Sarangani Provincial Agriculturist Supports Cultural Practices

 When Agriculture supports Culture...sustainability is a big possibility.

"Dili namo tandogon ang inyuhang nahibal-an na tradisyunal nga pagtanom sa inyuhang upland rice, kun dili amoa lang dugangan inyuhang nahibal-an ug motabang , gamit ang ubang teknolohiya kung unsaon pagpugong sa mga peste nga nagaatake diha sa inyuhang mga kaumahan”. (We will not disturb your existing traditional practices, knowledge and skills regarding your mode of planting instead we will help you provide modern technology to control the influx of insecticides in your farm). These was the message of Sir Jonathan Duhaylungsod the provincial officer from Office of Agriculturist (OPAG) during demo planting to the Blaan upland rice growers in Kihan Malapatan. He distributed eight sacks of organic fertilizer and promise to give two (2) unit of prayer, vegetable seeds for the FFS students.
Source: Sulong Tribu Program 

Photo credits: Iner Toguin, Sulong Tribu Program

Kanfulung Bai:The Masterworks of Yabing Dulo

Design & Photo credit: Leonardo Rey S. Cariño

Photo credit: Kim Windell Villafranca Tiblani

Yabing Masalon Dulo is an active Blaan weaver who is a master of the Mabal Tabih technique. Her works are prized by textile collectors and has been featured in the 2004 WOW Mindanao Tourism Expo in Davao and in the Second ASEAN Traditional Textiles Symposium on 1-3 February 2009 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. She is the first cultural master for the School of Living Tradition (SLT) in Lamlifew  Tribal Village and is starting her own SLT in Amgu-o, Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines.

Kalyak Blaan Exhibit during the CIOFF 2015

 "One of Fu Yabing Dulo works the only known Tabih Master of South Cotabato displayed at Hibla Exhibit of The National Museum of the Filipino People. See her works of Tabih a Blaan Abaca Ikat at Kalyak Blaan: An Exhibit of the Unique Blaan Cultural Materials @ FB Hotel & Convention Center Lobby, Alunan Ave., City of Koronadal.

Exhibit runs until Aug. 18, 2015 in celebration of Pyesta Kolon Datal & Koronadal International Folklore Festival ‪#‎CIOFF2015‬." - Jm Lavega, South Cotabato cultural advocate and Kalyak Blaan exhibition curator.

Photo credit: Rap Buendia

Blaan Tabih Collections of JM Lavega and Leonardo Rey S. Cariño featured in this exhibit. The two left Tabih Fule (red Tabih) were works of Fu Yabing Masalon Dulo from Amgu-o, Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato.

Original weaver on the loom photo taken by Kim Tiblani           Photo credit: Rap Buendia

Kmagi  Photo credit: Rap Buendia

Sabitan Tlayong (brass belt), Singkil/Babat (Anklets)    Photo credit: Rap Buendia

Swat (traditional comb and head dress)  Photo credit: Rap Buendia

Traditional designs of  Blaan blouses  Photo credit: Rap Buendia

Saul Ansif (embroidered upper garment) and Salwal Tabih (with beaded embroidery)  Photo credit: Rap Buendia 

The Kalyak Blaan curator, JM Lavega, at the National Museum with one of the works of Fu Yabing displayed

This is the first Blaan culture specific exhibition in the history of South Cotabato. It is aimed to bring awareness to some rare and unique cultural identifiers of the Blaan Indigenous Peoples group and the very few cultural masters alive doing some specific skills transfer to the younger generations.

Photos were also featured at the I Love South Cotabato FB Page.

Kaflehew di Amgu-o

Photo credit: Leonardo Rey S. Cariño

This is a community event in honor of the last known alive Mabal Tabih Cultural Master in the province of South Cotabato, Fu Yabing Masalon Dulo. She is actively doing skills transfer on the Mabal Tabih (Blaan ikat weaving) to her daughter Lamina and some other community members.

Photo credit: Department of Tourism Region 12

Photo credit: Department of Tourism Region 12

Photo credit: Department of Tourism Region 12

Visit the Blaan Mabal Tabih in Landan Facebook Page for all details of the skills transfer.

