When I was gathering data for my dissertation some years ago, several people thought that my field of expertise was in marine biology. Apparently, they judged me according to the topic of study I was doing. I spent more than a year along the beaches of Dauin, randomly and periodically interacting and interviewing fishers, resort operators, and local government officials about the management of the town’s marine protected areas, and how these had brought ecological, cultural, and economic benefits.
Indeed, a number do not yet have a clear understanding what anthropology is, and what we anthropologists really do.
Anthropology as a field of study is so broad that it covers every facet of social life and human existence — from conceiving to dying. It is adaptive and responsive to the issues and demands of times, and is flexible to develop specialized sub-field of studies to investigate certain pressing or inspiring issues. Now, anthropology does not only limit to the study of tribal or simple, but also of modern or complex societies, as well as current social and cultural issues.
Broadly, anthropology is a study of human societies and cultures over time and space. It is also a science — specifically social science — and has research methods distinct from the natural sciences but which follow similar research principles. It is either a basic or applied science depending on the goals of the research projects that involve anthropologists, either done independently or in collaboration with other social and natural scientists. Anthropological research findings can very well complement the findings of natural scientists.
Here in Negros Oriental, anthropology came to public interest due to the works and publications of local anthropologists. For example, if not for the pioneering studies in the 1960s of the late Dr. Timoteo S. Oracion, considered as the first anthropologist in Negros Oriental, we would not have had a better picture of the early culture of the Negritos and the Bukidnons in Negros Oriental — the two indigenous peoples in the Province. The late Dr. Rowe V. Cadeliña followed-up these studies in the 1970s. He had also published a book and several journal articles about the Batak, a related indigenous people in Palawan.
Dr. Oracion and Dr. Cadeliña were mentors to the later breed of anthropologists based at Silliman University. Their pioneering works on the indigenous people in Negros Oriental, particularly the Negritos, were also later pursued in the 1980s by other local anthropologists, formerly or currently connected with the SU Department of Sociology & Anthropology, such as Samuel Briones, Fred Cadeliña, Artemio Merecido, and Rolando V. Mascuñana — all masters in the field of anthropology. Inspired by the works of Dr. Oracion, my masters thesis was also about the Negritos; from which I published articles.
The researches of Silliman anthropologists have not been limited within Negros Oriental. To name a few, the rituals and folklore of the Mindanao Subanen and Manobo was published by Salvador Vista; the basket arts of the Batak was written by Mary Jane Calderon-Hayhow; a book on sorcery in Siquijor was co-authored by Rolando V. Mascuñana and his wife Dr. Evelyn Mascuñana.
The research topics also expanded to the rondalla tradition of Dauin, Negros Oriental, written by me, Rolando V. Mascuñana, and Malcolm C. Hiponia, a graduate student in anthropology. Recently, Hiponia and I co-authored a publication about the nature conservation and ecotourism program in Balanan Lake in the upland of Siaton, Negros Oriental. It was a research completed by mentoring younger anthropologists along the way.
Indeed, there has been a broadening of research topics and publications among Silliman anthropologists but which are always anchored on the concept of culture or way of life.
I’m sure there are other people here in the Province outside the academic circle (NGOs) who may be doing what professional anthropologists do, but do not, for some reason, publish their works in peer-reviewed journals or in popular media, and, therefore, are not brought to the attention of the public. It is ironic that the people studied are not adequately informed about what had been written about them.
With this situation, I contemplated on the need to popularize the research results of local anthropologists, in particular, and of social scientists, in general, to better understand and appreciate local issues. In doing so, I can help highlight the social and cultural aspects of researches generated by local academicians, or of current social issues that have impact on the public.
For deciding to start a regular column in the MetroPost, I will be connecting anthropology as a field of inquiry with the public. Your questions, topics of interest, feedback will be highly appreciated.
