Lamlifew Village Museum
Sitio Lamlifew, Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani Province
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Lamlifew Village Museum
Lamlifew Village Museum
Sitio Lamlifew, Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani Province
Tahakayo Blaan Day Care Project
Tahakayo Blaan Day Care Project
Sitio Tahakayo, Amsipit, Maasim
Funded by the World Vision Development Foundation Inc
in partnership with Mahintana Foundation and Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) together with MSWDO Maasim.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Program director
MALUNGON, Sarangani (June 24, 2010) - Beth Farnazo, Indigenous
People’s Development Program (IPDP) director, distributes bags to
Blaan school children at Lamlifew Elementary School as one of the
beneficiaries of adopt-a-child program of the IPDP in partnership with
Smart Communications Wednesday, June 23. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI
INFORMATION OFFICE)
School children
MALUNGON, Sarangani (June 24, 2010) - Kids with IPDP staff pose for a
souvenir shot after the distribution of school supplies and school
bags under the adopt-a-child program of the Indigenous People’s
Development Program of the Provincial Governor’s Office in partnership
with Smart Communications Wednesday, June 23, at the community living
museum in Sitio Lamlifew. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
New school bag
MALUNGON, Sarangani (June 24, 2010) - A Blaan lass takes home a new
school bag loaded with school supplies under the adopt-a-child program
of Indigenous People’s Development Program of the Provincial
Governor’s Office in partnership with Smart Communications Wednesday,
June 23, at the community living museum in Sitio Lamlifew. (Cocoy
Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Hinterland community opens new high school
By COCOY SEXCION
MAASIM, Sarangani (July 7, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez immediately approved a barangay resolution he received on Tuesday (July 5) requesting for the construction of a students’ dormitory at a new integrated high school in a hinterland community.
The approved request of barangay Amsipit for fund allocation of P400,000 for a dormitory was matched by the governor with a commitment of additional provincial school board teachers through QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today).
The dormitory in sitio Kyumad would accommodate students living in distant sitios. Students usually walk for hours daily in going to school. With the dormitory, the students would be able to live near the school.
Local officials joined Governor Dominguez with Department of Education assistant division superintendent Socrates Mabalot and DSWD XII assistant regional director Gemma Rivera during the inauguration and turn-over to the community of a two-classroom school building at Kyumad Integrated School.
The P1.242-million community-led project was completed with a KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) grant amounting to P935,000, plus a counterpart of P163,042 from the provincial and municipal government. Sarangani Energy Corporation shouldered the P165,000 barangay counterpart while DOLE Philippines lent a welding machine.
“Before, our school had to combine Grade 1 to Grade 4 pupils in one classroom. And when some of our Grade 4 pupils would transfer school in the lowland, they would be sent back to Grade 1. Why? That’s because of poor quality of education here in the highland,” Pastor Arthur Moyak said in his testimony. “That’s why I thank the leaders specially Governor Dominguez for looking after our problems.”
Sitio Kyumad, inhabited mostly by Blaan families, is located in the hinterlands of Maasim with 720 households and a total of 80 1st year and 2nd year students who are now studying at the new integrated high school.
The governor lauded the barangay council and the entire community for the “best practices” in the implementation of the project.
“You inspired me today. Kaning inspirasyon na inyong gihatag sa akoa, mao ni ang dalhon nako pagbalik nako sa Kapitolyo,” Governor Dominguez told the residents. “Nangutana gani ko, kinsa man ang kontraktor diri? Tinuod lang mas nindot pa man mo ug agi kaysa naay engineer”.
The governor added: “Imbes mag pusta ta sa last two, ipusta na lang nato sa kaugmaon sa atong mga anak. Ang target nako, pagbalik nako diri sa pag edad nako ug 50 years old naa nay sobra gatos ka professionals na naggikan diri sa inyong lugar. Dili lang nako ni damgo kun dili damgo natong tanan”.
KALAHI-CIDSS is the national government’s flagship poverty–alleviation project through the financial support of the World Bank.
KALAHI-CIDSS projects follow the Community-Driven Development (CCD) model designed to mobilize the capacity of the local people to analyze their own need, manage resources, and implement appropriate interventions.
These are projects that involve the community right from the start, encourage transparency and thus prevent corruption.
CCD employs strategies that development priorities are addressed in a participatory, collective and inclusive decision-making. In KALAHI-CIDSS, control over resources is in the hands of the poor. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
MAASIM, Sarangani (July 7, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez immediately approved a barangay resolution he received on Tuesday (July 5) requesting for the construction of a students’ dormitory at a new integrated high school in a hinterland community.
The approved request of barangay Amsipit for fund allocation of P400,000 for a dormitory was matched by the governor with a commitment of additional provincial school board teachers through QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today).
The dormitory in sitio Kyumad would accommodate students living in distant sitios. Students usually walk for hours daily in going to school. With the dormitory, the students would be able to live near the school.
Local officials joined Governor Dominguez with Department of Education assistant division superintendent Socrates Mabalot and DSWD XII assistant regional director Gemma Rivera during the inauguration and turn-over to the community of a two-classroom school building at Kyumad Integrated School.
The P1.242-million community-led project was completed with a KALAHI-CIDSS (Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) grant amounting to P935,000, plus a counterpart of P163,042 from the provincial and municipal government. Sarangani Energy Corporation shouldered the P165,000 barangay counterpart while DOLE Philippines lent a welding machine.
“Before, our school had to combine Grade 1 to Grade 4 pupils in one classroom. And when some of our Grade 4 pupils would transfer school in the lowland, they would be sent back to Grade 1. Why? That’s because of poor quality of education here in the highland,” Pastor Arthur Moyak said in his testimony. “That’s why I thank the leaders specially Governor Dominguez for looking after our problems.”
Sitio Kyumad, inhabited mostly by Blaan families, is located in the hinterlands of Maasim with 720 households and a total of 80 1st year and 2nd year students who are now studying at the new integrated high school.
The governor lauded the barangay council and the entire community for the “best practices” in the implementation of the project.
“You inspired me today. Kaning inspirasyon na inyong gihatag sa akoa, mao ni ang dalhon nako pagbalik nako sa Kapitolyo,” Governor Dominguez told the residents. “Nangutana gani ko, kinsa man ang kontraktor diri? Tinuod lang mas nindot pa man mo ug agi kaysa naay engineer”.
The governor added: “Imbes mag pusta ta sa last two, ipusta na lang nato sa kaugmaon sa atong mga anak. Ang target nako, pagbalik nako diri sa pag edad nako ug 50 years old naa nay sobra gatos ka professionals na naggikan diri sa inyong lugar. Dili lang nako ni damgo kun dili damgo natong tanan”.
KALAHI-CIDSS is the national government’s flagship poverty–alleviation project through the financial support of the World Bank.
KALAHI-CIDSS projects follow the Community-Driven Development (CCD) model designed to mobilize the capacity of the local people to analyze their own need, manage resources, and implement appropriate interventions.
These are projects that involve the community right from the start, encourage transparency and thus prevent corruption.
CCD employs strategies that development priorities are addressed in a participatory, collective and inclusive decision-making. In KALAHI-CIDSS, control over resources is in the hands of the poor. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Blaan school pilots mother tongue-based education
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4).
Lamlifew is a Blaan village at the town’s outskirts. Blaan is the name of the people and the language of the largest indigenous group in Sarangani that finally sought indigenized curriculum from the Department of Education.
“Basically, MTB-MLE is integrating the indigenous culture in the regular education curriculum using the first language (Blaan),” DepEd- Sarangani division language coordinator Elizabeth Torres said.
As an example, Torres said teachers can teach the English alphabet in Blaan accent and intonation and then do it in English as an international language.
“MTB-MLE also includes teaching traditional practices that have cultural significance to them.”
Part of the indigenized curriculum through MTB-MLE is the integration of Blaan’s Tabih (traditional clothing), dances and songs to the pupils.
“Sarangani has three variations of the Blaan language from the three municipalities of Glan, Malapatan and Malungon. We will also come up with a phrase book and try to investigate their differences,” Torres added.
Lamlifew has a women’s association aimed at the preservation and development of their cultural heritage and traditional handicrafts.
Lamlifew as a complete elementary started in 1997 with teachers come and go because of their inadequacy in number and their willingness to be assigned to far-flung areas.
