagCriminology sa Guimaras StateUniversity. Duwa na ang amon college graduate sa Criminology kag Business Administration.” As the saying goes, coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. The aeta community of Sitio Serum is an attestation of resiliency. Despite life’s impediments, they find a drive to ascend and a mantra to believe in. They do not settle for less; instead, they work hard and aspire for positive growth. What they are today is the result of their unwavering desire to progress with time.