Socio-Cultural Development Among the Agtas of Palanan, Isabela, Philippines

This study describes the socio-cultural development of Agtas of Palanan, Isabela, an old town which occupies an evidently significant geographic promontory found near the Northern Coastal Forest of Luzon, the Sierra Madre. The interviews with the Agta-respondents, the data analyses and the observations in their community allowed me to accumulate knowledge about their culture thus enabled me to appreciate their social realities more. The Agtas of Palanan have rich and exclusive culture and distinct traditions even before the advent of industrialization and globalization. Because of the influence of some government and non-government programs and projects, most of the Agtas of Palanan have realized their erroneous practices and beliefs. Many of them have eradicated those that hinder their development. Majority of them have deliberately become receptive to modern ways of living and have emancipated themselves from the bondage of their past. Moreover, they are now more open to embrace new and fresh inputs from the lowlanders. The Agtas are now more ready to adopt modern socio-economic developments.