Desylyn Enano (center) holding the Philippine flag at the center stage in Quirino Grandstand on June 12, 2024. Photo courtesy of Tourism San Jose Official

Desylyn Enano, a 14-year-old from the Ratagnon tribe of Mangyan, made her community proud as she sang the Philippine National Anthem at the 126th Independence Day celebration in Quirino Grandstand last June 12.

In a Zoom interview, she emphasized the importance of this opportunity to her and the Mangyan community, noting how they are underappreciated despite their talent and creativity. 

"Ang alam ko po dati hanggang doon lang po ako sa videokehan," she said. 

Enano was born and raised in Sitio Tagumpay, Mapaya Dos in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. She started singing when she was 8, with her skills nurtured with the guidance of her parents, Salvador Martinez and Rosie Enano.

"'Yung bago matulog, kahit nakahiga siya [ay] kumakanta siya ng pambata. Narinig ko ngayon [na] parang 'yung dulo ng kanta niya, parang [kakaiba] kaya sabi ko po sa tatay niya, parang may [potensiyal] ang boses ng bata," Rosie told ABS-CBN news when asked how she discovered her child's talent in singing. 

Enano's mother would always bring her to birthday parties and other celebrations in their barangay to sing so she can further hone her skills. She was eventually discovered by a local vlogger, whose content became viral in her hometown.

From there, she started getting invitations to perform at different events in their province, and beyond. One of her performances during the celebration of the 127th Rizal Day in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro paved the way for her to get discovered to sing the Philippine National Anthem in Quirino Grandstand.

"Last Rizal Day po kasi naimbitahan po si Desylyn na kumanta ng 'Lupang Hinirang' sa celebration naman ng local government. 'Yun po ay in-upload sa aming page [Tourism San Jose Official] kung saan nakita naman ng office po ng Malacañang. And by that, kinontak po nila kami at nagtanong [kung] paano nila makokontak si Desylyn," Vince Casimero of Tourism San Jose said.

But before all the acknowledgment and recognition she received, Enano was never exempted from the discrimination of damuong, a term used by the Mangyan for non-Mangyan people in Mindoro. Her mother said that Enano has been experiencing discrimination because of her identity, especially when she had just started singing.

"Marami po. Lalo po po sa mga damuong po sa amin. Mayroon po 'yung hindi [naniniwala] sa kakayahan ni Desylyn. Mayroon din po 'yung proud [rin] kahit kapwa lang namin proud po [sila sa] anak ko na isang katutubong Ratagnon,” Rosie said. 

Her mother also added that despite this, Enano was never ashamed of her roots and proudly wore their traditional attire in her performances.

"Huwag po nila husgahan 'yung mga taong hindi po nila kilala. Kahit 'yung katutubo lang po, hindi po dapat nila tinitingnan sa kasuotan [kung 'di] sa ugali at [kakayahan] na meron po kaming mga katutubo," the 14-year-old stressed.

After her singing stint in Quirino Grandstand, Enano plans to pursue her singing career and represent the Mangyan community on bigger stages.