Frequently asked questions with the founder, Fernando Briosos:
What exactly does the Aeta Tribe Foundation do?
The Aeta Tribe Foundation is an IRS-recognized tax-exempt non-profit under Section 501 (c)(3), Federal Tax ID # 47-3714375. It was founded in April 2015 based in San Francisco, California, USA. We implement programs that benefit indigenous Aeta villages throughout Central Luzon in the Philippines in the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, and parts of Bataan.
Our programs improve the health of the Aeta people and create a new economy without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We focus primarily on sustainable efforts to meet human-development goals while at the same time ensuring the ability to provide new economic and natural resources on which the Aeta people can depend. We have three primary ongoing programs. First, we build water-catchment systems and toilets. We restore and protect spring waters as they reappear in the eruption-damaged forest to satisfy the basic needs of the Aeta people. Second, we provide 5-gallon blue plastic containers to each household and distribute water buffaloes and agricultural tools to villages to support cultivating the land. Third, we plant coconut trees as an additional water source for the Aeta and potentially as a resource for agri-business processing the husks.
The Aeta Tribe Foundation is an IRS-recognized tax-exempt non-profit under Section 501 (c)(3), Federal Tax ID # 47-3714375. It was founded in April 2015 based in San Francisco, California, USA. We implement programs that benefit indigenous Aeta villages throughout Central Luzon in the Philippines in the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, and parts of Bataan.
Our programs improve the health of the Aeta people and create a new economy without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We focus primarily on sustainable efforts to meet human-development goals while at the same time ensuring the ability to provide new economic and natural resources on which the Aeta people can depend. We have three primary ongoing programs. First, we build water-catchment systems and toilets. We restore and protect spring waters as they reappear in the eruption-damaged forest to satisfy the basic needs of the Aeta people. Second, we provide 5-gallon blue plastic containers to each household and distribute water buffaloes and agricultural tools to villages to support cultivating the land. Third, we plant coconut trees as an additional water source for the Aeta and potentially as a resource for agri-business processing the husks.
Who are the indigenous Aeta tribes?
The Aeta are believed to be the first inhabitants of the Philippines. Aeta (or Ayta) is pronounced: “eye ta.” They are indigenous, and their ancestors were aborigines from Australia. Anthropological consensus is that they migrated from the island of Borneo about thirty thousand years ago using a land bridge that was partially covered by water five thousand years ago.
The Aeta are dark-skinned and dark-haired people who live in the forest areas of Mount Pinatubo. Their social and cultural environment was forever changed when Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, and they were forced to leave their forest. In 1997, they were able to return to the mountain after the Philippine government granted them protection, recognition, and rights to follow and preserve their traditions, customs, values, and culture within the framework of national unity and development under the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997.
Ethnologists claim that the Aeta belong to what is probably the oldest living race in the world. Today, Filipinos refer to them as “Kulot,” meaning “curly hair.” They have characteristics and mannerisms similar to those of the Melanesian people of the Solomon Islands and the Bushmen (also known as Khwe, Basarwa, or San) peoples of South Africa.
The Aeta are believed to be the first inhabitants of the Philippines. Aeta (or Ayta) is pronounced: “eye ta.” They are indigenous, and their ancestors were aborigines from Australia. Anthropological consensus is that they migrated from the island of Borneo about thirty thousand years ago using a land bridge that was partially covered by water five thousand years ago.
The Aeta are dark-skinned and dark-haired people who live in the forest areas of Mount Pinatubo. Their social and cultural environment was forever changed when Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, and they were forced to leave their forest. In 1997, they were able to return to the mountain after the Philippine government granted them protection, recognition, and rights to follow and preserve their traditions, customs, values, and culture within the framework of national unity and development under the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997.
Ethnologists claim that the Aeta belong to what is probably the oldest living race in the world. Today, Filipinos refer to them as “Kulot,” meaning “curly hair.” They have characteristics and mannerisms similar to those of the Melanesian people of the Solomon Islands and the Bushmen (also known as Khwe, Basarwa, or San) peoples of South Africa.
Where is Mount Pinatubo, and what happened to the Aeta people?
Mount Pinatubo is an active volcano in Central Luzon that erupted in 1991. This was the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, rising some 1,745 meters above sea level in an area adjacent to former United States military installations Clark Air Force Base and Subic Naval Base. The eruption ejected thousands of tons of volcanic material and created an enormous cloud of ash that rose as high as 22 miles into the air. The cloud grew to more than 300 miles across and blanketed the surrounding mountains, forests, old plantations, villages, and other nearby regions in almost a foot of ash.
