Salengua, Pablo Merina <br/><br/>
Commoditization of livelihoods and effects on Higaonon pangalawat and gender relations 

 - Pathum Thani, Thailand :  Asian Institute of Technology,  2010 
 - 1 online resource (96 p.) :  ill. +  1 online resource 
 - Thesis ;  no. GD-10-09 .
 - Asian Institute of Technology.  Thesis ;  no. GD-10-09 .
<br/><br/> A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the  degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development 
<br/><br/>Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2010 
<br/><br/> This study explores meaning and practices of pangalawat, Higaonon food sharing system, in upland community of Agtulawon  Mintapod in Northern  Mindanao.  It describes how this  practice  is  primarily  affected  by  commoditization  of  livelihoods  with  corresponding effect on gender relationships.   Pangalawat  was  ordinarily  understood  as  asking  and  giving  food  help.  It  had  deeper meaning  in  Higaonon  animistic  spirituality  as  indigenous  social  structure  for  community strength and social cohesion.  Allegedly altruistic food help in dire need, it was indigenous mechanism  specifically  supporting  womens  traditional  role  as  household  food  providers. Women and men equally contributed assistance from productive labors.  But, women were burden  with  additional  task  of  entertaining,  obtaining  and  disbursing  food  assistance  to beneficiaries, and most pangalawat decisions including asking food help in extreme need. The practice substantially reduces womens and mens income challenging gender specific livelihoods.  It  can  slice  production  input,  constrained  economic  initiatives,  and  curtailed welfare    investments    and    wealth    accumulation    plans. Furthermore,    unpredictable pangalawat  slowly  upsets  womens  work  incentives,  interferes with  livelihood  priorities and  creates  occasional  relationship  tensions  in  household and community.    Viewed  in  the light  of  sustaining  gender  specific  livelihoods  and  women  empowerment,  modification  of this system or total abandonment appears to offer better opportunities for local Higaonons.  
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Indigenous peoples--Social life and customs--Philippines<br/>Indigenous women--Philippines<br/>Women and the environment--Philippines