Age not a hindrance to learning for elderly lumad couple

Davao del Norte - An unlettered ageing Indigenous couple has joined the government’s literacy program not only to learn the ability to read and write, but to set themselves as model for their children and fellow tribesmen, as well. Mambiling Paundag, 80, and his wife Mercedes, 76, both members of the Ata-Manobo tribe in Tibulao, Carmen, this province, revealed they had missed out a lot of opportunities because of lack of literacy skills.

Their inability to read and write became a critical barrier for them to participate in many productive undertakings, leaving them underprivileged in their remote village, some 28 kms from the poblacion of Carmen town.Aside from coping with the stigma attached to being indigenous from a far-flung barangay, they had to deal yet with the disadvantage of being non-literate.

Unscrupulous traders have since exploited them when they sell their farm produce.“Daghan na ka higayon nga gibinuangan mi tungud kay dili mi kama-o mubasa ug mu-ihap (We have been duped and taken advantage of oftentimes as we can’t read or write),” the Mambiling said.The couple has never set foot in a school due to lack of resources. They also have never fully developed their 10-hectare upland farm because of inadequate skills and knowledge.

Worse, their apathy towards education has spilled on their six children, so much so that only one of them has ever reached grade 3 in the primary level.However, when the couple realized the true importance of literacy later in life, they deemed it was never too late to learn the wonderful world of letters and numbers, even with old age.

They were eager to acquire knowledge that they tagged along with them four of their children and five of their grandchildren when they enrolled in the Indigenous People – Basic Literary Program (IP-BLP) offered at their barangay over 10 months ago.The program was jointly conducted by the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education and the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte.The Paundags were the oldest couple to join the first completion exercises of the IP-BLP program held on April 17, 2012 at the Bulwagan ng Lalawigan in Mankilam, Tagum City.

They joined 121 other completers, including some of their children and grandchildren, who participated in the program.Mercedes admitted she and her husband had difficulty learning the fundamentals of ABC and figures. But, she said they have to endure the hardship to show to their children and their fellow tribesmen the importance of education.

“Nalipay kaayo ko nga makabasa na ko gamay, ug makabalo na ko ug sulat sa akong pangalan (I am truly happy that I can now read a little and is able to writea my full name),” she said, adding:“Ni-apil mi sa ALS program dili lang aron makahibalu sa pagsulat ug pagbalanse, apan usab aron madasig ang akong mga anak, kaapuhan ug kauban sa tribo sa pag-eskwela (we attended the ALS program not only to be able to read and write, but also to egg our children, grandchildren and fellow IPs to learn).”After months of tedious weekly sessions, the septuagenarian wife and her octogenarian husband are not showing any sign of weariness.

They are set to continue attending the next IP-BLP class in their barangay.As Mercedez puts it, proper literacy will provide her family and fellow Lumads with the necessary skills to interact with other sectors of society and to avail themselves of a lot of opportunities available to everyone.Aside from the other completers from Tibulao, the Paundag family were also joined at the culmination program by fellow IP finishers from the barangays of Lower Camansa and Cabaywa, both in  Asuncion town; Florida, Kapalong; Limbaan and Magcum in New Corella; and, Pinamuno and Sabangan in San Isidro town.

The completers were also provided with skills training on cooking banana chips, camote delight and cassava gel, among other livelihood seminars, to help them generate additional income for their family.Governor Rodolfo P. del assured that under his development agenda, known as  P.E.O.P.L.E., the Indigenous people will enjoy the same education, employment and societal opportunities as other constituents in the province.(Noel Baguio-PGO Info DavNor)