Ma. Angela Luz L.

Espinosa
CW 10 2nd Semester
March 4, 2018

The Ambahan: Treasure from the Mangyans

I first came across reading Ambahan in my Fil 40 class when I was a freshman here at
UP. Instantly I fell in love with rich imagery, the simplicity of the language and the emotions
entangled with each poem. Ever since then, whenever we are asked to report about a certain kind
of art or poetry I always share my love for Ambahan.

Ambahan poetry originated from the Hanunuo Mangyans. They are located in different
parts of Mindoro like in the municipalities of Mansalay, Bulalacao and Bongabong. In order to
survive they practice the farming of rice, their main staple food. In order to preserve their lands
they practice the Kaingin system in order to prevent land deterioration. More so, they also
cultivate cotton in order to make beautiful textile and garments for themselves. They also create
their own bags made from black fern and palm leaves. This ethnic group is not only rich in
culture but they also highly value the resources around making sure that they consume what is
enough and make the most out of it.

Ambahan is certainly one of a kind. The Ambahan in written in Surat Mangyan. Surat
Mangyan is a pre-Spanish writing system which originated from India about 2,500 years ago.
Their poetry is scratched onto bamboo tubes called Luka and these tubes can be seen everywhere
in their community. The Hanunuo community continues to keep this art form alive by making
the Lukas easily accessible to all members of their ethnic group. I like the concept that their
poetry is for all, making sure that everyone and anyone can enjoy their poetry.

Most poetry whether in English, Filipino or a specific dialect follows a certain structure.
The Ambahan is no exception to this and its unique structure makes it stand out from other
ethnic poetry styles. Each line of the Ambahan should have a measured line of seven. There is
also a rhyme at the very end of the line. More so, this kind of poetry mostly verbalizes human
experiences in metaphors inspired by the nature around them. Another thing worth noting about
Ambahan is how it talks about different topics like infancy, adolescence, courtship, marriage,
work, death and many more. It is very relatable not only to the Mangyans but also to the people
in the city and everywhere else. I really love how they are able to beautifully capture complex
human emotions and feelings with just simple words and metaphors.

The Ambahan can be enjoyed whether you are alone or with an audience but in order to
truly experience it one must perform it in front of people. It performed in a chant like manner
using no instrument for the reason that your very own voice is an instrument already according to
their culture. The Ambahan is made to be interactive, meaning in the Mangyan culture when
people are in a circle enjoying a live performance of it someone should contest the performer by
being the counterpart. It is similar to Balagtasan in which 2 poets test each other but what makes
it different is that it is the structure. The battle between the two poets end when there is a quick
witted rebuttal that is hard to beat and the opponent shakes his head in disdain if ever a weak
rejoinder is given.

The Ambahan is truly a treasure not only to the Mangyans but also to our country. It has
lasted through the test of time and though it has existed for so long it still remains so beautiful
and moving. I have yet to discover other ethnic poetry but I will always have a place for
Ambahan in my heart.
 AMBAHAN POETRY SAMPLES:

This poem discusses the temporariness of problems and difficulties. He compares human
problems like the rain and the storm, things in nature which are not pleasant but they do end just
like the challenges we face as humans. Aside from that the poet seemingly compares feelings of
disappointment or sadness to the falling of the heavens or the sky falling. I think he or she used
this metaphor to connote the heaviness of the emotions we feel when bad things are happening.
The poet ends this poem by saying doesn’t man go back to his dwelling place, his home?
Looking deeper these lines talk about how whatever you are going through, you have a home to
go back to, to feel loved and to feel happy again.

In this poem it talks about the feelings of loneliness. They compare their feelings to a
fallen leaf and I think the leaf symbolizes the frailty he feels. More so it could mean how he feels
detached since a fallen leaf came off a tree.
 In this poem it talks about the feeling you get when a friend has to leave but you want
them to stay for long. The poet compares his friend to the moon. The poet talks about grabbing
the hair of the moon if he were a man (in the Mangyan culture men would tie their hair and keep
it long). The setting also adds a sad mood to the poem since it is at night time when we long for
people to stay and I think also because in the night time we feel more emotionally vulnerable as
people. The poet really wants his visitor to stay much longer and enjoy his company but he has
to leave. The moon just like his visitor brings light to him which can mean he lightens the mood
of the poet but he know his friend needs to go home. The moon disappears from sight like his
friend but surely he will come back again as the moon does.

Lastly this is one of my favorite poems out of all of the

ones I have read. It is about someone who misses their friend
dearly but they are far apart. Unlike the first ones this one does not
have any metaphors. It is very direct and you get the message right
away. It is a poem about longing and for the poet they cope with
longing by thinking of happy memories so he will not dwell in his
sadness. In my personal interpretation, this poem could be about
drifting apart with someone. The rivers deep and forests between
could represent how they have grown apart and have turned into
different people. The happy memories cheers up the poet though
he misses his friend very much.