The Realization of a DreaM by Benjamin D. Abadiano

The beginning of PAMULAAN can be traced to the dream of IP communities to have an educational system that is rooted in their own culture and context. The tedious and challenging process of putting it up has been made possible through the generous and active collaboration of partners: the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Assisi Development Foundation, Cartwheel Foundation, the Office of Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr, Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation, ILAWAN Inc. and the IP communities.

PAMULAAN Center is now on its third year of service to IP youth and communities. As an IP College, it is now the second home to 92 students coming from 31 tribes in Luzon, Palawan and Mindanao. Twenty IP youth are taking up Bachelor of Agricultural Technology; 11 are pursuing Bachelor of Elementary Education; 28 are enrolled in Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology; and, 33 are under the Bachelor of Arts in Peace Education.

A Dream for a Causeby Richel Daonlay

Pamulaan grantees have gone far for almost three years stay in Pamulaan Center. They had have surpassed great adjustments and circumstances in studying away from their families. But have we ever asked ourselves what inspired these IP youths to study harder? (cont. page 7)

Strengthening Leadership Potential of the Philippine Indigenous YouthWhat’s INSIDE:A College for the Indigenous PeoplesOur Dreams becoming a RealityPAMULAAN hosts LEAPPAMULAAN becomes a National IP Youth Congress

Staff Year-end Review and PlanningThe Living Heritage: A Legacy to BeholdIP Struggles: Could it be for life?Thoughts on Pamulaan

The Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples Education is an educational institution dedicated to all Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines. Its main thrust is to create culturally appropriate and relevant pathways of professional training and formation for indigenous youth, community leaders and development workers. The Center hopes to produce graduates equipped with knowledge and abilities to initiate collaborative action towards sustainable development of indigenous peoples (IP) communities.

Through a ladderized approach to educational study, the Center offers full-time degree courses as well as short-term courses. Each course taken can be credited towards earning an associate degree in two years and a bachelor’s degree in four years. This approach enables the Center to provide a variety of school and community-based academic formation addressing critical needs of various indigenous communities of the country. It uses a cycle and system of learning that starts from EXPERIENCE leading to THEORY, APPLICATION, EVALUATION and REFLECTION. It is a system wherein the students attend formal sessions in the university while practical trainings and application are done in IP communities.

Research, documentation and publication on Indigenous Peoples life and culture are integrated into various activities of the Center.

The term Pamulaan is a Lumad-Matigsalog meaning seedbed. We use the term to stress the program’s commitment to root the development of the IP students in the realities of their life and culture.

The logo depicts the program’s approach to learning which is integrative and wholistic – one that develops the IPs faculties and abilities to the fullest. The young plant depicts the continuing growth offered by education. The leaves of the new plant symbolize the five major aspects of human life: social, political, economic, cultural and spiritual, areas to hone and cultivate in all learners.

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SY 2006-07 HighlightsMAY - Orientation with Parents and Endorsing Organizations - Team Building Workshop – Pamulaan Students - Official Opening of Pamulaan - Foundation/Bridging Course

JUNE - USEP Admission Test and Enrollment - Cultural Exchange with American Youth - Team Building Session for Pamulaan Faculty and Staff

JULY - Training in Vegetable Gardening - Election of PAMULAAN Center Tanungan

AUGUST - Field Trip to the Bureau of Plant Industry Center - International Day for Indigenous People - Alternative Health Training Workshop - Linggo ng Wika - Interaction with USEP Graduate Students

SEPTEMBER - VSO Immersion - Intramurals

OCTOBER - Tribal Month - Training in Participatory Resource Appraisal - Semestral Break / Community Practicum - IP Youth Peace Congress: KALINDOGAN 2006

NOVEMBER - Mid - Year Evaluation and Planning - Election of New Officers - Formation of Service Committees - Workshop on ParaLegal by Atty. Sed Candelaria - Peace Tech 5 - PRA Workshop II

DECEMBER - Mindanao Week of Peace Celebration - Christmas Celebration - Pamulaan Community Outing - Christmas Vacation / Community Practicum

JANUARY - Interaction with Mindanawon Students

FEBRUARY - Visit to Sangguniang Panglungsod, Bureau of Soil - Southern Philippines Development Authority - Partners’ Meeting (USEP, NCIP, Assisi)

MARCH - National Conference on IP Higher Education - Year-End Evaluation - Staff Community Monitoring Visits - Workshop on Research and Documentation - Community Practicum Planning

APRIL - Summer Break / Community Practicum

A college for indigenous peoples By Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, InquirerPublished on Page A13 of the June 22, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

I WROTE in the future tense then, I write in the present tense now. I had some doubts then, I don’t have those doubts now.

