Culture Is A System of Beliefs

The Philippines has rich cultural diversity considering that our country is home to
more than 13 million indigenous peoples belonging to more than 127 distinct
ethnolinguistic groups. More so, the Philippines is said to be one of the top 10
countries with rich biodiversity. Each group has its rich norms, cultures and traditions.
Most of the indigenous Filipinos live in the mountains or their fringes or near the sea.
They are found throughout the archipelago. The Bago tribe is one of them. Bago tribe, the most
dominant among the indigenous peoples in Region 1 in terms of population based from the
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) census, is the most organized tribe
nationwide according to Commissioner Rizalino “Langley” Segundo and director Ruben S.
Bastero of NCIP Region II.
Bagos are the hilltribe dwellers and original inhabitants in the border regions between Ilocos
and Cordillera mountains different from their neighboring tribes and other adjacent ethnic
groups whose ancestors are early inhabitants of the country prior to colonization. Bago
communities existed in the country before the arrival of the Spaniards. According to its
history, during the process of Christianization by the Spanish Catholic missionaries, they
were dubbed as “Bagong Kristyano” by those who preceded them and the name calling
stuck and are called Bagos to the present day. Certificate of Ancestral Domain and Land
Titles were awarded to the Bago tribe in Bakun, Benguet, Alilem and Sugpon, Ilocos Sur.
On the process are Pugo, La Union; San Emilio and Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. This proves that
Bago ancestors are inhabitants in their areas since time immemorial. The Bagos have their
own language, examples are: sinoy naicasta (why, what happened), tapey (rice wine),
mannapo (native priest), sapo (prayer), am-in (all), sumaa (to arrive), napupuka (awake),
minpintas (beautiful), ambit (baby girl), amboy (baby boy), eng-nga / unga (baby/child),
minlam-ek (cold), minsipnget (dark), minngina (expensive), nakinguab / kinbaba (lower
portion), tumayaw (to fly), minlaba (to wash clothes). Some Bago jargons are: ayaket or
yaw’, this is said when dismayed/disappointed or amazed, kasos and Aye’, these are also
said when dismayed or disappointed, ni’-in’, this is said when one happens to commit
mistake. Generally, the Bagos speak the dialect akin to the Kankanaey, Tingiuans and
Ibalois; however, to this day; most of them speak the Iluko dialect with distinct intonation.
The Bagos have their own culture which has persisted to this time despite the inroads of
western influence and the so-called modernization. This culture was preserved despite of
the influence of lowland brothers. However, the Bago rituals, practices, customs, systems
and beliefs are also common to the Kankanaeys, Tingiuans and Ibalois; though with little
difference in terms of procedures of performing these rituals. The Bago integration with the
other hilltribes and intermarriages with the Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Visayas or Muslims is the
reason for the virtual losing of its own identity. That’s why some people claim that the Bago
tribe is non-existent because they could not trace their place in history.
The Indigenous Peoples of today are different from the Indigenous Peoples prior to
colonization because time, place and person change. Traditions change as new values are
introduced and integrated in the society. That is why, it is wrong to say that the tribal
communities at present in the midst of urbanization are the same compared to the past.
Some of the tribal groups, especially those that either live near urbanized areas or have an
access to internet or new technologies, are definitely no longer the same.
Culture is a system of beliefs, customs, literature, art, religion, morality, and attitudes that guide man’s
behavior in the society. It is a social heritage transmitted from one generation to another and commonly
shared by people in a particular society. It is also a basic determinant of personality because man is very
much a part of the environment he creates as he conforms to his culture. It is through culture that men
discern values and makes choices. It is through culture that man becomes aware of him, expresses
himself, questions his own achievements; seek untiringly for new meaning through which he transcends
his limitations. Aristotle saw contemplation as the highest power of human beings as he recognizes the
multiplicity of influence needed to develop himself to his fullest.
The native tribes have lost their century old indigenous culture, is endangered and so in the brink of
extinction. The tribes have not benefitted from Development activities in the state even when they
are native. This led to large section of native tribes become poor more than before. This is the
ground under which they strive to organise themselves politically. It is necessary to view the
increasing assertion of the native tribes for their identity as an integral part of their overall process of
social change towards development.
“Culture… is… the whole complex of distinctive spiritual,

material, intellectual and emotional features that characterize a
society or a social group. It includes not only arts and letters
but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human
being, value systems, traditions, and beliefs.” Societies and
cultures are not static. They are living entities that are
continually being renewed and reshaped.
Change is shaped by many factors. Cultural change occurs as

communities and households respond to social and economic
shifts associated with globalization, new technologies,
environmental pressures, armed conflict, development projects,
etc. Change also results from deliberate efforts to influence
values through changes in the law or government policy, often
due to pressure from civil society. There are many examples of
efforts to influence attitudes about race relations, the rights of
workers and the use of the environment, to name three areas in
which cultural values shape behavior.
New cultural definitions are formed through a process in which

some segments of society promote change through advocacy
and example, while others resist it. In other words, societies are
not homogeneous and no assumptions can be made about a
consensus on “cultural values.” Cultural values are continually
being reinterpreted in response to new needs and conditions.
Some values are reaffirmed in this process, while others are
challenged as no longer appropriate.
But most of the Filipinos nowadays have forgotten our culture,

due to the development of new technologies; people of today
are too much dependent on it, that’s why they weren’t able to
take a look back on their cultures and traditions. Like Larong
Pinoy which is popular during “Baby boomers and Generation
X’’. Unlike now at the year of Millennial, they are embracing the
high-tech gadgets, computer, etc.
Objectives of the Study I. To highlight the Socio-cultural changing status of

tribal community. II. To study the existing opportunities facilitating the
preservation, promotion and dissemination of tribal and folk art & culture;
III.To trace out the socio-cultural and socio-economic factors which are
hindering the promotion of tribal and folk art & culture

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The Philippines has rich cultural diversity considering that our country is home to

“Culture… is… the whole complex of distinctive spiritual,

Change is shaped by many factors. Cultural change occurs as

New cultural definitions are formed through a process in which

But most of the Filipinos nowadays have forgotten our culture,

Objectives of the Study I. To highlight the Socio-cultural changing status of

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