Commonly referred to as Negritos, Agtas do belong to the Negrito

ethnolinguistic group. There are many Agta tribes, scattered over Regions
I to V in the island of Luzon. The Isarog Agtas live on Mt. Isarog, east
of Naga City in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. This tribe is by far the most
endangered ethnolinguistic Negrito population, as only a few remain
today.

Agtas are characteristically short, dark-skinned, kinky-haired,

thick-lipped, and small-nosed. Their traditional clothing is tapis (skirt)
for women and bahag (breechcloth) for men. Breastfeeding mothers wear uban,
a piece of fabric slung from the shoulders. Most men scar their bodies,
using various designs that have been passed down to them by their ancestors.
Today, most Agtas have abandoned their tribal attire for “civilized”
clothes.

Traditional Agta houses are built in clusters and made from indigenous
materials such as bamboo, wood, talahib (cogon), coconut leaves, and abaca
bark. Agtas as young as 14 marry the partner chosen by their parents.
Hunting is their main means of subsistence. They use pointed sticks called
galud to kill birds, wild deer, monkeys, and wild pigs. Agtas exchange
part of the meat and some forest products for starchy food and other goods
with nearby farmers. Their other traditional means of livelihood are
farming and fishing. Today, however, many Agtas take on seasonal jobs,
such as copra and charcoal making, and gold panning.

The Agtas worship the spirits of their ancestors or Anitos; their rituals
include dances and a depiction of hunting movements. They have no formal
leaders. The old males in their community only serve as consultants for
arbitration purposes.

The spiritual, health, livelihood, education, and literacy needs of the

Agtas are a big challenge to the government.
Sources:

David Levinson. Ethnic Groups Worldwide: A Ready Reference Handbook. The

Oryx Press, 1998.

Indigenous People: Negrito, http://library.thinkquest.org/

Runoko Rashidi. Black People in the Philippines, 2000.

http://www.cwo.com/

Thomas Headland. Agta Negritos of the Philippines,

http://www.culturalsurvival.org/

Philippine Tribes: Agta, http://www.globalpinoy.com/

http://www.ethnicgroupsphilippines.com/people/ethnic-groups-in-
the-philippines/agta-isarog/