Bimiana Serrano Capuno, an inspiring Aeta student from the Mag-Indi tribe in Pampanga, has graduated from senior high school after defying the odds and discrimination in the lowlands as she stood up for dreams and for her community. Image: courtesy of Bimiana Capuno/Facebook
An Aeta student from the Mag-Indi tribe in Pampanga has become an inspiration after she graduated from senior high school despite odds including discrimination from “lowlanders.” She was motivated to finish senior high by her dreams for herself and for her community.
Bimiana Serrano Capuno, 18, of Katutubo Village in Porac, Pampanga, took up General Academic Strand at the Holy Angel University (HAU) in Angeles City and graduated last April 14.
Her chosen strand is one of four in the academic track for senior high school. This specific strand was designed for students who are not decided yet on what course to take in college.
On Wednesday, June 17, Capuno took to social media to share her graduation photo with the inspiring story of her journey. “Hindi lahat ng Ayta [ay] sa bundok lang nakatira. Kabilang ako sa bumaba sa hawla upang maging isang [magandang halimbawa sa mga katutubo],” she began her story.
(“Not all Aetas live in the mountains. I was part of those who came down from the cage to set a [good example for indigenous peoples].
Capuno lamented that people use such words as “baluga, kulot, ignorante (dark-skinned, frizzy-haired, ignorant)” to describe Aetas.
These discriminating words may be offensive, but Capuno ignored them as she was intent on proving to lowland people her capability by deciding to enroll at the HAU.
“Ang isang Aytang kagaya ko ay nagnanais ng pagbabago sa mga mata ng mga taong mapanghusga sa kung anong kulay [ng balat] at kulturang mayroon kami,” she stated in her post.
(An Aeta like me wants to change the perception of those people who judge us based on our complexion and culture.)
She was a full scholar in the university under Project Malasakit, a scholarship project founded by broadcast journalist Kara David, whom Capuno considers as her second mom because of her support. “…Nakita niya po kung paano ako [magsikap] sa pag aaral (She saw how I strived hard in my studies),” she said, referring to David.
In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Capuno also shared that she wants to study at the University of the Philippines and become a journalist as well as an ambassador of Filipino indigenous youths someday.
In her Facebook post, Capuno also expressed her gratitude to her Filipino-American friend Mika Stone, who has provided companionship whenever she has problems to deal with since third grade. Stone also lives in Porac, but goes to the US from time to time to visit her grandfather.
A student athlete
Apart from being an academic scholar, Capuno was also a football player in her school. She started engaging in sports when she was in Grade 8 because of the influence of her Aeta friends.
Bimiana Capuno’s creative graduation photo shows her wearing medals while holding a soccer ball and a pair of football boots. Image: Courtesy of Bimiana Capuno/Facebook
“Noong mga panahong nangangarap akong maging isang magaling na atleta, ginawa kong inspirasyon ang mga kahinahan ko sa sarili ko upang mas lumakas at matuto,” Capuno told INQUIRER.net.
“During the time when I was still dreaming of becoming an athlete, I used my weaknesses as my inspiration to become \stronger and to learn.”
Defying the odds
Capuno’s high school journey has taught her to become steadfast in pursuing her goals despite all the struggles in life.
“Naging masaya ang journey ko dahil dito itinuro ng mundo na kailangan [kong] maging matatag, kahit minsan walang pamasahe [pauwi], mag-isang kumakain sa canteen, at salat pag-uwi sa bahay,” she said.
(My journey has been fun because the world taught me to be steadfast even if sometimes I did not have fare when going home, ate alone in the canteen, and had nothing as I arrived at home.)
“Pero lahat po ng yan ay tinawanan ko lang dahil may mga kaklase po ako na naging kaibigan ko na din at dinamayan ako sa lahat ng kalokohan, drama at kasiyahan.”
(But I just laughed all this off because I had classmates who had become my friends and they were with me in all the follies, dramas and fun.)
One thing she also learned from her friends was to not be shy in befriending anyone and getting to know another because “we are all equal.”
She is also grateful to the university for treating her well and teaching her to respect other people. The university, she added, also demonstrated that “walang eskwelahan ang hindi tumatanggap ng mga batang may pangarap (there is no school that does not accept children with dreams).”
Capuno is striving hard to pursue not just her own dreams but also those of her fellow Aetas. With that, she encourages her community to continuously hold on to their dreams and make them happen, “Kung kaya ko, kaya mo. Hindi pa huli ang lahat para sa ating mga katutubo na nais mangarap. Sama-sama tayong bumago sa maling itinuro ng mundo ukol sa mga katutubo.”
(If I can, you can. It is never too late for us indigenous peoples to dream. Together, let us change what the world wrongly taught about indigenous peoples.) / ra
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