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As pressures of modernisation, commercial development and migration set on Palawan in the Philippines, many of the island’s indigenous peoples struggle to help their next generation flourish in their livelihood, culture and worship.
Indigenous communities are rooted in deep connections to the land, culture, faith and community. Take this interconnectedness away and it hinders their pathway to human flourishing.
Motivated by love for the people of Palawan, Pastor Philip Lim, his wife, Levy and their young family uprooted and moved to the island. Their desire to preserve the heritage and sustainability of these indigenous communities birthed Operation Mobilisation’s (OM) Ethnos Training Centre.
Meeting sustainable development through creation care
Pastor Philip and Levy were led to a spot in Palawan endowed with a spring, river and fertile ground that produces fruitful crops. They then made the area home to the Ethnos Training Centre.
The Lims are champions not just at growing their own food and producing sustainable household products, but also in equipping others to do the same. They began to train the locals in sustainable and natural farming methods at the centre.
The team had also built a cluster of accommodation using bamboo, a more sustainable material to brave harsh weather. Visitors can stay at the Eco Farm that offers a tranquil retreat to learn about sustainable farming and apply them back home, in their offices and their community.
In all, OM’s Ethnos Training Centre significantly accomplishes three out of United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals: zero hunger, climate action, and life on land.
Partnership to form vibrant communities through arts
The Ethnos Training Centre is not just about caring for creation, it is also about preserving arts and worship in the way indigenous people understand it.
A threat that indigenous communities face in the face of modernisation and emerging languages is the loss of identity as a faith community. Wycliffe Bible translators have noted, “When indigenous believers sang the scriptures in their own indigenous languages, the church flourished. Where they didn’t, they stagnated.”
Through OM’s Inspiro Arts Alliance’s initiatives, the centre draws participants from three major tribal groups across the island — the Palaw’an tribe in the far south, the Batak tribe in the far north, and the Tagbanua tribe in the centre. Some of them come from afar like the people in Batak who navigate 16 river crossings on their motorbikes and trek 250 kilometres to join in.
Participants enjoy coming together and using traditional instruments and dance forms to offer worship, expressing deep trust in their faith with harvest seasons, shelter from typhoons, and protection in crossing fierce rivers.
Keeping the faith of the indigenous people
The Ethnos Training Centre also equips tribal church leaders with basic theological training to lead their communities in strong values and redeem their traditional art forms for worship.
Trainees have found ways to use their own recovered art forms to tell Bible stories: A toltol (an interactive storytelling form) and a war dance recounted David’s victory against Goliath. An oyman (improvised song of thanksgiving) was used as a corporate prayer. A kudyapi (a kind of two-string guitar) was used to perform a piece inspired by a birdsong.
The unique expression of worship through arts binds the community together, captivating many tribal villagers to engage with their church community for the first time.
To celebrate the significant influence local art has in understanding the gospel, the Ethnos Arts Museum was launched in September 2023, showcasing a charming array of art these communities love. Representatives from the local government graced the occasion, showing a high level of mutual trust and collaboration.
Stewarding the environment and preserving heritage for life
The collaboration at Ethnos Training Centre celebrates the beautiful tapestry of life of the tribes, fostering inclusivity and community, boosting sustainability, and preserving the rich faith and heritage of indigenous communities in Palawan. This opens pathways for human flourishing not just for today but for future generations to come.
The OM team at Palawan welcomes those who care about the environment, sustainable agriculture, arts and culture, and essentially the preservation of a precious indigenous people group. To start a dialogue and explore partnerships, please get in touch with Elaine Woon of Operation Mobilisation.
If you are interested in OM’s work, please contact [email protected]
