HISTORY
The Sierra Madre Range is one of the most significant mountain systems in the Philippines, stretching across the eastern part of the country and serving as an ecological and cultural treasure. Its history spans geological time, ancient human settlements, and its role in modern environmental and conservation efforts. Beside is a timeline of key events and developments related to the Sierra Madre Mountain Range:
Prehistoric Era
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range, part of the Philippines’ complex geological formation, began to take shape millions of years ago due to tectonic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The mountains’ rugged terrain and biodiversity have made it a unique ecological zone, home to various species and an integral part of the Philippine archipelago’s natural history.
Early Human Settlements
The mountain served as a natural refuge for early Filipino communities, including the Aeta (or Agta) people, who have lived there for thousands of years. They adapted to the region’s rich biodiversity, sustainably using its resources for food, medicine, and shelter
Spanish Colonial Period
During Spanish colonization, the Sierra Madre served as a natural barrier, shielding indigenous groups from foreign influence. The Spanish exploited the region’s timber and its dense forests later became a strategic refuge for insurgents during the Philippine Revolution.
American Period
Under American rule, the Philippine government started logging activities in the Sierra Madre, leading to deforestation in certain areas. The mountains became the subject of scientific exploration, with naturalists and geographers beginning to document the region’s biodiversity.
Post-Independence
After the Philippines gained independence in 1946, there was an increase in commercial logging and mining operations in the Sierra Madre region. The government also began to recognize the importance of the mountains as a natural resource base and introduced some early conservation efforts, though these were not always enforced.
1980s
Environmental degradation and the devastating impacts of logging, mining, and land conversion on the Sierra Madre’s ecosystems became evident. The region saw increasing deforestation, leading to issues like soil erosion, flooding, and loss of biodiversity.
1990s
In recent decades, there have been renewed efforts to protect and conserve the Sierra Madre, with local and national governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and indigenous communities working together on various conservation programs.
2000s - Present
Key environmental laws, such as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, aim to protect parts of the Sierra Madre from exploitation. Organizations like the Forest Foundation Philippines strive to contribute to the protection of Philippine forests and its biodiversity. Overall, the mountain range is vital for mitigating climate change impacts, serving as a typhoon barrier. However, continuous forest destruction intensifies natural disasters in the country.
Prehistoric Era
The Sierra Madre Mountain Range, part of the Philippines’ complex geological formation, began to take shape millions of years ago due to tectonic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The mountains’ rugged terrain and biodiversity have made it a unique ecological zone, home to various species and an integral part of the Philippine archipelago’s natural history.
Early Human Settlements
The mountain served as a natural refuge for early Filipino communities, including the Aeta (or Agta) people, who have lived there for thousands of years. They adapted to the region’s rich biodiversity, sustainably using its resources for food, medicine, and shelter
Spanish Colonial Period
During Spanish colonization, the Sierra Madre served as a natural barrier, shielding indigenous groups from foreign influence. The Spanish exploited the region’s timber and its dense forests later became a strategic refuge for insurgents during the Philippine Revolution.
American Period
Under American rule, the Philippine government started logging activities in the Sierra Madre, leading to deforestation in certain areas. The mountains became the subject of scientific exploration, with naturalists and geographers beginning to document the region’s biodiversity.
Post-Independence
After the Philippines gained independence in 1946, there was an increase in commercial logging and mining operations in the Sierra Madre region. The government also began to recognize the importance of the mountains as a natural resource base and introduced some early conservation efforts, though these were not always enforced.
1980s
Environmental degradation and the devastating impacts of logging, mining, and land conversion on the Sierra Madre’s ecosystems became evident. The region saw increasing deforestation, leading to issues like soil erosion, flooding, and loss of biodiversity.
1990s
In recent decades, there have been renewed efforts to protect and conserve the Sierra Madre, with local and national governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and indigenous communities working together on various conservation programs.
2000s - Present
Key environmental laws, such as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act, aim to protect parts of the Sierra Madre from exploitation. Organizations like the Forest Foundation Philippines strive to contribute to the protection of Philippine forests and its biodiversity. Overall, the mountain range is vital for mitigating climate change impacts, serving as a typhoon barrier. However, continuous forest destruction intensifies natural disasters in the country.
