Nabuclod Aeta Community, The Setting.
- As far as the CYDFI Founder could remember, he started doing community work in Calantas since his early days
in high school, together with some youths in the Barrio. However, as time moved on, his deep immersion into
community work spilled over in the midst 70's on Community Organization and Development among the Aetas in
Nabuclod and Sapang-Uwak, living on the border mountains of Pampanga and Zambales provinces. - It was a lot of fond good memories remembering people like Sister Pompei Morales, RVM (lead person) and
Josie Garcia, coming to Chevalier School where Bong Tanhueco and Tony Mendoza were teaching. Sister
Pompei M. briefly discussed and invited both of them to work among the Aetas in Nabuclod. Full of zeal and
without hesitation they both said, yes! Then, Bong got Lito Villanueva into the group. Josie later tagged along
the group to Sapang-Uwak Aeta Community in Porac, Pampanga. Eventually, Ted Gonzales, SJ (then, a Jesuit
seminarian) joined the group. Tony's one of the most favorite cousins, Lucrecia (aka Lucring) was with the group
in Nabuclod. (now lives with her family as a nurse
in Florida, USA). The rest of the group stays in the
mountain during summer, semestral, Christmas breaks
from the mid-70's to the 80's. Most of the time Sr.
Pompei stays foot among the Aetas in Nabuclod and
Josie, in Sapang-Uwak. "This is an unforgettable
experience that Tony shall always cherish and is like
an ember glowing in his heart ready to sustain and
keep the fire burning!" No wonder, the Nabuclod
Aetas are at the core of the Foundation's mission!
Although she got involved only during summer and
at the early stage of the work in Nabuclod, Lucring
was the one who impressed Tony's most when
during a family dinner conversation, an older brother
complained "that it is not safe for her or the group
to be in Nabuclod". Nabuclod, during that time, was
considered as a "hot-bed" place to go to by some
sectors of the society. (It also depends on whose eyes
are watching!) But for Tony and the group, it was a
place very fertile and thirsty for help on community
organization and development (i.e. social, economic
and religious, to name a few). In short, fertile and
thirsty on any aspect of human development! He
would never forget and would always cherish in his
heart what she spontaneously answered to the older
brother (military pilot), saying: "For so long as I am
with Kuya Tony, I will be safe and fine. I believe in
what he is doing for the Aetas in Nabuclod". It
takes a leap of faith to do and be able to do what you
are there for, working among the Aetas in Nabuclod
and other Aeta communities. This is Lucring's
heritage to Kuya Tony!
in Florida, USA). The rest of the group stays in the
mountain during summer, semestral, Christmas breaks
from the mid-70's to the 80's. Most of the time Sr.
Pompei stays foot among the Aetas in Nabuclod and
Josie, in Sapang-Uwak. "This is an unforgettable
experience that Tony shall always cherish and is like
an ember glowing in his heart ready to sustain and
keep the fire burning!" No wonder, the Nabuclod
Aetas are at the core of the Foundation's mission!
Although she got involved only during summer and
at the early stage of the work in Nabuclod, Lucring
was the one who impressed Tony's most when
during a family dinner conversation, an older brother
complained "that it is not safe for her or the group
to be in Nabuclod". Nabuclod, during that time, was
considered as a "hot-bed" place to go to by some
sectors of the society. (It also depends on whose eyes
are watching!) But for Tony and the group, it was a
place very fertile and thirsty for help on community
organization and development (i.e. social, economic
and religious, to name a few). In short, fertile and
thirsty on any aspect of human development! He
would never forget and would always cherish in his
heart what she spontaneously answered to the older
brother (military pilot), saying: "For so long as I am
with Kuya Tony, I will be safe and fine. I believe in
what he is doing for the Aetas in Nabuclod". It
takes a leap of faith to do and be able to do what you
are there for, working among the Aetas in Nabuclod
and other Aeta communities. This is Lucring's
heritage to Kuya Tony!
