A study on the education and assimilation among the Mangyan college students

• Main Authors: dela Luna, Maureen V., Encarnacion, Wigberto G., Jr., Gabelo, Wendy Razel A.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Subjects: Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/17891
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study seeks to understand whether the pursuit of formal education by Mangyan students in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro has brought about changes in certain cultural and structural aspects of their assimilation to the lowland way of life. The students are residents of Mt. Tabor Mangyan Formation Center, a dormitory managed by the Mangyan Mission of Calapan, which is spearheaded by the Societas Verbo Divino Congregation (S.V.D. Congregation or Society of the Divine Word). A total sample of thirty-two (32) students were administered a sociometric test to determine their structural preferences and to cluster them into three groups classified as least, partly, and most assimilated for the focus group discussion. From these three groups, one representative each was chosen for the in-depth interview and observation for the case descriptions. The study's findings show that formal education does indeed serve as a conduit for some cultural and structural changes that have led to the students' greater or lesser assimilation into lowland society. However, it does not appear to be the only factor contributing to their assimilation. The other factors are culture contact and religious conversion. The study has found the Mangyan students to be more assimilated in their diet, clothing, and hygiene practices as well as preference for groupmates and seatmates. On the other hand, they are less assimilated in terms of courtship and health practices and preference for significant persons (bestfriend, girlfriend or boyfriend, roommate, teacher, and neighbor), peer group and organizations.