CULTURE
Genetic, species, and environmental diversity thrive in the Sierra Madre mountain range. Northern Luzon is home to the Agta, one of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. Some of them reside in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and in Lupigue, North Sierra Mountains. The Agta are an ethnic community that has a knowledge system and practices that are rapidly disappearing, in part due to the effects of modernity and changing habitats. We bring attention to these traditions in an effort to preserve their vibrant culture.
1. Courting
In the quiet heart of the Lupigue region, where the North Sierra Madre Mountains rise high, the Agta people have their own special way of finding love. Courtship among them is like a gentle dance, guided by tradition and the skills of survival. For generations, love has blossomed within the tribe’s boundaries, as Agta women shy away from non-Agta suitors, believing outsiders lack the essential skills of farming, fishing, and hunting needed to thrive in their world. Agta men, in turn, rarely seek partners outside their community. Yet times are changing, and intermarriage is becoming more common as the tribe adapts to modern influences. Still, certain rituals hold firm. Before a man can court, he must seek the woman’s parents’ consent and offer gifts such as meat, fish, and handmade bracelets. Courtship is swift—love is either accepted or declined immediately—and always respectful, with friends accompanying the couple to uphold purity. Though intermarriages with non-Agtas are becoming more common, the Agta still uphold traditions that honor their values and way of life.
The Agta Courthsip via Youtube by AGTAKami
Tribal Agta Pre Wedding via Youtube by AGTAKAMI
2. Marriage
High in the Sierra Madre Mountains, where the Agta people live close to nature’s heart, love blooms in a special way. Long ago, parents chose who their children would marry, but now, young hearts pick their own partners. When a man is ready to wed, he visits the bride’s home with his family and elders to plan the union. The whole village comes alive with excitement—women and the bride cook a grand feast, while the men hunt and fish. Weddings often take place at Sulimanan, a magical spot in the mountains, where an elder leads the ceremony. But the most important moment comes when the bride and groom chew the sacred betel nut together, sealing their bond as husband and wife. After the feast, the couple builds their first humble home, a symbol of the new life they’ll create together.
3. Pregnancy
When an Agta woman’s moon cycle is late, the village begins to whisper with excitement, for it is a sign that new life may be on its way. She feels the changes—craving sour fruits, seeking more attention from her husband, and sometimes becoming moody when her wishes aren’t met. The smell of fish makes her stomach turn, and her heart knows it’s time. As her body grows with new life, she listens to the old ways. She rests, avoiding heavy work and seeking advice from the meganak, the wise midwife of the village, before taking any herbs or special foods. To protect herself from unseen spirits, she carries garlic or charcoal, and if the spirits stir restlessness in her nights, she offers tobacco and betel nut to calm them. At night, she wears a bariki to guide the baby safely in her womb and drinks herbal water made from vines to keep sickness away. Though these ancient traditions still guide her, today’s Agta women also have the help of modern doctors and midwives, who bring their care and medicine from the Ilagan Local Government, ensuring both mother and child are safe through this sacred journey of life.
One month old newborn Agta twins in their home. (Jacob Maentz/Getty Images)
One month old newborn Agta twins in their home. (Jacob Maentz/Getty Images)
4. Childbirth
As the day of her baby’s birth nears, an Agta mother feels sharp pains, signaling that it’s time. Only she and her husband are allowed in the birthing area, and the wise meganak helps guide her through the process. Children are kept away, for it’s believed that the pain of childbirth is passed to those who witness it. To ease her discomfort, the mother leans against the wall or walks, sipping ginger water prepared by her husband. After the baby is born, the meganak uses bamboo to cut the umbilical cord, and the cord is tossed into the river with an arrow so the child will grow into a strong swimmer and fisherman. The placenta is buried where water drops fall, and the newborn is bathed in a warm herbal solution to keep away colds. After birth, the mother rests, avoiding certain foods, and the family burns old clothes to ward off wandering spirits. To keep the baby safe, a vine necklace and bracelet are placed around its tiny body, protecting it from harm.
