"AMANG"

Rev. Fr. Ewald H. Dinter, SVD

A Tribute by the Mangyan Heritage Center Board of Trustees

Fr. Ewald H. Dinter, SVD was more than a co-founder of the Mangyan Heritage Center—he was our fellow director, mentor, dear friend, and the steady, quiet compass who shaped our mission. On November 14, 2025—exactly 25 years since the Center’s founding—he returned to the Creator.

His passing leaves a quiet but immense space in our hearts, for he guided us not only with wisdom but with the fullness of kindness and sacrifice. While we mourn his loss, we celebrate a legacy that will continue to live powerfully in the people, the culture, and the communities he devoted nearly six decades to serving in Mindoro.

As a young man, Amang chose a path few would dare to take in today’s fast-paced world. His SVD mission brought him to the far edges of society, where life is simple, resources are limited, and community and culture guide everyday living. In this place where traditional ways remain strong, Amang became a gentle bridge to new ideas and helpful change.

He helped build schools, supported medical services, stood up for land rights, and shared his faith with those who wished to hear it—always as someone who listened deeply, learned patiently, and walked humbly with the people he served. He was a true servant of the community, living among the people, working alongside them, and embracing their hopes as his own. 

As co-founder of the Mangyan Heritage Center together with Antoon Postma, Amang held a deep belief that every poem carved in the pre-Hispanic Mangyan script on bamboo is a vessel of ancestral wisdom—a living memory carried across generations. He saw this heritage as something precious, something that must be taught, preserved, and celebrated, especially in a world changing faster than ever.

He championed education rooted in cultural respect and identity. He encouraged young Mangyans to see their heritage not as something to hide, but as a source of strength and pride. Through his work, he helped others—even at the national level—recognize the beauty of their stories, their traditions, and a way of life that belongs not only to the Mangyan communities but to the shared story of all Filipinos.

For us on the MHC Board, Fr. Ewald was more than a partner in mission. He was a leader, a steady companion, a tireless advocate, and a friend whose wisdom and example shaped our direction and strengthened our resolve. His gentle but firm reminder—that culture must stand at the center of all true development—remains one of our guiding principles.

As we bid him farewell, we renew our commitment to the mission he helped kindle: to preserve Mangyan cultural heritage, to support the communities who carry it forward, and to share with the world the profound richness of their traditions.

May Amang rest in peace—his life’s work etched into the memory of Mindoro, into the communities he served, and into the hearts of all who continue to walk the path he cherished.



News and Updates


National Arts and Crafts Fair

Posted October 17, 2024

In celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month, MHC joins NATIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR at Megatrade Halls, SM Megamal on October 23-27, 2024. Visit the Mangyan Heritage Center's booth from 10 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. 

Cultural Practices of the Umayamnon

Posted May 20, 2024


Following their visit to the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum, 24 college students from Mindoro State University's Main Campus, coming from the different ethnolinguistic groups in Mindoro, had the enriching opportunity to hear Joel Dewangan, a Jesuit volunteer assigned at the Mangyan Heritage Center, as he shared with them the cultural practices of the Umayamnon ethnolinguistic group in  Bukidnon, and the role of the Umayamnon youth organization in keeping alive their cultural traditions.


Emily Catapang, the Executive Director of the MHC, also shared with the students about the organization's services and programs, emphasizing the importance of revitalizing Mangyan cultural practices. She encouraged the students to utilize the MHC's library services for Mangyan-related research, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of their heritage.

The MinSU students were accompanied by Ms. Heidelita Bumohya, guidance counselor and Ms. Grace Mendoza, guidance associate.

The MHC extends its sincere appreciation to the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum for generously providing its conference room for the session.

Likhang Mangyan

Posted August 14, 2024

As part of the Mangyan Heritage Center’s mission to revitalize the rich cultural practices of the Mangyans, artisans are now hand-embroidering various elaborate versions of the Hanunuo Mangyan pakudos symbol onto their traditional blouses (linggon) and shirts (balukas). Historically, the pakudos symbol was believed to ward off evil spirits.

For inquiries about Mangyan handwoven fabrics and handicrafts, please send us a direct message.

International Day 
of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Posted August 9, 2024

August 9 is the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, also observed as National Indigenous Peoples Day here in the Philippines—a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the rich cultural heritage and rights of indigenous communities worldwide. 

In the Philippines, there are around 110 ethnolinguistic groups, with the island of Mindoro being home to eight distinct indigenous cultural communities, commonly referred to as Mangyan. Each group has its own distinct cultural traditions and languages.

Join us in celebrating the Mangyan and recognizing their priceless contribution to the rich tapestry of Filipino cultural heritage. Discover more about their traditions and heritage at Mangyan Heritage Center. 


Likhang Mangyan

Posted August 14, 2024

As part of the Mangyan Heritage Center’s mission to revitalize the rich cultural practices of the Mangyans, artisans are now hand-embroidering various elaborate versions of the Hanunuo Mangyan pakudos symbol onto their traditional blouses (linggon) and shirts (balukas). Historically, the pakudos symbol was believed to ward off evil spirits.

For inquiries about Mangyan handwoven fabrics and handicrafts, please send us a direct message.

International Day 
of the World's Indigenous Peoples

Posted August 9, 2024

August 9 is the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, also observed as National Indigenous Peoples Day here in the Philippines—a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the rich cultural heritage and rights of indigenous communities worldwide. 

In the Philippines, there are around 110 ethnolinguistic groups, with the island of Mindoro being home to eight distinct indigenous cultural communities, commonly referred to as Mangyan. Each group has its own distinct cultural traditions and languages.

Join us in celebrating the Mangyan and recognizing their priceless contribution to the rich tapestry of Filipino cultural heritage. Discover more about their traditions and heritage at Mangyan Heritage Center. 









We all celebrate the years
Talking, singing, and sharing
Together we care; we love
For the future we all dream.

-

Dr. Louward Zubiri
with Mangyan Heritage Center

International Day of the World's Indigenous PeoplesLikhang MangyanInternational Day of the World's Indigenous PeoplesLikhang MangyanCultural Practices of the UmayamnonNational Arts and Crafts Fair