There are a lot of things that I learned in the past years of my life, and there is one thing that I adore about myself is how I appreciate the beauty in all things that surround me. In life, we will experience many things, either wrong or right, and we will meet many people who will inspire us to see more beauty behind every ugly moment in our life.
Being a teacher for almost five years in the mountain, I experienced a lot of struggles, and I already saw many amazing things around me. Aside from the beauty of nature, one thing that makes me fall in love with that place is the hidden beauty of my Indigenous learners, commonly called Aeta’s, in our country, the Philippines.
As I have mentioned in my previous article, they live in a remote area, in the mountain part of our town San Marcelino in the province of Zambales. Living in a place where they cannot access so many things in life, they are often called uncivilized people. They are inadequate in many aspects, such as communication, transportation, health, education, etc.
Their life is simple, but they are somehow considered the poorest of the poor in society for specific reasons. I witnessed how they lived their lives every day, and one thing I learned about it is how they handled things beautifully, and I could not even notice that they were suffering from within.
Teaching for about five years here, I’ve heard many stories from them, and what hurts the most is the criticism they receive from society. They are being discriminated against in many ways that give me pain but also these are the reason why I love them and I want to help them with their future.
Here are the things that I heard stories from them:
They are being criticized for living in a remote area.
In this place, some things make them ignorant of so many things. There are a lot of things that they cannot even recognize and know how to use something for so many ways.
They are being criticized for being illiterate.
There are many Aeta's that are illiterate. But this is not a thing to be ashamed of because I deeply understand why.
Because of poverty, their topmost priority is food for their stomach rather than the food of their minds. They are most focused on how they will have their daily needs to survive, especially with their basic needs: food and shelter.
They live by farming and planting some vegetables, and they sell them to the market when they have the chance to go to town proper. Being illiterate (No Read and No Write) is somehow why they are being tricked by some people, especially regarding the prices of the vegetables they are selling. Because they cannot count correctly, some people take advantage of them.
They are being criticized for having different looks from others.
The Aetas are known for having curly hair and a dark complexion. They are small and used to walking barefoot at the same time. The narrow-minded people sometimes make fun of them because of being
different.
But, I am proud of myself because I saw them as different people; for me, they are the most beautiful people I have ever met.
They are why I choose to stay despite all the struggles I am experiencing in teaching in remote areas. I appreciate the beauty that they possess inside and out. Despite all the things that other people see, I always adore them for who they are and what they are.
Despite all the things they suffer from the judgemental society, I am amazed at them for being good people by the heart. They are the most appreciative and very generous people I have known. Their hearts are pure, and their love is genuine towards anyone.
Though there are many things they’ve never known, they are the most precious gift from above, and I love to share what I know and have.
They may be lacking in many things, but for me, they are more than enough to fulfill and satisfies my happiness as a person and as a teacher.
Others may not see their beauty, but for me, they are the most adorable people to be loved and loved. I am just hoping that society will be good to them and make them feel that they are not different from others; that they always belong. I hope that others can appreciate them and love them for who they are and what they are.
They will always be the hidden beauties of the mountain.
This is Teacherlynlyn, and this is my entry for the #monomad challenge.
Thank you so much, and see you in my next blog!