Late last year I wrote about Pamulaan, a special tertiary school or college for indigenous peoples (IPs) that was being built in Mindanao. The target date for its opening was the opening of classes this June.

The dream has come true. Pamulaan recently opened with 47 IP students (from 19 tribes from all over the Philippines) enrolled in the college program.

Pamulaan means seedbed. The college aims to strengthen the potentials of indigenous youth for community leadership. It is a college education program for the IPs in the Philippines and a response to the IPs’ dream of an educational program that is rooted in their life, culture and aspirations as a people.

Pamulaan is under the president of the University of South Eastern Philippines. The site is in USEP’s Mintal campus in Davao City. IPs from North America recently came to visit and were surprised to find something so special and so focused.

Pamulaan is the first of its kind in the country, says founder and co-director Benjamin Abadiano, who also dreamed and founded the successful Tugdaan Training Center for the Mangyan tribesmen in Occidental Mindoro province. The center is now ably run by the Mangyan themselves with the help of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS).

Unlike Tugdaan (which also means seedbed), which is for high school and livelihood training, Pamulaan offers degree programs such as BA in Applied Anthropology and Participatory Development, BS in Indigenous Peoples Education, BA in Peace Building and Multi-Cultural Studies, BS in Indigenous Agriculture. Pamulaan also offers ladderized and modular courses leading to an associate degree as well as to short-term courses for community leaders and development workers.

Abadiano, 43, is one of the main driving forces behind the endeavor. A 2004 Ramon Magsaysay Award winner for Emergent Leadership, he was recently elected president of Assisi Development Foundation, of which he used to be executive coordinator. He took the place of Ambassador Howard Dee (his mentor and model) who is now Assisi’s chair. Assisi recently turned 30.

A dreamer and doer, Abadiano pulled out all the stops to make the IPs’ dream come true. He was not disappointed. Help came quietly, like spring water flowing over seeds waiting to burst into life. Pamulaan was among the grantees of the recent World Bank-sponsored Panibagong Paraan funding campaign.

Pamulaan is the fruit of the partnership of various government and nongovernment agencies such as the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, Assisi Development Foundation, Cartwheel Foundation, the Office of Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., and

Ilawan Center for Volunteer and Leadership, which Abadiano also founded.

Pamulaan aims “to create culturally appropriate and relevant pathways ofprofessional training and formation for indigenous youth and leaders.”

Assisi Foundation and other foundations have pledged scholarship funds. Thismeans full tuition, miscellaneous fees, dorm stay and full board and lodging andtravel expenses to project and practicum sites.

Important features of Pamulaan are the heritage house and library that showcase the richness of indigenous culture. The dorm within the campus gives IP students thechance to live together, exchange experiences and go through value formation programs.

Pamulaan is not just for the IPs of Mindanao. It is open to IPs from Luzon and the Visayas and to non-IPs working for IPs.

Pamulaan is indeed a great dream whose time has come.

But why is Pamulaan attached to USEP, a government institution? Abadiano says making government one of Pamulaan’s stakeholders give Pamulaan a better chance of sustainability. Pamulaan “is not a fund-driven” project, Abadiano says. There was no funding in the beginning, but the moment the project was made known, funds just poured in. Of course, part of Abadiano’s RM Award prize money (more than a million pesos) was earmarkedfor this project.

Abadiano is one of a kind, a rare find indeed. Deeply spiritual, this Jesuit-educated development worker is ever on the go. The IPs are the love of his life. It is among themthat he experienced epiphany and enlightenment.

