THE DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE ATI COMMUNITY IN LAS SALINAS NORTE, LOAY, BOHOL

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

It is a known fact that the Philippine Archipelago is one of the countries in Southeast Asia which is considered as the melting pot of different ethnic groups. Some of the ethnic groups that occupied the Philippines are the Badjao, Mangyan, Manobo, Ifugao, Kankanay, and Negrito or Ati. These ethnic groups are also called cultural minorities. Cultural minorities are any category of people with recognizable racial, religious, or ethnic trait that place it in the position of low esteem and that serve as the basis for unequal treatment (Bates, 1985).

Among of the indigenous tribes that occupied the Philippines are the Atis. They are considered as the most indigenous tribe described as short in height, black in complexion and with kinky hair (Panopio, Rolda, 2004). One theory suggest that the Atis are the descendants of the original inhabitants of the Philippines who contrary to their sea fearing Austronesian neighbors, arrived through land bridges that linked the country with the Asian mainland about 30,000 years ago (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ati). This group lived in the northern part of Luzon, especially in Mount Pinatubo.

The Ati have become extremely nomadic due to social and economic strain on their culture and way of life that had previously remained for thousands of years. The Atis have no sense of land ownership (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ati). The eruption of Mt. Punatubo in Zambales disturbed their occupancy in the area forcing them to occupy city lands to the point of becoming residents in the parks.

The Atis have been known to constantly resist assimilation into mainstream Philippine society. In spite of this, they have shown remarkable resilience in the face of mounting pressures and have lived largely even in times of great socio-political upheaval. Unfortunately, sad combinations of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, increasing in poverty of neighboring lowland communities, and government apathy have conspired to push the Ati out of their ancestral lands (http://www.wisigeek.com/who-are-the-Ati.htm).

In the Philippine setting, the government affords them little protection. They are the being isolated with their own distinct culture, occupying the mountainous areas of the province. With this, the Atis have shown resistance to change (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ati). In addition, these indigenous tribes have become extremely nomadic due to social and economic strain on their culture and way of living

that had previously remain unchanged for thousands of years. People consider them as inferior because of their physical appearance. Some are molesting them. It is also evident that this group remains with their traditional culture. Why do this tribe find it hard to assimilate change? The thing is that they offer little encouragement to those who would desire to train them. They would adopt their own way of living, free of taxes, military service and social restraint as being more congenial to their taste (Foreman, 1980).

In other place like in Luzon, the men cover only the loins, and the women dress from the waist to the knees (Foreman, 1980). Some of them did not go to school because their parents cannot afford the underlying expenses. That is why most of them are illiterate. This reality shows that the Ati community is very poor. Their houses are made of bamboo and other simple materials, although this might not be true at all times due to some intervening factors. Clearly, the Atis have low self-esteem.

In Bohol, there are Ati tribes occupying the mountainous parts of Loay, specifically, in Las Salinas Norte and Calvario. Their way of living is still traditional. They survive from farming which most of the indigenous tribes are known of. Their house resembles the image of poverty. Most of them, if not all, suffer the crisis of human life which most of people nowadays are facing. We could see small children roaming around naked or if not has only lower garments.

Mainly, this study is conducted in order to gain information of the Atis and their living conditions in social, political, and economic aspects. From the findings, the researchers could forward recommendations to all concerned people for the improvement and development of the Ati community’s living condition.

Theoretical Background

This study is based on the provision of Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, that the state recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development. As used in the constitution, the term “indigenous cultural minorities” refers to those non-dominant groups in our country which possess and wish to preserve ethnic, religious, or linguistic traditions or characteristics marked different from the rest of the population. Section 22 recognizes constitutionally, the existence and the right of the indigenous cultural communities. It directs to promote their rights within the framework of national unity and development. Thus, the state is bound to consider the customs, traditions, beliefs, and interest of indigenous cultural communities in the formulation and implementation of state policies and programs. In a multi-ethnic society like ours, the above provision is necessary in promoting the goal of national unity and development. Likewise, Article XIV, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines give emphasis to indigenous cultural communities as it provides, that the state shall recognize, respect and protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their culture, tradition and institution. It shall consider these rights in the formulation national plans and policies. In the development of a Filipino national culture, the state must respect all

the cultural forms in which have been evolved by the people through centuries. It must be “democratic “in the sense that it represents the cultures of the people. Under Section 17, the rights of indigenous communities to preserve and protected by the state and these rights must be recognized, respected, and plans and policies including those on culture (De Leon, 2001).

