Palawano

  • Pre-Entry
  • Pre-Evangelism
  • Evangelism
  • Discipleship
  • Phase-Out
  • Completed

About the People

The Palawano are a tribal group inhabiting the mountains in the south of Palawan. They are cultivators, forest-foragers, and hunters who somewhat resemble Malaysians. The Palawano language varies from region to region but seems to have similarities to Malay. Palawanos live in huts that they make from materials found in the jungle surrounding them. They live in family groups instead of typical villages and tend to live with the wife’s family group rather than the husband’s. These animistic people are controlled by their fear of the spirits, and the children are taught to fear them from their youngest days. Mainly illiterate but bright people, their youngsters have a yearning to learn. On the other hand, the adults have a fear of change and cling tenaciously to the ways of their forefathers.

Frontier Stories

First Impressions of America

I thought everyone would be white. I thought American meant white. Now I see that America is people from all over the world of many different colors, languages and cultures.

By: Leonda and Jilin George
March 01 2010, 5:35 pm | Comments 0

Bringing in the Sheaves

Working together is so rewarding, and it is great to learn new skills alongside our friends.

By: Leonda George
February 05 2010, 5:37 pm | Comments 0

PACT 2009

Who in the world (in their right mind) would sign up for a two-week sleepless-night adventure that included nighttime jungle treks over muddy trails, grueling hours of work with delirium-inducing polyurethane sealant, primitive foods, early mornings, late nights,

By: Christina George
January 01 2010, 5:41 pm | Comments 0

Bubit

Angry and hurt, wanting to forget her heritage, her people and her language, Bubit left the mountains to look for a place where she could belong, where she could support herself and her baby sister.

By: Leonda George
December 01 2009, 5:49 pm | Comments 0

First Palawano High School

As 14 students from our mission school and adult school wound their way down the mountains and through the river, their hearts beat faster with nervous excitement.

By: Leonda George
November 01 2009, 5:52 pm | Comments 0

Face Your Fears

Turning around to view the coast and the ocean that lay below me, I was astonished to see that the sun shone brightly there. Where I stood, the rain was coming down in bucket loads, and what a relief it was!

By: Leonda George
October 01 2009, 5:04 pm | Comments 0

She’s Family

We stood anxiously scanning the exiting passengers. “They should be here by now. What is taking them so long?” I wondered out loud to my equally excited husband.

By: Leonda George
September 01 2009, 4:41 pm | Comments 0

Travels in Mindanao

We finally went to Mindanao! For the last 14 years, we have wanted to visit Mountain View College (MVC). But due to many reasons, including sporadic rebel uprisings in the province, it just hadn’t worked out.

By: Kent George
August 01 2009, 4:55 pm | Comments 0

Field News: July 2009

We are in the process of adopting Jilin, a Palawano girl we have known since she was very young. Both her parents died when she was only a baby.

By: Kent George
July 01 2009, 5:01 pm | Comments 0

Moving Forward

At our Kamantian church, many members are conspicuously absent. Usually that is bad news, but we take it as a good sign.

By: Kent George
June 01 2009, 5:06 pm | Comments 0

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