Blaan Cultural Icons of Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato

 Five Blaan cultural masters of different skills were honored during the 3rd Kaflehew Festival of Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato. The portraits below were painted by Josseth Ante Malida and awarded respectively to the honorees during the formal program.

Bai Yabing Masalon Dulo (master in Blaan Mabal Tabih, Embroidery, Basketry, Traditional Cuisine, Maral and Malem)

Bai Sally Sugue (Master in basketry and bag making)

Fulung Domingo Maladianon (Master in Faglung Making and Faglung Playing)

Bai Gusabin Diamod (Master in Embroidery, Mat Making and Weaving Tabih)

Bai Gulmari Maladianon (Master in beaded accessories making like Blaan comb, and other bead works)

 They are all actively engaged in skills transfer in their respective communities to preserve parts of the Blaan culture.

Photo credits: Joven Ryan Malida

Sarangani Celebrates National Arts Month

An open invitation for everyone in South Cotabato, General Santos City and Sarangani Province.

Munato Festival presents tribal sports

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 4, 2014) – One of the tribal sports showcased at the 2014 MunaTo Festival is Gamti, Blaan term for archery, won by Osmena Muyak of Maasim. Sarangani marked its 22nd Founding Day anniversary and the 12^th Munato Festival on November 27-29 with the celebration of its people, culture, and treasures. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

IP culture and arts at Munato Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 30, 2014) - Students from Joji Ilagan International School in General Santos City select bead products as souvenirs at the Tribal Village of Munato Yesterland theme park that showcases the Tboli, Blaan, and Tagakaolo tribes who show their music, dances, chants and stories.  Also found here are products for sale made by the Indigenous Peoples (IP) of Sarangani. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani marks 1st IP education summit

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 17, 2014) - Sarangani officials together with the teachers, students and professionals who are members of the indigenous people celebrate the 1st Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Summit Festival of Talents and Arts on November 11 at the Capitol Gym. This program of the Department of Education is supported by the Sulong Karunungan and Sulong Tribu of Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon in partnership with Cong. Manny Pacquiao, Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao and the board members.  Textbooks, among others, are being translated into their tribal dialect for culture-based basic education. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Sarangani holds 1st IP Education Summit

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 13, 2014) – The Department of Education - Sarangani division holds the 1st Indigenous Peoples Education Summit and showcase of indigenous knowledge, skills and practices Tuesday, November 11, at the Capitol gym. The theme is “Kulturang Parangal: Yaman ng Katutubo Tungo sa Pagbabago ng Lipunan”. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani celebrates IP Day

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 5, 2014) – Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao with former Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett (center) join the Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) Day on October 29 at the Sarangani Capitol Gym attended by thousands of indigenous people from the different tribes (Blaan, Tboli, Tagakaolo, Kalagan, Manobo) in the province. The provincial leadership thru its Sulong Tribu program assures to continuously protect and uphold the welfare of the IPs. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Gensan marks IP Day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (4 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins the indigenous people (IP) and Muslim community in celebrating the 5th IP Day on October 29 at Oval Gymnasium. He specified that the IPs have crucial role in the economic development of the city, as well as on preserving and protecting the environment. (Gensan CPIO/Allan Jay Resane)

Dr. Cagape, Cherry Mobile bring E-txt Mo Kay Doc to remote village

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 11, 2014) – Dr. Roel Cagape of the Hearts and Brains, Inc. (HABI) and a recipient of the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino award distributes the manual for E-txt Mo Kay Doc for its E-Health Center project during the two-day medical mission sponsored by Cherry Mobile, a cellular phone company, at Sitio Safya, Barangay Poblacion Tuesday, September 9. Sitio Safya is inhabited by Blaans and can be accessed only by foot for about 7-8 hours by non-residents. Aside from medical services, Cherry Mobile is in the process of a community consultation for the proposed construction of several dormitories called Bahay Tuluyan for elementary pupils in Sitio Kiahe, Barangay Kinam. The Sulong Sarangani convergence program of Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, in partnership with Cong. Manny Pacquiao and Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao, is grateful for this partnership and welcomes other NGOs to join the poverty alleviation and access-to-basic-services program. Sulong Sarangani’s thrust is to converge knowledge and resources of both public and private sectors. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Gov. Solon supports Blaan cultural masters