5.Child rearing
When an Agta baby is born, they are gently welcomed by the warmth of the sun, as parents believe this helps make them strong and healthy. Soon after, their parents rub their palms, heated by the fire, on the baby’s limbs to help their bones grow strong and encourage early steps. In the village of Lupigue, Agta children are not baptized in the usual way, but follow the Ilocano tradition of receiving a surname from their godparent. After the ceremony, the whole community celebrates with dancing and feasts, making sure everyone is served. The albolaryo, the Agta’s healer, uses herbs to treat the sick and offers food to the spirits of ancestors. To protect a newborn, manik necklaces and bracelets are worn, guarding them from future illness. Since the Agta do not read or write, they use the fruits in season to mark a child’s age, and on birthdays, they share food not just with loved ones but with the spirits of the departed, keeping them safe. Agta children are taught simple skills—how to bathe, gather food, and respect their elders, especially never interrupting an adult’s conversation, for that would be seen as disrespectful.
Agta women and children walking home on a nearby road (Jacob Maentz/Getty Images)
Keepers of the Forest: The Agta of Sierra Madre Mountains (via Youtube by Leonard Reyes)
6. Adolescence
In the quiet unfolding of the Agta girl’s life, her first menstruation is a gentle whisper that marks her passage into womanhood. She learns to honor her body, avoiding sour fruits and heavy tasks, for these can bring pain or madness. If her cycle falters, she turns to the healing wisdom of pineapple leaves, seeking balance. As she steps into this new chapter, she wears the sacred jewelry of her people, a symbol of her transition. No longer does she walk with outsiders; she sleeps away from her brothers and father, lending her hands to help her mother with the daily tasks of life. For the Agta boy, the rite of circumcision signals the start of his journey into manhood, guiding him to work alongside his father, learning the skills of survival—farming, fishing, and hunting. When he feels a stirring in his chest, he knows he is ready to love. To court an Agta woman, he must first seek permission from her parents, bringing gifts of fish, meat, or manik bracelets to prove his ability to provide. Courtship is a respectful dance—he may walk beside her, but their hands will not touch, for love must be earned, step by step.
7. Adulthood
In the Agta community, adulthood marks a time of great respect and responsibility. They are respected and seen as the community’s leaders at this point in their lives. Elders, revered for their experience, serve as the leaders, guiding the people with their wisdom. They are responsible for settling disputes, ensuring fairness, and upholding the community’s laws and traditions. Despite their age, they continue to actively participate in vital tasks like farming, fishing, hunting, and caring for animals, viewing these activities as both necessary and fulfilling. Elders also play a central role in performing important rituals, leading wedding and funeral ceremonies with care, as they preserve and pass down the customs of the Agta people.
Agta hunting for deer and wild pig far into the Sierra Madre mountains. (Jacob Maentz/Getty Images)
8. Death & Burial
When an Agta passes away, the community gathers to guide the soul’s journey into the next world. The body is bathed, dressed in white, and placed in the center of the home, facing east, so the spirit can return to its daily search for food. Two family members stay by the body, offering prayers to protect the soul. Mourning is marked by black cloths worn until they fall away naturally, and the air is filled with quiet respect. The home is calm, with children playing softly and coffee and betel nuts shared to keep spirits awake. A pastor leads the final blessing, and the family speaks their last words, asking the departed not to haunt them. After the burial, the family washes their hands with water made from boiled pomelo leaves and vinegar, to ease their grief. A meal is shared, and on the ninth day, they visit the grave, offering food and prayers. The memory of the departed lives on in the hearts of all, celebrated once more on their surviving family’s birthday.
References:
Borlaza, G. C. , Hernandez, . Carolina G. and Cullinane, . Michael (2024, December 4). Philippines. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines
Geronimo et al. (2024) Beliefs and practices in the life cycle of the Agta of Lupigue, North Sierra Madre Mountains: Their implications to Indigenous peoples education. International Journal of Membrane Science and Technology, 11(1), 535–544. https://doi.org/10.15379/ijmst.v11i1.3710
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