1.

The Philippines is a culturally diverse country with an estimated 14- 17 million Indigenous
Peoples (IPs) belonging to 110 ethno-linguistic groups; they are mainly concentrated in Northern
Luzon, and Mindanao, with some groups in the Visayas area.

2. However, IPs have been subject to historical discrimination and marginalization from political
processes and economic benefit. They often face exclusion, loss of ancestral lands,
displacement, pressures to and destruction of traditional ways of life and practices, and loss of
identity and culture.

My name is Lenard, I’m just a typical young man living in the Philippines. But if were an indigenous
Filipino, my life would be different, my life would be colourful.

I will be the bearer of our culture and tradition

3. Cultural norms collapse when a community is stripped of its assets, displaced from its homeland
and denied access to its sacred places. As Indigenous People are forced to assimilate into the
dominant culture, we loss the essential culture practices that preserve our well-being and make
us who we are.

I will be the guardian of our nature

4. Indigenous People in the Philippines are communities attached to nature for their livelihood. But
it is a forgotten community linked to environmental degradation. The remaining forest and
existing natural resources are mostly available in indigenous people territories. Meanwhile,
mechanisms to be and those established to address impacts of climate change, still threaten the
future of Indigenous Filipino.

The moment I step into cities, people will judge me, I will be an outcast, different

5. Indigenous peoples often face difficulties in accessing social protection benefits, usually as a
result of discrimination, economic and social disadvantages. In many cases, there is also a causal
link between exclusion from social protection and inequities between urban and rural area,
information and culture.

But I will never be alone

6. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in
2007, states that indigenous peoples have the right, without discrimination, to the improvement
of their economic and social conditions. These include, for instance, access to education,
employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security.
States shall take effective measures and, where appropriate, special measures to ensure
continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions. Particular attention shall be
 paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous older persons, women, youth, children and
persons with disabilities.

So if were an Indigenous Filipino, I will fight for my rights—and I will embrace who I am.