There are around 12 million IPs in the Philippines. They could be classified into 120ethnic groups. Most of them have little or no access to “a culturally sensitive, appropriate and relevant education.” It is their right, both God-given and by law, to receive basicservices, including higher education.

The IPs’ rights are enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. In 1997, Congress passed the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (Ipra) which strengthened their right to be dulyrecognized and protected.

But some things are easier said than done. Many IPs continue to find difficulty inrelating personally, culturally and academically with mainstream realities. It ishoped that education, such as is offered by Pamulaan, would put the IPs in stepwith the mainstream while being affirmed as proudly IP or PIP.

Pamulaan hopes to see the IPs proudly “owning” the education program thatdrew from the life-giving wilderness and communities whence they arose.

So while our national leaders continue to engage in verbal and politicalacrobatics, and while many of us are suffering from political diarrhea anddementia, there are special Filipinos who continue to dream dreams anddo their own part as if there indeed is hope for this benighted nation. 3

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Pamulaan hosts LEAP Pamulaan is also a training center for short-term courses for enhancing community leadership and volunteerism. Hence, on May 17-30, it hosted the first series of the Local Educators Advancement Program (LEAP). Pamulaan and other schools in the country dedicated to Indigenous Peoples have been a major breakthrough in the continuing struggle to empower the IPs for self- determination. It is indeed a milestone to start these initiatives on Indigenous Education but it is even a greater challenge to sustain them.

It is in this context that LEAP was conceptualized. LEAP gathered 63 para- teachers, learning facilitators/educators from various indigenous communities in the Philippines. Through its varied activities and workshops, LEAP was able to provide avenues to celebrate the participants’ inner wealth, potentials and rich experiences as community educators and formators. It also enabled them to create dynamic and relevant pathways of training and formation through innovative strategies and culturally sensitive learning process that strengthened their skills, knowledge and abilities for community leadership. Moreover, it also enabled them to forge partnerships in the crucial task of promoting ansd sustaining initiatives for Indigenous Peoples education.

Kalindogan Becomes a National IP Youth Congress Considered as one of the highlights of the Pamulaan experience in its first year in 2006, the Indigenous Youth Peace Congress, dubbed as KALINDOGAN 2006, was truly an event to remember not only for Pamulaan youth but also for other indigenous youth from all over Mindanao. Kalindogan is a Lumad term, which means gathering and thanksgiving of different tribes.

This year, from October 16-19, various organizations joined efforts to hold the 2nd Kalindogan. This time, it was a national gathering of more than 300 youth coming from about 30 ethnic tribes of Mindanao as well as Luzon and Palawan.

The Pamulaan Center and University of Southeastern Philippines, Mintal campus served as the grounds for which to celebrate their rich cultural heritage and to critique its relevance and transforming effect in the context of today’s rapidly changing culture and development. Kalindogan 2007 built on the fruits of last year’s event which held simultaneous workshops on the different issues affecting IP communities and provided significant venues for the youth to make their own significant contribution in the IP struggle for self-determination. With the theme “Strengthening Solidarity Among Indigenous Youth in Asserting Indigenous Peoples’ Rights”,

Kalindogan 2007 focused on 5 areas: Karapatan sa Lupa, Kalikasan at Kabuhayan, Karunungan, Kultura at Kasarinlan, and Kapayapaan. The event also included sharing of life skills and dialogue with tribal elders. At the end of the 4-day congress, the participants were able to plot plans of actions on different issues, form an IP Youth Network represented by youth leaders from the different communities who attended the event, and create the Kalindogan 2007 Youth Unity Statement.

Staff Year-End Review and PlanningOn June 6, 2007 the Pamulaan IP College Faculty and Staff gathered together at Malagos Garden Resort for a year-end review and planning. The workshop started with the revisiting of the Pamulaan Vision-Mission-Objectives (VMO).