The school was built in 1982, then a primary school, through the effort of tribal leader Kalingo Maluma who brought the proposal to Malacanang by himself. Loida Esperanza became the first school head of the school in 1997.
Malungon West District supervisor Nora Nerpiol said the education department has been supporting the school since then through physical and academic means. Lamlifew has the most number of professionals in Barangay Datal Tampal.
Board member Eleanor Saguiguit said the Growth with Equity in Mindanao- (GEM) is on its way for the construction of a footbridge along Bluan river in front of the school where 98 percent of the pupils are crossing everyday to get to school.
“We will also look for partners for the community to fund their traditional craftsmanship like basket-making and beads making,” Saguiguit said.
Saguiguit recalled the village, roughly 1,600 hectares of pasture land, was given to her as a dowry by her uncle-in- law when she got married in 1977. She afforded to refuse ownership of the land after seeing the presence of the community there, she said.
In 2007, the province’s Indigenous People’s Development Program (IPDP) helped Lamlifew build a living museum and identified Lamlifew Elementary School as a School of Living Tradition (SLT).
Rosie Alcantara Dominguez, mother of Governor Migs Dominguez, sponsored the technology transfer of silk weaving by Malaysian expert weavers to the Lamlifew Women’s Association.
In 2009, Beth Ditan, a master in the art of beads making from the community, taught Grades V and VI pupils the traditional craftsmanship. Japanese anthropologist Taku Kawamuta later funded the materials for beads making and traditional clothing after seeing the children in the internet.
With the MTB-MLE, the school will have a once-a- week IP day with community elders to teach the children songs, dances and handicrafts. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Lamlifew is a Blaan village at the town’s outskirts. Blaan is the name of the people and the language of the largest indigenous group in Sarangani that finally sought indigenized curriculum from the Department of Education.
“Basically, MTB-MLE is integrating the indigenous culture in the regular education curriculum using the first language (Blaan),” DepEd- Sarangani division language coordinator Elizabeth Torres said.
As an example, Torres said teachers can teach the English alphabet in Blaan accent and intonation and then do it in English as an international language.
“MTB-MLE also includes teaching traditional practices that have cultural significance to them.”
Part of the indigenized curriculum through MTB-MLE is the integration of Blaan’s Tabih (traditional clothing), dances and songs to the pupils.
“Sarangani has three variations of the Blaan language from the three municipalities of Glan, Malapatan and Malungon. We will also come up with a phrase book and try to investigate their differences,” Torres added.
Lamlifew has a women’s association aimed at the preservation and development of their cultural heritage and traditional handicrafts.
Lamlifew as a complete elementary started in 1997 with teachers come and go because of their inadequacy in number and their willingness to be assigned to far-flung areas.
The school was built in 1982, then a primary school, through the effort of tribal leader Kalingo Maluma who brought the proposal to Malacanang by himself. Loida Esperanza became the first school head of the school in 1997.
Malungon West District supervisor Nora Nerpiol said the education department has been supporting the school since then through physical and academic means. Lamlifew has the most number of professionals in Barangay Datal Tampal.
Board member Eleanor Saguiguit said the Growth with Equity in Mindanao- (GEM) is on its way for the construction of a footbridge along Bluan river in front of the school where 98 percent of the pupils are crossing everyday to get to school.
“We will also look for partners for the community to fund their traditional craftsmanship like basket-making and beads making,” Saguiguit said.
Saguiguit recalled the village, roughly 1,600 hectares of pasture land, was given to her as a dowry by her uncle-in- law when she got married in 1977. She afforded to refuse ownership of the land after seeing the presence of the community there, she said.
In 2007, the province’s Indigenous People’s Development Program (IPDP) helped Lamlifew build a living museum and identified Lamlifew Elementary School as a School of Living Tradition (SLT).
Rosie Alcantara Dominguez, mother of Governor Migs Dominguez, sponsored the technology transfer of silk weaving by Malaysian expert weavers to the Lamlifew Women’s Association.
In 2009, Beth Ditan, a master in the art of beads making from the community, taught Grades V and VI pupils the traditional craftsmanship. Japanese anthropologist Taku Kawamuta later funded the materials for beads making and traditional clothing after seeing the children in the internet.
With the MTB-MLE, the school will have a once-a- week IP day with community elders to teach the children songs, dances and handicrafts. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Better future for the IPs
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez gives an inspirational message to tribal elders and participants by providing the younger generation the opportunity to finish their education and become professionals during the indigenous peoples thanksgiving day Friday, October 29, at the provincial gym. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Damsu
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – Blaan cultural master Monti Yangon leads the tribal prayer “Damsu” at the opening ceremony of the indigenous peoples thanksgiving day and turn-over of chieftainship Friday, October 29, at the provincial gym. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Lemuhen Performing Arts
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – Lemuhen Performing Arts Group dancers from Kiamba town perform at the indigenous peoples thanksgiving day Friday, October 29, at the provincial gym. This Tboli performing arts group is recipient of the School of Living Tradition, a project by the Indigenous Peoples Development Program under the governor’s office. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Message of commitment
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gives his message of commitment to the Provincial Tribal Council of Sarangani during the celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day at capitol gym Friday, October 29. The celebration was participated in by the major tribes of the province such as Blaan, Tboli, Tagakaolo and Manobo from the seven municipalities. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)
Monkey dance
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – A member from Lemuhen Performing Arts Group performs a monkey dance at the indigenous peoples thanksgiving day and turn-over of chieftainship Friday, October 29, at the provincial gym. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
NCIP Regional Director
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – Governor Migs Dominguez receives a certificate of appreciation from National Commission on Indigenous People regional director Jean Anne Moendeg Zoilo for integrating the tribal communities in the pursuit for progress and human resource development through education. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Tribal women
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon greets the tribal women from Alabel at Capitol gym Friday, October 29, in celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day. This celebration marks a significant milestone in the history of Indigenous People in upholding their rights to ancestral domain, social justice and human rights, self governance and empowerment and rights to cultural integrity. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)
Assistance to MTB-MLE
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Board member Eleanor Saguiguit urges the community to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of the indigenous Blaan particularly in Lamlifew and swears to seek more assistance for them. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Blaan School
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Pupils get ready to welcome visitors at the school entrance with a bamboo-made man bridge. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Lamlifew pupils
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – In their traditional dress, pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School sing the national anthem in an open stage landscaped with white stones from the Bluan river in front of the school. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Lawin dance
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Pupils of the Lamlifew Elementary School perform the ral kafi (lawin dance) to entertain their visitors. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Mother tongue- based multi-lingual education
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Department of Education division language coordinator of Sarangani Elizabeth Torres expounds the nature and importance of mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) in the learning processes of children. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot MTB-MLE of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
My Sarangani hymn
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School sing an original composition of Blaan elder Herminia Lakna called E E Sarangani, (My Sarangani) in the Blaan dialect. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Welcome dance
MALUNGON, Sarangani (February 4, 2011) – Ye or Blaan mothers perform a welcome dance as visitors and guests arrive at the village. Local officials, education and language experts led the launching of Lamlifew Elementary School as pilot mother tongue- based multi-lingual education (MTB-MLE) of the province Friday (February 4). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Rosalito Labi, a leader of his tribe
MAITUM, Sarangani (October 21, 2010) - Rosalito Labi’s parents were born in Angko village. In the late 60’s, his family moved to barangay Baningo, now barangay Ned of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
In Ned, he became a Tboli chieftain and supervisor of the Alternative Learning Center. In 2005, Labi, now with a family of his own, returned to his roots in sitio Angko.
In sitio Angko, he found the houses of his relatives far from each other. He encouraged them to transfer their houses near to each other so that they will be recognized as a sitio. Soon after, the two original houses mushroomed into 30, thus sitio Angko was born.
There is no sign of progress in this sitio – no electricity, no potable water, help from the government is nil because of the distance and the difficulty in going there.
Mulling over their pitiful situation, Labi, a father of 9 children, called for a meeting with his tribe and told them, “Nothing will happen to us if we just resign to our fate. We must think of positive things that could possibly change our destiny. Your problem is my problem too. The problem of your children is the problem of my children too. Why can we not unite and plan for our future?” Labi told them. They all agreed.
