Bulacan media take a deeper look into the Dumagat’s way of life
CITY OF MALOLOS – Not minding the distance and a few difficult terrains, almost 50 Bulacan-based media practitioners took the challenge in touring the mountainous part of Norzagaray in Punduhan ng mga Dumagat, Brgy. San Mateo yesterday to personally witness the way of life of the Dumagats.
During the one-day activity dubbed as “Media Tour 2019” that was organized by the Provincial Public Affairs Office, the participants got the chance to socialize and learn more about the culture and character of a Dumagat Tribe as well as saw the hidden breathtaking would be tourist spots in the area.
Bro. Martin Francisco, the founder of the Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Inc., has a lot to share about the endemic tribe.
“Ang mga Dumagat ay iba sa mga Aeta. Hindi sila ‘yong mga nanlilimos sa kalsada. Sa katotohanan, mas pipiliin nila na mamatay sa gutom kaysa humingi ng tulong sa iba dahil sila ay mahiyain. Bagaman karamihan sa mga Dumagat ay hindi marunong magbasa o magsulat, sila ay nakikipagpalitan ng mga mensahe sa pamamagitan ng mga dahon.” Francisco said.
He also added that Dumagats are also called Agta and that they love to munch nga-nga as a pastime, to help them cope with the cold weather and to express their feelings towards their tribemates.
Moreover, the Dumagats also play an important role in protecting the environment and its natural resources.
“Ang mga Dumagat po ay sumasailalim sa pagsasanay ng Provincial Government of Bulacan para maging mountain rangers upang makatulong ng local na gobyerno sa pangangalaga sa mayaman nating kalikasan. Karamihan po sa mga punong inyong nakikita dito ay itinanim namin dahil dati po, and lupa dito ay sinusunog at kinakaingin,” Francisco added.
Francisco also shared that Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has been regularly giving the Dumagats sack of rice since 2013 and the PPAO also gifted them with four sacks of rice weighing 25 kilos each and 10 packs of rice weighing 3 kilos each courtesy of Board Members Rino Castro, Alex Castro, Atty. Emelita Viceo, Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, Jr. and Allan Andan.
On the other hand, some participants expressed their appreciation on the said tour.
“Marami akong natutunan tungkol sa mga Dumagats . Sa pamamagitan ng Media Tour na ito, nalinawan at natuto tayo tungkol sa kanilang kultura, kaugalian, at pamumuhay. Tunay na educational ang tour na ito,” Dustin Fischer, columnist of Dyaryo Bulacan, said.
“Success! Congratulations sa PPAO dahil successful ang media tour na ito. Dahil dito ay mas nakilala namin ang mga Dumagat at nagkaroon ng pa kami ng pagkakataon na Makita ang magagandang lugar dito tulad nung inakyat namin na tuktok ng Monte Cristo,” Evelyn Sevilla, reporter from Radyo Bulacan, exclaimed.
Also present during the tour were Provincial Information Officer Maricel Santos-Cruz, Philippine Information Agency-Bulacan Manager Vinson Conception, and Tourism Officers, Security Personnel and rescuers from the Municipality of Norzagaray.