Mar John Linggay
I grew up in Bendum, and this community shaped who I am. I left to pursue my education and other opportunities. I returned and recently joined a youth gathering, Tapok Kabatan-unan, that reminded me of who I am, where I belong, and the responsibilities I carry as an Indigenous youth. The tapok did not simply teach me something new; it reignited my commitment to continue the work of our elders and help sustain our way of life.
Upon our arrival in Bendum, the youth and elders warmly welcomed us through a traditional ritual called pandawat. It brought me great joy because I felt the community’s genuine acceptance and embrace.
Before the ritual began, Kuya Jason Menaling explained the meaning and significance of the pandawat, a traditional Pulangiyēn way of receiving or accepting visitors. Beyond a simple act of welcoming guests, the pandawat is a cultural and spiritual practice that expresses respect, hospitality, and connection.
Part of the ritual is the offering of a chicken to Magbabaya (Creator) to seek guidance for our journey and activities. We prayed for strength, wisdom, and understanding so that our sharing and interaction with each other would be meaningful and successful. Through the pandawat, the community also expressed its acceptance of the Tapok participants, allowing us to become part of its collective space, even for a short time.
This experience made me feel both happy and inspired because it brought me back to the place where I spent my elementary and high school years. Returning to Bendum allowed me to revisit many memories and reflect on my growth since then. Being part of the gathering gave me an opportunity not only to reconnect with my roots but also to learn, share, and engage once again with the community that helped shape who I am today.
The following morning, we joined a prayer during the Canopy Walk that deeply connected us to nature. The experience reminded us that we are not separate from the environment but part of it. As we walked among the trees and prayed together, I reflected once again on how all living things are interconnected. We are one with creation, and our lives are woven into the life of the natural world. The prayer was not only about faith in Magbabaya but also about understanding our relationship with the land, nature, and one another.
In the activity called Roles and Responsibilities presented through a role-playing exercise, each participant was assigned a different responsibility to carry. The challenge was to work together to lift and transport a model of a planet tied to several ropes, with each rope representing a specific responsibility.
During our first attempt, we failed. The planet fell because we were too focused on our individual responsibilities and did not work together as a team. There was a little communication between us, and we lacked unity in our actions. As a result, we were unable to achieve our goal.
On our second attempt, however, we successfully carried the planet. This time, we communicated with one another, coordinated our actions, and learned how to handle the situation despite having different responsibilities.
The activity taught me that responsibilities cannot be carried effectively in isolation. No matter how important our individual roles may be, success depends on cooperation, communication, and unity. Just as we were able to carry the planet together, caring for our communities and our environment also requires collective effort and shared responsibility
Kuya Jason gave us a deeper understanding of what the gaup (ancestral domain)means and why it is important for every person living in a culture-based community. During the session, he shared the Seven Goals of Laudato Si’, helping us reflect on our responsibilities towards one another, the environment, and our common home.
Among the seven goals, the one that resonated with me the most was the Response to the Cry of the Poor. This goal spoke deeply to me because it reflects the realities that many people continue to experience today. Through Kuya Jason’s discussion, I realized that I am not separated from the issues affecting our communities. I am also affected by the challenges we face, especially those related to our livelihood, food security, and the environment.
The session helped me recognize that environmental concerns are not only about nature but are also closely connected to people’s lives and well-being. When the environment suffers, communities suffer as well, particularly those who depend directly on the land and natural resources for their daily needs. This realization encouraged me to become more aware of my role and responsibility in caring for both people and the environment.
The session on Identifying Roots and Roles helped me reflect more deeply on my identity as a young person. It also reminded me that it is important to understand both my roots and my roles. Through the continuing sessions and reflections, I recognized that I am still in the process of learning and understanding my responsibilities as an Indigenous person. Before I can effectively contribute to my community, I must first understand who I am, where I come from, and the values and responsibilities that come with my identity.
- Listen.
- Be proud.
- Balance emotion and values.
- Unite.
- Build strong relationships.
- Everything is connected.
- Know your roots.
- Know your responsibilities as an Indigenous youth.
- Give importance to our environment.
The role-playing activity challenged me to think more deeply about the responsibilities I carry as a young Indigenous person. It reminded me that every member of the community has a role to play, and this reflection led me to embrace my responsibility as a basbasunēn, a learner-youth.
As an Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center (APC) alumnus and an Indigenous youth from Nabawang, I accept my responsibility as a basbasunēn, willing to learn about our culture and transform that learning into responsibility and action for the good of the community.
I am willing to take on this responsibility, but I know that I must first prepare myself. Preparation begins with learning, and learning begins with listening. I must listen carefully to our elders because they carry the wisdom and knowledge of our traditions, history, and way of life. They understand the challenges facing our communities because they have lived through them and safeguarded our customs for many generations.
As the next generation, we are the heirs of this knowledge. We need to understand the life and traditions passed down to us because we are the ones who will carry them forward. Our elders will not be with us forever, and it is our duty to preserve and continue what they have taught us. Therefore, I must learn their wisdom, stories, and experiences while I still have the opportunity.
Mar John is a graduate of the Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center (APC) and finished Grade 12 in 2022. He is now pursuing college studies towards a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Financial Management, at Bukidnon State University-Cabanglasan Campus in Malayabalay City, Bukidnon, and hopes to return to Bendum.
This article was first published in LiCAS.news.
Photo: Indigenous youth and elders gather in a circle during Tapok Kabatan-unan at the Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center in Bendum, Bukidnon. The gathering created a space for intergenerational dialogue, cultural learning, and reflection on Indigenous identity, community responsibility, and care for creation.