We have been lucky enough to extend an invitation to Dr. Cristina Martinez-Juan with her husband Mr. Jovi Juan to participate in a cultural immersion on Mambacayao Dako with the objective to study about the island’s history and culture. Dr. Martinez-Juan has worked closely with local communities to document and analyze cultural landscapes through developing sustainable strategies for preserving cultural heritage. She earned a doctorate in Comparative Literature from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and used to work as an Associate Professor in the Humanities Department at the University of the Philippines, Cebu, before relocating to New York in 1996 and later to London in 2013. In 2017, she led the establishment of Philippine Studies at SOAS (PSS) within the Centre of South East Asian Studies, which serves as a cross-disciplinary platform for teaching, research, and cultural expression related to the Philippines in the UK.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to engage in discussion with the island’s elderly population exploring topics on their way of life, traditional fishing practices, and uncover the unwritten knowledge of its people and the sea. We also learned about the island’s traditional fishing practices, which have been passed down from generation to generation. The locals use a unique method of fishing called “panagat” where they use a long line with multiple hooks and bait to catch fish. This method for fishing is both sustainable and adaptable to the constantly evolving sea conditions and current circumstances.

The elders discussed how their way of life was being impacted by climate change and the harm caused to the sea. They mentioned that the fish stocks, which used to be plentiful, were now declining, and the coral reefs were deteriorating, making it more challenging for them to earn a living. As a result, they have had to rely considerably on guso farming in times when fish catch is low. They further elaborated on the impact of illegal fishing, explaining how it has contributed to the depletion of marine resources and threatened their way of life. They highlighted how illegal fishing practices devastated the marine ecosystem, making it even harder for them to catch fish and earn a living, harming their family’s livelihoods and the marine environment.

​IN ADDITION TO THE CHALLENGES POSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, THE ELDERS OF MAMBACAYAO DAKO ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE YOUNGER GENERATION MOVING AWAY FROM THE ISLAND. THEY WORRIED THAT THEIR TRADITIONS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE COULD BE LOST AS THEIR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN SEEK OPPORTUNITIES ELSEWHERE.

Fascinated by the unwritten knowledge and history of Mambacayao that we learned from the elders, they recounted the tales of their forefathers and their arrival on the island, which were shrouded in mystery and fascination. Among the earliest families to settle on the island were the Jamili’s, Mangcao’s, and Batad’s. The island had a rich culture that had been shaped by the people’s nomadic roots and their constant movement across the ever-changing sea – all of this is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of their people. In essence, this experience gave us a newfound respect for their traditional way of life. It underscored the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage for the forthcoming generation. It has enhanced our understanding of the significance of cultural heritage in shaping the identity of communities. The value of cultural heritage lies not only in its intrinsic importance to the local community but also in its potential for promoting inter-community dialogue and understanding. 

THUS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO RECOGNIZE AND PRESERVE THE ANCESTRAL LEGACY OF COMMUNITIES, SUCH AS MAMBACAYAO DAKO, TO ENSURE THAT THEIR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES AND WAY OF LIFE CONTINUE TO THRIVE ​AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE RICHNESS OF OUR SHARED HUMAN EXPERIENCE.