The eruption coincided with Typhoon Diding, which caused fast-moving mudflows, and with a tsunami that traveled more than 50 miles inland. These mudflows destroyed crops, livestock, fisheries, and the wild animals that roamed the forest. The destruction completely altered the environment, and the topsoil and major rivers became clogged or covered by volcanic ash known as “lahar.”
The violent eruption forced the Aeta to move down the mountain. They became homeless, their future imperiled. Their community structures and relationships were broken, and many families were separated during the evacuation period. Some still search for their families today.
In 1997, the Philippine government awarded 128,000 hectares of ancestral land to the Aeta. However, this eruption-ravaged land lacked water, sanitation facilities, electricity, roads, or bridges. This huge land area nonetheless offers economic opportunities for the Aeta people, but first, they need water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and growing food.
Mount Pinatubo is an active volcano in Central Luzon that erupted in 1991. This was the second-largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, rising some 1,745 meters above sea level in an area adjacent to former United States military installations Clark Air Force Base and Subic Naval Base. The eruption ejected thousands of tons of volcanic material and created an enormous cloud of ash that rose as high as 22 miles into the air. The cloud grew to more than 300 miles across and blanketed the surrounding mountains, forests, old plantations, villages, and other nearby regions in almost a foot of ash.
The eruption coincided with Typhoon Diding, which caused fast-moving mudflows, and with a tsunami that traveled more than 50 miles inland. These mudflows destroyed crops, livestock, fisheries, and the wild animals that roamed the forest. The destruction completely altered the environment, and the topsoil and major rivers became clogged or covered by volcanic ash known as “lahar.”
The violent eruption forced the Aeta to move down the mountain. They became homeless, their future imperiled. Their community structures and relationships were broken, and many families were separated during the evacuation period. Some still search for their families today.
In 1997, the Philippine government awarded 128,000 hectares of ancestral land to the Aeta. However, this eruption-ravaged land lacked water, sanitation facilities, electricity, roads, or bridges. This huge land area nonetheless offers economic opportunities for the Aeta people, but first, they need water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and growing food.
What prompted founder Fernando Briosos to create the Foundation, and why is he so passionate about helping the Aeta people?
Fernando Briosos was born in the Philippines and spent his first 14 years there – so empathy has a lot to do with it. Imagine yourself running from the destruction of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. You moved down the mountain along with your family to be safe. Then the government offered to return you to the mountain in a resettlement area without water, electricity, or sanitation facilities. Many years have passed, and you realize that you’ve lost your culture and identity – an alien and immigrant in your own country. Your anxiety and fear have reached great heights because there’s no hope for a better life for your children without assistance. You see your children suffering as they’re deprived of food, water, equality, and freedom, and there’s little you can do to help them. You wonder if it would have been easier to die during the eruption than to live a very difficult life in a place you don’t know.
Fernando felt badly for the Aeta people. He wanted to forge communication and work with Aeta communities to create opportunities. He wanted to give the Aeta people the equal share of economic sustainability, social status, education, healthcare, and opportunities that they deserve.
Fernando Briosos was born in the Philippines and spent his first 14 years there – so empathy has a lot to do with it. Imagine yourself running from the destruction of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. You moved down the mountain along with your family to be safe. Then the government offered to return you to the mountain in a resettlement area without water, electricity, or sanitation facilities. Many years have passed, and you realize that you’ve lost your culture and identity – an alien and immigrant in your own country. Your anxiety and fear have reached great heights because there’s no hope for a better life for your children without assistance. You see your children suffering as they’re deprived of food, water, equality, and freedom, and there’s little you can do to help them. You wonder if it would have been easier to die during the eruption than to live a very difficult life in a place you don’t know.
Fernando felt badly for the Aeta people. He wanted to forge communication and work with Aeta communities to create opportunities. He wanted to give the Aeta people the equal share of economic sustainability, social status, education, healthcare, and opportunities that they deserve.
How is the foundation able to undertake projects in the Philippines when it is based in San Francisco, California, USA?