All men are in some sense equal and are gifted with intelligence. As they are created by God in his image and likeness, men are worthy of respect even those types of people whose social and political world has been given little or no attention at all (Teo, 1989).

Even Jesus, himself, stresses that God bless those who come to the aid of the poor and rebuke those who turn away from them. As the Gospel according to St. Matthew states,” gives to him who begs from you, do not refuse him who would borrow from you”. (Bible, Matthew 5:42) You receive without pay give without pay. God, for so long, calls upon the people to serve the lowest in life and the people in real need.

Grounded on the principles of social justice, that states “he who has less in life should be favored by law; and the welfare of the people is the supreme law.” Since Atis are considered as the most indigenous group scattered all throughout the archipelago, it is rightful that the government should give them priority in terms of financial aid and assistance (Panopio, 2004).

Indigenous people are those who have maintained a historical continuity with pre-invasion societies that developed on their territories. They have their own social and cultural characteristics distinct from dominant cultures. The “minorazition“ of several ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines began upon the arrival of the Spanish colonizers. Those presently referred to as “majority” or “landowners” were tribes assimilated into the mainstream, while those who withdrew to the mountain fastness and stood their ground successfully against colonialism are now known as tribal Filipinos or indigenous people.

According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the indigenous people are those groups of people who are not near the Spaniards or other foreigners. The Spanish chronicles of 16th century descriptions particularly in agricultural practices of the early Filipinos and today’s description of the indigenous people are the same. The Spaniards called the local inhabitants Indios. Those who lived separately from them were the “tribos independientes” and those who refuse baptism were the “infieles.” The Americans lumped together the indigenous people and the Muslims. Together they are the “cultural communities” in the 1973 Constitution. The 1987 constitution calls them indigenous cultural communities.

Today most indigenous people live some kilometers away from the highways. But there is now reverse tendency of going down to the lowland in order to beg because they have no land like the Pinatubo Ayta after the Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1990.

The name Negritos, meaning “little blacks” was introduced by Spaniards in reference to the scattered groups of pygmies found in the Philippine Islands, particularly on Luzon, Negros, Panay, and Mindanao. It denoted what appeared to be relationships with the people of sub-Saharan Africa. The Philippines Negritos call themselves Ati, Ayta, Ita, Agta, Atang, and similar terms. They appear to be related to other pygmy groups in Southeast Asia. Such as the Semang of the Malay Peninsula and the aboriginal Andamese of the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. All these people collectively are generally called Negritos.

The names given to them vary, depending upon their geographical location. In Zambales, they are known as Pinatubo Ayta, in Palanan, Isabela they are referred to as Dumagat and Agta, in Tanay they are called Remontados, in the south they are the Mamanwa (Panopio, Rolda, 2004). These indigenous groups lived in barong-barong, whose roofs were made up of banana leaves. Their small houses had floors and comfort rooms (Gawad Kalinga). Atis traditionally subsist in farming, particularly planting banana, papaya and other fruits in their ancestral lands. They also occasionally hunt for foods such as wild boars in the forest. During hunting, the Atis carry a bamboo lame, a palm wood bow, and poisoned arrows. When out in an expedition, he is wonderfully light footed and runs with great speed after the deer, or climbs a tree like a monkey. They lived a hand to mouth existence, lucky to have one meal a day. Mostly, they live principally on fish, root crops, and mountain rice (Foreman, 1980).

The Negritos are assumed to have been one of the first groups to enter the Philippines, beginning about 15,000 years ago, when the archipelago was connected to the mainland Asia by lands bridges. They are found in the Philippines today in isolated marginal areas, apparently forced there by more recent immigrations of Indonesian and Malayan peoples. The Philippines Negritos have been characterized as forest dwellers, but they are found in open regions formed by grasslands and rivers.

