Iraya-Mangyan Art

There are eight Mangyan ethnic groups and one of them is the Iraya-Mangyan group. In Puerto Galera alone, as many as 200 Iraya-Mangyan families live at the foot of Mt. Malasimbo, Sitio Talipanan. Since 1989, Jaime and Beatriz Zobel de Ayala brought down the tribe from the mountains to the lowlands and implemented numerous projects assisted by the Ayala Foundation. The program covers education, liv

elihood development, housing management and health. One of Ayala Foundation’s main project is education, which has helped Iraya-Mangyan beneficiaries to become more active participants and productive members of their community. This effort to bring them to the mainstream of Philippine society through education has produced a number of successful graduates like licensed teachers and community workers, who are now doing their part in helping their fellow Iraya-Mangyans. Through the generosity of private individuals, Mangyans are being helped to have homes where they can live comfortably. As of this year, a total of 75 houses have been built and turned over to Mangyan families in Sitio Talipanan, Puerto Galera. The Iraya-Mangyan program is made possible with the help of various government and non-government organizations. Many years ago, Beatriz Zobel also welcomed the Sisters of Charity of St. Anne, who offered their help to nurture a Talipanan Mangyan Community.