FIRST CONTACT

is the first meeting of two cultures previously unaware of one another.

PICTURED LEFT: U.S. SOLDIERS MEETING MEMBERS OF A MOUNTAIN TRIBE IN THE PHILIPPINES IN 1899

What was at the bottom of the pit was definitely not a boar.

    It was a boy, skinny as the parched trees on the higher slopes. He was dressed in the most peculiar outfit I had ever seen. Dirty white cloth was sewn to the shape of his stick arms and stick legs.

    He had a strange haircut, short, cropped closely to his head, around his ears and at his nape.

    He planted his knuckles into his waist like someone inspecting chickens in their cages and his face stretched into a big smile.

    ‘Good evening,’ he said, now speaking in perfect Bontok. ‘Can you help me? I am looking for my brother, Samkad.’

Chapter 14, Bone Talk

PICTURE: FILIPINO BOY AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY