Photos by Manny Guinto/ACTOP
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, they say, but whose eyes can overlook the beauty of Nabuclod—Pampanga’s Upland Eco-Adventure. And whose heart can ignore the people who nurtured and preserved this gift of nature?
For almost a year now, Nabuclod has been the favorite destination of local and foreign tourists who are up for an adventure in the 850-meter zip line—the longest in the country so far. The place offers a breathtaking view of the Zambales Mountain ranges, a treat for those who find serenity in nature.
While people savor the beauty of the scenery, Pampanga Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda’s motherly instinct was awaken by the little people hiding behind nipa huts. Technically we call them aeta, but she calls them the Stewards of Nabuclod. She has sensed their sufferings and hardships and she felt certain affection as a mother to her children.
This affection pushes the caring heart of the lady governor not only in developing the potential of the place but also in rearing the nature’s stewards.
She delivered to them the services enjoyed by the people in lowlands. She celebrated special occasions with them and shared their festivities. But these are just temporary and Nanay Gob wants a long-term plan to uplift the lives of the natives here.
Recently, Gob. Pineda instructed all department heads to climb the mountain and visit the Aeta Community to look after their condition and intensify livelihood programs for them.
Barangay Food Transport (BFT)
After series of trainings on upland farming and giving seedlings to the Aeta, a Barangay Food Transport (BFT) was conceptualized together with the Provincial Agriculturist Crispin Guinto. The capitol will provide vehicles that will bring the harvest of the natives in the market where a Bagsakan center will be set-up for them. This will make a definite income for our small farmers.
Aeta as Tour Guides
With the development of Nabuclod as tourist destination, the provincial tourism office will train Aetas as tourist guides, giving them know-how on hospitality management and personality development. Furthermore, some of them will be trained for massage therapy.
Cooking Native Cuisine
Native foods and delicacies will always have a place for adventurous and curious tourists. With the help of the Provincial Nutrition Council, they will be thought on food preparation, sanitation and nutrition. They will specialize on cooking foods that can be found on the area. In line with this, they will also receive native chickens from the Provincial Veterinary Office.
Cultural Artists
Relying on the natural gifts in painting and handicrafts, the aetas produced different products made of native materials. With little help and materials from Capampangan artists, the aeta painters are now ready for their exhibit in a mall to be organized by the Public Employment and Service office. Their works will be used as souvenir items.
Alternative Learning System
Literacy is very low in this area, so Nanay Gob ordered the Provincial Librarian to bring the mobile library in Nabuclod and teach the natives on how to read and write aside from a teacher who will teach the out-of school youth and adults who want to finish their studies.
The plans of the governor for them do not end here; she instructed the Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Office (PCEDO) to register the aeta groups in the Department of Labor and Employment so they will be considered legitimate workers and later on form their own cooperatives.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Elizabeth Baybayan disclosed that they are now on the process of social preparation and mobilization of the natives. This is a big opportunity that will give them the chance to change their lives and outlook in life.
For the Aetas like Lita Bacani, leader of the women’s group in Nabuclod, Nanay Gob is the only leader who treated them with love, care and understanding.
“She has a magnanimous heart that accommodates not only the people in the lowlands but also for us who were always neglected because of our naivety,” Lita said.
Nanay has been a generic term in public service in Pampanga pertaining to Gov. Lilia Pineda. Many times the lady governor touched the lives of Capampangans especially the poorest of the poor giving them the taste of a mother’s care… “Basta Alagang Nanay, Serbisyong Tunay.”
(Jenna V. Lumbang, PIO – Pampanga)