Negrito groups are fast losing their cultural identity. In many areas, they have partly mixed with surrounding populations, performing day labor on farms or working in the forest. Their numbers have declined sharply in recent decades owing to disease and economic stagnation. Today the Philippines Negritos number about 15,000, the Semang about 2,000, and the Andamese about 1,000 (Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 20: 2006).

These Atis may have lived independently in the uplands of Mindoro in Luzon all of these times, but now they have gone to the lowlands in different provinces in search for “greener pastures”. In Bohol, they are thriving in Calvario and Las Salinas Norte in Loay. They originally lived in barangay Calvario but when their leaders had disagreements regarding religious practices, the Ati community split into two. The first one remained in Calvario and the other one move to Las Salinas Norte, still in Loay.

Negritos like many indigenous people, possess a seemingly inexhaustible knowledge of the sources of food and have an acute ecological awareness. Although their technology is relatively basic, their resourcefulness has impressed observers.

The tropical environment provides a great variety of edible wild plants. Some such as yams (Diascorea species) are gathered for their specialized underground parts, others for their leaves, flowers or fruits. They eat nearly every animal life. Snakes, lizards, frogs, snails, insects, and ants are part of the Negrito diet. Many cleverly constructed devices such as noose traps, pit falls, dead falls, and impaling stakes- are used in capturing animals and birds. Larger games are hunted with the bow and arrow. Bows are made from the outer hard weed of palms, though sometimes of bamboo, and are very long, measuring 5.5 to 6 feet (1.7-1.8 meters). A variety of arrows have special functions: tridents for birds and fish, arrow with detachable points for larger game, fishing arrows, and other types.

The Philippine Negritos in Zambales province, Luzon, distinguish more than 50 types of arrows. The bow and arrow symbolizes the native way of life, being used in rituals, in dancing, and as bride fees, as well as in hunting and fishing. The Negritos may have been introduced this implement into Southeast Asia (Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 20: 2006)

Generally, the lifestyle of the Atis, though it might have changed a bit, has never been touched by the hands of economic progress. Though, many of their socio-economic endowments have features similar to those of other Filipino cultural minorities, their socio-economic development and educational growth have lagged, compared with those other ethnic groups due to lack of government support and assistance.

Figure 1

Theoritical and Conceptual Framework

THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the demographic profile and living conditions of the Ati community in Las Salinas Norte, Loay, Bohol as perceived by the selected members of the Ati community.

Specifically, this research study sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. gender;

b. religion;

c. civil status;

d. educational attainment;

e. work-related status;

f. household structure and composition;

g. income; and

h. number of children?

2. What are the perceptions of the respondents regarding their living conditions in terms of:

a. social;

b. economic; and

c. political aspects?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the demographic profile and the living conditions of the Atis?

Statement of Hypothesis

There is no relationship between the demographic profile and the living conditions of the Atis.

Significance of the Study

This study attempts to determine the demographic profile and the living conditions of the Ati community in Las Salinas Norte, Loay, Bohol.

The researchers believe that this study give a clearer view about the existing conditions of the Ati community situated in Las Salinas Norte, Loay, Bohol.

To the Ati community. This study serves as a bridge towards the creation of a more cordial and supportive relationship between their community and the other folks of Las Salinas Norte, Loay, Bohol.

To the local government unit of Loay. This study would help them understand better the urgent needs of the Ati community.

To the teachers and school administrators. This study will serve as a basis in formulating programs and activities that would take into account the welfare of our indigent brothers and sisters from the indigenous cultural groups.

To other researchers. This would encourage them to go into research focusing on the different cultural minorities in Bohol.

To the community extension and development office of Holy Name University. This endeavor would help them in organizing activities and programs for the minority groups found in Bohol particularly the Ati tribes.

To other students. This endeavor would cast away their personal biases against cultural minorities not just the Atis but the other tribes as well.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The variables being studied by the researchers are the demographic profile which includes gender, religion, civil status, work-related status, educational attainment, household composition and structure of the Atis, number of children.