The formulation of the Pamulaan Vision-Mission-Objectives was a longprocess. The Pamulaan VMO was born out of two multi-sectoral consultations in Luzon and Mindanao, a series of meetings and workshops with partners especially the University of Southeastern Philippines, and finally, the planning workshop of the first batch of Pamulaan IP College students. The discussion on the Pamulaan VMO also included the history of Pamulaan, the rationale and background of its establishment, which can be traced to the dream ofIndigenous Peoples for an educational program that is rooted in their culture and context. Fired anew by the history and vision of Pamulaan, the faculty and staff reflected and shared on their experiences and discoveries in journeying closely with the first batch of Pamulaan IP College. In particular, they reflected and shared on the curriculum, students’ performance: academic and non-academic, relationships: student-staff-faculty and Pamulaan-USEP, activities in – school and out of school and facilities. Their sharing on these elements included the review of actual activities, impact, learnings, problems encountered and suggestions.

Finally, to continue the path towards a fuller realization of the Pamulaan vision, the Faculty-staff Partnership came up with some steps to take on. The plan of action includes the following: team building sessions, strategic planning, monthly sharing and updating, exposure and immersion in an IP community, celebration of the IP International Day by launching a photo exhibit that will extend to Linggo ng Wika, celebration of IP month with Kalindogan as its climax, launching of whole week celebrations: Environment Week, Peace Week, IP Education Week and organizing an Agro-Fair in Pamulaan.

The session ended with a prayer, which led all participants to gather and celebrate the blessings of the day as well as of the whole year of existenceand service of PAMULAAN Center for Indigenous Peoples Education.

SY 2007-08 HighlightsJUNE- USEP Admission Exam 2nd batch and enrollment- Team Building workshops- Pamulaan Community Planning- Post Community Learning Service Workshop

JULY- Turn over of Pamulaan Leadership and Governance- Proposal Making Workshop

AUGUST- International Day for Indigenous Peoples celebration- Interfaith Dialogue- Paralegal Training by Atty. Sedfrey Candelaria

SEPTEMBER- Intramurals- Skills Training Workshop- Leadership Training Planning Workshop for PEACEPATHS- Community Planning Workshop for 2nd Year- Workshop-Forum on IP History for 1st Year- Educational tour in Davao City- Environment and Resource Mgt. Module Training, by NTFP- Environmental Awareness and Concerns workshop

OCTOBER- Soap-making workshop- commemoration of launching of Pamulaan Center- Kalindogan National Indigenous Youth Congress- Participatory Resource Appraisal Training, 1st year- Multi-stakeholders consultation, BEED curriculum- Community Learning Service- Alternative Health Training

NOVEMBER- Mid-year orientation for faculties and staff- IP Youth Network participated in the IP dialogue with the Congress

DECEMBER- Mindanao Week of Peace Celebration- Christmas Celebration- Pamulaan Community Outing - Christmas Vacation / Community Practicum

JANUARY- IP History Workshop with Bro. Karl Gaspar- Census Mapping Training

FEBRUARY - IP Youth Network meeting- 1st years’ Recollection at Nazareth Retreat House

MARCH- Agriculture students’ educational tour at Tagum City- 2nd years’ Recollection- Community Learning Service Workshop with Ms. Che Dominguez- Sustainable Agriculture Training with Piniyalan Assisi Farm

APRIL- Summer classes and Summer Intensive Class in English- 2 Pamulaanean participated in a 3-day IP Youth Leaders Congress6

The Living Heritage:A Legacy to Beholdby Kristine Mae Sumalinab

It all started from a mere dream. Well, who would expect that such a dream would come true?

It is almost 5 months that THE LIVING HERITAGE OF PHILIPPINES’ INDIGENOUS PEOPLES has been operating since its grand launching. Yet, it seems that it was only yesterday that IP elders are dreaming of a bright future for the young generations of their tribe. Now, here is a bridge for a bright future that many IP’s are hoping for—the living heritage.

This center is no ordinary museum. It depicts the living culture that IPs continue to retain despite the strong influence of modernization. It also serves as IPs voice to the world because it presents the unheard sentiments of the IPs due to the destruction of their lives and culture. Thus, this would help mainstream society understand and respect the long-time struggle of the IPs.

Many of those who have gone to this center say that it is such a big contribution to us, IPs. Well, they are right. Definitely right...As long as the living heritage continue to exist in Pamulaan, our dreams as future leaders of our tribe continue to grow nourished with determination, perseverance, self-reliance and love for our tribes.

