Globalization

Note: Bolded words are for VO

In today’s interconnected world, globalization isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the thread that ties
together economies, cultures, and technology across continents. Once largely theoretical,
globalization today has measurable impacts: trade volumes, economic growth, and even the
way we work and communicate.

In a rapidly globalizing world, economic forces, cultural flows, and political power no longer
respect geographic boundaries. For the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the Philippines,
globalization is not just a distant phenomenon — it’s an active force reshaping their lives, their
land, and their future.

Nationwide, indigenous Filipino people are estimated to number between 9.46 million
(according to the 2020 Census) to as many as 14–17 million, about 8–15% of the
country’s total population.

These IPs come from over 110 distinct ethno-linguistic groups, reflecting the deep
cultural diversity of the archipelago. Their ancestral domains — the lands, waters, and
forests they have occupied for generations — cover tens of millions of hectares, often
representing a quarter or more of the country’s territory.

Regionally, the distribution of IPs is uneven but deeply significant: approximately 61% of
them live in Mindanao, while about 33% reside in the Cordillera region of Luzon. This
makes Mindanao the heartland of many Indigenous communities.

Within Mindanao, the Davao Region is particularly important: it has the largest projected IP
population in the country, with over 2.28 million people, making up more than 16% of the total
Indigenous population, according to projections. This includes IP communities in Davao City
itself, where Lumad groups such as the Matigsalug and the Kagan have deep roots.

But what does globalization mean for these communities? For many IPs, globalization brings
threats: ancestral lands are under increasing pressure from mining, large-scale agribusiness,
and infrastructure projects. At the same time, global connectivity offers possibilities: Indigenous
youth use social media to revitalize language and culture, and international networks help them
amplify their political struggles.

Moreover, Philippine law — through the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 —
formally recognizes Indigenous rights: to their ancestral domains, to self-governance,
and to cultural integrity. But implementation remains uneven, especially as powerful
economic interests intersect with local and global forces.

In this video, we will explore how globalization is transforming the lives of IP communities in the
Philippines, especially in Mindanao and Davao City. We’ll examine both the risks they face and
the ways they are leveraging global opportunities — showing not only their vulnerabilities but
also their resilience and agency.

We witness globalization around us. The music that we listen to, the films and series that we
watch, the devices that we utilize, even the food that we eat, all of those are indicators of
globalization.

Globalization provides benefits such as:

While globalization promotes diversity among people, there is a challenge where minorities are
being overshadowed by dominant cultures. These minorities include local indigenous groups,
slowly being forgotten due to the rise of foreign cultures.

To get a deeper dive into this phenomenon, we interviewed members of local indigenous
groups namely: the Matigsalug and the Kagan in Davao, in order to get their insights
about the growing phenomenon of globalization.

MATIGSALUG

The Matigsalug, whose name means “people of the Salug River,” are one of the major
Manobo groups in Mindanao. Their ancestral domain stretches across the mountain
ranges and river systems of Bukidnon, North Cotabato, and Davao City, where they have
lived for generations. Rooted in upland farming, traditional crafts, and river-based
livelihoods, the Matigsalug community maintains a close relationship with nature — a
relationship reflected in their rituals, oral traditions, and daily practices.

Today, the Matigsalug continue to navigate the challenges brought by modernization and
globalization, including land pressures, cultural shifts, and limited access to services. Yet, they
remain resilient, holding tightly to their identity, language, and customs. Before we begin our
interview, let’s take a moment to understand their story — a story of heritage, struggle, and
strength.

Play the interview video

KAGAN

The Kagan, also called Kaagan or Kagan Muslim, are an Indigenous Moro community
primarily found in the coastal and riverine areas of Davao Region, especially in Davao
City, Davao del Norte, and parts of Davao Oriental. Historically, they emerged from the
blending of early Austronesian settlers with Islamic influence that reached the Davao
Gulf centuries ago. Known for their fishing traditions, boat-making skills, and river-based
settlements, the Kagan have long thrived in coastal ecosystems, sustaining themselves
through fishing, small-scale agriculture, and community-centered trade.

Today, the Kagan navigate the rapid shifts brought by urban expansion, tourism, and economic
development in the Davao area. As globalization accelerates, they face challenges in preserving
their cultural practices, traditional livelihoods, and spaces for Islamic customs. Yet, the
community continues to uphold their identity through their language, rituals, and local leadership
structures. Before we begin the interview, we offer this brief glimpse into who the Kagan are — a
community shaped by the sea, strengthened by faith, and resilient in the face of change.

Play the interview video

OUTRO:

Globalization connects us to new opportunities, where we get access to more ideas,

For the Matigsalug community, they may see Globalization as beneficial for as long as there is a
balance during the exchange. However, they give importance to honoring the sacredness of
their traditional materials, as the elders of the community do not agree with the idea of rapidly
expanding their materials to the world without knowing how their products would be represented
across the globe. The community wants to share their culture in a way that they are still
able to retain the essence of their identity through their products, avoiding the
misrepresentation of their identity as they share their culture through their goods.

For the Kagan people, globalization is seen as the interconnectedness between countries and
communities that allows the exchange of products, culture, and opportunities. It has largely
positive effects for them because it creates markets for their unique clothing, accessories, and
Malong designs, helping them connect with wider audiences and gain recognition while taking
pride in their distinct identity. At the same time, these benefits depend on how people
handle globalization, such as ensuring that their cultural products are used with respect
for their symbolic meanings and that local communities continue to promote and support
their own products so that cultural heritage and natural resources are preserved rather
than displaced by foreign goods.

Collectively, the stories of the Matigsalug and Kagan show how Indigenous identities in
Mindanao remain deeply rooted in land, water, and tradition, even as these communities
confront powerful pressures of change. The Matigsalug and the Kagan, have long
sustained themselves through farming, fishing, crafts, and river- and sea-based
livelihoods closely tied to their rituals and oral traditions. As they face land loss,
urbanization, tourism, cultural shifts, and unequal access to services, their continued
commitment to language, belief, and community leadership reveals that their heritage is
not only a legacy of the past but a living source of resilience and strength for the future.​

In light of this video, there is a need to address the impact of globalization to our heritage,
especially to the local tribes here in Mindanao. Respecting and preserving the cultures,
identities, and ways of life is a must, despite the rise of intercultural exchange. By staying
informed, we get to support their resilience and ensure that their voices are heard in an
increasingly connected world.