Changes in Aeta’s
The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo diminished the forest and
mountain areas where the Aetas used to roam. It
pushed them to settled community life with the
lowlanders in the resettlement camps.
In the resettlement areas, the natives had to live with
the lowlanders and learn to live in the mainstream.
However, the lowlanders considered them inferior and
marginalized. Due to their limited awareness of the Aeta
culture, lowlanders discriminated and misunderstood
them.
Having been exposed to the standards of regular community life
during their stay in resettlement camps, the Aetas now strive to
send their children to school, believing that education will
equalize the opportunities of their children to those of their
counterparts.
Their joining the mainstream, however, is hindered by poverty
and other related problems. While education is recognized as a
carrier of culture, the Aetas' awareness and adherence to their
indigenous culture, also, makes it difficult for them to integrate
into the mainstream society.
Nowadays, communication is
a main concern for Aetas as it
connects the communities
to one another in times of
need. It could also be the
fastest means of calling for
assistance from civil service
units in town in cases of
emergency. Very few Aetas have
Way of
Living
