They live in the mountains and subsist on upland farming and hunting. Many Mangyan communities have no access to electricity and health facilities. I met Losalin’s family when I did the Iwitness documentary “Ambulansyang de Paa”. Losalin’s father would carry the sick in makeshift hammocks and bring them to hospital on foot.

Access to education is likewise a problem for many Mangyan communities. Children have to walk for hours to get to the nearest school. Because of this, many mangyan elders are illiterate. Losalin dreams of becoming a teacher someday to be able to educate and inspire the future generation of Mangyans.

In 2019, Losalin graduated with a degree in Education. She is now an elementary school teacher.