The National Museum of the Philippines–Tabon Cave Complex gathered educators, researchers, Indigenous leaders, artists, artisans, and government workers for a dialogue on Palawan ethnoastronomy and Indigenous knowledge systems on May 23.
Dubbed “Strange Weather: Etnoastronomiya | Araw at Gabi | Aldew Gebi,” the activity was organized in partnership with Weaving Ecosystems and contemporary artist Derek Tumala.
Participants toured the Tabon Caves and the Bitu’on Gallery, where discussions focused on the connection between celestial bodies, Indigenous culture, and everyday life among communities in Palawan.
Pala’wan elder Carlos Bukwan, together with Pala’wan Penglima Jerry Inalao and Sublito Tiblak, and Tau’t Bato youth representative Elizabeth Talac, shared Indigenous knowledge about constellations, including traditional stories, meanings, and beliefs associated with the stars.
The dialogue also explored selected readings from Dante L. Ambrosio’s “Balatik: Etnoastronomiya | Kalangitan sa Kabihasnang Pilipino,” which served as a reference for the ethnoastronomy section of the Bitu’on Gallery.
Participants discussed how Indigenous communities continue to use celestial markers in farming, fishing, and other traditional practices, while also examining how climate change and shifting weather patterns affect long-held cultural beliefs and traditions.
The discussions further tackled Indigenous approaches to disaster response, cultural preservation, and the need for stronger Indigenous Peoples representation in governance.
Organizers said the continued practice of Indigenous ethnoastronomy reflects the resilience of Filipino culture and the ongoing efforts of communities to preserve and pass on their heritage to future generations.
