Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines: Diversity and Resilience

The Philippines hosts over 110 ethnolinguistic groups (per the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples), totaling around 15 million people, primarily in the mountainous regions of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Major Groups

• Igorot (Cordillera, N. Luzon): Subgroups include Bontoc, Ifugao, Kalinga, Kankanaey. Known for rice terraces, woodcarving, and weaving.
• Aeta/Agta (Luzon, Visayas): Traditionally nomadic hunter-gatherers with distinct physical features and rich musical traditions.
• Lumad (Mindanao, Palawan, Sulu): Collective term for non-Muslim groups like Manobo, T'boli, B'laan, Higaonon. Diverse cultures, strong ancestral domain claims.
• Mangyan (Mindoro): Eight subgroups (Iraya, Hanunoo, Buhid, etc.) with unique scripts (e.g., Surat Mangyan) and weaving.
• Batak (Palawan): Coastal foragers and fishers with distinct language and boat-building skills.

Challenges and Rights

Despite constitutional recognition (IPRA Law, 1997), Indigenous peoples face land dispossession, militarization, and marginalization. Advocacy continues for self-determination, cultural preservation, and equitable development.