| The beauty in working among our brothers in the mountains is to learn to understand and recognize that "each person, regardless of creed or color, is worth stopping for". For this is where the dignity of every person is given due respect as a human being. Photos taken in Nabuclod and Sapang-Uwak (70's) with Bong and Lito on the march to community work among the Aetas. |
Three (3) decades later, some Nabuclod Aeta Youths (Teknik, Bangkok, Ojie and Makmak) came to
witness the launching of the CYDFI Scholarship Project Model on August 10, 2002, at the Niniko Little
Prairie Resort in Calantas. They represented the ideals and dreams of the Nabuclod youths. This has
eventually led to the bridging of the past to the present commitment of the Founder among the Aetas in
Nabuclod. However, this time around, the work is more focused on Community Growth and Development
through a Scholarship Program with a methodology (SWREM Theory In Action), designed to help them
help themselves so they can help incoming scholars leading to breaking their cycle of poverty among them
with implications not only to personal but community growth and development, as they learn to become
socially responsible. The approach being is more on the mind (education)!
You may call the three decades, a gap in community work among the Aetas! Rightly so! The group
members were all volunteers with a faith of doing things as part of an apostolate. Meaning, doing good for
others is a virtue for which a Christian would feel good about doing and sharing, not because we have
material resources but a faith that "whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do it unto Me".
Recognize this? At that time, the group had manpower but didn't have the necessary resources to support
their efforts, other than to do whatever they could in terms of making use of the material support generated
from kind-hearted benefactors. Besides, they found themselves to be, at the same time, looking after our
own selves, too. For one, the Founder survived with his meager income as a teacher (high school/college).
Simultaneously, he was helping and was able to send seven youths through college, some of whom are
now involved in the operation of the Calantas Young Dreamers Foundation, Inc. Across the spectrum,
things are coming through as envisioned with the Foundation, tho' the pace of movement is not as fast
enough to catch momentum due to limited resources. Maximizing the use of limited resources and being
contented for what you have but never on what you can do are two core values guiding the Founder
in the management of CYDFI.
The Founder has tapped the kindness and support of his former colleagues at Chevalier School in Angeles
City to get involved, at least, as an advocacy group. The group is called "Nabuclod Aeta Community
Executive Advisory Committee (NACEAC) which was organized on August 19, 2002, with an objective
"to provide support and guidance in our efforts to empower and enhance the self-esteem of the
Nabuclod Aeta Youths through the CYDFI Scholarship Project Model, as they learn to become
socially responsible".
witness the launching of the CYDFI Scholarship Project Model on August 10, 2002, at the Niniko Little
Prairie Resort in Calantas. They represented the ideals and dreams of the Nabuclod youths. This has
eventually led to the bridging of the past to the present commitment of the Founder among the Aetas in
Nabuclod. However, this time around, the work is more focused on Community Growth and Development
through a Scholarship Program with a methodology (SWREM Theory In Action), designed to help them
help themselves so they can help incoming scholars leading to breaking their cycle of poverty among them
with implications not only to personal but community growth and development, as they learn to become
socially responsible. The approach being is more on the mind (education)!
You may call the three decades, a gap in community work among the Aetas! Rightly so! The group
members were all volunteers with a faith of doing things as part of an apostolate. Meaning, doing good for
others is a virtue for which a Christian would feel good about doing and sharing, not because we have
material resources but a faith that "whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do it unto Me".
Recognize this? At that time, the group had manpower but didn't have the necessary resources to support
their efforts, other than to do whatever they could in terms of making use of the material support generated
from kind-hearted benefactors. Besides, they found themselves to be, at the same time, looking after our
own selves, too. For one, the Founder survived with his meager income as a teacher (high school/college).
Simultaneously, he was helping and was able to send seven youths through college, some of whom are
now involved in the operation of the Calantas Young Dreamers Foundation, Inc. Across the spectrum,
things are coming through as envisioned with the Foundation, tho' the pace of movement is not as fast
enough to catch momentum due to limited resources. Maximizing the use of limited resources and being
contented for what you have but never on what you can do are two core values guiding the Founder
in the management of CYDFI.
