A travel bound to the Southern portion of Luzon in the middle of 2019 was a bit nostalgic. It brought us to the times when the world was still young. It was when the mountains were the whole world of the people. It was when no one was there to teach, but only themselves. It was when everything was unstructured, unformed.  

After about five-kilometer ride from the Municipal Office of Mansalay, a town in Oriental Mindoro, our team arrived to a preserved indigenous community, the Sitio Proper, Barangay Panaytayan, where approximately 200 Hanunuo-Mangyan households are settling.

It was a different feeling to closely encounter those we only see in text books. The little facts we learned about them was suddenly magnified, from basic up to their most precious culture. The Mangyan whom some of us called as the ‘‘Tailed People’’ of Mindoro has been firm in fighting for what they grew up and has lived their culture with loyalty. These people might sometimes be misquoted for not going in public or for declining to join the present era. But for once, let us take a closer look on how preserved their culture today, even the days has fold thousand times.

Patriotism has never been an issue with the Hanunuo-Mangyan. It was what we observed especially with their leader or ‘‘Datu’’, wearing their traditional Hanunuo attire when we met. The team had a little conversation with him, though with bit of language barrier, as their group used to speak the Hanunuo-Mangyan dialect. The Datu and some in the middle age down to the students have a wider knowledge and understanding of the Filipino language.

The Surat Hanunuo Mangyan

It feels like we were alien whenever Hanunuos speak to each other. We could assure that their indigenous dialect has no similar word to Filipino language. The use of context clues to somehow guess a clause did not work. Their intonation is different for our ears. Visitors like us could probably say they talk too fast, yet it is normal.

Their dialect is different. But little did we know, there is more interesting than that. A lady from their group who introduced herself as a teacher showed a note containing unfamiliar characters. We could barely comment at first as confusion began to full our minds. The teacher read the notes one by one. She tried to enlighten us and initiated telling stories of their writing system.

It is often forgotten that the term ‘‘Mangyan’’ is a collective term for the eight indigenous groups in Mindoro, including Iraya, Alangan, Tadyawan, Tau-buid, Bangon, Buhid, Ratagnon, and Hanunuo.

Three of these groups, including the Hanunuo has their own writing system. It was already used even before the time of Spanish regime, so it is still difficult to find its origin. The group, however, insisted that there’s a big possibility that it was really created by their ancestors. It was primarily used in writing ‘‘Ambahan’’ or a rhythmic poetry of Hanunuo, which was originally inscribed on bamboo tubes. The group said that this Ambahan had took a huge part in courtship during the old times. It is not definite if teachers exist during the old times, enabling Hanunuo writings in existence.

Teaching the Syllabic Writing System in the 21st Century

The teacher who joined our whole day trip in the Hanunuo community is Eping Mayot. Her story as a non-traditional teacher for over silver years has been filled with ups and downs. Today might not be so tough for Eping as she had almost survived those chains of challenges for the sake of Surat promotion and preservation. Hanunuo’s writing system was almost forgotten, thus she stood her feet and claimed what is really intended for their indigenous race.

On our short interview, Eping admitted how Hanunuo falls short of their own writing system. The roughly 20 percent are not exactly well-versed on the proper strokes of the 48 syllables. ‘‘Sa ngayon, baka abutin nalang ng 20 percent ang marunong ng Surat Mangyan, pero doon sa 20 percent na iyon, natitiyak ko na yung 48 syllables ng Hanunuo Mangyanay hindi nila talaga gaanong gamay kung paano ‘yung stroke.” (“Now, about 20% of us know how to write Surat Mangyan. But out of that 20%, I am sure that not everyone is well-versed in the proper strokes of 48 syllables.”)

Despite choosing to live in isolation and racial loyalty, this much important cultural avenue has suffered a little longer.

Eping shared that her intimacy in teaching the syllabic writing system was rooted from her desire to retain the richness of their culture. Further, her father who also dedicated his life for their tradition had deeply inspired her doings. From being a non-degree teacher, Eping has found ways to gain a Degree in teaching to somehow prove her worth and the value of her lessons. Mentoring Mangyan students while completing her collegiate studies was endured and surpassed.

For years of uncertain destiny of this indigenous writing, there goes a light that could shed on it little by little. The sacrifice of an individual and their group has reached several organizations and the national government. Yet, the battle is not yet finish for Eping because she dreams to teach Surat all her life, as she believes that it could only be the greatest weapon to prevent Surat’s extinction.

‘‘Hanggat may mga taong naniniwala na kaya kong gawin, hangga’t ito ay napapakinabangan ng maraming tao, hangga’t kaya kong gawin yung ginagawa kong ito, hanggang may mga taong handang tumulong sakin na tanggapin ang pinaka mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ko sa mga Mangyan ipagpapatulou ko yung pagtuturo.” (Until there are people who believe that I can do this; until many people can benefit; until I can; until there are people who are willing to help, to accept and to fulfill this important role in the lives of Mangyan, I will surely never stop teaching.”)

Watch the short documentary about Teacher Eping and Hanunuo-Mangyan community on Surat Ni Maestra (A Mentor’s Letter).

Written by Ricca Joice Adrada