Like a Light for the Ata of Paquibato

The road is long and rough, and at some parts muddy. We had to cross the river (without bridge) on three occasions and a few more streams, on a 4-wheel drive off road pick up vehicle. From Panabo City, our jump off point, it took us almost two hours, passing by rough and mountainous terrain, to reach the house of Datu Berino Mambo-o, Sr., in Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District. He is the Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative of Davao City. He lent us his elf truck and 4-wheel drive off road pick up vehicle which we used to transport several dozens of boxes containing assorted school supplies and clothes. Our destination is Damilag Elementary School, in Sitio Damilag, Barangay Mapula, Paquibato District, Davao City. It is about 4 kilometers away from Datu Mambo-o’s house.

APaKO or Ata Paquibato Kalayag Organization, an organization composed of Ata college students and young professionals, has organized an outreach to Sitio Damilag. About more than a month prior to the date of the turn over last July 13, 2013, they have launched a campaign to gather school supplies for the school children of the elementary school whose students are all Ata children. The Dominican Missionaries in Mindanao, who have helped in providing a shelter for their members, are also partners in this outreach. I have tagged along with the group to deliver the school supplies donated by my friends. We have brought along school supplies good for 500 pupils enough to last for an entire school year.

APaKO was formed in 2009, first as ASAP, or Ata Students’ Association of Paquibato, by three Ata college students who were then studying in Davao City. Their vision was to empower and enrich the Ata cultural heritage. In their struggle to attain their dreams while pursuing their education, they experienced difficulties and discrimination. Because of this, they thought of forming a support group that will help their fellow Ata students. A year later, it evolved into what is now known as APaKO, to include not only students, but young professionals as well. The Ata word “Kalayag” in the organizations’ name means light.

It was almost sundown when we reached the house of Datu Mambo-o. We had to leave the elf truck behind because it will not be able to hurdle the steep and muddy road ahead. After transferring the boxes of school supplies from the elf truck to another 4-wheel drive vehicle, we proceeded on our journey towards Sitio Damilag. After about a couple of kilometers, our two vehicles got stuck in deep mud. All efforts for the two vehicles to cross the slippery mud failed. It has rained hard and long the previous day. We had to leave the two vehicles behind and proceeded on foot. The sun had set and it was already dark. Some elementary students who were eagerly waiting for our arrival, had come to help us carry the boxes of school supplies. They were all too happy and excited to welcome us. While trekking on muddy trail before reaching the school, we overheard a grade one pupil exclaim, “I will not get married early, so that I can imitate the APaKO members who help their fellow Ata.”

We spent the night in one of the classrooms of Damilag Elementary School, amidst the sounds of crickets and the cool mountain breeze. The community does not have electricity. The following morning, we woke up to a bright sunny day. With the morning fog covering the landscape, I can see mountain ranges all around. Soon, after we had breakfast of boiled corn and sweet potato, the students and parents have started gathering in the school. Most of them had come in their brightly colored traditional dress, predominantly red and yellow in color with elaborate beaded necklaces. In a short program for the turn over of the school supplies, the tribal leaders and local officials of the community formally welcomed us. Teachers and students thanked us for the things that we gave them. Members of APaKO introduced themselves to the community. They tried to share words of inspiration and encouragement to both the parents and the students. They hope to be like light, giving hope for the dreams and aspirations of their fellow Ata in Paquibato.