In that meeting, Labi asked the villagers their concerns and identify the most urgent ones. The villagers unanimously agreed that they need to build a trail that would connect them to the dirt road. If they built a trail, there is a big chance for them to bring down their crops for selling in the town.
On May 27, 2006, they started building a trail. They used “buyo-buyo” or sharpened wood. They did this during Saturdays and Sundays. Labi tearfully recalled how they worked even with empty stomach as long as they can build the trail. Every able-bodied villager contributed to the construction of the trail. Each was given equal portion of the trail to work on. “We proved to ourselves that walang imposible kung magkaisa kami,” Labi said.
In 2007, with prodding from the residents in sitio Angko, he ran as barangay kagawad for Bati-an and handily won.
He continued leading his people. With the “bayanihan spirit” as their best weapon, they built a waiting shed beside the dirt road so that when it rains, their farm produce will not get wet while waiting for a motorcycle to bring them to town. Later on the waiting shed became a resting place for travelers from Tuanadatu and Ned.
To boost their farm production, Labi led the construction of a nursery makeshift building where they propagated coffee, banana, and other seedlings which were later on distributed to the residents. This helped increase their income.
Labi was also concerned about the future of the children. So he requested his married daughter, a high school graduate, to teach children how to read and write. A vacant space in their house was used as classroom to more than 30 daycare children. But if there are visitors, the children would look for somewhere else where they could continue their learning.
“I bought a blackboard from my honorarium as barangay kagawad, Labi said. I gave half of my honorarium to my married daughter as her honorarium too for teaching the children.” Labi believes that “yung galing sa tao dapat ibalik sa tao.” So he spends most of his honorarium for the villagers. The local government gave paper pads, pencils, and other school supplies, while the Indigenous Peoples Development Program of the provincial government gave teaching materials. Now, it is the local government which pays the honorarium of the volunteer teacher.
“The International Aid (IA) came to sitio Angko. We were told to build a Health and Nutrition Post or HNP. Again, we built an HNP through “bayanihan”. IA gave two weighing scales and BP apparatus for the HNP. We were promised medicines worth P25,000 and we are hoping the medicines would come soon,” Labi said.
Their struggle is far from over. There are still a lot of things to be done. But Labi, an elementary graduate, believes that if they unite, nothing is impossible and that his sitio will rise above poverty.
Today, Labi can look back with nary a trace of bitterness but pride. (Beth Ramos-Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)
In Ned, he became a Tboli chieftain and supervisor of the Alternative Learning Center. In 2005, Labi, now with a family of his own, returned to his roots in sitio Angko.
In sitio Angko, he found the houses of his relatives far from each other. He encouraged them to transfer their houses near to each other so that they will be recognized as a sitio. Soon after, the two original houses mushroomed into 30, thus sitio Angko was born.
There is no sign of progress in this sitio – no electricity, no potable water, help from the government is nil because of the distance and the difficulty in going there.
Mulling over their pitiful situation, Labi, a father of 9 children, called for a meeting with his tribe and told them, “Nothing will happen to us if we just resign to our fate. We must think of positive things that could possibly change our destiny. Your problem is my problem too. The problem of your children is the problem of my children too. Why can we not unite and plan for our future?” Labi told them. They all agreed.
In that meeting, Labi asked the villagers their concerns and identify the most urgent ones. The villagers unanimously agreed that they need to build a trail that would connect them to the dirt road. If they built a trail, there is a big chance for them to bring down their crops for selling in the town.
On May 27, 2006, they started building a trail. They used “buyo-buyo” or sharpened wood. They did this during Saturdays and Sundays. Labi tearfully recalled how they worked even with empty stomach as long as they can build the trail. Every able-bodied villager contributed to the construction of the trail. Each was given equal portion of the trail to work on. “We proved to ourselves that walang imposible kung magkaisa kami,” Labi said.
In 2007, with prodding from the residents in sitio Angko, he ran as barangay kagawad for Bati-an and handily won.
He continued leading his people. With the “bayanihan spirit” as their best weapon, they built a waiting shed beside the dirt road so that when it rains, their farm produce will not get wet while waiting for a motorcycle to bring them to town. Later on the waiting shed became a resting place for travelers from Tuanadatu and Ned.
To boost their farm production, Labi led the construction of a nursery makeshift building where they propagated coffee, banana, and other seedlings which were later on distributed to the residents. This helped increase their income.
Labi was also concerned about the future of the children. So he requested his married daughter, a high school graduate, to teach children how to read and write. A vacant space in their house was used as classroom to more than 30 daycare children. But if there are visitors, the children would look for somewhere else where they could continue their learning.
“I bought a blackboard from my honorarium as barangay kagawad, Labi said. I gave half of my honorarium to my married daughter as her honorarium too for teaching the children.” Labi believes that “yung galing sa tao dapat ibalik sa tao.” So he spends most of his honorarium for the villagers. The local government gave paper pads, pencils, and other school supplies, while the Indigenous Peoples Development Program of the provincial government gave teaching materials. Now, it is the local government which pays the honorarium of the volunteer teacher.
“The International Aid (IA) came to sitio Angko. We were told to build a Health and Nutrition Post or HNP. Again, we built an HNP through “bayanihan”. IA gave two weighing scales and BP apparatus for the HNP. We were promised medicines worth P25,000 and we are hoping the medicines would come soon,” Labi said.
Their struggle is far from over. There are still a lot of things to be done. But Labi, an elementary graduate, believes that if they unite, nothing is impossible and that his sitio will rise above poverty.
Today, Labi can look back with nary a trace of bitterness but pride. (Beth Ramos-Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)
FEATURE - A people that refuses to die
By Beth Ramos-Palma Gil
MAITUM, Sarangani (October 21, 2010) - “For a time, we thought our fate is sealed with hopelessness,” says Rosalito Labi, a sitio leader and barangay kagawad (village councilor) of sitio Angko, the sitio where we decided to spend our weekend.
This sense of hopelessness emanated from their past experiences. Government aid came few and far between if not none at all.
Sitio Angko is 15 kilometers away from the town proper and can be reached through a dirt road. From the dirt road, one has to walk three to four hours through a three-kilometer narrow trail. If it rains, the narrow trail with uphill and downhill climb becomes a one-foot deep mud ditch which makes walking extremely difficult. But the rich foliage and breathtaking view of the magical forest more than makes up the arduous journey.
This narrow trail was made through “bayanihan” by the villagers on May 2006 and was completed seven months later. They used “buyo-buyo” or sharpened wood to make the trail. Despite the trail they built, villagers still have a hard time transporting their farm produce to the poblacion. They use carabaos and horses to transport their farm produce.
Upon our arrival, we were forced to stay indoors by inclement weather. We took this opportunity to get close with the villagers, telling stories, playing with the kids, while others contented themselves looking at the foggy surroundings.
Securely ensconced on a rolling hill surrounded by rain forest, sitio Angko is home to 120 smiling, gentle, and peaceful Tboli people, who live on the edge of poverty. But villagers can proudly say that they have a zero crime rate. Their main source of livelihood is farming and hunting. Their main crop is corn. Fresh water fish is still abundant in the creeks of sitio Angko.
Angko is the farthest sitio of barangay Batian. It is also the least explored of all the six sitios of Bati-an.
Bati-an (population: 949) is the province’s poorest village according to the Community Based Monitoring System. 99.8% of its households have income below the poverty threshold and below the food threshold. 62.1% of its households have no access to potable water.
In basic education, 94.3% of Bati-an’s children 13-16 years old are not attending high school; 44.3 of children 6-12 years old are not attending elementary school; and 48.2% aged 6-16 years old are not attending school.
Labi confessed there were instances when they stopped dreaming and hoping for a bright future. “The barangay captain never visited us,” he said. Intervention from the government was hard to come by because of its distance and the difficulty in reaching the place.
Until February 2008 when the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), through the initiative of the provincial and municipal governments, started its projects in this sitio. Through their newly-formed people’s organization, the Tboli Farmers’ Association, MRDP projects were implemented but not after they were given skills training to prepare them for the projects. Rolando Delcano, an employee from the municipal agriculturist office, and the designated municipal facilitator of MRDP projects, patiently and conscientiously attended to the implementation of the projects. He goes to the area twice a month, live, sleep, and eat with them. Villagers sincerely involve themselves in the projects and in the process found themselves empowered.
