First Aeta UP graduate Norman King talks about his journey on ‘Bawal Judgmental’

On its “Bawal Judgmental” segment on Tuesday, “Eat Bulaga” welcomed indigenous people as guests, including Norman King, the first Aeta graduate of University of the Philippines.

Norman, who hails from Porac, Pampanga, shared his journey as an indigenous person.

During his interview with hosts Paolo Ballesteros and Jose Manalo, Norman said he finished only high school as his father sent him to Metro Manila to work as a delivery personnel in a frame shop.

He became a working student for two years and a half, attending school to become a computer technician after his 8 to 5 job.

In 2008, Norman said he worked at a call center, but he had bigger dreams.

“’Yung routine ng trabaho is paulit-ulit lang then I wanted to get promoted,” he said.

“However hindi siya ganon kadali. Kailangan degree holder ka, so wala pa ako nun dati. So I prayed, Lord I wanted to go to school. So ayun I had the chance to go to school again.”

When he finally had the opportunity, Norman took up Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Sciences at UP.

READ: How Aeta grad Norman King overcame poverty, discrimination to get UP Manila diploma

He chose that course because he wanted to understand their culture better so he could one day help his fellow indigenous people be heard.

“’Yung turning point ko for college talaga yung UP is that yung kinuha ko ’yung experience naming katutubo. It’s about our collective experience na maraming nagpupunta sa ’min na ibang tao, sabihin natin universities, or foreign. Gusto nila sumulat ng libro, nagre-research sila sa ’min. Pero at the end of the day, wala, ’andoon lang kami sa bundok,” he said.

Norman said the Aetas had been recognized in text books for elementary, high school, and even college students, yet disputes on land ownership still rose.

"Nare-recognize kami sa mga text book like elementary, high school, and even sa college. Pero kung titignan mo, wala, nasa bundok pa rin kami. Wala pa rin ’yung pagkilala. Bakit kailangan pa rin namin patunayan ’yung aming sarili sa pagmamay-ari namin sa mga lupaing ninuno namin … laging tinatanong ‘’asaan yung titulo niyo?’” he said.

He then realized he wanted to study not just for himself but most especially for his fellow Aetas.

“If kailangan ko aralin ’yung sarili kong kultura para balang araw is marinig ’yung boses naming mga katutubo, na hindi, kadalasan, hindi kami naririnig ng husto, eh gagawin ko. Kumbaga it’s my ... hindi lang ’to para sakin na boses, kundi para na rin dun sa mga ibang katutubo,” he said.

Norman also admitted he experienced more discrimination when he was in high school in Pampanga than when he was studying in Manila.

“Nung pumunta ako sa Manila, when people ask me, ’pag sinabi ko na katutubo, mas interesado sila malaman taga-saan ako, kung ano salita namin. ’Yung gusto talaga nila malaman kung ano pa ako,” he said.

“Sa amin ang tingin sa ’min lesser of an individual. Dito mas na-appreciate pa ako.”

Norman said he didn't have to adjust in Manila because he felt accepted by the people around him.

In 2017, Norman went viral for his accomplishment as the first Aeta to graduate from University of the Philippines. – Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/RC, GMA News