Dances With The Imalawa

Dances With The Imalawa

May 21-22, 2019 at Sitio Dasar, Brgy Isic Isic,Vintar, Ilocos Norte (Surong Valley)

The APHIO Trekkers continuing outreach service and adventures to the hinterlands of the Philippines. 5th PreConvention Climb 2019 of the 31st National Biennial General Assembly of 

Alpha Phi Omega Philippines Inc. 

Laoag City, May 24 to 26. 

SYNOPSIS: The Malawa Tribe (Imalawa) is an indigenous group that lives in the outskirts of Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Northern Philippines. The only indigenous community in the municipality, and only called as "tribu" by locals, the tribe shares a unique historical and cultural heritage with the Ilocano’s.

“Surong” is an Ilocano word meaning the “headwater” of a river.  The point where a river begins in which is usually the smallest part of the entire river. Headwaters can start out in marshy areas or where there are natural underground springs. The beginning of a river can also be fed from thousands of small streams that flow in the same direction.  In the case of “Bislak” it is one of the major river in the municipality of Vintar, the headwater comes from the vicinity of Isic Isic the village where the Malawa lives. A peaceful village far deep into the Surong Valley, so quaint and charming wonderful friendly folks. 

The Village of Isic Isic:  This is where we conducted our “outreach service” to the children of Malawa, about 150 or more kids excitedly lining up to have share all kind of goodies, from umbrellas to school supplies provided by our wonderful donors and sponsors. One of the biggest highlights for them is having a lunch of fried chicken and rice from a popular fast food chain in the Philippines. 

The morning greeted us with the village leaders and some of the employees of the local DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) in which 2 of them is our fraternal brothers in APHIO, a welcoming remarks from the village chieftain and opening prayers to start the program.

Parents and children were all assembled at this little plaza,  while our group were busy setting up the stage for our outreach service and presentations. Smiling younger adults looks on guiding some of their little siblings to get in line, as the morning wears on.

The village chief or Barangay chief and the president of APHIO Trekkers made their opening remarks followed by a prayer from one of the APHIO Trekkers member. The gift giving started with the little ones first and all the way up to the 6th graders. Eventually what’s left was given to those teenagers in the crowd who was very ecstatic to get a gift from APHIO. 

Kid's waiting for their shares of goodies, school supplies, and other gifts.

Photo with sister Carol and the children of Imalawan. 

Handing out lunch to the children.

Excited kids got a taste and enjoy a sumptuous lunch from a popular fried chicken joint.

The village teenagers lined up for a Nalgene Water Bottles as a gift.

Then some of the tribal mothers came out with gongs and cymbals to give us a beautiful presentation of their native dance. It was a great surprise for us and it’s so refreshing to know that they keep on with the tribal traditions despite the modernity that surrounded them. The Trekkers joined in with the dance, where plenty of laughter’s and joyous moments with the children, parents were so ecstatic about the ongoing party, and the Trekkers never shied away as they “dances with the Malawa’n” with their hearts out. May We Always Be...