Quirino Outreach Project: Indigenous Aeta Community

(@San Dionisio 1, Maddela, Highland Province of Quirino)

UFPCS led an outreach project in Quirino Province represented by Communications Head Maribeth Blanco Lucero as well as the UFPCS volunteers in Quirino.

UFPCS delivered assorted basic goods, school supplies and packs of rice to at least 30 Aeta children at their highland province and had an inspirational talk to all participants about the importance of helping each other.

The Aeta (Ayta /ˈaɪtə/ EYE-tə), or Agta, are an indigenous people who live in scattered, isolated mountainous parts of the island of Luzon, the Philippines.

These people are considered to be Negritos, whose skin ranges from dark to very dark brown, and possessing features such as a small stature and frame; hair of a curly to kinky texture and a higher frequency of naturally lighter colour (blondism) relative to the general population, small nose, and dark brown eyes.

They are thought to be among the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines, preceding the Austronesian migrations. The Aeta were included in the group of people named "Negrito" during the Spanish Era. Various Aeta groups in northern Luzon are named Pugut or Pugot, an Ilocano term that also means "goblin" or "forest spirit", and is the colloquial term for people with darker complexions. These names are mostly considered inappropriate or derogatory by fellow Negritos of northern Luzon.