1.

) WHO ARE THE PRIME INDEGINOUS PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES OF LUZON,VISAYAS and
MINDANAO

By some estimates, there are nearly 100 indigenous peoples, not counting Muslim groups, although
the exact size of the indigenous population remains uncertain: While the National Commission of
Indigenous Peoples estimates there are 4,444, there are approximately 11.3 million indigenous
peoples in the Philippines. For example – a figure that represents about 11-12% of the population –
some estimates from civil society suggest they could represent between 10 and 20% of the
population.
There is a great variety of social organization and cultural expression in these communities. Some
specialize in wood carving, basketry and weaving. Others are known for their embroidery, appliqué,
and beading. They range from the Bontoc and Ifugaos, who built the famous rice terraces of the
mountainous interior of Luçon, to the indigenous peoples who practiced shifting cultivation or
hunting.
A significant number of indigenous peoples in central Luzon are Protestant Christians, who were
converted by American missionaries in the early 20th century and trained in mission schools. For
others, there is a huge difference in integration with Plains Christian Filipinos. Some got married.
Others remained isolated. There is little general agreement about the names and numbers of these
indigenous communities.
While some of these indigenous peoples emerged from the first waves of Malay or Proto-Malaysian
migrants, about 27 of them, such as Aeta and Ati, are Negritos long-established in the Philippines:
they are believed to be the descendants of the first settlers to the archipelago, which may have
migrated there from the Asian mainland about 30,000 years ago via land bridges.
A general geographical distinction is often made between Igorot (Tagalog for "mountain") in Luzon,
and Lumad ("indigenous") for those in Mindanao, while others in Luzon and the Visayas use their
collective name, such as Manobo, Mangyan, and so on. Ten tribes from the highlands of Luzon have
been identified: Ifugao, Bontoc, Kankanay, Ibaloi, Kalinga, Tinguian, Isneg, Gaddang, Ilongot, and
Negrito. The Ifugaos of Ifugao Province, the Bontocs of Mountain and KalingApayao and Kankanay
and Ibaloi of Benguet Province were all wetrice farmers who worked their extensive rice terraces for
centuries. Groups like the Ibaloi were most influenced by Spanish and American colonialism and
Philippine lowland culture because of Benguet's vast gold mines, proximity to the city of Baguio, good
roads and schools, and a consumer industry in search of folk art. Other mountain peoples of Luzon
include the Kalinga of KalingaApayao Province and the Tinguian of Abra Province, who use both wet
and dry rice cultivation techniques. Isneg from the north of KalingaApayao, Gaddang from the border
between KalingaApayao and Isabela provinces, and Ilongot from Nueva Vizcaya province all practice
varying cultivation. Although the Negritos once dominated the highlands, by the early 1980s they had
been reduced to small groups living in widely dispersed places, mainly along the eastern mountain
ranges.
The other concentration of indigenous communities is in the central and southern Philippines. The
Lumad tribal groups of Mindanao include Ata, Bagobo, Guiangga, Mamanwa, Magguangan, Mandaya,
Banwaon, Bukidnon, Dulangan, Kalagan, Kulaman, Manobo, Subanon, Tagabili, Takakaolo, Talandig,
and Tiruray or Teduray. Lumad groups in Mindanao have faced and continue to face prolonged
displacement and legalized expropriation of their land, which also threatens other indigenous
communities in the Philippines. The islanders of the southern Philippines of Mindanao are rich in
resources and were once underpopulated compared to the islanders of northern Luzon. Thus,
throughout the twentieth century, there has been a constant migration of Filipino Christians from the
plains to areas previously occupied and dominated by Lumad and Moros. These migrations were first
encouraged by the US authorities when the Philippines was under their rule, and were enhanced by
the central government authorities after independence through the development of plantation
agriculture, logging concessions and projects, hydroelectric and geothermal energy. The Lumads are
now outnumbered in their ancestral lands.
2. ) STATE AND EXPLAIN THE CULTURES AND TRADITIONS OF THESE ETHNICS

Ethnic Groups in Luzon

1. Tagalog
As one of the major ethnic groups in the Philippines, the Tagalogs are believed to be the largest ethnic
group in the Philippines. Most of these locals are living in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region
4A (CALABARZON), and Region 4B (MIMAROPA), and have strong political influence in the country.
Tagalog is the mother tongue of the Filipinos, and it was chosen as the basis of the national language
(Filipino) and is taught in all schools.

2. Ilocano
The Ilocano people are believed to be the third largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines. They
mostly reside within the Ilocos Region and some parts of Cagayan Valley region. They are known for
being prudent and hard working. This group ethnic in the Philippines continuously practices their old
traditions to preserve their culture.

3. Kapampangan

Kapampangan is a Luzon ethnic group that lives mostly in Pampanga and some parts of Central Luzon.
Dubbed as the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines,” Kapampangan takes pride in their sumptuous
recipes and gives importance to strong ties of family.

4. Bicolano
Bicolano people are those who are living in the Bicol Region. This Filipino ethnicity group is known for
being religious and calm. They are also known for their distinct way of cooking where coconut milk is
a must on Bicolano dishes. 

5. Aeta
Also called Ita, the Aeta Filipino ethnicity is known to be one of the oldest ethnic in the Philippines.
Aetas live in the mountainous province of Zambales. Their way of living is simple and very traditional
especially when it comes to hunting for food. 

6. Igorot
The Igorots are found in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). This ethnic group in Cordillera
made some of the Philippine destinations popular such as the Banaue Rice Terraces which is one of
the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They have strong beliefs and ethnic tradition in the Philippines, and
highly respect their anito.

7. Ivatan
One of the most popular ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines are the Ivatans because of their
notable traits such as hard working and honesty. Most tourists who explore the Philippines consider
the Ivatans as the kindest locals. This ethnic in the Philippines is found in Batanes and their way of
living is very simple.

8. Mangyan
Of all the different ethnic groups in the Philippines, Mangyans are the ones found in Mindoro
provinces which are divided into eight groups. To this day, Mangyan is still practicing their old
traditions and culture in the hopes of preserving them. One of their traditions is writing ambahan (a
form of poem) and they carve it in bamboo. 

Ethnic Groups in Visayas

9. Cebuano
Cebuanos are one of the major ethnic groups in the Philippines. Most of these people live in Cebu and
some parts of Mindanao. They are known for being creative, soft-spoken, and calm. 

10. Waray
Waray people are an ethnic in Philippines that are found in Samar and Leyte. They are known for
being brave and strong, yet very loving especially when it comes to their family.

11. Ilonggo
The most notable ethnic group in the Philippines with description would have to be the Ilonggo
people because when you hear Ilonggo, the best word that describes them is tender. They are sweet
and soft-spoken. Ilonggos live in  Iloilo, Panay, Guimaras, and Negros.

12. Ati
Ati is also one of the ethnic tribes in the Philippines that are very notable. This shouldn’t be confused
with the Aetas. While they look similar, they speak different languages. But like the Aetas, hunting is a
huge part of their way of living. They are mostly found in Aklan, Capiz, Antique, and Iloilo. 

13. Suludnon
The Suldnon Filipino ethnicity is popular for their cultural dance Binanog where they mimic the
movements of the eagle while using the agung. This example of ethnic group in the Philippines lives in
Capiz-Lambunao.

Ethnic Groups in Mindanao

14. Badjao
The Badjao tribe in the Philippines can be found in Zamboanga and Sulu where they live above water
that is why they are called Sea Nomads or Sea Gypsies. The people of this ethnolinguistic group in
Mindanao are also good swimmers so their major source of income comes from the sea.

15. Yakan
There are many different races in the Philippines and each of them has their own distinct features.
Yakan is an ethnic group in the Philippines living in Basilan. Weaving is a huge part of their culture.

16. B’laan
The B’laan group lives in South Cotabato and Davao del Sur. They are famous for making clothes made
of abaca embellished with ornaments, bass and beads.

17. Maranao
People of the lake
Maranao is derived from the phrase “lawa ng Lanao del Sur at Lanao del Norte” which means lake of
Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. This Filipino ethnicity made the traditional
clothing malong popular across the country.

18. T’boli
T’Boli is one of the ethnolinguistic groups in Mindanao that are very popular. They are known for their
beautiful and colorful traditional clothing called T’Nalak. This Filipino ethnic group lives in South
Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

19. Tausug
The Tausug people are one of the 5 ethnic groups in the Philippines that are notable. Known as the
People of the Current, Tausugs live above the sea of Sulu with their floating houses.

20. Bagobo
It is believed that the Bagobos are the first to encounter Spanish colonizers. However, the Spanish
failed to colonize them. The Bagobos mostly live in Davao.