Mangyan Settlements

When we speak of Mangyan Settlements, we are pertaining to an area in Mindoro where an indigenous tribe called the Mangyans have settled. The term Mangyan however, could refer to any one of the eight different groups in Mindoro. Each group is unique and has its own language and beliefs.

Alangan Mangyans

Take for example the Alangan Mangyans, who live in one of the Mangyan Settlements. Their name was derived from centuries of living on the river and slopes of mountains in the Alangan Valley. These Mangyans have managed to maintain their customs and beliefs despite radical changes that Mindoro has undergone. The women still proudly wear their traditional woven skirts tied around the waist and buri palms to cover their chest. A common custom these people share with the other groups in the Mangyan Settlements is betel nut chewing, which, if shared symbolizes that one has been accepted by the tribe.

One of the Mangyan Settlements can be found in Barangay Dulangan in Baco. From the town proper, there is a jeepney that will take one to the Mangyan Settlements in Baco although this is a 2 hour ride. The Baclaran Mangyan Settlements is found in a reserved area walking distance from the town proper of Mindoro. The Baclaran Mangyan Settlements is cheaper to go to since this is just a 30 minute walk and doesnt entail any cost for the visitor unless of course one prefers to take a tricycle to this place. For the jeepney ride to get to the Mangyan Settlements in Baco, it should cost less than one hundred pesos per head depending on whether one availed of a packaged tour.

To give one a brief history of the Mangyans, they existed as far back as 1574 and maybe even before that because of the presence of burial sites implying that these indigenous groups existed even before the Spaniards arrived. Records from as far back as the 10th century showed that the Mangyans traded with the Chinese and the original Mangyan Settlements could be found in the hills. In their abode, at the Mangyan Settlements, the tribe wove abaca and sold them, along with gold which they occasionally found from the streams they traversed.

One might wonder why the Mangyan Settlements have become a tourist attraction in Puerto Galera. Aside from the charm that these tribes possess, the Mangyan Settlements are found in the most beautiful spots in Puerto Galera. When at any of the Mangyan Settlements, one should jump at the opportunity to explore the natural wonders of the caves there and take in the majesty of the waterfalls in the area.