Overcoming the Mt Pinatubo Disaster

Abstract

In the early years following the awakening of Mt Pinatubo in 1991, there was a generalized fear that the eruption might turn into a cultural disaster for the Aeta traditional society of Central Luzon which was expected to be in a crisis of survival (Shimizu, 1992). A decade after the disaster, a certain level of cultural change has indeed been observed in the Aeta society (Alvarez-Castillo, 1997; Macatol, 2000; Seitz, 2004; Shimizu, 2001; Tima, 2005). This cultural change has been the object of increasing attention from different parts of the larger Philippine society (civil society, media, scientists) that tried to alert public opinion and the government about the disappearance of the Aeta culture (Bennagen, 1996; Lubos na Alyansa ng mga Katutubong Ayta ng Sambales, 1991, Shimizu, 1992, Tima, 2005).