Young as it is, but one can see the deep love of every Pamulaanean for it. We continue to nurture it with appreciation, love and respect. It has become a mirror and soul of Pamulaan. Why not? When aside from the educational opportunity we received, it serves as a living legacy for us to behold!

IP Struggles: Could it be for life?by Kristine Mae Sumalinab

Indigenous People’s life is becoming more difficult and complicated in this present age and time. Being an IP is a continuous struggle, which requires time, effort and sweat to retain their cultures and worldviews which have been destroyed by various factors:Large scale mining, illegal logging, plantations on ancestral lands, militarization, discrimination, displacement and unrecognizing of IP world views continue to threaten the lives of the IP’s. Capitalists benefits while IP’s suffer. There is an Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) yet it is threatened to be scrapped and worst, many people don’t know about it. IP cultures are laughed at while foreign ones are praised

or deeply appreciated. IP’s remain at the bottom of our sociallystratified society despite these struggles.

Yet, is there still a way out from all these?

No one can ever tell and nobody can ever be sure. But one thing iscertain. It is so unjust to let the citizens of our own country cry andrisk their lives to be respected, recognized and exercise theirfundamental rights as people.

For years, there have been many struggles of the IP’s but unfortunately, theirvoices remained unheard to society. If all these struggles will remainunrecognized, does it mean that IP’s will have to spend their whole lives incraving for respect, recognition and acceptance?

Come to think of it… Like you,IPs have rights too.

(from page 1)

A Dream for a Causeby Richel Daonlay

Many reasons have challenged Pamulaaneans to aspire for tertiary education. Andall these revolved in the current realities in their own IP communities. They are in bondage of land and political conflicts, developmental aggression, militarization, poverty, vanishing cultures and other related concerns. Indigenous people have little or no access to basic services such as health care and quality Education. Likewise,they are socially discriminated and regarded as infidels, savages, and ignorant; considered being “left behind” from the mainstream society. Worst, they were once victims of armed conflicts and injustices in our country.

To address these degrading situations, the IP themselves see the value of educationto uplift their lives.

As a response, the young Pamulaaneans envisioned to lead their tribe towards sustainable living and lasting peace. They initiate activities that would make a difference in the lives of the many. They teach young children, give livelihoodtrainings, conduct community workshops, and initiate dialogues betweenconflicting parties in their own respective places.

The present situations of the Lumads have been the foundations of the sacrificial endeavors of Pamulaaneans. Their simple efforts might not be enough to fulfill the dreams of their elders but they will try and never be tired to empower themselves and strengthens their potentials for community leaderships. The dreams and calls of their community are their missions worth living for.

SY 2008 Highlights MAY - Partners’ Meeting - Summer Bridging Program

JUNE - Post-Community Learning Service workshop - USEP Admission Exam 2nd batch and enrollment - Partners’ Meeting - Sustainable Agriculture Training Workshop

JULY - Pamulaan Family Day - cultural exchange with PEACEPATHS tri-people participants - 2nd Fulbright-Hays Study Tour meets Pamulaaneans - IP History Workshop with Bro. Karl Gaspar to 1st year students

AUGUST - Soft Opening of the Living Heritage Center of the Philippine Indigenous Peoples - PEACEPATHS PEACE Forum in Pamulaan - Pamulaan Day

SEPTEMBER - IP Youth Network Mindanao cluster Meeting - 8th Anniversary celebration of ILAWAN in Pamulaan - Sustainable Agriculture Workshop - Cultural Interaction with USEP-Obrero - Peace Tech Seminar in Pamulaan with 8 BAPE student representatives - Facilitator’s training by PEACEPATHS - Cultural Interaction with MATS College of Technology

OCTOBER - participated in the UNICEF-PIDS-NCIP Region XI Seminar - Peace Tech Seminar in Pamulaan - 4-day Leadership training in Manila - KALINDOGAN 2008 National Indigenous Youth Peace Congress - Orientation on Traditional Ecological Knowledge process for CLS by Ms. Che Dominguez - 3-day Teacher’s Training

