‘Inaccuracies’ about Ifugao: Lumauig urges DepEd: Recall 2 elementary school textbooks
By Juan B. Dait Jr.

LAGAWE, Ifugao — Two textbooks approved by the Department of Education for use in the public and private elementary schools have been vehemently protested by former Ifugao governor and congressman Gualberto B. Lumauig for what he claims are derogatory references and gross inaccuracies about the rice terraces.

The former Ifugao congressman mentioned the textbooks as "Ang Lahing Pilipino sa Nagbabagong Panahon," prescribed by the DepEd for Grade 6 classes; and "Ang Lahing Pilipino" for use in Grade 2 classes.

Lumauig said on page 40 of Ang Lahing Pilipino sa Nagbabagong Panahon, the Ifugaos are mentioned as living in the province of Benguet. He also said the book, on page 41, describes the Ifugaos as "kilala sa pamumugot ng ulo, mabalasik, at mapaghiganti" ("The Ifugaos are known as headhunters, fierce, and vengeful").

Lumauig quoted the following passage found on page 5 of the textbook Ang Lahing Pilipino: "Kilala ang mga Ifugao sa pagiging mabangis, kinatatakutan ng mga Kristiyano, walang kinikilalang Diyos at ang Banaue Rice Terraces naman daw ay matatagpuan sa Benguet."

("The Ifugaos are known to be fierce, feared by the Christians, godless, and the Banaue Rice Terraces are found in Benguet"). According to Lumauig, the story entitled "Ang Alamat Ng Mina Sa Baguio" found on page 40 of the Grade 2 textbook Yakal Pabasa is erroneously illustrated with a whole-page drawing of the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

The Ifugao ex-representative demanded that Education Secretary Jesli Lapus "recall immediately the three textbooks which are derogatory and demeaning to the Ifugao people".

Lumauig was interviewed July 19 at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan where he launched his autobiographical book entitled "Ifugao: Into A New Horizon" where he detailed his work as Ifugao’s governor, congressman and assemblyman for many years.

Lumauig said present-day Ifugaos have generally acquired college education, many of whom are working professionally abroad.

"Ifugao has produced generals, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, nurses, priests and nuns and many others in various professions", Lumauig said. Anthropologist Jesus T. Peralta, consultant of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, said in another interview that in the ancient past, when civilization had not yet reached the mountain homeland of the Ifugaos, the natives followed their tribal laws and practices. "But this was true throughout the country and even in other countries," Peralta said.