Changes in Communication Patterns and Lifestyles of the Sama-Bajaus in Cabanatuan City

Abstract

Despite living in the Philippine soil for most of their lives, the Sama-Bajaus, -like most of the indigenous groups- are still underprivileged as a Filipino community. This study entitled; “Changes in Communication Patterns and Lifestyles of the Sama-Bajaus in Cabanatuan City” dealt with the analysis of the interacting lifestyle of the Sama-Bajaus and Cabanatueños using the Convergent Parallel Mixed Method by Creswell; focusing on the impact of sustainable living in the evident diversity of culture in Nueva Ecija; in comparison to the documentary made by this study of the said Sama Bajaus in Cabanatuan City, NE. This study analyzed the communication patterns and behaviors of the Sama- Bajaus as observed by 100 Cabanatueños from the documentary video of the City Tourism Office of Cabanatuan.

Also, to substantiate the said observations, this study interviewed the head of the City Social Welfare Development Office where she was able to gather information about the recent development in the lifestyle and livelihood of the Sama-Bajaus in Brgy. Bakod Bayan, Cabanatuan City, NE.

Upon analysis, the following conclusions were drawn; (1) The Sama-Bajaus have much improved in terms of communication patterns and behaviors since they were given a place to settle in Cabanatuan; (2) Two major barriers in communication continue to remain among the Sama- Bajaus- language, and culture; (3) Several lifestyle interactions between the Sama-Bajaus and Cabanatueños have been observed after the outbreak of the CoVid 19 pandemic; and, (4) The implication of these changes may bring both the ascension of the Sama- Bajaus as an ethnic group or their destruction.

Therefore, this study recommends that;(1) communicative competence must be the primary goal of the government to continue to diminish the barriers of communication among the Sama-Bajaus and the Cabanatueños; (2) the local government may also encourage the Cabanatueños to learn the mother tongue of the Sama-Bajaus so there will be a more interactive lifestyle between the two cultures; (3) the Cabanatueños must consider and respect the difference in language and culture when speaking with the Sama-Bajaus; and, (4) the Sama-Bajaus and the Cabanatueños must continue to learn to adapt the culture and communication patterns of each other to be able to be understood.