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SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES, Philippines — Heavy rain on Aug. 10 forced hundreds of Aeta community members to leave Mt. Bagang in San Marcelino, an important gathering place for the community, and move their celebration indoors.
But the weather did not dampen the resolve of around 600 Aeta folk who traveled from communities across Central Luzon for this year’s Aeta Day.
Inside the Rabanes Barangay Hall, Aeta communities from Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac gathered not only to celebrate their identity and culture but also to renew their commitment to stand together in defending their ancestral lands.
Among those who joined the gathering were 25 Aetas from Olongapo City, including Trolie Romualdo, an Aeta Amianan Zambal and chieftain of the Iram resettlement site.
