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KASAMA Vol. 13 No. 3 / July-August-September 1999 / Solidarity Philippines Australia Network

Mt Pinatubo and the Aytas of Zambales
published by LAKAS, 1991

Lubos na Alyansa ng mga Katutubong Ayta ng Sambales
Negrito People's Alliance of Zambales,
Bihawo, Botolan, Zambales, Philippines

"Pinatubo is our life. She is our mother. By her breast we have been nourished. We may wander from land to land, from mountain to mountain, but deep in our hearts we know that she will be the end of our journeying."

Lata Cabalic, LAKAS

"Pinatubo is our sacred ground. Although buried and covered from our sight, she remains sacred to us. And that which is sacred will continue to draw our hearts across any distance and across all time."

Bobog Cosme, LAKAS

"The right of the Ayta people to their territory including the sacred site of Mount Pinatubo where, for them, God dwells, is thrown sharply into focus by this book and the events it depicts. The need for full recognition of indigenous land rights is clear. The right of the Aytas to care deeply for the earth, as its custodians, must be recognized. Ecology for the Ayta people and most other indigenous peoples is a way of life from which we have much to learn. The examples of strength and courage of the people of LAKAS have made this an important book to write."

Mandy Tibbey, Philippine Australian Christian Forum, Sydney, Australia

AWIT NG LAKAS *

Naririto ang pangkat namin
Sa Pinatubo nanggaling.
Pangkat naming samahan,
Pangkat naming samahan,
LAKAS ang pangalan.
Tribo, tribo kami,
Tribo kaming Pilipino,
TRIBONG PILIPINO!
Kami'y nagkaisa
Para paunlarin ang samahan.
Hangad, hangad namin
Ipagtanggol ang karapatan.
Pangkat naming samahan,
Pangkat naming samahan,
LAKAS ang pangalan.

SONG OF LAKAS

Here we are
From Pinatubo we come.
Our organization,
Our organization,
LAKAS is the name.
Tribal people are we,
Tribal Filipino!
We have become one
For the growth of our organization.
We desire, we desire
To defend our rights.
Our organization,
Our organization,
LAKAS is the name.

* Composed by LAKAS

PAKINGGAN N'YO MGA KRISTIYANO *

Pakinggan n'yo mga Kristiyano
Ang samo naming tribo
Ay, ay, ay, huwag magmalaki
Pagkat tayo'y pare-pareho.
Maaaring higtan ninyo kami
Sa pinag-aralan,
Ay, ay, ay, sa pagkatao naman
Iisa ang ating pinagmulan.
Hindi mangyayaring
Sa habang panahon
Kami'y alipin lamang
Ay, ay, ay, lalaban kami
Kapag kami ay inapi.
Ang lupa ay buhay namin
Huwag ninyong agawin
Ay, ay, ay, katulad ng nasabi
Talagang lalaban kami.
Talagang lalaban kami.
Talagang lalaban kami.

CHRISTIANS, LISTEN

Christians, listen
To our tribespeople's plea
Ay, ay, ay, boast not
Because we are equals.
You may surpass us
In learning,
Ay, ay, ay, but as persons
We have but one origin.
It shall not be
That forever
We shall remain slaves.
Ay, ay, ay, we will defend ourselves
Against any oppression.
Our land is our life,
Grab it not from us.
Ay, ay, ay, as had been said.
We will defend ourselves.
We will defend ourselves.
We will defend ourselves.

* Composed by Egay Fronda