Case Study 1: Dumaloy ang Ilog Chico:
​The Struggle to Defend Indigenous Peoples’ Land

Case study 1 of this  teaching module focuses on the story Dumaloy ang Ilog Chico. We use folklore as a springboard to discuss indigenous culture and relate it to other cultures, and to promote critical thinking about indigenous people’s rights and current events across the globe.
written by Jayde Hunter Abdon and Pia Arboleda

Background

This story takes place in the Cordillera region of the Philippines. The surroundings of the Chico River is home to hundreds of indigenous Filipinos. The Chico River is the biggest resource for those who live around the river; the water from the river is used for animals and people to drink, for irrigating the rice terraces, and for other daily needs. They care for the Chico River because their ancestors used this river as well. Dams were proposed to be built over the Chico River for it to produce energy for the cities around it. To protect the land, the people of the Cordillera fought to prevent the dam from being built, and the struggle continues to this day. ​

Motivating Activity

  1. Do you have a favorite spot, for example a beach hiking trail, park? What things did you do in there?
    ​Do you have some photos to share?
  2. What will you do if your favorite nature spot is threatened?
  3. Do you know where Chico River is?
  4. Have you ever heard of a hero named Macli-ing Dulag?
Show a Photo of the Chico River Dam and Macli-ing Dulag. Explain Briefly general information about the cordillera and its peoples

Processing Activity 

Film Showing

Dumaloy ang Ilog Chico (And So The Chico River Flows)
Story by Judy Carino translated by Rene Villanueva
Illustrated by Bernie Solina 
Narrated by Dr. Pia Arboleda 
Animated by Darren Santos 
Subtitles synchronized by Rovie Jay Dacumos

Classroom Discussion

Ask the following guide Questions:

  1. What is the situation in the story?
  2. Who holds power in the story? Who are the disempowered?
  3. How is this power maintained? Or, in what way did the people assert their power?
  4. How did the villagers resist the actions of those who tried to oppress them? Describe the actions of the men and women in the story? What do you think of these actions?
  5. Do you think the indigenous people did the right thing?
  6. If this were happening to the nature spot you just described earlier, what would you do? Would you do what these elders did?
  7. What else can people do if they are confronted with issues like these?

​Discuss articles on the Chico River Dam and explain the effects of these actions on the project. Relate it to current events.

Synthesis

Ask students to think about the current real life issues that are similar to what happened in the story. Some examples are:
  • Hawaii
    • ​Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom
    • TMT (ten-meter telescope) on Hawaiian Island
  • Philippines
    • ​Mining in Mindanao
  • America
    • ​Native Americas removed from their land
      • ​Removal Act of 1829
    • ​Dakota Pipeline

Bibliography and Resources

brady-deraedt_1979_to_know_the_meaning_of_the_chico_project.pdf
File Size: 924 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
guyguyon_1979_history_of_chico_river_project.pdf
File Size: 455 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File