“At first, people here were aloof. They just stay silent and stare at visitors. But now, they have learned to interact with other people. They learned to smile and talk to us,” says Delcano. “They also earned confidence and sense of pride from what they did for their sitio. Before, people here plant so that they have something to eat, but now, they also plant so they have something to sell,” Delcano disclosed.
The organization was given four carabaos, three horses which became five, and 12 goats which became 20. The carabaos and horses are used to transport their farm produce from the sitio to the dirt road where motorcycles will bring them to the town proper. Ten percent of the earnings in transporting goods go to the association.
Aside from the animals, MRDP also provided them with planting materials for abaca and coffee. Two hectares were planted to coffee, while 10 hectares were planted to abaca.
The coffee is about to bear fruit while they are now starting to harvest the abaca.
Representatives from the International Aid (IA) also visited them. They were promised a P25,000 worth of medicines once they built a health and nutrition post (HNP) which they did through bayanihan and from indigenous materials in the area. The HNP has been built and hopefully the P25,000 promised by the IA would come soon.
In May 2009, a solar power system was given to them by the provincial government. For the first time, villagers saw electric light on a pitch-dark night.
As the night falls in sitio Angko, myriad of fireflies light the growing darkness. The subtle beauty of wilderness at night and the chilling cold that it brings, makes sleep easy to come by. What a great break from a humdrum, busy life in the urban area.
“The biggest success of these people is their empowerment,” Delcano added.
Sitio Angko has the largest land area in Bati-an’s forestland which is 30% of the total area. Villagers are aware of the effects of “kaingin” (slash-and burn farming), illegal fishing (in the river), or illegal cutting of trees that is why these activities are discouraged in order to preserve the healthy environment. Near the proposed water spring development (funding of which is still to be sourced out), we found more or less 20 “red lawaan” trees which trunks are as big as the size of a fuel container drum.
A makeshift daycare center was built by the villagers through the help of the local government by providing materials. The honorarium of the volunteer/teacher is shouldered by the local government also. Labi said “we would be happy if the government or any funding agency or NGO help us build a permanent daycare center.”
Some of the big challenges that the villagers have to face are lack of medicines, basic education, lack of farming techniques and seedlings, and of course improvement of the narrow trail which connects them to the main dirt road.
But their most urgent concern is health and sanitation. The lack of potable water aggravates their situation. Toilet bowls given to them by the local government have to wait until a communal system will be constructed which would take a long time to be realized. More often, children are the ones who suffer from diarrhea and other water-borne diseases because of unclean drinking water. The existing water source which is a kilometer away from the center of the sitio is open and susceptible to contamination.
Sitio Angko is a strategic starting point to the many potential tourist spots in Bati-an. There is the hundred caves. Villagers told us that a cave was used to be a stronghold of the Japanese Imperial Army. Another cave, the El Kiblat Cave, just three kilometers away, has many compartments and with an upward exit. The giant staircase with flowing water, is just a kilometer away. The Dakiol Falls, five kilometers away, has a three-tier drop 50-meters each long. Its sight and sound leaves one catching his or her breath because of the heavy fall of water to the ground. Anybody who visited this place said that it is a perfect place for trekking and mountain climbing.
Villagers in sitio Angko provide a compelling testimony of a people that refuse to give up despite the odds. Labi admitted that in the past, there were times they lose hope and just accept the harsh reality; that nothing can be done to improve their situation. But like their ancestors who took care of this place for their future, they refused to give up and converted crisis as opportunities. They turned their small dreams to a reality. “Na-feel na namo ang presence sa gobyerno,” he said.
We went home refreshed and inspired by an empowered people who refuse to give up. (Beth Ramos-Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)
MAITUM, Sarangani (October 21, 2010) - “For a time, we thought our fate is sealed with hopelessness,” says Rosalito Labi, a sitio leader and barangay kagawad (village councilor) of sitio Angko, the sitio where we decided to spend our weekend.
This sense of hopelessness emanated from their past experiences. Government aid came few and far between if not none at all.
Sitio Angko is 15 kilometers away from the town proper and can be reached through a dirt road. From the dirt road, one has to walk three to four hours through a three-kilometer narrow trail. If it rains, the narrow trail with uphill and downhill climb becomes a one-foot deep mud ditch which makes walking extremely difficult. But the rich foliage and breathtaking view of the magical forest more than makes up the arduous journey.
This narrow trail was made through “bayanihan” by the villagers on May 2006 and was completed seven months later. They used “buyo-buyo” or sharpened wood to make the trail. Despite the trail they built, villagers still have a hard time transporting their farm produce to the poblacion. They use carabaos and horses to transport their farm produce.
Upon our arrival, we were forced to stay indoors by inclement weather. We took this opportunity to get close with the villagers, telling stories, playing with the kids, while others contented themselves looking at the foggy surroundings.
Securely ensconced on a rolling hill surrounded by rain forest, sitio Angko is home to 120 smiling, gentle, and peaceful Tboli people, who live on the edge of poverty. But villagers can proudly say that they have a zero crime rate. Their main source of livelihood is farming and hunting. Their main crop is corn. Fresh water fish is still abundant in the creeks of sitio Angko.
Angko is the farthest sitio of barangay Batian. It is also the least explored of all the six sitios of Bati-an.
Bati-an (population: 949) is the province’s poorest village according to the Community Based Monitoring System. 99.8% of its households have income below the poverty threshold and below the food threshold. 62.1% of its households have no access to potable water.
In basic education, 94.3% of Bati-an’s children 13-16 years old are not attending high school; 44.3 of children 6-12 years old are not attending elementary school; and 48.2% aged 6-16 years old are not attending school.
Labi confessed there were instances when they stopped dreaming and hoping for a bright future. “The barangay captain never visited us,” he said. Intervention from the government was hard to come by because of its distance and the difficulty in reaching the place.
Until February 2008 when the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), through the initiative of the provincial and municipal governments, started its projects in this sitio. Through their newly-formed people’s organization, the Tboli Farmers’ Association, MRDP projects were implemented but not after they were given skills training to prepare them for the projects. Rolando Delcano, an employee from the municipal agriculturist office, and the designated municipal facilitator of MRDP projects, patiently and conscientiously attended to the implementation of the projects. He goes to the area twice a month, live, sleep, and eat with them. Villagers sincerely involve themselves in the projects and in the process found themselves empowered.
“At first, people here were aloof. They just stay silent and stare at visitors. But now, they have learned to interact with other people. They learned to smile and talk to us,” says Delcano. “They also earned confidence and sense of pride from what they did for their sitio. Before, people here plant so that they have something to eat, but now, they also plant so they have something to sell,” Delcano disclosed.
The organization was given four carabaos, three horses which became five, and 12 goats which became 20. The carabaos and horses are used to transport their farm produce from the sitio to the dirt road where motorcycles will bring them to the town proper. Ten percent of the earnings in transporting goods go to the association.
Aside from the animals, MRDP also provided them with planting materials for abaca and coffee. Two hectares were planted to coffee, while 10 hectares were planted to abaca.
The coffee is about to bear fruit while they are now starting to harvest the abaca.
Representatives from the International Aid (IA) also visited them. They were promised a P25,000 worth of medicines once they built a health and nutrition post (HNP) which they did through bayanihan and from indigenous materials in the area. The HNP has been built and hopefully the P25,000 promised by the IA would come soon.
In May 2009, a solar power system was given to them by the provincial government. For the first time, villagers saw electric light on a pitch-dark night.
As the night falls in sitio Angko, myriad of fireflies light the growing darkness. The subtle beauty of wilderness at night and the chilling cold that it brings, makes sleep easy to come by. What a great break from a humdrum, busy life in the urban area.
“The biggest success of these people is their empowerment,” Delcano added.
Sitio Angko has the largest land area in Bati-an’s forestland which is 30% of the total area. Villagers are aware of the effects of “kaingin” (slash-and burn farming), illegal fishing (in the river), or illegal cutting of trees that is why these activities are discouraged in order to preserve the healthy environment. Near the proposed water spring development (funding of which is still to be sourced out), we found more or less 20 “red lawaan” trees which trunks are as big as the size of a fuel container drum.
A makeshift daycare center was built by the villagers through the help of the local government by providing materials. The honorarium of the volunteer/teacher is shouldered by the local government also. Labi said “we would be happy if the government or any funding agency or NGO help us build a permanent daycare center.”
