Lihim ng Kanluran : A Peek In the Molbog Tribe

By Nicole Jenne Tan Bachelor of Science in Biology 1-C Last Monday, November 25,2013, during our Social Science class, our instructor, Mrs. Ritchelda P. Aguana- Auro, let us view a video about a certain tribe called the Molbog tribe. They are situated in an island in Palawan. It was the first time that they were shown to television by Sandra Aguinaldo who went to explore their culture. To reach them, Sandra will travel from Manila by plane to Puerto Princesa, hop on a van for a 5-hour road trip, and then take a 6-hour boat ride, crossing a snake and crocodileinfested swamp. Yes, it is a very far place indeed. The place is heavenly though, filled with luscious green trees, and beautiful plants. There was on belief that when you got bitten by a snake there, you have to get it treated by some herbal medicine before sun down or else, youd die. When Sandra got there, the Chairman of the barangay greeted her. At that part, I saw that the Molbog live in houses, slightly elevated from the ground and made of nipa and wood. It sort of reminded me of home in Mindanao were just behind our land, the Tboli tribe is situated and others still lived in those kind of houses. The molbog had plenty of traditions, beliefs and norms. Their culture still is intact and the reason is that they are too far from civilization. Modernization did not get to them. For instance, their elders have passed down to the children their music, some old women in their tribe doesnt wear tops, and some still use ma-ma or the one that they chew (common with the elders). They still believe in spiritual healers and herbal medicine. Children still marry at a young age because some elders does not want their culture to be ruined by sending them off somewhere far , the reason why children couldnt finish their education. They have their own language and they still use the old methods of giving birth. They dont have medicines for such thing though and for me, it does not ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby. Because of its location, their education is only until grade school or elementary level. Some hope of finishing till college and give a brighter hope for future generations. As stated above, some of these children are married at a young age because, after finishing grade school, there is nothing left for them unless they go out of their barangay and continue school outside. For health, maybe, there should be a local health unit in the area, I was surprised to know that they still use the old method of giving birth and does not have

proper medication for it. They should have medicines especially that our world today is different from before. Plenty of microorganisms have already scattered unlike before. It is kind of peaceful their though. Away from a world of crime, pollution and destruction. But I still think, they need to have modernization even a little bit because, its one of the main factors why they dont know whats happening outside those trees. Maybe some technology wouldnt hurt as long as they keep their culture intact, nothing could go wrong. Culture is passed through generations and if they continue that, their culture will never disappear.