Mumbaki Case

The film Mumbaki is all about the conflict between modern and ancient beliefs faced by an Igorot who was given the opportunity to study medicine in Manila. This discord is caused by contradicting socialization that occurs in the Philippines. Came the chance that the main character in the movie needs to choose either to fulfill his dream to work abroad with his girlfriend or to fulfill his duties as a member of his tribe.

Clearly seen in the film the opposite socialization that occurs in the Philippines. The simplest manifestation of this is the kind of clothing worn by the characters in the film; those who grew in the city wear jeans, shirts, t-shirts, jackets, etc. while those grown in the mountains wear bahags or they are naked. Also, the drinking wines that came from the city and came form the mountains are absolutely different. Moreover the use of modern and indigenous form of treatment. those who grown and studied in the city used antibiotics to take before the epidemic spreads to the Igorot while the native Igorots pray from their Anito's or what they called Baki's with the help of their Mumbaki's or "Manggagamot". The twist is what ought to be follow by the main character; to revenge his tribe or to use his knowledge on medicine to cure those who are suffering from the epidemic.

I agree to the resolution made by the main character in the film. As a part of his tribe, he initially chose to avenge them. It shows his obedience to his first culture nurtured. On the other hand, he also showed that he followed his second culture nurtured by establishing health center in their tribe and continue his profession as a doctor. It is true that the integration of modern and ethnic beliefs are apparently difficult but with the use of personal interpretation or emotion you can integrate them too.