To this present day and age, a small group of prehistoric people still struggles to exist in a remote valley in the Philippine Island of Palawan. Because of dense vegetation and the absence of roads, it can only be reached by helicopter. On foot, there is a trail that is known only to the inhabitants referred to as “Taong Bato” (Stone People or Dwellers of the Rock). It can take several hours for them to reach the nearest civilization.
From Puerto Princesa, capital of Palawan, it takes a full day travel on a not so comfortable bus. During heavy rains and flooding in the valley during the wet season, the people become cave dwellers — probably one of the reasons why they are referred to as “Taong Bato.” It was in the 70s when then President Marcos gave the name to these people because of their cave existence.
President Marcos made several visits to the valley to explore the area. Helicopters were used with Ferdinand and Imelda on board but the couple stayed for no more than 30 minutes each time for fear that the people might attack them. They brought clothes, food and some other provisions to distribute to the tribe.
But greed appears to be the real reason why Marcos frequented the area. His men searched the many caves and seized as much gold from some burial sites. It is believed that it was in one of the caves where Marcos found some Japanese treasures hidden by General Yamashita.
They use a special kind of trap to catch bats at night. They use the spines on the edges of branches that are very sharp and clasp to anything that touches them. Live bats are then cooked over open fire and are slightly charred before they are served on the dinner table. The Taong Bato does not seem to be bothered by rabies that are known to be carried by bats.
Caught only at night, bats are regarded as a special delicacy and are usually eaten with Kamoteng Kahoy (sweet potato) — a root crop that is harvested but not really planted as it grows in the wild.
A Taong Bato tribesman harvesting Kamoteng Kahoy. With him are some children eagerly waiting for him to bring home the fresh produce, cooked and served on the dinner table.
“They are not actually a separate language or ethnic group, but rather a small community of traditional south-western Palawanos who happen to reside in the crater of an extinct volcano during certain seasons of the year, in houses built on raised floors inside caves though others have set their homes on the open slopes. They are found in the Singnapan Basin, a valley bounded by Mount Matalingahan on the east and the coast on the west. North of them is the municipality of Quezon and to the South are the still unexplored regions of Palawan.” (Wikipedia)
The Rock People of Palawan are still primitive in their lifestyle, even in the way they dress themselves. The men still wear g-strings made of bark and cloth while the women wear a piece of cloth made into skirts to cover the lower part of their body. Both men and women are occasionally half naked but sometimes women wear a blouse that is not indigenous but obtained through the market system. ###