Power of Language and Radio Listening: The Indigenous Peoples’ Sense of Connection Outside their Community

Abstract

This study investigated whether radio listening gives the indigenous peoples, the Bihug, of Tuaca, Basud, Camarines Norte, Philippines, a sense of connection to the world outside their own community. A multi-level approach using three methods was utilized for the research design namely: in-depth or focused interview, focused group discussion, and narratology. To reaffirm the Bihug’s concern for each other, they used the radio to build a sense of connection outside their own community, a connection that assisted them in augmenting their income, provided some comfort and a feeling that they were wanted and that they belonged to a larger community, and let them momentarily forget their hardships. When listening to news, they felt concern for those who suffered from calamities and those who were victims of crimes. Tuning in to radio connected the Bihug to incidents happening in other places. These incidents involved not only lowlanders but their tribal members, as well. Moreover, the Bihug depended on radio broadcasts about weather conditions to secure them from typhoons.