The foundation has Aeta honorary members living in Aeta villages, all of whom are volunteers. They are indigenous Aeta themselves, and they report to Ms. Dominga Cabiong, the Regional Coordinator in the Philippines. Ms. Cabiong reports to Fernando Briosos, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
We have strengthened our relationships with the Aeta tribes and with the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as partners, and more villagers are now reaching out to the Foundation for support. Establishing a good relationship with the Aeta has allowed us to recruit chieftains and tribal leaders from the Barangay Leadership Elder Group as members of the Aeta Tribe Foundation, with each, provided a small stipend of 1000 pesos a month to support their activities. We felt that having Foundation representatives who are parents and members of the Aeta community leadership group would be the best way to receive the endorsement of many programs.
Every Aeta village and community is independent and unique. Therefore, all community programs are intended to be village-driven and require a request letter of endorsement from the community leadership group or barangay council leaders to proceed with the project and to satisfy our ethical guidelines of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) required by NCIP.
Our intentions and processes are understood, conceptualized, and internalized by the Aeta communities. After we discuss the proposed project with tribal leaders, Aeta communities then approve and cooperate with the project. They must feel they are involved with the projects to ensure their participation, involvement, and expectation of their roles and responsibilities in project implementation.
The foundation has Aeta honorary members living in Aeta villages, all of whom are volunteers. They are indigenous Aeta themselves, and they report to Ms. Dominga Cabiong, the Regional Coordinator in the Philippines. Ms. Cabiong reports to Fernando Briosos, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
We have strengthened our relationships with the Aeta tribes and with the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as partners, and more villagers are now reaching out to the Foundation for support. Establishing a good relationship with the Aeta has allowed us to recruit chieftains and tribal leaders from the Barangay Leadership Elder Group as members of the Aeta Tribe Foundation, with each, provided a small stipend of 1000 pesos a month to support their activities. We felt that having Foundation representatives who are parents and members of the Aeta community leadership group would be the best way to receive the endorsement of many programs.
Every Aeta village and community is independent and unique. Therefore, all community programs are intended to be village-driven and require a request letter of endorsement from the community leadership group or barangay council leaders to proceed with the project and to satisfy our ethical guidelines of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) required by NCIP.
Our intentions and processes are understood, conceptualized, and internalized by the Aeta communities. After we discuss the proposed project with tribal leaders, Aeta communities then approve and cooperate with the project. They must feel they are involved with the projects to ensure their participation, involvement, and expectation of their roles and responsibilities in project implementation.
Does the Foundation offer humanitarian-aid services?
Unfortunately, the Foundation does not fund temporary humanitarian aid. Instead, we utilize social media such as Facebook to assist our potential partners and various organizations both locally and internationally through collaborations in providing humanitarian efforts. It takes partnerships and collaboration with many individuals and organizations to address poverty.
We did make an exception to provide a daily meal program at Pisapungan Elementary School in the Sta. Juliana communities in Capas, Tarlac. We visited the village and learned that the children couldn’t go to school because they didn’t have the strength to walk. They were hungry and extremely malnourished. The average weight for a nine-year-old, for example, was only 18 pounds. Today, the children are better fed, and we have more students enrolled in school.
Unfortunately, the Foundation does not fund temporary humanitarian aid. Instead, we utilize social media such as Facebook to assist our potential partners and various organizations both locally and internationally through collaborations in providing humanitarian efforts. It takes partnerships and collaboration with many individuals and organizations to address poverty.
We did make an exception to provide a daily meal program at Pisapungan Elementary School in the Sta. Juliana communities in Capas, Tarlac. We visited the village and learned that the children couldn’t go to school because they didn’t have the strength to walk. They were hungry and extremely malnourished. The average weight for a nine-year-old, for example, was only 18 pounds. Today, the children are better fed, and we have more students enrolled in school.
What other services does the Foundation provide?
We hope to incorporate long-term land development that will lead to improvements in public health and standards of living. Livestock and farming are key factors for environmentally friendly reforestation.
Water buffaloes offer a temporary solution to Aeta villages by bringing low-tech power in the form of transportation. Water buffaloes are large animals that can move well in tropical or dry regions, muddy areas, and on challenging terrain. Their hooves prevent them from slipping and sliding in the mud. As such, they are ideal for cultivating the land for farming and improving the condition of the soil to produce more vegetables, and for carrying water containers to villages. The water buffaloes we provide are owned only by women in order to empower and give them control over how to use these animals in the way that most benefits their families.
