MANGYAN DOT NET: Virtual City of Mindorenos!

BRIEF HISTORY

The town of Pinamalayan is close to the shore at the mouth of the river of the same name. The town’s name was said to be taken from the word “ipinamalay,” which means to make aware or to show the way. According to an old story , the early settlers of this town came from Marinduque. While they were on their to Mindoro in their big bancas, they encountered turbulent weather and lost their way. They prayed to God Almighty for deliverance and guidance, whereupon, the weather cleared and a rainbow appeared on the horizon. The crew shouted, “Ipinamalay!” (It was made known!). They followed the direction of the rainbow believing that at its end lies a pot of gold and good fortune. They finally landed at what is now Barangay Lumambayan and established the first settlement, which they named Pinamalayan. They found good fortune in the new land, which brought them prosperity because of the good soil and abundant resources.

Some other sources attribute the name Pinamalayan simply to the fact that the area was once a vast plantation of rice, hence the name “pinagpalayan” or “Pinamalayan.” Since then the Place grew and became a town. However, during the entire 18th century, Pinamalayan was one of the areas frequently attacked by Moro pirates. People were decimated and many fled to the interior for safety. In spite of all these, the town site remained in that place until 1916 when it was transferred by the Americans to its present site.

In the year 1888 the territory of Pinamalayan included the settlements of Pola, Sumagui, and Anilao. At that time, the Gobernadorcillo was Juan Morente, Jr. who assumed position until the uprising against the Spanish government broke out. Morente Jr. joined the revolutionary forces as a captain. Juan Medina replaced him as the town head. When the Spaniards surrendered, Morente Jr. became governor of the province of Mindoro while Cornelio Nable was appointed the municipal president.

In April 28, 1904 under the American government, the towns of Pola and Bongabon were consolidated with Pinamalayan by virtue of Act 1155. It was only in January 12, 1912 when Pola regained its status as a regular town. Bongabon likewise regained its township in March 1919 under Act 2824.

During the American period, the town was transferred to its present site. The American planners made sure that this new town will be laid out properly according to a planning system of wide symmetrical vertical and horizontal roads with proper drainage facilities. A big plaza was further constructed in front of the municipal building. Pinamalayan still stands as model in town planning to all the municipalities of Oriental Mindoro.

When the Japanese occupied Mindoro in 1942, Dr. Abelardo Buñag, the mayor, joined the underground movement. The Japanese appointed Carlos Aguilucho followed by Manuel Medina until the Americans returned in January 14, 1945.

The town steadily grew from 1947 to 1990 under various administrations. There are now two private colleges and three secondary high schools and several barangay high schools. Interesting tourist destinations include the beaches of Pili, Banilad and Ranzo. At the peak of Mount Longos, one can see the panoramic vista of the stretch of sea that separates eastern Mindoro from Marinduque and the Tres Reyes islands. Other areas that would interest mountaineers are the towering ranges of Mt. Dumali, Mt. Beyer, Mt. Worcester, the Agus Hill and bongol Point.

THE MANGYANS

The Mangyans are the popular native indigenous people of Mindoro. In the Municipality of Pinamalayan, the Mangyan Villages can only be found in the remote areas of Barangay Sabang. Situated in the western edge of the municipality, the barangay is about 19 kilometers from the Poblacion proper. Sabang is the largest among the 37 barangays of Pinamalayan in terms of land area, covering a forest area of approximately 7,000 hectares. It is adjacent to Occidental Mindoro and the Municipalities of Gloria and Socorro, characterized as mountainous and thick forest region.

There are basically two (2) distinct Mangyan Tribes in Pinamalayan - Tau Buhid and Tadyawan. According to the National Commision on Indigenous People (NCIP), the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) in Pinamalayan covers 21,000 hectares partly including a small portion of Gloria. Tha Mangyans of Sabang live in five separate sitios which are literally far from each other. The Tau Buhids can be found in Mabayawan, Mayi, Tibong and Safa while the Tadyawans settle in Kaligtangan. A closer study, however, revealed that the latter, although they consider themselves as Tadyawan, are actually Tau Buhids in culture and in every aspects. It was learned that they only converted themselves due to differences in religion.

Among the five Mangyan settlements, Safa and Tibong are the most accessible. These two sites can be reached by land vehicles despite the rugged road condition, shallow rivers and terrain. Safa is 15 to 20 minute ride from the barangay poblacion with an access road traversing the same river several times. About 90 Mangyan families live in Safa and considered as the most civilized among the settlements. A public elementary school exists in the area with a building donated by the Filipino-Chinese Community for the young Mangyan schoolers. The houses are mostly made of wood with galvanized roof and much improved than a typical Mangyan house made up of tree barks. Tibong or Anungo is approximately a 15-minute ride through a hilly rough road partly zizagging. There are about 26 Mangyan families residing in this site following a considerably improved way of living. The dwelling units are very much similar to those in Safa and folks wear old dirty clothes. In both Safa and Tibong, the typical G-string is already out-fashioned. No one among the males wear them anymore, unless, of course, on special arrangement with visiting parties.

The Mangyan community in Kaligtangan occupies 9-hectare land acquired by Mangyan Mission, a non-government organization. The site is characterized as sloping to moderate terrain. Via spillway, it is about an hour walking time from the barangay poblacion and via Paglagnan, it is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. There are about 27 families residing in this area and all of them are Catholics. Although this departed group who are formerly part of the Tau Buhid Tribe claim themselves to be Tadyawan. Their culture reflects the former tribe except the fact that they are no longer Protestants.

The settlement in Mayi has at least 25 families. The area is much farther than the other three locations with approximately two and a half hours walking time for a Mangyan. Normally it takes 3 to 4 times longer for a lowlander or Tagalog to reach the place. Some male residents in this community still wear the G-string or "Bahag".

Of the five settlements, Mabayawan is the most remote. It takes an average walking time of three hours for a Mangyan to reach the Poblacion of Sabang. And, it even takes much longer to return to the site considering the mountainous track and thick forest. For a lowlander, traveling time by foot is likely to exceed 8 hours. Some 45 families reside in the area. Most of them still practicing primitive way of life. According to one eyewitness who had visited the area, there are some residents who roam the place completely naked. The tribal leader, Butuan Sagbos, is perhaps the most experienced among the other leaders of the tribes. Wild boars as well as deers are said to be wildly living adjacent to the settlement.

All the Mangyan leaders can write their names as well as some of their companions. According to them, they were thaught by missionaries and other Tagalogs. Thruth is, several literacy programs have been implemented among the Mangyan communities initiated by various government agencies and non-government groups.