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 17, 2014) – Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon joins Blaan cultural masters from the Lamlifew Village Museum based in Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon during the opening of a four-day “Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" exhibit at SM Mall on October 13 where the Blaan indigenous fabric called “Tabih” are showcased until October 16. They are organized as Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association manifesting the role of Blaan women in upholding the identity of the tribe thru crafts. Sarangani Province thru its Sulong Tribu program with the support of the Department of Tourism Region XII aspires that the province will be named as Tabih Capital in Southern Mindanao. The activity is a support to the celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month this October. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 17, 2014) – Emi Englis, Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Leonardo "Bing" Cariño pose during the opening of a four-day “Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" exhibit at SM Mall on October 13 where the Blaan indigenous fabric called “Tabih” from Lamlifew Village Museum based in Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon are showcased until October 16. Bing Cariño as team leader and Englis with Arjho Cariño-Turner, Helen Lumbos and Toto Tirando served as curators of this heritage material with the only two living keepers of the tradition, Fu Yabing Dulo and Fu Gusiye Buan. Sarangani Province thru its Sulong Tribu program with the support of the Department of Tourism Region XII aspires that the province will be named as Tabih Capital in Southern Mindanao. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Blaan master weavers present work at SM City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 14, 2014) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon pays attention to Blaan master weavers Yabing Caturan Masalon Dulo, 94, and Gusiye Buan, 84, from Lamlifew Village in Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani during the opening of exhibit of "Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" at SM City starting Monday, October 13. The Department of Tourism Region 12 supported the Lamlifew Village Museum under the Sulong Tribu component of Sulong Sarangani program. The exhibit runs until October 16. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Officials open "Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" exhibit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 14, 2014) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (extreme left) leads the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the exhibit"Mabal Blaan:Weaving the Threads of Heritage" and showcasing the Lamlifew Village Museum Monday, October 13, at SM City Events Center. The governor is assisted by her wife Michelle Solon (2nd from left), chair of the Regional Tourism Council. Also in photo are Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao (2nd from right), City Councilor Shandee Llido (extreme right), Dir. Yahya Senti (3rd from left) of the Department of Labor and Employment Region 12 and Dir. Arturo Valero (3rd from right) of the National Economic and Development Authority Region 12. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Glan presents Lumad Pasundayag

GLAN, Sarangani (October 3, 2014) - Indigenous People (IP) and Muslim group of Glan welcome Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon during the "Lumad Pasundayag," one of the activities of the town’s October 8 centennial foundation anniversary Wednesday, October 1. “Lumad Pasundayag” or Indigenous Exhibit was attended by numerous IP groups in the municipality, like the Blaan, Tboli and Mandaya, including Muslims and Indonesians who inhabited the place for decades already. The exhibit showcased each group’s unique presentations and culture. Gov. Solon with Mayor Tata Yap pronounced that "our programs are for all, no prejudice in Sarangani. We will give what is due to the people of Sarangani.” (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Blaan artist plays at School of Living Tradition

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 18, 2014) – A woman in Lamlifew Village Museum and School of Living Tradition at Barangay Datal Tampal plays an indigenous musical instrument during the visit of travel photographer George Tapan with the Sulong Tribu on September 14. The world-renowned Filipino travel photographer Tapan visited Malungon town to document the indigenous culture and textiles. Tapan had visited the IP village in 2005. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Travel fotog tours Lamlifew with Sulong Tribu

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 18, 2014) — The world-famous and award-winning Filipino travel photographer George Tapan visits Malungon on September 14 with the Sulong Tribu to document the indigenous culture and textiles of the Blaan in Lamlifew Village Museum and School of Living Tradition at Barangay Datal Tampal. Tapan had visited the IP village in 2005. Earlier, he conducted a photography workshop entitled “Secrets of the Master II” in General Santos City as part of the Tuna Festival where photographers over the country attended the workshop and joined the actual capturing of city’s events for his mentoring session. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)