This article was written with support from Climate Tracker and Oxfam.
In a world where many families pass down fortunes and estates, the Cariño family’s heritage is rooted in advocacy and the protection of our planet
MANILA, Philippines – It all began in the early 1900s, when Ibaloi chieftain Mateo Cariño took legal action against the American colonial government after their ancestral lands were seized to build a US military base, Camp John Hay.
His unwavering determination led him to appeal the case with the US Supreme Court, resulting in the establishment of the Mateo Cariño of Native Title, which has become a cornerstone of jurisprudence for indigenous land rights in the Philippines.
Joanna, the survivor and activist
Illustration by Sabrina de los Reyes
The legacy of activism continued with Mateo Cariño’s descendants, including Joanna Cariño, a renowned environmental activist, human rights defender, and Martial Law survivor. Joanna’s activism began during the historic First Quarter Storm, a period of societal awakening and outcry for system change in the Philippines.
“Isn’t it in the nature of youthful idealism to keenly observe what is happening around them and wish for it to change for the better? Striving to right wrongs in society that were evident even in our youthful eyes,“ Joanna said.
She fought alongside the Cordillera people against the Chico River dams, which would have displaced approximately 100,000 Kalingas and Bontoks and caused irreversible environmental damage. Joanna also stood up against the Cellophil Resources Corporation, which threatened to log approximately 199,000 hectares of communal forests in the Cordillera region. However, her activism came at a great personal cost as she was illegally detained, tortured, and imprisoned during Martial Law.
“When you challenge the powers that be, [like] when you raise a protest against policies and destructive projects, it is expected that there will be risks,” she said.
In 2018, the Department of Justice petitioned to label the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations. This action included a list of over 600 individuals, with Joanna’s name among them.
Joanna’s name was eventually removed after filing for delisting. One of the judges even remarked, “You don’t look like terrorists to me.” She responded: “Good! Because we aren’t.”
The following year, in 2019, Joanna was awarded the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights for her contributions to championing human rights.
Jill, the community development worker
Illustration by Sabrina de los Reyes
Jill Cariño, another member of the Cariño family, is also an indigenous peoples’ rights activist and community development worker. She worked with the Cordillera schools group to raise awareness about Cordillera culture, history, and issues among youth and students. She also served in mining-affected communities, where she witnessed the arrest of residents who were protesting against the adverse impacts of mining. Jill later became the executive director of the Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, advocating for indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices. She also serves as the vice chairperson of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance.
Just like her sister Joanna, Jill was also illegally arrested during Martial Law along with several others who were severely beaten by state forces.
In 2022, her husband, 63-year-old Stephen “Steve” Tauli, was abducted by five armed men and subjected to harassment and questioning.
He resurfaced after more than 24 hours. To this day, the Cariño and Tauli families are still dealing with the aftermath of the incident.
Steve serves as a regional council member of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance. Like his wife, he has been involved in the Chico dams struggle and has relentlessly campaigned against destructive projects in the Cordillera, including the Saltan dams.
Joanna and Jill’s faces and names are still marked in numerous red-tagging posts online and offline, putting their family’s security at high risk.
Malaya, the doctor
Illustration by Sabrina de los Reyes
Joining Joanna and Jill is their niece, Malaya Cariño-Santos.
Growing up, Malaya drew inspiration from the book Where There is No Doctor, a village handbook for areas without access to health care.
“I was aware at an early age that the large majority of the Filipino people have very poor access to health and health services are something very much needed in the countryside,” Malaya said.