We also provide specific seeds that are considered economic assets, such as root crops, beans, and bitter melons, which are rich in iron, omega fatty acids, and vitamin A. We plant banana trees, coconut trees, and papayas for additional food and water and to provide shelter for both the Aeta people and their livestock during the summer season.
Because we are a small foundation with very limited donated funds, our goal is to provide the Aeta people with sustainable development that meets their needs within a limited pool of resources.
We hope to incorporate long-term land development that will lead to improvements in public health and standards of living. Livestock and farming are key factors for environmentally friendly reforestation.
Water buffaloes offer a temporary solution to Aeta villages by bringing low-tech power in the form of transportation. Water buffaloes are large animals that can move well in tropical or dry regions, muddy areas, and on challenging terrain. Their hooves prevent them from slipping and sliding in the mud. As such, they are ideal for cultivating the land for farming and improving the condition of the soil to produce more vegetables, and for carrying water containers to villages. The water buffaloes we provide are owned only by women in order to empower and give them control over how to use these animals in the way that most benefits their families.
We also provide specific seeds that are considered economic assets, such as root crops, beans, and bitter melons, which are rich in iron, omega fatty acids, and vitamin A. We plant banana trees, coconut trees, and papayas for additional food and water and to provide shelter for both the Aeta people and their livestock during the summer season.
Because we are a small foundation with very limited donated funds, our goal is to provide the Aeta people with sustainable development that meets their needs within a limited pool of resources.
How do you handle donated funds?
We encourage donors to donate directly to our website at https://www.aetatribes.org The donation will be recorded, and donors receive an IRS tax-deductible receipt. Rebuilding the forest requires funding, and most of our donated funds come from participating in various Filipino fiestas and festivals as an exhibitor. We collect about $25,000 annually in donated funds, which we allocate in two ways: eight percent (8%) of donated money is used for bank fees, postage, and fundraising expenses. The other ninety-two percent (92%) goes directly to sustainable-development programs such as building water-catchment systems and toilets or distributing water containers and livestock.
We have stories to tell and pictures to show to our list of donors. Our donors receive semi-annual summary reports about donations received and our projects’ accomplishments.
The Aeta Tribe Foundation does not have employees. All officers and Board members are unpaid volunteers who provide in-kind donations of their time.
We encourage donors to donate directly to our website at https://www.aetatribes.org The donation will be recorded, and donors receive an IRS tax-deductible receipt. Rebuilding the forest requires funding, and most of our donated funds come from participating in various Filipino fiestas and festivals as an exhibitor. We collect about $25,000 annually in donated funds, which we allocate in two ways: eight percent (8%) of donated money is used for bank fees, postage, and fundraising expenses. The other ninety-two percent (92%) goes directly to sustainable-development programs such as building water-catchment systems and toilets or distributing water containers and livestock.
We have stories to tell and pictures to show to our list of donors. Our donors receive semi-annual summary reports about donations received and our projects’ accomplishments.
The Aeta Tribe Foundation does not have employees. All officers and Board members are unpaid volunteers who provide in-kind donations of their time.
How do you measure the success of your organization?
The Board of Directors consists of unpaid volunteers who represent a total of over two-hundred years of experience in the fields of geology, health care, and business administration. The goal is that each dollar spent benefits at least one person. For example, a 5-gallon blue plastic container costs $5 and benefits a household with a maximum of five people. This is the formula and instruction set forth for the Field Project Manager to follow. Flexibility is critical to the success of the plan, however, and circumstances can change such that $5 might not stretch as far due to the remote location of the Aeta village requiring the rental of a heavy-duty truck for transportation and provision of food and water for an overnight stay. Each month during the Board meeting, we discuss our progress and provide a summary report detailing the total amount of US dollars spent and the number of people who benefited from each project. This report is intended to be a concise depiction of how objectives are met according to schedule, timeframe, budget, number of volunteers, results, and quality of work. We have transparency in all the work we do.
The Board of Directors consists of unpaid volunteers who represent a total of over two-hundred years of experience in the fields of geology, health care, and business administration. The goal is that each dollar spent benefits at least one person. For example, a 5-gallon blue plastic container costs $5 and benefits a household with a maximum of five people. This is the formula and instruction set forth for the Field Project Manager to follow. Flexibility is critical to the success of the plan, however, and circumstances can change such that $5 might not stretch as far due to the remote location of the Aeta village requiring the rental of a heavy-duty truck for transportation and provision of food and water for an overnight stay. Each month during the Board meeting, we discuss our progress and provide a summary report detailing the total amount of US dollars spent and the number of people who benefited from each project. This report is intended to be a concise depiction of how objectives are met according to schedule, timeframe, budget, number of volunteers, results, and quality of work. We have transparency in all the work we do.
