” The forest has always been our marketplace, where we find everything we need—food, medicine, and our means of livelihood.”
This is how Datu Delfin Omos, Municipal Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of New Corella, Davao del Norte and President of the Mangguangan Tribe Ancestral Domain Organization (MATADO), describes the life of the Mangguangan people. For him, the tribe’s connection to the forest goes far beyond livelihood. It is deeply woven into their culture, spirituality, and identity.
“The forest provides us with food, whether fish from the rivers or wild boar from the mountains. It is also where we gather medicinal plants whenever someone in the family or community falls ill. More importantly, the forest is our place of worship, where our baylan leads us in prayers and rituals.”
According to Datu Delfin, farming is a legacy handed down from one generation to the next. Datu Quiño Belec, Vice President of MATADO and one of the tribe’s respected elders, recalled how the Mangguangan’s traditional farming practices were closely guided by nature.
“In the past, we cleared a patch of forest. There is only one cropping per year. After harvest, we moved to another area so the land could rest. After several years, we returned to the previous farm once the soil had naturally regained its fertility. Before clearing a new area, we performed rituals to seek permission from the guardians of the forest and prayed for a bountiful harvest.”
In those days, the Mangguangan primarily cultivated upland rice and sweet potato. They relied entirely on the natural fertility of the soil and did not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides because pests and crop diseases were still uncommon.
As migrants gradually settled in the area, however, the Mangguangan’s farming practices also evolved. Improved road access, interaction with neighboring communities, and the arrival of traders introduced new knowledge, farming technologies, and livelihood opportunities.
“In those days, no one planted coconuts. It was only in the 1950s, when migrants from Bohol arrived, that coconut farming was introduced. When roads were built and traders gained access to our communities, coconut cultivation also became part of our way of life,” Datu Belec recalled.
Over time, the Mangguangan recognized coconut as a hardy and dependable crop. Once planted, coconut trees continue to bear fruit for decades, producing harvests three to four times a year and providing a steady source of income for farming families. Today, coconut farming has become one of the tribe’s primary livelihoods.
Despite these changes, the Mangguangan have remained faithful to their traditions. While they no longer practice shifting cultivation as their ancestors once did, they have adopted permanent and more sustainable farming methods without abandoning their cultural beliefs. Many families still observe traditional rituals and prayers before planting or harvesting as a way of expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, and honoring nature.
Today, MATADO is among the Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) supported by the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP). Through the Project, the organization is pursuing an enterprise subproject on coconut trading and processing to increase the value of their produce and create better economic opportunities for coconut farmers within their ancestral domain.
For Datu Delfin, however, the Project represents more than an opportunity to improve incomes. It symbolizes hope—a chance for the Mangguangan people to build a better future while preserving who they are.
“We dream with our eyes wide open. We do not sleep on our dreams because we want to achieve them. Through MIADP, we are working toward one goal—to build a stronger and more secure livelihood for the entire Mangguangan tribe.”
The name Mangguangan comes from two words: “Mang,” meaning people, and “Guangan,” meaning forest. Their name reflects the tribe’s enduring bond with the forest—a relationship that has shaped their way of life for generations and continues to guide them as they embrace new opportunities.
Today, the Mangguangan move forward with hope. Deeply rooted in their culture and traditions, they are embracing new opportunities to strengthen their livelihoods and secure a better future for the next generation. For them, honoring the wisdom of their ancestors and pursuing new dreams are not opposing paths—they are part of the same journey.