NOVEMBER - General Assembly and Election of New Officers - IPRA Class and English Tutorial with Ms. Grace Salonga of Ateneo de Manila

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Student’s Corner

Wanessa Lipanyuan(Mangyan Alangan, 3rd year)

Pamulaan has a big impact on me even just by its name beacuse it is an extension of school in Mindoro, “Tugdaan” which means “seedbed”. My life in Tugdaan was very colorful and meaningful. Tugdaan enabled me to see the importance of life, the value of our culture and traditions. It also deepened my social awareness and responsibility, respect for the integrity of creation and deep faith in our Creator. With that I have experienced for more than two months, I sincerely believe that Pamulaan will continue to deepen and widen what I learned and experienced in Tugdaan, and therefore, deepen my passion and commitment to serve my community and the whole Mangyan tribe.

Richard Milod(Tagakaolo, 3rd year)Since my parents cannot afford tosupport my college education, Pamulaanwas truly an answer to my prayer anddream of becoming an agriculturist formy community and tribe. I havelearned many things during my first2 months at Pamulaan Center. Welearned to wok together and todeepen our sense of volunteerismand leadership. Honestly for me,Pamulaan is the best because itoffers formation and training forcommunity service and leadership. Asfirst batch of Pamulaan Center, weenvision to become community workersand volunteers leading our tribes.

Gabriel Linggay(Umajamnon, 2nd year) I am grateful to Pamulaan because it offers me the opportunity to pursue my dream to finish college. I arrived in Pamulaan nervous and shy but now I feel a little more confident and trusting through the team building workshops and other training that we had. And as a sign of gratitute to my community ang to all who are making my education possible, I will try to give my best in my studies and in all the endeavors for growth here at Pamulaan. I believe that if I survive the challenges here, I can become a light to my community and tribe in their struggle for self-determination.

Kristine Mae Sumalinab(Mandaya, 2nd year)“Tong! Tong! Tong!” Oh my gosh! It’s therising bell, and few minutes after, we’ll gatherfor the community morning praise. Am I notdreaming? Am I really in Pamulaan? I pinchedmyselft and knew that it’s real. I immediatelygot up and sat down at my bed, reminiscedthe events that brought me here at Pamulaan.

It all started from a silple hope, form littledreams and small wonders. Even at an earlyage, I already felt the impact of the harshreality of poverty that beset my family andour community. Since then, I have alreadywanted to bring hope to my own people.What I am now experiencing in Pamulaanis more that I have expected. In my fewweeks of stay here, I realized that I’m noordinary student. Here, we are not only developed intellectually but also emotionally, socially and

spiritually. When we sang the “Our Father”, I closed my eyes and thanked God for being at Pamulaan, a significant step towards the realizations of my dream, of my people’s hopes and aspirations.

Gina Sangoc(Tagakaolo, 3rd year)Summer 2007 turned out to be my most memorable summer vacation. I lived with my family for just a month and spent the rest of my vacation with my community. In both instances, I truly felt the joy of being with my ownpeople.

Aside from interacting with our elders to knowmore about our ancestors and our culture andtradition, I also worked with the youth. Igathered and mobilized them to participate incommunity activiites. I helped organized theParish Youth Camp, with the theme, “PANAWSA KILEGBEG”. We walked to the venue forhalf a day, tired but happy and fulfilled. I alsoflet proud because I was tasked to organizeand host our solidarity night. I felt confident because of what I learned and experiencedin Pamulaan.

The people in the community openlyexpressed that they are proud of me,saying that I have changed from avery shy and withdrawn person to a confident leader. My community serviceexperience will serve as my inspiration tomove on towards the realization of mydream and the dream of my community and tribe.

Thoughts on Pamulaan

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The OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER of the PAMULAANCenter for Indigenous Peoples’ Education

Richel Daonlay, ContributorKristine Mae Sumalinab, Contributor

Wanessa Lipanyuan, ContributorRichard Milod, Contributor

Gabriel Linggay, ContributorGina Sangoc Contributor

Jed Africa, Layout and DesignBenjamin Abadiano, Adviser

University of Southeastern Philippines, Mintal Campus, Davao CityTelefax: (082) 293-1013