In Mindoro, I observed a new type of living. To many in the U.S., the idea of a tribe has a very negative connotation and usually leads to the assumption that tribal people are unkempt, savage in nature and carry out barbaric practices. I was greeted with the exact opposite. The Mangyans lead an amazingly simple, family-oriented and culturally rich lifestyle. They don't have access to good nutrition, education and basic medical care. Their way of living is under constant scrutiny and they can't live freely. something that we Americans take for granted. What’s even more shocking is that even after natural disasters and adverse working conditions, they still managed to put a smile on their, and eventually our faces.
I learned so much in such a short time. Normally, this implies a discovery of a much harsher reality than the one that I face, however it was just a major shift in perspective, a shift that is now a part of my identity.
