Abstract

This research is about local knowledge on nature and seasons among the Higaonon

in Rogongon, an upland barangay in the City of Iligan which is the ancestral domain of

the Higaonon tribe. There were Higaonons who were purposively chosen for key

informant interview

The Higaonon informants claimed that their knowledge and practices pertaining to

nature had been orally transmitted them from their forefathers. One theme which

emerged from the interview is the belief in deities. These spirits/deities are believed to

inhabit in nature such as big trees, caves, waterfalls, and others. They also disclosed that

these spirits/deities are there to guard nature and the people living in the community.

Thus it is very important for them not to offend these spirits/deities. Higaunons

performed their rituals called Pagpapangalikot a thanksgiving to the spirits/deities for a

bounty harvest. They also make offering to ask help from the spirits/deities in times of

sickness and need. They also have their rituals before they plant in the farm called

palansi they will shred a blood of chicken on the weeds before they cut and the

Pagiibasok in which they will shred a blood of chicken on the seeds they will plants

Season and change in the season are part of is the will of the Magbabaya. If

disaster occurs, it means that they are being punished and it also brings diseases.

Higaonons have their traditional way in predicting weather conditions like, the behavior

of some animals and formation of stars. In order to ward off calamities, they perform

rituals like pamulalakaw which is done at the river and customary practices such as
washing of a slump of a tree (tuod) and drifting of a carriage with a frog in the river for a

rain.

After the 2011 Sendong disaster, some informants claimed they have learned new

knowledge and skills on disaster management from government and Non government

organizations seminars and trainings. With the continuance of their indigenous beliefs

and customary rituals combined with new knowledge and skills on disaster management,

the Higaonons informants claimed they are better off on disaster preparation and response
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First and foremost this thesis is dedicated to our Father Almighty for guiding us

writing this paper and to our family who is our inspiration in conducting this research. To

our parents; we thank you for the unconditional love and unending support for always

being there for us. To our adviser, Dr. Myrma Jean Mendoza, thank you so much for

everything Ma’am, we will never have gone this far without you; and to our panelists, Dr.

Jay Rey Alovera and Prof Septrin John Calamba, thank you for the valuable suggestions.

Thank you also to our classmates and friends who are with us through our ups and downs

in writing this paper. Thank you to Mrs. Merlyn Malasado and family for helping and

accommodating us during the data gathering. To the Barangay officials and IP

community in Barangay Rogongon, thank you so much for welcoming and allowing us to

do our research. This is not only our success but to everyone who in one way or another

contributed to the success of this paper. A million thanks from

Cherilyn

Daize

Kara