The communication functions of the Surat-Mangyan to the Hanunuo-Mangyan tribe: an exploratory research

Date

4-2003

Degree

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Jerry R. Yapo

Abstract

The study probed and discussed the present communication functions of the ancient writing system of the Hanunuo-Mangyan Tribe in Panaytayan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. It sought to find out the possible effects of outside influences like introduction of formal education and modernization to the Surat-Mangyan. Time was also considered a vital factor for the process of acculturation that paved the way for changes that occured on the ancient writing system. In order to accomplish these objectives, participant observation was utilized to gather data and historical data analysis was also used to evaluate the collected data.

The researcher stayed in Panatayan community for almost two months (May and October 2002). During her stay, the researcher used participant observation and followed the indigenous method of "pakikipagpalagayang-loob" before conducting unstructured but in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. She participated in the tribe's activities and befriended the tribe member in order to achieve the suggested relationship between the researcher and the participants.

The major findings of the study were: there had been a gradual socio-cultural change in the Panaytayan community, primarily caused by acculturation in the form of the introduction of formal education, religious conversion, and other outside influences. With the abovementioned phenomenon, the original functions of the Surat-Mangyan were inevitably affected. The introduction of formal education resulted in the learning of the Roman script, which s clearer and more convenient to use and learn. The time spent in the classroom also resulted to the lack of time to learn Surat-Mangyan and other Mangyan culture. Religious conversion and other outside influences provided Hanunuo-Mangyans a broader worldview. Unfortunately, Surat-Mangyan with its open characters/syllables, could not keep up with this phenomenon. Thus, former priest and Mangyan expert Antoon Postma decided to standardize the characters of Surat-Mangyan and reintroduce pamudpod (cut-off symbol to delete the end vowel of a syllable) so that Surat-Mangyan can catch up with the present lifestyle of the Hanunuo-Mangyan. Also, Mangyan culture, including the Surat-Mangyan, was integrated in the curriculum aiming to teach the Hanunuo-Mangyan youth of their traditions and customs.

This exploratory study, thus, concluded that Hanunuo-Mangyans of Panaytayan developed a gap that resulted to the tribe's subgroups. These subgroups can be identified as the old and the new generation. The old generation consists of the tribe members who learned Surat-Mangyan in the natural process and those who did not experience the Mangyan culture subject upon studying. On the other hand, the new generation includes those who studied and are currently studying Surat-Mangyan in the school. While the former values Surat-Mangyan as a vital means for the stability of the community, the latter only considers Surat-Mangyan as part of their community school requirements. This difference in points of view greatly affected the preservation and transmission of the Surat-Mangyan.

Constant follow-up on the study may provide more concrete and broader view of the results of the study. This constant follow-up may also serve as an aiding tool for the prevention of the extinction of the Surat-Mangyan.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993 2003 M3 E87

Document Type

Thesis

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