Summary of "'Walang Maputik, Walang Matarik,' dokumentaryo ni Kara David (Full Episode) | I-Witness"

Walang Maputik, Walang Matarik: Education in the Mangyan Community

The documentary Walang Maputik, Walang Matarik by Kara David highlights the challenges and dedication involved in providing education to the Mangyan indigenous community in the remote mountains of Mindoro Oriental, Philippines. It follows two public school teachers, Michael and Alvin, as they traverse difficult terrain—crossing 25 rivers and climbing muddy, steep roads—to reach Sitio Banuan, a secluded village where they teach children under harsh conditions.

Key Points

Difficult Access

The journey to the school is arduous, involving multiple river crossings and muddy trails, often worsened by rain. Despite these challenges, the teachers persevere, motivated by the children’s needs.

Multigrade Teaching

The school has only two classrooms serving multiple grade levels simultaneously, requiring teachers to employ a multigrade system. Teacher Michael handles grades 4 and 5, while Teacher Alvin manages the lower grades.

Volunteer Teacher Lenny Fugo

Lenny Fugo, a Mangyan himself, is a volunteer teacher and the first Mangyan in the area to finish school. Although he lacks a permanent teaching position and has not yet passed the licensure exam, he is deeply committed to educating his community. His own experience as a former house helper—adopted by a Tagalog family to access education—fuels his dedication.

Education and Poverty

Hunger is a major obstacle for students. To address this, the teachers organize feeding programs twice a week with the help of NGOs and sponsors. These programs have increased enrollment and attendance.

Student Stories

The documentary highlights Minik Furto, a 15-year-old still in grade 3 due to interrupted schooling caused by geographic isolation. Teacher Lenny personally mentors Minik, encouraging her to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor to help her community.

Community Spirit

Despite hardships, the Mangyan community maintains a strong sense of gratitude and resilience. They start and end each day with prayers, and the teachers emphasize the importance of education as a means to uplift the tribe.

Hope and Advocacy

The documentary ends with a hopeful message that all children, regardless of location or hardship, should have access to education. Dedicated teachers like Michael, Alvin, and Lenny are vital to making this possible.