What are the Foundation’s long-term goals?
We are committed to assisting the present generation of Aeta people to improve the forest surrounding Mount Pinatubo. We want to help provide viable and sustainable solutions to regenerate, maintain, and improve the natural resources that will lead to a new economy and social development and will create sustainable opportunities.
When we first met the Aeta people in 2015, the forest surrounding Mount Pinatubo was barren and unproductive due to the volcanic eruption. Our programs initiate and expand reforestation efforts and re-establishment of usable native trees such as bamboos and fruit trees, medicinal plants, and vegetables to encourage growth and prevent erosion. Livestock such as water buffaloes, goats, miniature pigs, and chickens will replace the wild animals that roamed the forest before the eruption. The goal is to encourage the forest to generate soil and plant carbon, and to support water retention and conservation that will lead to food and water security.
Each time we complete a water-catchment system in a village, we also plant several coconut trees and other fruit trees to preserve and protect the water sources from potential landslides during typhoon season. These fruit trees also provide additional food and water for the Aeta people, especially for the malnourished children.
Composting and recycling leaves, coconut shells, and coconut husks is critical in reforestation. The Aeta need healthy soil to achieve sustainable food and water. However, our goal is that when we can collect over 2000 pounds of coconut husks every day, we can find a private company to buy them to make brushes, mats, ropes, pallets, sea walls, and so on for consumers. Such a program will empower the Aeta to establish long-term employment – creating jobs for the poor Aeta people and so supporting the growing Aeta population.
Ultimately, our goal is to introduce more-sustainable grazing, farming, recycling, and water-retention practices and eventually return soil carbon in the forest to levels before the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. With the development of resources like these, Aeta children will spend more time in school and focus on learning and can begin building the next generation of the workforce. The indigenous community will have income to pay for the installation of electricity, water systems, sanitation facilities, and roads in their villages. In the end, the Aeta will be much better at defending their ancestral lands and livelihood with a model of “decent life and living well for all” that is sustainable, shareable, and rich in natural resources.
We are committed to assisting the present generation of Aeta people to improve the forest surrounding Mount Pinatubo. We want to help provide viable and sustainable solutions to regenerate, maintain, and improve the natural resources that will lead to a new economy and social development and will create sustainable opportunities.
When we first met the Aeta people in 2015, the forest surrounding Mount Pinatubo was barren and unproductive due to the volcanic eruption. Our programs initiate and expand reforestation efforts and re-establishment of usable native trees such as bamboos and fruit trees, medicinal plants, and vegetables to encourage growth and prevent erosion. Livestock such as water buffaloes, goats, miniature pigs, and chickens will replace the wild animals that roamed the forest before the eruption. The goal is to encourage the forest to generate soil and plant carbon, and to support water retention and conservation that will lead to food and water security.
Each time we complete a water-catchment system in a village, we also plant several coconut trees and other fruit trees to preserve and protect the water sources from potential landslides during typhoon season. These fruit trees also provide additional food and water for the Aeta people, especially for the malnourished children.
Composting and recycling leaves, coconut shells, and coconut husks is critical in reforestation. The Aeta need healthy soil to achieve sustainable food and water. However, our goal is that when we can collect over 2000 pounds of coconut husks every day, we can find a private company to buy them to make brushes, mats, ropes, pallets, sea walls, and so on for consumers. Such a program will empower the Aeta to establish long-term employment – creating jobs for the poor Aeta people and so supporting the growing Aeta population.
Ultimately, our goal is to introduce more-sustainable grazing, farming, recycling, and water-retention practices and eventually return soil carbon in the forest to levels before the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. With the development of resources like these, Aeta children will spend more time in school and focus on learning and can begin building the next generation of the workforce. The indigenous community will have income to pay for the installation of electricity, water systems, sanitation facilities, and roads in their villages. In the end, the Aeta will be much better at defending their ancestral lands and livelihood with a model of “decent life and living well for all” that is sustainable, shareable, and rich in natural resources.