![]() ![]() The trail was rugged, slippery and the air was as thick as one could imagine hot jungle air to be. Once in Rizal, it’s another day trek by foot up the mountain into Singnapan. From the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa it’s a good day travel on a not so comfortable bus. Getting to Singnapan valley was no easy task. I suspect he was a little younger than 87, but he hiked the trails like he was in his 20’s and went barefoot the whole way. He told us he was 87 years old, but like most other Tau’t Bato they do not know their age, not even the children. ![]() Although a native Tau’t Bato, Buano moved away from Singnapan many years ago and built a small home down the mountain closer to the barangay center. Our guide, Buano, and Tumihay eating kamoting kahoy by a gas light while telling stories. However, the reality was, Marcos was there to take the wealth from the natives not leave hidden treasure of his own. In the 80’s and 90’s this area saw numerous visitors from all over the world searching for Marco’s hidden wealth. Years later there were many stories that Marcos hid a lot of his wealth in the caves of Singnapan. Buano also said that it’s possible they found Japanese treasure as well in the caves, because many of the caves Marco’s team explored were caves the Tau’t Bato never went into. For many months Marco’s team raided all the caves in the area (the burial sites for the Tau’t Bato) and collected all the gold and other valuables on the bodies. However, the reason Marcos was so interested in this area was because of the riches it held. This is the first time Tumihay remembers getting western style clothes. The helicopters brought in clothes, rice and some other provisions to distribute to the tribe. Tumihay said President Marcos only stayed for 30 minutes in fear that the people may attack him. Our guide, Buano and our host, Tumihay, who was just a little boy at the time remembers the helicopters flying into the valley with Marcos and Imelda on-board. It was during this time that President Marcos made multiple visits to Singnapan valley to explore the area. The name Tau’t Bato was given to these people by President Marcos back in the 70’s because of their cave existence. During the dry season each family has its own land and house within the valley. Because of the heavy rains and flooding within the valley during the wet months taking shelter within the caves is their best protection. The only difference being this particular community, those living in the area of Singnapan valley, take shelter in the large nearby caves during the rainy season. They speak the native Pala’wan language and practice many of the same beliefs of the Pala’wan. ![]() The Tau’t Bato (Tao’t Bato, Taaw’t Bato) are really just a subgroup of the larger Pala’wan indigenous group. Our friend, Tumihay, a native Pala’wan Tau’t Bato of southern Palawan. Likewise, for the Katutubong Filipino Project this was an area we needed to visit so it was destined that we would make the long journey into the jungle to visit the Tau’t Bato. We were only the second visitors to the area this year. However, from what I gathered there are really very few individuals who travel here and that was confirmed when we arrived and talked with our guide. I am always somewhat skeptical of visiting a place when I see this, as I always want to try and visit new places with new faces. This area is also home to Mount Mantalingahan, the highest peak in Palawan and an occasional destination for hardcore mountaineers. There are a handful of travel blogs and some videos online of other foreigners and Filipinos making the trek to Singnapan. Thus, their name Tau’t Bato – Dwellers of the rock. The remoteness of Singnapan valley is what first caught my attention and then the interesting stories that the people there live in large caves during the rainy season. It was a couple of years ago that I came across some images online of the Tau’t Bato tribe and it has intrigued me ever since. Singnapan Valley in southern Palawan is a place I have wanted to visit for a long time now. THE PALAWAN TAU’T BATO OF SINGNAPAN VALLEY Palawan, Philippines ![]()
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