The Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network, together with Pax Romana International Movement of Catholic Students Administrative Secretary Kean Rollon, shares his reflection on the Ayta Day celebration. Kindly read the full reflection:
“On August 10, I joined the Ayta Day gathering at Mt. Bagang in San Marcelino, Zambales, in connection with Indigenous Peoplesโ Month.
It was my first time attending a gathering with an Ayta community. On the way there, the weather was unstable, some rivers were already close to overflowing near the bridges, and we passed streets and houses affected by flooding. I arrived curious and not really knowing what to expect from the gathering.
During the sessions, we heard different stories and discussions about the challenges Indigenous communities continue to face. These included mining, displacement from ancestral lands, environmental destruction, violence, questions of consent and Indigenous rights, and the decisions of governments and people in power that affect communities and their territories. There were also discussions on destructive development projects, Indigenous Peoplesโ movements responding to these issues, and topics such as Pax Silica.
These realities are not necessarily new to hear about, but it was different listening to them directly in a gathering where many of the people present are involved in these struggles and responses. It was frustrating and sad to hear how many of these issues continue to happen.
One thought that stayed with me was that “we are connected”.
The struggles of Indigenous communities should not be treated as something completely separate from the rest of us. We live in the same society and country, and we are connected through the land, our histories, our communities, and the environment we all depend on. At the same time, I also realized that being connected does not mean assuming that we fully understand their experiences. There is still a need to listen and learn from the communities themselves.
The gathering was also not only about the problems they are facing. I enjoyed seeing the Ayta communities share their cultural dances, music, traditional attire, and the meanings behind some of their practices and traditions. It was one of the lighter and more joyful parts of the day. It also showed how culture is not only something talked about in terms of preservation, but something that continues to be practiced and shared within the community.
I came to the gathering by myself, so I was also grateful for the people I met there. Many of them were young advocates, organizers, and people working with Indigenous communities and organizations. I did not get to know everyone deeply, but the young people I was able to talk with were welcoming and easy to be around. Even when they were busy with their own responsibilities during the program, they still made an effort to accommodate me and make me feel included.
I cannot say that one gathering gave me a full understanding of the realities of Indigenous peoples, and I do not think it should. But it gave me a chance to listen, encounter people directly, and reflect more on issues that are often discussed from a distance.
Their concerns about land, community, culture, rights, and the environment are not isolated from us. In many ways, we are connected, and perhaps that connection also asks us to pay closer attention to what Indigenous communities themselves are saying.”
#IndigenousYouth #AytaDay2026 #ILIH #IndigenousLandsInIndigenousHands!