The Founder has tapped the kindness and support of his former colleagues at Chevalier School in Angeles
City to get involved, at least, as an advocacy group. The group is called "Nabuclod Aeta Community
Executive Advisory Committee (NACEAC) which was organized on August 19, 2002, with an objective
"to provide support and guidance in our efforts to empower and enhance the self-esteem of the
Nabuclod Aeta Youths through the CYDFI Scholarship Project Model, as they learn to become
socially responsible".
| These Nabuclod Aeta youths symbolize a "call" for us "to respond" on their innate longing to improve the quality of their life and become productive members of our society. The Calantas Young Dreamers Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with CYDF USA, Inc. is committed to provide services to them thru the Community Youth Leadership and Empowerment Program. |
| Lucrecia P. Manlulu-Megano, R.N. Pioneer Member of Nabuclod Aeta Community Organization and Development in mid-70's |
| Story of Nabuclod Aeta Community Nabuclod is a reservation occupied by the Aetas ever since. It is located in Floridablanca, within the border mountain range of Pampanga-Zambales provinces. Some mountains are rocky which make crop planting impossible, but some are arable and still fertile for seasonal vegetables, rice and corn. The place, being hilly, was once converted into a ranch by some rich men of Pampanga. It left the Aetas very poor because the cattle, roaming around and ate all their plants like rice, corn, bananas and kamoteng kahoy (cassava). At another time, the place became a logging area, with the loggers promising payment and lumber with which they could build their houses, but promises were never fulfilled. Thus, Nabuclod today is mountains without forest (hence, hot and dry) and with little natural source of livelihood for the mountain people. Aetas in Nabuclod are illiterate since there was no school for them until 1973. Around sixty five children were enrolled from grade one to three but only three-fourth of them report for classes regularly. School discipline is not familiar to their cultural system. Although some Aetas have settled permanently, many have remained nomadic. Others live by the river on sunny days and during the rainy season, they usually live with other Aetas in the village. Thus, during the rainy season, houses in Nabuclod, including the school building become overcrowded. And it is generally hot during most of the year except in the months of June, July and August, which are rainy season months. There are about one hundred fifty families considered as residents in Nabuclod. They have built their huts, planted some vegetables around their houses, have minimal contact with Pampango lowlanders for whom they work as househelpers or agricultural workers. They were introduced to planting rice in paddies. As a tribe, they feel inferior to the lowlanders, like being second rate citizens especially when they are called "Balugas", a term used by the Pampango lowlanders with a negative connotation. Instead of Baluga, they would prefer to be called "Aeta/s", a term that they feel would raise the level of their dignity as a people. One has to literally do mountain hiking then to be able to reach Nabuclod. It is now, however, noticeable that the road going to Nabuclod is well-paved with concrete and more accessible by vehicles; thus, it has improved their ability to do trade and commerce with their lowland counterparts. Water is one of the main problems in the community with a current population (2003) of more than one thousand and keeps growing...with less natural resources to sustain the community. |
| Map of Nabuclod Aeta Community |
| Typical Aeta Family in Sapang-Uwak Porac, Pampanga, Philippines |
| Aeta Children were preparing their songs for the Church Worship in Sapng-Uwak Aeta Community, being coached by Bro. Lito Villanueva. Photo taken by: Josie Garcia. |
The group picture was taken from a video clipping during the launching of the Scholarship Program in Calantas.
The Founder believes that the meaning of life is unfolded seamlessly as you share your best self in the growth and
development of others, in particular, among the Aeta youths, by using your ability to recognize and understand them
for "who they are that they have the potential to become the best of what they are capable of being". This is
rewarding and fulfilling in the sense that you would feel inspired by your faith that "each person is worth stopping
for". This is a crusade! This could be your crusade, a calling, living your life to the fullest in the service of others.
The Founder believes that the meaning of life is unfolded seamlessly as you share your best self in the growth and
development of others, in particular, among the Aeta youths, by using your ability to recognize and understand them
for "who they are that they have the potential to become the best of what they are capable of being". This is
rewarding and fulfilling in the sense that you would feel inspired by your faith that "each person is worth stopping
for". This is a crusade! This could be your crusade, a calling, living your life to the fullest in the service of others.
| The following are members and officers of the newly-organized First Chapter of NACEAC, Chevalier School, together with some Aeta Families from Nabuclod Community. Photo taken during the Launching of CYDFISP. Rey Galvan - Chairperson (Chevalier High School Faculty) Fe S. Quiambao - Vice Chair (Principal: Chevalier Elem School) Dory Pineda - Sec./Trea. (Faculty, Chevalier High School) Jim Joson - Member (former Principal, Chevalier High School) Members (Chevalier HS Faculty) Bart Canlas & Jovy Lacson (not in pictures) |
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