Some of the big challenges that the villagers have to face are lack of medicines, basic education, lack of farming techniques and seedlings, and of course improvement of the narrow trail which connects them to the main dirt road.
But their most urgent concern is health and sanitation. The lack of potable water aggravates their situation. Toilet bowls given to them by the local government have to wait until a communal system will be constructed which would take a long time to be realized. More often, children are the ones who suffer from diarrhea and other water-borne diseases because of unclean drinking water. The existing water source which is a kilometer away from the center of the sitio is open and susceptible to contamination.
Sitio Angko is a strategic starting point to the many potential tourist spots in Bati-an. There is the hundred caves. Villagers told us that a cave was used to be a stronghold of the Japanese Imperial Army. Another cave, the El Kiblat Cave, just three kilometers away, has many compartments and with an upward exit. The giant staircase with flowing water, is just a kilometer away. The Dakiol Falls, five kilometers away, has a three-tier drop 50-meters each long. Its sight and sound leaves one catching his or her breath because of the heavy fall of water to the ground. Anybody who visited this place said that it is a perfect place for trekking and mountain climbing.
Villagers in sitio Angko provide a compelling testimony of a people that refuse to give up despite the odds. Labi admitted that in the past, there were times they lose hope and just accept the harsh reality; that nothing can be done to improve their situation. But like their ancestors who took care of this place for their future, they refused to give up and converted crisis as opportunities. They turned their small dreams to a reality. “Na-feel na namo ang presence sa gobyerno,” he said.
We went home refreshed and inspired by an empowered people who refuse to give up. (Beth Ramos-Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)
Village teacher
MAITUM, Sarangani (October 21, 2010) - Jabela Reyes, daycare teacher, patiently teaches sitio Angko children how to read. She started as a volunteer. Later, Rosalito Labi, a barangay kagawad, shared his honorarium with her. Now, it is the local government that pays her honorarium. (Beth Ramos-Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)
Day care pupils
MAITUM, Sarangani (October 21, 2010) - More or less 40 children go to the makeshift daycare center of sitio Angko in barangay Bati-an daily. Bati-an (population: 949) is the province’s poorest village with 99.8% of its households having income below the poverty threshold and below the food threshold. 62.1% of its households have no access to potable water. In basic education, 94.3% of Bati-an’s children 13-16 years old are not attending high school; 44.3 of children 6-12 years old are not attending elementary school; and 48.2% aged 6-16 years old are not attending school. (Beth Ramos-Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Traditional Tboli feast
KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 10, 2009) – A traditional feast of delectable native dishes is offered inside the newly built Tboli house at Falel community in barangay Tamadang, consecrated during the feast of Immaculate Concepcion Wednesday, December 9.(KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Allan de Lima)
Kehelubong Lemlunay: A feast of exotic culture
KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 10, 2009) – Seven kilometers of uphill motorcycle ride from Kiamba proper awaits an unveiled paradise of a mountainous village in barangay Tamadang.
Sitio Falel is endowed with rich traditions and well-preserved culture that have long been kept by one of Sarangani’s indigenous tribes – the Tboli.
It is a community now groomed by the local government as an integral part of the town’s eco-tourism showcase.
“It is one of our beautiful tourist spots here that if you happen to miss, you missed half of your life,” Mayor Rom Falgui quips.
On December 18-20, the Tbolis at Falel will display various traditional practices of the tribe as they celebrate Kehelubong Lemlunay, which means a gathering in paradise, as the village commemorates its 33rd founding anniversary.
One of the feast’s highlights will be the showcasing of Tboli hut making, revealing the tribe’s time-honored way of building their houses which are primarily composed of indigenous materials such as bamboo poles and Fern tree (cabo negro).
The name “Falel” was derived from one of the species of Fern plant that is prevalent around barangay Tamadang.
Meanwhile, Cogon grass and Rattan strips are used for binding. Even without bolts and nails, Tboli houses are said to last for 15 years.
Prior to the occasion, a hut was already constructed. Through a bayanihan, the building was put up as the multi-functional hall for the community’s various ethno-cultural practices.
The Tboli villagers, who are now mostly Catholic converts, have consecrated their newly-built house during the feast of Immaculate Concepcion (December 8).
“Kasi po proud kami na Tboli tribe kami. Gusto sana namin ibalik ang sinaunang sistema ng paggawa ng traditional na Tboli house para sa eco-tourism program ng munisipyo,” said municipal tribal affairs coordinator Juanito Sampan.
“Kiamba is full of pure beauty that every nature-lover, local or foreign, will surely admire especially the picturesque view here in Falel,” said municipal tourism officer-designate Allan de Lima.
“Every tourist will surely experience the traditional means of living as the way it was during the ancient days of the Tboli community,” De Lima concluded. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Joel C. Pinos)
Sitio Falel is endowed with rich traditions and well-preserved culture that have long been kept by one of Sarangani’s indigenous tribes – the Tboli.
It is a community now groomed by the local government as an integral part of the town’s eco-tourism showcase.
“It is one of our beautiful tourist spots here that if you happen to miss, you missed half of your life,” Mayor Rom Falgui quips.
On December 18-20, the Tbolis at Falel will display various traditional practices of the tribe as they celebrate Kehelubong Lemlunay, which means a gathering in paradise, as the village commemorates its 33rd founding anniversary.
One of the feast’s highlights will be the showcasing of Tboli hut making, revealing the tribe’s time-honored way of building their houses which are primarily composed of indigenous materials such as bamboo poles and Fern tree (cabo negro).
The name “Falel” was derived from one of the species of Fern plant that is prevalent around barangay Tamadang.
Meanwhile, Cogon grass and Rattan strips are used for binding. Even without bolts and nails, Tboli houses are said to last for 15 years.
Prior to the occasion, a hut was already constructed. Through a bayanihan, the building was put up as the multi-functional hall for the community’s various ethno-cultural practices.
The Tboli villagers, who are now mostly Catholic converts, have consecrated their newly-built house during the feast of Immaculate Concepcion (December 8).
“Kasi po proud kami na Tboli tribe kami. Gusto sana namin ibalik ang sinaunang sistema ng paggawa ng traditional na Tboli house para sa eco-tourism program ng munisipyo,” said municipal tribal affairs coordinator Juanito Sampan.
“Kiamba is full of pure beauty that every nature-lover, local or foreign, will surely admire especially the picturesque view here in Falel,” said municipal tourism officer-designate Allan de Lima.
“Every tourist will surely experience the traditional means of living as the way it was during the ancient days of the Tboli community,” De Lima concluded. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Joel C. Pinos)
Friday, November 27, 2009
Sarangani's festival for "first people"
By Beverly Paoyon
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 27, 2009) - Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon formally opened Thursday (November 26) the three-day celebration for the 17th Foundation Anniversary of Sarangani and 7th MunaTo Festival in time with the provincial athletic association meet.
Solon, before a crowd of more than 5,000 spectators and athletes, said the festivity calls for two things for Sarangans to celebrate - “to remember its province’s history” and “a celebration of the diversity and the unity of its tri-people (Indigenous People, Moro and Christian.”
He said “kinahanglan dili nato kalimtan ang pagmungna sa Sarangani in 1992. Kung asa ta gikan ug asa ta karon.”
Progress is evident in Sarangani, he said.
“Such great progress for Sarangani! And it is what we are celebrating in our foundation anniversary,” the vice governor said.
In a message of Congressman Erwin Chiongbian delivered by his brother Roy, he said this year’s theme, “Pride of the Sarangani Tri-People history… culture… resources” is very appropriate because “our history in Sarangani is short as we are only 17 years old and we go a long way back. But like all teenagers, we are full of energy.”
Chiongbian said “our culture is unique as we are filled with diverse people of different cultures working together to live together in peace and harmony.”
This, Solon has credited to the leadership of Governor Migs Dominguez for his “mission of making the tri-people working together for the benefit of the province as a whole.”
MunaTo meaning “fist people” is a festivity to showcase the cultural heritage as well as the tourism potentials of Sarangani.
It has also been linked to the 2,000-year old archaeological finds (anthropomorphic jars) in Maitum, Sarangani revealing the origin of community life in Southeast Asia.