It is also looked into their living conditions specifically on the social, economic, and political aspects. However, some aspects are not considered such as the health conditions, beliefs, and also their cultural practices because it is not the concern of the study.

The study is also limited to the Ati community in Las Salinas Norte, Loay, Bohol because the smaller Ati community in Calvario, Loay, Bohol is not included.

Research Methodology

The researchers used descriptive method in obtaining and identifying the demographic profile and living conditions of the Ati community in Las Salinas Norte, Loay, Bohol. This study emphasizes on the social, economic, and political aspects of the Ati community.

Descriptive-correlational method is used to describe and correlate the two variables of the study as to determine its relationship.

Research Environment

Barangay Las Salinas Norte is located in the mountanous part of Loay, Bohol. It is located in the northern part of the municipality. The former name of the place is Barrio Babag. According to barrio folks, the place got its name from the concept that the people there would oppose to any propositions that their leaders would give. This kind of attitude is termed in the vernacular as “mobabag.” That is why, according to them, the barrio was named Babag.

Las Salinas Norte has a total land area of 12 hectares. It can be reached by means of land transportation. From the highway going to Loboc, it has walking distance approximately 30 minutes.

Research Respondents

The respondents of this study were the selected members of the Ati community. The method of selection used in this endeavor is purposive sampling. Only the adult members of each family aged 18 and above were chosen for study. The entire Ati community in Las Salinas Norte has a population of 63 individuals, 15 of which are adult males and 14 adult females. There are only nine households which has an average number of 7 members each.

Research Instruments

The researchers used questionnaires backed with interviews as instrument in obtaining their data. There are two sets of questionnaires- one for the demographic profile and another one for the socio-economic and political conditions of the Atis. The questions for determining the demographic profile are close-ended questions. These questionnaires were formulated by the researchers themselves. It has an English version and another version is translated in Inati- the language used by the Atis in Las Salinas Norte.

Research Procedure

The Gathering the Data:

In preparation for the actual distribution of the questionnaires, the researchers sought the permission from the dean to conduct an out-of-campus research. Likewise, the researchers also sought the permissions of the local authorities- the mayor of Loay and the barangay captain of Las Salinas Norte. Having been granted of the approval, the researchers personally distributed the questionnaires. They read and explained each question to the respondents since most of them are unable to read and write.

Definition of TermS

The following used words in the study are being defined for better understanding of the research:

Ati community

A group of Ati individuals having a common origin, culture, religion, etc.

Cultural minorities

Any category of people with recognizable racial, religious or ethnic traits that place it in position of low esteem and that serves as the basis for an equal treatment

Demographic profile

A set of statistical data pertaining to the socioeconomic conditions of the Ati community.

Economic conditions

The condition of finances of the Ati community

Indigenous people

A group of people of who have continuously lived as organized community on communally bounded and defined territory, and, who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized such territories, sharing common language, customs, traditions, and other distinctive cultural traits, or who have, through resistance to political, social and cultural inroads of colonialization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos.

Indigenous communities

Peoples and nations which have a historical continuity with preinvasion and precolonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them.

Political condition

Situation pertaining to the way the Ati community governs themselves.

Social condition

The situation of Ati community in relation to the way they deal with people other than that of their own.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. BOOKS

De Leon, Hector S. Textbook on the Philippine Constitution. Quezon City: Rex Printing Company, Inc. 1997

Doob, Christopher. Sociology: An Introduction. New York: CBS College Publishing. 1985

Mercado, Leonardo N., ed. Working with Indegenous Peoples: A Philippine Sourcebook. Manila: Divine Word Publications, 1994

Panopio, Isabel S. Society and Culture: Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology. Philippines: Goodwill Trading Co., Inc. 2000

Tadem, Teresa S. and Morada, Noel M. Philippine Politics and Governance: Challenges to Democratization and Development. Quezon City: COR ASIA, Inc. 2006

B. GENERAL REFERENCES

Encyclopedia Americana- International Edition. 2006

C. WEB

http://www.answers.com/Ati

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ati

http://www.wisegeek.com/who-are-the-Ati.htm

http://www.philippines.hvu.nl.history1.htm