Publications

Jose V. Abueva

This monograph depicts the world of fishermen known as mataws, engaged in the traditional capture of seasonal flying fish and dorado in Batanes, Philippines. Mataw fishermen are organized as associations of users of vanua--natural access ways for a boat allowing transit between land and sea. Material from four different mataw associations in the municipalities of Mahatao and Basco who comprise some 30 percent of fishermen in these municipalities are presented. Bringing out the native's point of view, the study discusses the (1)economic arrangements supporting this individual fishing enterprise, (2)the ecological knowledge of fishermen, (3)the observance of taboos and the performance of rituals for the vanua, (4)the implementation of the organization's laws, (5)mataw groups' responses to changing aspects of fisheries in Batanes. Using a functionalist perspective, the study discusses how mataw worldview imaginatively and logically negotiates the uncertainties of fishing represented by the special but unpredictable 'fish of summer', the hazardous environment personified by invisible spirit beings, and the competition from fellow fishermen, through the observance of taboos, ritual and laws. The study shows that the ideals of mataw fishing stress individual skill and enterprise within the framework of communal cooperation, and high respect for environment. The rights to fish and use the vanua safely are gained by conducting an exchange through ritual sacrifice with the anitu or invisible spirit beings. The vanua becomes a sacred area for the duration of the fishing season and fishing success is explained within a framework of purity and pollution. Mataw organizations regulate access and exploitation of resources within the vanua and traditional fishing grounds, under the leadership of the ideal fisherman who makes the first fishing trip for the season and who possesses the power to ritually set precedents for the season. With the present innovations in technology and other historical trends, mataws both as individuals and as members of associations are seen to creatively negotiate the conflicting interests of fellow fishermen in the face of the opposed values of the indigenous worldview and dominant modernizing paradigm.

Experience has shown the dearth of government data when we need them most. Important statistics most of the time are national in scope and do not give a breakdown at the provincial level. This handbook was therefore produced in an attempt to fill the vacuum. The handbook is divided into nine major headings where provincial statistics are presented according to topic. There are variations in the presentation of the provinces, depending on the year the statistics were gathered. As a result, some tables do not incorporate the establishment of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and new province3s like Guimaras, Saranggani and Biliran. The handbook is edited by Danilo Araña Arao. (ISBN IS 971-8849-02-5)

Expatriate poets -- Philippines, Criticism, Filipino American poets, Philippine poetry (English) http://www.elib.gov.ph/details.php?uid=5af703cb5d8ecbd214516441fff9b060

Kauna-unahang libro na nagdodokumento ng mga kongkretong hakbang at aktibidad na binalangkas ng Kilusang Pambansa-Demokratiko sa pagpapahalaga at pagpapalaganap ng pambansang wika.