Sarangani is culturally rich. It is populated with more or less 60 percent indigenous peoples. (Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 27, 2009) - Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon formally opened Thursday (November 26) the three-day celebration for the 17th Foundation Anniversary of Sarangani and 7th MunaTo Festival in time with the provincial athletic association meet.
Solon, before a crowd of more than 5,000 spectators and athletes, said the festivity calls for two things for Sarangans to celebrate - “to remember its province’s history” and “a celebration of the diversity and the unity of its tri-people (Indigenous People, Moro and Christian.”
He said “kinahanglan dili nato kalimtan ang pagmungna sa Sarangani in 1992. Kung asa ta gikan ug asa ta karon.”
Progress is evident in Sarangani, he said.
“Such great progress for Sarangani! And it is what we are celebrating in our foundation anniversary,” the vice governor said.
In a message of Congressman Erwin Chiongbian delivered by his brother Roy, he said this year’s theme, “Pride of the Sarangani Tri-People history… culture… resources” is very appropriate because “our history in Sarangani is short as we are only 17 years old and we go a long way back. But like all teenagers, we are full of energy.”
Chiongbian said “our culture is unique as we are filled with diverse people of different cultures working together to live together in peace and harmony.”
This, Solon has credited to the leadership of Governor Migs Dominguez for his “mission of making the tri-people working together for the benefit of the province as a whole.”
MunaTo meaning “fist people” is a festivity to showcase the cultural heritage as well as the tourism potentials of Sarangani.
It has also been linked to the 2,000-year old archaeological finds (anthropomorphic jars) in Maitum, Sarangani revealing the origin of community life in Southeast Asia.
Sarangani is culturally rich. It is populated with more or less 60 percent indigenous peoples. (Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
IP products
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2009) – Board Member Eunice Santos fits in a headdress made by indigenous people (IP) in Sarangani. It is one of the displays in the “Fabli Gu Ni” trade fair during the opening of the MunaTo Festival Thursday, November 26. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Fyu Kura
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2009) - A parade of dressed horses called “Fyu Kura” is one of the highlights during the opening of the three-day celebration of the 17th Foundation Anniversary and 7th MunaTo Festival of Sarangani. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tubad performing arts group
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2009) – Dancers of the Tubad Performing Arts group perform a welcome dance at the opening of the Sarangani Sacred Sites exhibit at the Capitol lobby Monday, November 23, which preludes the week-long celebration of the province’s MunaTo Festival and 17th Foundation Anniversary. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Sarangani Sacred Sites Exhibit
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2009) – Michelle Solon, Sarangani Tourism and Industry Association president and chairman of the MunaTo Festival this year, beguiles herself at a sacred site during the opening of the Sarangani Sacred Sites Exhibit Monday, November 23, at the Capitol lobby. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
MunaTo Festival soft opening
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2009) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon unveils and formally opens Monday, November 23, the Sarangani Sacred Sites Exhibit which preludes the week-long celebration of the province’s MunaTo Festival and 17th Foundation Anniversary. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
MunaTo exhibit
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2009) – Capitol employees flock to the Capitol lobby after the flag raising ceremony Monday, November 23, to witness the opening of the Sarangani Sacred Sites Exhibit which preludes the week-long celebration of the province’s MunaTo Festival and 17th Foundation Anniversary. The exhibit, a product of research by the Provincial Information Office and Indigenous People Development Program, is a tribute to the old traditions and rich cultural heritage of Sarangani tribes. MunaTo is a Blaan term for first people. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Sarangani's MunaTo Festival, a tribute to its past
By Beverly Paoyon
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 18, 2009) – Sarangani’s MunaTo Festival this year is anchored on the promotion of its cultural heritage, tourism potentials as well as the best practices, experiences and developments reaped over the 17 years since it was created in 1992.
Michelle Solon, president of Sarangani Tourism Industry Association (SARTIA), said activities lined up like the tribal mass wedding and the inter-dialogue among lumads (indigenous people), Muslims and Christians would wrap up the concept of culture and heritage which Sarangans claim the “pride of tri-people.”
MunaTo is a Blaan word that means “first people.”
Solon said this year’s celebration would “bring in and drive interest of people towards Sarangani. Ano ba ang Sarangani? Ano ba ang pagkakilala ng tao ng Sarangani? What we boast of is our culture.”
Solon estimated more or less 60 percent of the province’ population comprises the lumads and Muslims. “It’s more than our immigrants so ang pride natin is our heritage,” she said, thereby relating it to the discovery of 2000-year old anthropomorphic jars in Maitum which reveals “community life started in Sarangani.”
After the Tabon man, she said, “is the anthropomorphic jars. So we are like a link to the past and also we are looking forward to the future and this festival shows ‘yun ang kagandahan ng Sarangan, ang kagalingan ng Sarangan, ang uniqueness ng Sarangan at ito ngayon ang gusto nating ipakita sa buong mundo.”
Solon reported that tourism arrivals increase every year. On MunaTo festival monitoring alone, last year posted around 17,000, a significant increase compared to the previous year which is estimated at only 5,000.
SARTIA spearheads the MunaTo Festival this year. It is all private sector participated group which businesses are in Sarangani.
Solon, leading the group, said “talagang kitang-kita ng lahat na ang private sector is very supportive in pushing towards tourism of Sarangani. Nasa puso talaga namin kasi it affects the businesses of all and the tourism establishments.”
“This is one way of increasing tourism arrivals so talagang we are very supportive with the government’s efforts of pushing the tourism of Sarangani.”
Preparations for the festival of the different event organizers are now in place for the week-long celebration to start on November 23 and would culminate on November 28.
Other activities are cultural shows, street dancing competitions, showcase of products from each municipalities, concerts and street party and fireworks display. (Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 18, 2009) – Sarangani’s MunaTo Festival this year is anchored on the promotion of its cultural heritage, tourism potentials as well as the best practices, experiences and developments reaped over the 17 years since it was created in 1992.
Michelle Solon, president of Sarangani Tourism Industry Association (SARTIA), said activities lined up like the tribal mass wedding and the inter-dialogue among lumads (indigenous people), Muslims and Christians would wrap up the concept of culture and heritage which Sarangans claim the “pride of tri-people.”
MunaTo is a Blaan word that means “first people.”
Solon said this year’s celebration would “bring in and drive interest of people towards Sarangani. Ano ba ang Sarangani? Ano ba ang pagkakilala ng tao ng Sarangani? What we boast of is our culture.”
Solon estimated more or less 60 percent of the province’ population comprises the lumads and Muslims. “It’s more than our immigrants so ang pride natin is our heritage,” she said, thereby relating it to the discovery of 2000-year old anthropomorphic jars in Maitum which reveals “community life started in Sarangani.”
After the Tabon man, she said, “is the anthropomorphic jars. So we are like a link to the past and also we are looking forward to the future and this festival shows ‘yun ang kagandahan ng Sarangan, ang kagalingan ng Sarangan, ang uniqueness ng Sarangan at ito ngayon ang gusto nating ipakita sa buong mundo.”
Solon reported that tourism arrivals increase every year. On MunaTo festival monitoring alone, last year posted around 17,000, a significant increase compared to the previous year which is estimated at only 5,000.
SARTIA spearheads the MunaTo Festival this year. It is all private sector participated group which businesses are in Sarangani.
Solon, leading the group, said “talagang kitang-kita ng lahat na ang private sector is very supportive in pushing towards tourism of Sarangani. Nasa puso talaga namin kasi it affects the businesses of all and the tourism establishments.”
“This is one way of increasing tourism arrivals so talagang we are very supportive with the government’s efforts of pushing the tourism of Sarangani.”
Preparations for the festival of the different event organizers are now in place for the week-long celebration to start on November 23 and would culminate on November 28.
Other activities are cultural shows, street dancing competitions, showcase of products from each municipalities, concerts and street party and fireworks display. (Beverly Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
MunaTo Festival 2009 press conference
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 18, 2009) – (From right) Sarangani Tourism and Industry Association President Michelle Solon, with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, Board Member Art Lawa (Committee on Tourism and Indigenous People), and provincial administrator Vicente Camacho, answers a question from the media during the press conference Wednesday, November 18, at the Capitol conference room for the 2009 MunaTo Festival and the province’s 17th Foundation Anniversary. This year’s theme is “MunaTo Festival: Pride of Sarangani Tri-People”. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Provincial SLTs preserve IPs' cultural heritage
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 11, 2009) – Through the province’s Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) on School of Living Tradition (SLT), Sarangani indigenous peoples learn to value their tradition while gaining recognition from national and funding agencies abroad.
