By: Rocelle I. Magpayo Officer-In-Charge, Corporate Social Commitments (Makati)
How I wish I am Subanon. How I wish I can also celebrate my roots. I couldn’t imagine my life if I did not meet the Subanons in Canatuan. This is something big for me, an incredible experience which will remain in my heart and in my thoughts. When I joined TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) in 2006 for a human rights research project, I thought of the Subanons as merely literature, I didn’t envision that one day I will get to know them better and be part of their community.
Celebrating one’s culture is something that I adore from the Subanons. Being exposed to their day-to-day activities and somehow being involved in their lives is truly a life-learning experience. I consider the tribe as my newfound family. They call me “Noh,” Subanon term for a cheerful girl. I call the elders as Bamba (uncle), Dada (aunt), Amaulang (grandfather), and Inaulang (grandmother). When I see them in the morning, they will either cuddle me or tap my shoulders and greet me “Noh, bais si solom” (Roc, good morning). They tell me everything, aside from tribal and community matters. They are used to opening up with me their personal stories. It’s as if I am part of their tribe, of their families.
Roc and priestess Susana Davi doing a Subana dance – Susana is wife of the late Bolian (Subanon priest) Armando Davi, she conducts rituals for different occasions and events within the Subanon ancestral land, including the TVIRD mining concession area.
Culturally, the values system of the Siocon Subanons is deeply rooted in their faith and beliefs. As descendants of Apo Manglang, these peace-loving people have a strong bond in the forces of nature. They regard the existence of spirits and supernatural entities inhabiting the environment. The offering of “pangasi” (Subanon rice wine), rice, meat, “kamanyang” (frankincense), blood from animals (chicken/ cow/ pig) during spiritual rites is a gesture of their respect in the natural resources given to them by Apo Mikpongon (their Supreme Being).
Generally, the Subanon’s spiritual rites is regarded to offer gratefulness and to respect and honor the spirits in the water, forest and the mountain. They pray for abundance and protection from illnesses and misfortune.
An interview for her reseach on Subano culture and traditions with Zenaida “Siday” Dandana, an active officer of the Subanon Women's Association Inc. (SSWAI) and area leader of the Solonsangan community.
Currently, I am working on a project for the Subanon community -- the School of Living Tradition. It aims to integrate the Subanon heritage into the school curriculum in the elementary and secondary education in the ancestral domain areas of Subanons in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. As the project progresses, I am learning a lot--cultural sensitivities and most of all I envy their ingenuity as a tribe, that they are able to celebrate their roots and culture.
Even after the mine life in Canatuan, a special spot in my heart for the Subanons will ceaselessly linger. To my Subanon community -- “Leliagenu dini pu’ melinaw.” (I like it here. It’s a peaceful place.)
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