Cover Why is this indigenous Aeta’s hope important for their tribe? (Photo: Jacob King; edited by Angela Nicole Guiral)
Why is this indigenous Aeta’s hope important for their tribe? (Photo: Jacob King; edited by Angela Nicole Guiral)
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Remember Norman King? The first indigenous Aeta to graduate from one of the Philippines’ premier state universities inspired his peers, like Jacob King, to live their dreams
Norman King made history in 2017 as the first indigenous Aeta to graduate from the University of the Philippines Manila, one of the country’s renowned state universities. It was no easy feat, as the tribe has long faced significant barriers to education. Schools are often miles away from their homes, and government support has been minimal.
As the eldest of seven children, Norman had to work from an early age to support his family. It didn’t help that the limited hours he had for his studies were often marred by slurs like “maitim” (dark-skinned) and “baluga” (Aeta person). Despite these social challenges, he persisted and triumphed.
Fellow Aetas had completed college before him, such as the 40 students who graduated from the Angeles University Foundation in 2008. Their achievements, along with Norman’s, have sparked a ripple effect within the community, a positive change Norman welcomed—and still does. “After all,” he tells Tatler, “the goal is to inspire more Aeta students to continue their education.”
Among those inspired is 27-year-old Jacob King, Norman’s first cousin who graduated from Celtech College San Fernando with a criminology degree. He hails from Barangay Inararo, Purok 2, Pampanga.
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Above Jacob Dela Cruz King graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Criminology (Photo: Jacob King)
Jacob Dela Cruz King graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Criminology (Photo: Jacob King)
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“I took criminology to serve my fellow tribesmen and to have an indigenous police officer in our community,” Jacob says. “My inspiration comes from my parents and my grandfather, Hari King, who was a leader among the Aeta. They motivated me to pursue a college education.”
One of the challenges the indigenous Aeta faced in his pursuit of knowledge was the fear of mingling with other people. Growing up, he was conditioned to believe that outsiders had different perceptions of them, naturally causing wariness and caution. “I didn’t know how to start and learn,” he says. “I also feel nervous and shy around people not from the mountains, those I am not accustomed to.”
A 2023 study by Precious Supan and Camille Rose Carl Mendoza concluded that access to mainstream education by indigenous people could result in their social and economic empowerment. However, discrimination persists as one of their disturbing experiences and is even one of the leading causes of school dropouts among their people.
Other than discrimination, Jacob also encountered obstacles due to his lifestyle. “The hardships of life in the mountains present problems we need to overcome by finishing college and helping the community. This is why I persevere in my studies,” he explains. “My tribespeople are the reason I want to complete my education.”
Above Jacob King says that his tribesmen are the reason he completed his education. (Photo: Jacob King/Facebook)
Jacob King says that his tribesmen are the reason he completed his education. (Photo: Jacob King/Facebook)
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Like Norman, Jacob wants to continue the ripple and inspire his younger tribe members to pursue higher education. “We need to study so that in the future, we can rise out of poverty and help our community,” he says.
Today, the indigenous Aeta continues to pursue his dreams, preparing diligently for the board exams. “Graduating from college is not the end; I need to keep going to achieve my goal of becoming a police officer in my community.”
Jacob is committed to helping his tribe fight for their rights and ancestral land as indigenous people. But if he has to pick a specific dream, it is to have a municipality exclusively for the indigenous Aeta. “And to have a mayor who is indigenous or even higher than a mayor,” he says, emphasising representation.
Above In this touching story by Safeguard, witness how every ‘pabaon’ from Norman King’s mum prepared him to overcome challenges to his Indigenous identity and to become the first ever Aeta to graduate from the Philippines’ premier state university.
Norman, the community coordinator of the Aetas in Pampanga, alongside Jacob and their fellow graduates, serve as beacons of hope for their tribe. Their grit and determination underscore the importance of opportunity for Indigenous people striving to achieve their dreams.
As they continue to pave the way for future generations, their efforts not only inspire but also challenge societal norms, aiming for a future where every Aeta child can envision themselves as leaders and champions of their culture.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
