I have wondered before if I will have the chance to see the real beauty of life that I can’t find here in the busy city. But at last, after almost two hours of travel, I have seen what I am looking for; the clean river, the cold breeze, the leafy trees and the welcoming smiles of the Bago tribe, such an amazing treasures behind the mountains. Maybe it is the treasure in the end of every rainbow I see. For the pot of gold lie in the hearts of the tribe, their culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of the people. Despite of the developing municipality of Suyo, their culture remained; it is not damaged by the changes. They made sure that their culture will not die by letting the children learn in mind and heart their wonderful culture. The smiles in faces of the children showed that they really love what they are learning. It is soothing to the ears to hear their angelic voices; their ethnic dances made me forget the contemporary dances and how they beat their bamboo instruments made me feel the magic of nature. Even if I cannot understand what they are singing, I felt that they sing to show how proud they are to be part of the Bago tribe and to be thankful of all the blessings that God had given them. They gave thanks that day through a ritual, and a pig was butchered that I think is a sign of their respect and belief to the Lord. Every song they have sung reflected how they live their life in the past and now. I am amazed how they used bamboo cylinders as water containers and also as musical instrument. Their songs are as perfect as their dances, their moves are synchronized. I have also noticed that they are not even shy to wear their bahag going to school. While almost all teenagers now always follow the fashion trends. They have also found out ways on how to wear bahag. They are not left behind in terms of education. Even if I have noticed that they are lacking of some facilities. Their teachers have done well in teaching as seen in their pupils. I am astonished also to see that Grade 3 pupils can read musical compositions while it takes me hard time to do so. The tribe really works hard to make their culture stay alive and vibrant like the trees in the place.
My dream became a reality. I have seen a place so beautiful and peaceful. I have met people who showed me that life is so exciting and enjoyable. Their simple living made me realize that they are so much lucky than us. For the pot of gold is in their place, the beautiful and undying culture of Bago tribe. They are also so lucky to live in a place so beautiful and bountiful like Suyo. How I wish that all cultures and nature in our country are maintained and developed like that. So let us all open our hearts and minds to see the beauty beneath their culture. Let us not judge them on how they look or on what they believe in. For we have just only seen for a day a part of their almost a decade of culture. Instead we must be proud of them for their love of their own culture. You might have seen some flaws in their tribe but almost remember that nothing and no one is perfect. They are also humans like us, they make some mistakes. I have heard some comments that the tribe is almost modernized because of the presence of Cable antennas and some large houses. Maybe they have also changed but their culture is the same like before. The way they talk, dress, sing and dance. It shows that they are open for some changes but they do not think of another culture that they are not. As Mahatma Gandhi has said, no culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.