HANUNUO MANGYAN documenting and preserving the Mangyan
heritage.
HISTORY
The Hanunoo live on Mindoro, a Philippine
island located just to the southwest of the main
island, Luzon. The Hanunoo are also known as
the Bulalakao, the Hampangan, and the
Mangyan. As recently as the 1950s, the
Hanunoo were almost entirely isolated from
modern civilization, but today they have begun
to develop relationships with other peoples and
cultures.
The term “Mangyan” is an umbrella term that
refers to several indigenous communities on the
island of Mindoro in the Philippines. There are
eight recognized groups: Iraya, Alangan,
Tadyawan, Tawbuid, Bangon, Buhid,
Hanunuo, and Ratagnon. While these groups
are often referred to as “Mangyan,” they speak
different languages, and only one of the ethnic
groups—Hanunuo—refers to itself as Mangyan.
Hanunuo means “genuine” or “true”. They
claim to be the true Mangyan as they have
remained faithful to their old traditions.
Of the eight groups of Mangyan, only the
Hanunuo and the Buhid from the Southern part
of Mindoro Island have attested writing systems
called Surat Hanunuo Mangyan and Surat
Buhid Mangyan respectively. The Hanunuo
Mangyan and Southern Buhid have similar
syllabic scripts due to their geographical
proximity.
Unlike other Mangyans, The Hanunuo are not
nomadic. Family are tightly knit and they value
the sense of togetherness in their community.
They have no written laws but are guided by
counsel and advice passed down by their
eleders verbally. Dispute settlements between
Mangyans are usually done in the presence of
their elders. The elders also serves as the
judges who give appropriate punishment for the
offender.
The Hanunuo Mangyans may also be
distinguised by their rutay (clothing). Men
ususaly wear ba-ag & balukas while women
wear a ramit & lambung.
SETTLEMENT
The Panaytayan Mangyan Settlement is
located in the uplands of Mansalay, Oriental
Mindoro, a municipality nort of Bulalacao. This
is a tourist-friendly community of at least
500 Hanunuo Mangyans which was developed
by Antoon Postma together with his Mangyan
wife, Yam Ay, they worked together in
The Panaytayan Mangyan Settlement is a
small community with a basketball court, a
school, a chapel and native nipa huts where
Mangyans traditionally live.
Balay Lakay, a gathering or a communal house.
A wooden elevated house with a Hanunuo script
carved at the facade. The place has served
different purposes throughout the generations.
Aside from being a meeting place for elders, it is
also a place of worship. Mangyan believe in a
higher being called Maha na Maako who
watches over them. Some of the Mangyans also
embraced Christianity as evidenced by a
opening up a set of doors to reveal a small room
that serves as an altar. Paganism still lingers as
they still believe in dwelling spirits.
CULTURE AND TRADITION
The Hanunuo are very welcoming. The
Hanunuo are very poetic and has a way with
words. In fact, most of their Hanunuo writings
are love songs.
As is evident, the Mangyan have a rich literary
tradition with a long history. Despite its deep
roots, most historical example is the Mangyan
writing which is no more than a century old. This
is because Mangyan writing was carved on
bamboo, a material that deteriorates quickly.
Hanunuo are quite crafty. They also love bead
works as seen from their personal accessories
and souvenirs they sell.
SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF
• Hanunuo’s are animists, which means
that they believe animals and aspects of
nature have spirits.
• They believe in Kalag that allow evil
spirits called labang that afflict the
Hanunuo.
• To combat illness, they call shaman, or
priest, known in their language as a
balyanan.
RELIGION
96% Ethnics Religion and 4% Christian
(Evangelical)
REPORTED BY:
MOHAMMAD NOWAISER MARUHOM
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