Related Projects
After more than two decades of working closely with the Agta people, Professor Andrea Migliano and her team have gathered a remarkable trove of insights into their way of life. Over the years, a wave of passionate Master's and PhD students have joined the mission, basing their theses on this groundbreaking work. Many have since become leading experts on Agta culture, now teaching and researching at universities across Europe—some even contributing directly to the creation of the Agtabook.
One of the most impactful projects was RESILIENCE, funded by the Leverhulme Foundation. That initiative laid the foundation for a lasting relationship—and the work hasn’t stopped. Today, we’re still walking alongside the Agta. In fact, the children we once played with now have children of their own! That sense of connection runs deep, and we feel a strong responsibility to support the community however we can. The current project is a continuation of that ongoing commitment.
Agroforestry with Cacao Trees: A Sustainable Opportunity
Although the Agta people have no tradition in agriculture, many do participate in seasonal rice farming. However, this work is often unreliable and poorly paid—rarely providing enough income to sustain a family. On top of that, expanding rice or coconut fields frequently leads to deforestation, further complicating land demarcation efforts and threatening the forest ecosystems the Agta depend on.
In this context, cacao agroforestry offers a promising and sustainable alternative. Cacao trees are easy to plant, maintain, and harvest. The seeds can be dried and sold with minimal processing, making it a practical crop for small-scale production. But perhaps most significantly, under Filipino law, cacao trees are protected because they are recognised as a source of livelihood—once planted, they cannot be legally cut down. This legal safeguard gives the Agta a powerful tool in their efforts to secure land and build a more stable future.
International Exchange Programme (IEP): Bridging Cultures Through Science
To bring the rich culture of the Agta people into the academic spotlight, the HEE group—together with Isabela State University (ISU), Normal Philippines University (NPU), and the Embassy of the Philippines in Bern, Switzerland—launched the International Exchange Programme (IEP). This exciting initiative invites undergraduate students from the Philippines to collaborate side-by-side with students from Zurich.
Over the course of one intensive month, these international teams work together to organize, analyze, and interpret data collected from the field—culminating in the production of a joint scientific paper. This unique cultural and academic exchange not only promotes cross-border collaboration, but also strengthens research on Indigenous knowledge and lifeways.
The project gained even greater momentum thanks to the support of Senator Loren Legarda, a strong advocate for cultural preservation and international cooperation.
Nursery School: A Space for Learning and Innovation
In a forward-thinking decision, the Agta People’s Organization (APO) allocated 20% of the cacao nursery—originally built to support agroforestry efforts—for academic use. This dedicated space is now available to students from Isabela State University (ISU) in Palanan to conduct hands-on scientific experiments.
To help kickstart their research, the University of Zurich (UZH) generously provided essential equipment for the initial phase. Dr. Enrico is currently coordinating the implementation of these projects, ensuring that both academic goals and community benefits are aligned.
(More details can be found in the link below.)
PROJECT 01_25: Soil Samples and Analises
PROJECT 002_25: Cacau Agroforestry (2 varieties)
Focal Follow & Theory of Mind Experiments: Understanding How Agta Children Learn
Between April and July 2025, the HEE group sent two dedicated students, Chico and Irena, to conduct a series of behavioral and cognitive tests with both Agta and non-Agta children. These included Focal Follow observations and Theory of Mind experiments—tools that help researchers understand how children perceive, interact, and think about the world around them.
The goal of these studies is to develop more tailored teaching strategies and educational methodologies that genuinely support Agta children’s learning needs, rooted in their unique cultural and cognitive context.
(More information can be found above.)
Focal Follow & Transcriptions: Capturing the Agta Childhood Experience
Set to begin in June 2025, this ambitious project involves the transcription and analysis of over 400 hours of video footage capturing Agta children at play. Led by Dr. Friedrich, the initiative aims to deepen our understanding of social interaction, learning, and communication in early childhood within the Agta community.
Using the ELAN platform, the team will carefully watch, transcribe, and translate each recording—turning raw footage into valuable data that can inform both academic research and educational strategies.
Department of Evolutionary Anthropology
