Decades after being displaced by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, the Aeta communities in Kalangitan, Tarlac, continue to confront the harsh realities of their new existence. Elders like Nelson de Guzman recount a time when their livelihoods thrived in their ancestral lands, a stark contrast to the struggles they face today.
From Abundance to Poverty
Bago pumutok ‘yung Pinatubo, wala kaming problema sa buong baryo kung sa kabuhayan. Masisipag kami. Marami kaming alaga, at lahat ng pwedeng pakinabangan o ibenta, tinatamin namin.
Nelson de Guzman, Village Elder
In the years leading up to the catastrophic eruption in June 1991, the Aetas lived in harmony with their environment, cultivating crops and raising livestock. The eruption brought devastation, not just in terms of loss of land but also in the cultural and economic fabric of the community.
- 400 Aetas currently reside in the Kalangitan resettlement area.
- An estimated 7,840 Aeta families, over 35,000 individuals, were affected by the eruption.
The transition to resettlement areas has been fraught with challenges. The new land lacks the fertility of their ancestral grounds, forcing many to seek alternative means of survival, often leading to low-paying jobs in construction or local markets.
Displaced Yet Resilient
Despite the hardships, Aeta communities are resilient. Minda de la Cruz, another resident, recalls the richness of their former lives: "Mas maganda ang pakiramdam namin noong hindi pa pumutok ang bulkan. Ulam ng bundok ang kinakain namin. Kahit na kamote, gabi, o ano."
The government’s response to the disaster has often been criticized for failing to address the specific needs of the Aeta people. Many families have experienced repeated relocations, each time uprooting their lives anew and complicating their ability to build stable homes.
Echoes of the Past
The memories of the eruption are still vivid, with elders recounting the chaos and fear that enveloped their community. As Nelson de Guzman states, "Wala kaming mga lupa na taniman. Ang Pinatubo kasi ang gumawa ng paraan para makapaglimos ‘yung mga katutubo e, kasi walang hanapbuhay nga ‘yung tao dito."
In their struggle to adapt, the Aetas have also become targets of prejudice, facing discrimination from neighboring communities. Yet, through education and grassroots organizing, they are slowly reclaiming their narrative and asserting their rights.
A Call for Support
As discussions about development projects in Central Luzon continue, Aeta leaders urge the government for concrete plans that prioritize their welfare. The fear of losing their homes again looms large. Minda and others hope for a future where they can return to their roots, both literally and metaphorically.