The SLTs provide the opportunity for the Blaan, Tagakaolo, and Tboli to preserve their cultural heritage and pass it on to the next generation.
“Among the eighty SLTs in the country, only Lamlifew was given the opportunity for a second funding,” disclosed Adelina Suemith, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Public Monitoring Evaluation Division Chief. Sarangani models the country’s SLTs according to the NCCA.
Sarangani has at least four SLTs for the Blaan in Lamlifew and the Tagakaolo in Malungon town, the Blaan mat weavers in Malapatan, and the Tboli brass casting and basketry in Kiamba.
“This (SLT) will provide livelihood for them while preserving their customs and tradition,” according to the NCCA.
In Upper Lasang, Malapatan town, “dreamweavers” there make mats for their living but more as a means to preserve their tradition. This Blaan community has a continued support on their SLT of mat weaving from the American Women’s Club of the Philippines (AWCP), IPDP, and the Sarangani Indigenous People Professional Association (SIPPA).
Sarangani tribal organizations have won in the regional art exhibit conducted by foreign-funded Kalinawa Art Foundation at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas College, General Santos City in 2007 and 2008.
In Lamlifew, its women association built a weaving house called Gumabal with the assistance from the IPDP. The Provincial Governor’s Office funded a Gu Kmaan or cafeteria near it.
In August last year, the IPDP turned over an ETV (educational TV) set donated by Bantay Bata Foundation to the village.
The provincial government’s special project in preserving the culture and tradition of indigenous people in Sarangani through the IPDP includes the planting of traditional rice varieties which not only give a high yield, but are also disease resistant, glutinous, and very tasty.
Last month, a skills transfer on silk weaving reached the women’s association from masterweavers of the Iban tribe in Malaysia.
The four-day visit was one of the projects of Mrs. Rosevida Alcantara Dominguez, mother of Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez.
The village school in Lamlifew has produced the most number of professionals in barangay Datal Tampal. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
The SLTs provide the opportunity for the Blaan, Tagakaolo, and Tboli to preserve their cultural heritage and pass it on to the next generation.
“Among the eighty SLTs in the country, only Lamlifew was given the opportunity for a second funding,” disclosed Adelina Suemith, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Public Monitoring Evaluation Division Chief. Sarangani models the country’s SLTs according to the NCCA.
Sarangani has at least four SLTs for the Blaan in Lamlifew and the Tagakaolo in Malungon town, the Blaan mat weavers in Malapatan, and the Tboli brass casting and basketry in Kiamba.
“This (SLT) will provide livelihood for them while preserving their customs and tradition,” according to the NCCA.
In Upper Lasang, Malapatan town, “dreamweavers” there make mats for their living but more as a means to preserve their tradition. This Blaan community has a continued support on their SLT of mat weaving from the American Women’s Club of the Philippines (AWCP), IPDP, and the Sarangani Indigenous People Professional Association (SIPPA).
Sarangani tribal organizations have won in the regional art exhibit conducted by foreign-funded Kalinawa Art Foundation at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas College, General Santos City in 2007 and 2008.
In Lamlifew, its women association built a weaving house called Gumabal with the assistance from the IPDP. The Provincial Governor’s Office funded a Gu Kmaan or cafeteria near it.
In August last year, the IPDP turned over an ETV (educational TV) set donated by Bantay Bata Foundation to the village.
The provincial government’s special project in preserving the culture and tradition of indigenous people in Sarangani through the IPDP includes the planting of traditional rice varieties which not only give a high yield, but are also disease resistant, glutinous, and very tasty.
Last month, a skills transfer on silk weaving reached the women’s association from masterweavers of the Iban tribe in Malaysia.
The four-day visit was one of the projects of Mrs. Rosevida Alcantara Dominguez, mother of Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez.
The village school in Lamlifew has produced the most number of professionals in barangay Datal Tampal. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Village children are genius of an old craft
By Russtum G. Pelima, MA Ed
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – “Mahirap po pero kinaya namin kaya masaya ako dahil marunong na akong gumawa ng accessories at magtahi ng sarili naming attire,” mused Christian Ditan, a Grade VI pupil of Lamlifew Elementary School.
“Ang aking karanasan sa loob ng apat na buwan ay ang beadsmaking at paggawa ng sariling damit. Masaya po ako dahil bata pa ako ay marunong na akong gumawa,” said Cristel Joy Mocam, Grade V.
Christian and Cristel are among the 37 Blaan pupils who graduated Friday (November 6) from the Blaan traditional craft of beadsmaking and traditional clothing integrated in their Home Economics and Livelihood Education classes.
“Naa diri ang mga intelligent designers (Here we find the intelligent designers),” said Beth Farnazo, program manager of the provincial Indigenous People Development Program under the Provincial Governor’s Office.
“You are considered as genius of our traditional craft. Unlike cross stitching learned by urban schoolchildren, here you do not follow any pattern yet come up with your own design. We must preserve this ability,” Farnazo told children and parents at the graduation ceremony.
The IPDP started in 2004 to look into the development programs for the lumads of Sarangani. Farnazo said in the country, the Lamlifew is the only village school which was given an Educational TV by the Bantay Bata Foundation.
“You have inspired me,” said district supervisor Nora Nerpiol. "It’s my dream to turn this school into an IP school,” she added.
Nerpiol said this because she said now she has found partners in education with the municipal and provincial government.
An IP school integrates the School of Living Tradition (SLT) such as beadsmaking and traditional clothing into the Department of Education’s regular curriculum and the translation of instructional materials into their native language.
Nerpiol also said the school will be recommended for Coca-Cola’s Little Red Schoolhouse while the provincial government will provide them additional teachers.
“In fact, new teachers from the province are now teaching here even without the new school buildings yet,” Nerpiol said.
Helen Lumbos, president of the women’s association who taught the children said Japanese national Taku Kawamuta, an anthropologist, after seeing photos of the Blaan children at the Sarangani website (www.sarangani.gov.ph), funded the textiles and threads for the children.
“Then the elders (were trained), now it’s the children,” Lombos said.
“Ang kasing-kasing ni Governor Migs Dominguez naa sa atoa. Dili ni mahitabo kung wala ang iyang suporta (The heart of Governor Migs Dominguez is with us. Without his support, this will never happen).”
“Dili sya tribu ug dili sya Blaan pero naa ang iyang suporta sa atoa (He is not a tribesman nor a Blaan, but he is always with us),” Lombos added.
Farnazo said yesterday, 30 children also graduated in Upper Lasang , Malapatan town, from SLT on mat weaving.
The Blaan dreamweavers of Upper Lasang are assisted by the American Women’s Association of the Philippines , IPDP and Sarangani Province Professional Association (SIPPA). (Russtum G. Pelima/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – “Mahirap po pero kinaya namin kaya masaya ako dahil marunong na akong gumawa ng accessories at magtahi ng sarili naming attire,” mused Christian Ditan, a Grade VI pupil of Lamlifew Elementary School.
“Ang aking karanasan sa loob ng apat na buwan ay ang beadsmaking at paggawa ng sariling damit. Masaya po ako dahil bata pa ako ay marunong na akong gumawa,” said Cristel Joy Mocam, Grade V.
Christian and Cristel are among the 37 Blaan pupils who graduated Friday (November 6) from the Blaan traditional craft of beadsmaking and traditional clothing integrated in their Home Economics and Livelihood Education classes.
“Naa diri ang mga intelligent designers (Here we find the intelligent designers),” said Beth Farnazo, program manager of the provincial Indigenous People Development Program under the Provincial Governor’s Office.
“You are considered as genius of our traditional craft. Unlike cross stitching learned by urban schoolchildren, here you do not follow any pattern yet come up with your own design. We must preserve this ability,” Farnazo told children and parents at the graduation ceremony.
The IPDP started in 2004 to look into the development programs for the lumads of Sarangani. Farnazo said in the country, the Lamlifew is the only village school which was given an Educational TV by the Bantay Bata Foundation.
“You have inspired me,” said district supervisor Nora Nerpiol. "It’s my dream to turn this school into an IP school,” she added.
