My Expectation in History of Filipino Muslims and the

Indigenous Peoples of MINSUPALA

Michelle Mae Carpentero

I have been living for almost 19 years in my hometown, which is located in the Mindanao
region of the Philippines. Albeit there is a part of me being flounder in expressing that I am
proud where I lived at, due to the reasons that I do not know any background in our place and
what kind of tribes living here. I knew here in Mindanao; we are living with diversity. Diversity
in the people, the traditions, the culture and the norms we cultivated. But sadly, that is the only
knowledge I hold because that is the only thing I observed as I grew up. Frankly, I taught there
was only one tribe living with us here in Mindanao, and that is the Muslims, for the reason that I
noticed most of the people I had met identified themselves as a Muslim and that time I did not
encounter different tribes. With that, I conclude only Muslims inhabit with us. But then, factual
information hits me when I studied different tribes living here in Mindanao, as my Research
study back when I was in my Grade 11 years. I am so disappointed in myself because I do not
know my place and the people surround me. Baloney speaking, I am more familiar with the
history and background of Luzon and Visayas than in my place-Mindanao. Wherefore, if
somebody ask me, “What could I say about my place?” my response would be prefer to shut up.
From Makabayan to Kumikasyon at Pananaliksik sa Wika at Kulturang Filipino, our
teachers’ and DepEd’s goals is to teach us students the remarkable history of the Philippines and
it was only covered the great historical events of Luzon and Visayas regions. That is why, at the
moment that one of our teachers, a graduate student of MSU-IIT share his learning about this
subject, my excitement and curiosity blasts off. This is the semester I have been waiting for,
since I graduated from Senior High School. What kind of person could not feel any excitement if
they study the background of their place? This is indeed fascinating and novel where could give
us a new flavor of learning. In view of this, I am looking forward on the learning that I could
grasp in this subject and indeed supplement my ignorance. As I realized, without having
background or knowledge where you have lived at, is like a person with no identity. I am blind in
my surroundings that may result in misunderstanding, because I may not know what my
neighbors’ or classmates’ cultures, wherein fact most of them are Muslims. Through this, I
expect more on this subject, I expect that at the end of the semester, I can be able to represent the
Mindanao and its diversity to the other people with confidence. Lastly, I can be able to know
deeply how the Mindanaoans live and protect their traditions and cultures.