of the National Museum to initiate an organized archaeological study for these caves but these were not carried out possibly due to lack of funds and, as a Bulalacao elder explains, “Bawal galawin ang mga libingan sa kultura namin” (It is forbidden in our culture to disturb the graves.) The limestone cliffs ringing Coron Island are dug for kapari and kurut or burot in Tagalog, the edible roots which were staples of the Tagbanwa diet before rice was preferred and are still depended on when rice is scarce. Kurut is poisonous if its toxic sap is not hydrated and extracted. Another plant that can be foraged from the cliffs is the patuyu which is collected in May and tastes like biscuit. The Tagbanwa also collect medicinal plants found in the crags of the limestone cliffs as well as in the interior forest. Though Bàto extends to over 7,000 hectares, it is covered by mostly Map 1. Coron Island also known as “Batu” the line shows the extents of the ancestral limestone cliffs, forestland and the waters while the dark blocks show the coral reefs that are managed by the Tagbanwa community. awuyuk or lalaguna (interior lakes found in sinkholes atop the cliffs). The latter are features unique to this island and are viewed by the Tagbanwa as “sagradu” or “kinatatakutan” (sacred or feared). Indeed, community leaders stressed that the awuyuk are pinaka-sagradu sa mga sagradung lugar (the most feared among the forbidden places). In crossing the awuyuk to gather swiftlet nests, the Tagbanwa either remain silent or talk in a special language reserved only for conversing in areas within the awuyuk. In their experience, gigantic octopuses live at the bottom of the awuyuks; and a Tagbanwa who uses forbidden speech while in the awuyuks will be pulled down by these octopuses to the bottom, never again to see the light of day. There are similar observances for the panyaan as well, the Calamian Tagbanwa equivalent of marine core zones. A high taboo is attached to these sea areas where giant octopuses or the manlalabyut have been observed to prey on Tagbanwas using forbidden speech or otherwise act immoderately. The panyaans around Coron Island, as in other areas are generally avoided, and Tagbanwa who deign to fish or dive in a panyaan usually offer some form of appeasement to the spirits residing in the panyaan, such as gin and coins. 6