No Covid-19 in Aeta communities

The word coronavirus is like a Greek word in so far as the Aeta community folks are concerned, according to Councilor Joel F. Abraham, the Indigenous People mandatory representative (IPMR) to Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) of Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Abraham said he has yet to hear about local folks in three barangays- Tubo-tubo, Payangan and Bayan-bayanan- having contracted COVID-19. There are about 18 Aeta communities throughout the province. He said no one in these communities had ever been exposed to Covid-19.

“But, of course, we are also strictly following health protocols in our barangay, we wear face mask, face shield and practice physical distancing, mahirap na,” said Abraham in a recent interview.
He explained, though, that the folks’ immune system remain strong because of the food they eat which are mostly vegetables and fruits available locally. “And we hike every day for kilometers in the mountains which keeps our stamina healthy and free from virus,” Abraham said.