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The Indigenous Black Filipinos
Growing up in the U.S, I often heard East Asians refer to Southeast Asians, more so Filipinos, as the “Blacks of Asia”, but never really thought much of it. I thought it had more to do with many Filipino-Americans affinity towards Black culture rather than their physical appearance, but after visiting the Philippines and seeing the indigenous people, it made a lot more sense. Origins The indigenous people of the Philippines, known as the “Aeta”, are a group related to the Negrito (Spanish term for “little black person”) ethnic group occupying parts of the Andaman Islands in India, Malaysia, and Thailand. They are characterized by their short statue, kinky hair,…
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Hiking the Rice Terraces of Banaue
When you think of the Philippines, most people envision beautiful beaches, and while the Philippines does have those, many are unaware of the incredible rice terraces of Banaue. These terraces, which are often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, are hands down my favorite place in the Philippines. These terraces were carved into the mountains by the indigenous people, largely by hand, over 2000 years ago! If you’re in the Philippines, hiking the Rice Terraces of Banaue is a must! How to Get There? Ask your hotel/hostel to reserve a ticket beforehand. The earlier the better as the seats fill up fast. A one way ticket costs 470PHP…
