“Pamilalamu”: An Aeta Festival by Kara Santos

It’s all about simplicity and just going back to basics.  And that’s the essence of the word “community” as experienced by Kara Santos in Sitio Alunan in Capas, Tarlac.  Here, she attended the “Pamilalamu” Festival of the Aetas, which focused on their culture and empowering the youth.  No fancy street dancing here, crowning of beauty queens, or million dollar companies sponsoring the festival.  Instead, people in the community work together to plan and bring the event to life.  They use whatever materials they have and their special guests are themselves.  Maybe a few visitors every so often, just like Kara, but nothing that would make the event, uhm, “sardine packed”.  One of the main events is playing some traditional games, which adults and kids gladly participated in.  Winners get school supplies and everyone feasts on simple meals prepared by the community.  At night, they sing traditional songs and dance around the bonfire.  Just look at the pictures taken by Kara and her friends.  Simple joys that many city folks have overlooked, and yet, these simple joys mean so much to the Aetas.