Nerpiol said this because she said now she has found partners in education with the municipal and provincial government.
An IP school integrates the School of Living Tradition (SLT) such as beadsmaking and traditional clothing into the Department of Education’s regular curriculum and the translation of instructional materials into their native language.
Nerpiol also said the school will be recommended for Coca-Cola’s Little Red Schoolhouse while the provincial government will provide them additional teachers.
“In fact, new teachers from the province are now teaching here even without the new school buildings yet,” Nerpiol said.
Helen Lumbos, president of the women’s association who taught the children said Japanese national Taku Kawamuta, an anthropologist, after seeing photos of the Blaan children at the Sarangani website (www.sarangani.gov.ph), funded the textiles and threads for the children.
“Then the elders (were trained), now it’s the children,” Lombos said.
“Ang kasing-kasing ni Governor Migs Dominguez naa sa atoa. Dili ni mahitabo kung wala ang iyang suporta (The heart of Governor Migs Dominguez is with us. Without his support, this will never happen).”
“Dili sya tribu ug dili sya Blaan pero naa ang iyang suporta sa atoa (He is not a tribesman nor a Blaan, but he is always with us),” Lombos added.
Farnazo said yesterday, 30 children also graduated in Upper Lasang , Malapatan town, from SLT on mat weaving.
The Blaan dreamweavers of Upper Lasang are assisted by the American Women’s Association of the Philippines , IPDP and Sarangani Province Professional Association (SIPPA). (Russtum G. Pelima/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Young beadsmaker and dressmaker
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – Grade V pupil Cristel Joy Mocam thanks donors and supporters for helping them finish a four-month school-based SLT (School of Living Tradition) on Beadsmaking and Traditional Clothing at the graduation ceremony in Lamlifew Elementary School Friday, November 6. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Sarangani tribal theme
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – Graduating pupils of a four-month school-based SLT (School of Living Tradition) on Beadsmaking and Traditional Clothing at the Lamlifew Elementary School sing a tribal song “Sarangani, Land of Beauty” at their graduation rites Friday, November 6, at the Lamlifew Elementary School. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Graduating class
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – Grades V and VI pupils of the Lamlifew Elementary School pose with their teachers at the graduation rites for a four-month school-based SLT (School of Living Tradition) on Beadsmaking and Traditional Clothing at the Lamlifew Elementary School Friday, November 6. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Children musicians
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – Blaan children play Blaan traditional instruments at the graduation ceremony of a four-month school-based SLT (School of Living Tradition) on Beadsmaking and Traditional Clothing at the Lamlifew Elementary School Friday, November 6. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Blaan thanksgiving dance
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – Blaan lasses perform a thanksgiving dance during their graduation ceremony for a four-month school-based SLT (School of Living Tradition) on Beadsmaking and Traditional Clothing at the Lamlifew Elementary School Friday, November 6. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Beadsmaking class
MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 7, 2009) – Teacher Beth Ditan teaches her students the art of beadsmaking at the School of Living Tradition (SLT) in Lamlifew Elementary School. Japanese anthropologist Taku Kawamuta, after seeing photos of the Blaan children at www.sarangani.gov.ph provincial website, funded the children’s materials on beadsmaking and traditional clothing. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sarangani implements continuous programs for IPs
ALABEL, Sarangani (November 6, 2009) – The Provincial Government of Sarangani has long recognized the importance of the Indigenous People (IPs) in the province thus, programs and initiatives were taken up in order to further boost not only their way of living, but also preserve their cultural heritage.
In his statement, Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon asserted that a lot of programs have been conducted for IPs for the past years.
"Andami na naming programs sa IPs. Isa, meron na tayong university, a venture with MSU sa Malandag just for the IPs. We already have 47 scholars, nag-start na sila nung June to get their degree in education, so we created a school in Sarangani Province specifically for the IPs," Solon said.
He added that the provincial government has established the Indigenous People's Development Program (IPDP), a special unit under the Provincial Governor's Office that helps and protects the rights of the IPs in the province. It is also responsible for making programs for IPs such as livelihood assistance, and others.
"Meron din tayong Haggai Project na directly for the IPs, so imposible na hindi namin pinansin yung mga IPs kasi sa tingin namin ni Gov. Migs, we are all equal," he said.
Solon pointed out that Governor Migs Dominguez is implementing continuous projects for IPs' development. The governor's office even funded projects in the IP communities through the IPDP on School of Living Tradition (SLT).
Sarangani Province has at least four SLTs for the Blaan in Lamlifew; the Tagakaolo in Malungon town; the Blaan mat weavers in Malapatan; and the Tboli brass casting and basketry in Kiamba.
SLTs enable the tribe to value their culture and tradition. According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the province models the country's SLTs. This only means that there is a strong support from the provincial government in developing SLTs in the IP communities. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
In his statement, Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon asserted that a lot of programs have been conducted for IPs for the past years.
"Andami na naming programs sa IPs. Isa, meron na tayong university, a venture with MSU sa Malandag just for the IPs. We already have 47 scholars, nag-start na sila nung June to get their degree in education, so we created a school in Sarangani Province specifically for the IPs," Solon said.
He added that the provincial government has established the Indigenous People's Development Program (IPDP), a special unit under the Provincial Governor's Office that helps and protects the rights of the IPs in the province. It is also responsible for making programs for IPs such as livelihood assistance, and others.
"Meron din tayong Haggai Project na directly for the IPs, so imposible na hindi namin pinansin yung mga IPs kasi sa tingin namin ni Gov. Migs, we are all equal," he said.
Solon pointed out that Governor Migs Dominguez is implementing continuous projects for IPs' development. The governor's office even funded projects in the IP communities through the IPDP on School of Living Tradition (SLT).
Sarangani Province has at least four SLTs for the Blaan in Lamlifew; the Tagakaolo in Malungon town; the Blaan mat weavers in Malapatan; and the Tboli brass casting and basketry in Kiamba.
SLTs enable the tribe to value their culture and tradition. According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the province models the country's SLTs. This only means that there is a strong support from the provincial government in developing SLTs in the IP communities. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Malaysian master weavers
MALUNGON, Sarangani (October 24, 2009) - Nancy Ngali and Bangie Embol, master weavers from Malaysia, check the materials used by Blaan weavers. The Malaysian and Blaan weavers were sharing learning on their traditional way of weaving cloth. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Malaysian designer
MALUNGON, Sarangani (October 24, 2009) - Edric Ong, a Malaysian and Southeast Asian textile designer, shows the finished product of Malaysian weavers to Blaan weavers in Lamlifew village. The designer is in the province with two Malaysian master weavers to exchange learning with Blaan weavers. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Exchange learning in traditional weaving
MALUNGON, Sarangani (October 24, 2009) - Edric Ong, a Malaysian and Southeast Asian textile designer discusses with Beth Farnazo, Indigenous People Development Program project manager, the materials used for weaving in Malaysia as weavers of the Blaan tribe in Lamlifew village listen. The designer is in the province with two Malaysian master weavers to exchange learning with Blaan weavers. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sacred place
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 13, 2009) - Even before the Christian settlers arrived, this site with a view of Sarangani Bay called Bulol Kilot is claimed by the indigenous Blaans as a permanent resting place for almagol (soul). Sarangani will feature its indigenous people's sacred sites at the MunaTo Festival last week of November. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Victory dance
GLAN, Sarangani (October 7, 2009) - Blaan men perform traditional victory dance during the Tribal Day Tuesday, October 6, at the municipal plaza as the municipality marks its 95th foundation anniversary. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Tribal Chieftain
GLAN, Sarangani (October 7, 2009) – Businessman Roy Chiongbian (right) listens as Datu Tanao Tao, municipal tribal chieftain, talks and points at the mountainous areas of Glan during the Tribal Day Tuesday, October 6. The Tribal Day aims to reunite and revive all the indigenous people to preserve their culture. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)
Datu Banwe (Protector of the Land)
GLAN, Sarangani (October 7, 2009) - Datu Tanao Tao (left), municipal tribal chieftain, installs Mayor Enrique Yap (seated) as Datu Fulong Munong Banwe which means Protector of the Land during the conferment ceremonies as the highlight of the Tribal Day Tuesday, October 6, as part of the celebration of 95th foundation anniversary of the municipality. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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