New Canaan Elementary School

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) – Pupils show their reading workbooks distributed by QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) staff and volunteers Thursday, June 25, who crossed a river 23 times and followed mountain trails for two days to reach the school. QUEST aims to provide 1:1 student-workbook ratio for Grade I and 22,663 grade workbooks for 217 primary schools in Sarangani. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Jomar Jalos)

QUEST program director

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) – Anne Eday, QUEST program director, leads staff and volunteers in the distribution of reading workbooks donated by Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Alcantara Foundation, the Provincial Governor’s Office and the Children’s Hour at New Canaan Elementary School Thursday, June 25, after a four-hour walk and several river crossings. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Mark Cajutol)

QUEST volunteers

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) – Crossing a river for 23 times and trekking mountain trails for two days, these QUEST volunteers and staff enjoy their time before reaching the town’s remotest schools for the distribution of QUEST’s (Quality Education for Sarangani Today)reading workbooks donated by Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Alcantara Foundation, the Provincial Governor’s Office and the Children’s Hour. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Mark Cajutol)

Quest workbooks

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) - Pupils show their reading workbooks distributed by QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) staff and volunteers Thursday June 25. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Mark Cajutol)

Banlibato Primary School

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) - Pupils of Banlibato Primary School pose outside their classroom with their QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) reading workbooks from Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Alcantara Foundation, the Provincial Governor’s Office of Sarangani and the Children’s Hour. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Tres Besana)

By horse

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) – Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) volunteers, with their guides from the community, transport the books by horse in the mountains. The activity aims to provide 1:1 student-workbook ratio for Grade I pupils donated by the Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Alcantara Foundation, the Provincial Governor’s Office and the Children’s Hour to the town’s remotest barangays. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Tres Besana)

Early morning reading

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) – Grade III pupil John Mark Blel reads his new reading workbook before going to Banlibato Primary School. Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) volunteers brought 841 workbooks to village schools of Alabel with 22,663 grade workbooks for 217 primary schools in the province, with the aim of providing 1:1 student-workbook ratio for Sarangani Grade I pupils. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Tres Besana)

Flag raising

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) – Banlibato Primary School pupils and teachers attend their flag raising ceremony Thursday, June 25, before the distribution of workbooks donated by Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Alcantara Foundation, the Provincial Governor’s Office of Sarangani and the Children’s Hour as part of the activities of Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST). The school has two main structures with three classrooms where teachers hold combined classes. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Tres Besana)

Kiangkos Primary School

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2009) – Pupils show their grateful smile after receiving the reading workbooks distributed by QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) staff and volunteers Thursday, June 25, who crossed rivers and followed mountain trails for two days to reach the school. QUEST aims to provide 1:1 student-workbook ratio for Grade I and 22,663 grade workbooks for 217 primary schools in Sarangani. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Mark Cajutol)

Blaan traditional practice

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 17, 2009) – Blaan men and women demonstrate the kasfala, the tribe’s traditional way of conflict resolution, at the 2nd Tribal Day Wednesday, June 17, in celebration of the town’s 40th Foundation Anniversary and 4th Pakaradyan Festival. Pakaradyan is a Maguindanaon term for thanksgiving or celebration, though the town is mostly populated by the indigenous Blaans. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tahaw dance

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 17, 2009) – Male dancers perform a tahaw dance (bird dance) which, in Blaan tradition, symbolizes prosperity or harvest, during Tribal Day Wednesday, June 17, in celebration of the town’s 40th Foundation Anniversary and 4th Pakaradyan Festival. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal parade

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 17, 2009) – Barangay tribal councils lead the tribal parade Wednesday, June 17, during the town’s 2nd Tribal Day at the town’s 40th Foundation Anniversary and 4th Pakaradyan Festival which culminates on June 21 with this year’s theme, “Moving Forward for the Progress of Malapatan”. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Best-dressed carabao contest

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 7, 2009) – This carabao named Boi S’adaf (Princess of the West) is the entry of barangay Upo’s Upo Valley Multi-purpose Cooperative in the best-dressed carabao contest during the second day of the town’s 50th Foundation Anniversary and 10th Binuyugan Festival Wednesday, May 6. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli community

KIAMBA, Sarangani (May 4, 2009) – The Offsourcing Team poses with T'boli villagers in Falel during the delivery of rice, used clothes, shoes, books and toys Sunday (May 3). In photo, from left, are Macky Macavinta (department manager), April Kwong (junior developer), Francis Albores (junior developer), Marl Tumulak (senior developer / project manager), Alexis Corcino (senior developer), Gilmar Padua (junior project manager), and James Bautista (senior developer). (Photo courtesy of James Bautista/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Social Responsibility

KIAMBA, Sarangani (May 4, 2009) - A vacation for the Davao members of a US-based outsourcing company take social responsibility to the mountain village of Falel by bringing in rice, used clothes, shoes, books and toys Sunday (May 3) for the Tboli community. (Photo courtesy of James Bautista/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Blaan Culture: An Interactive Session for the Asian-Pacific Heritage Month 2009

The Alpharetta Branch Public Library in partnership with Galing Foundation, Inc. and AccessPhilippineAtlanta.com invites you to celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

Thursday, May 7 (4-5pm)
Ages 5 & up

The Blaan Tribe is one of the 110 indigenous groups of the Philippines. The Blaan indigenous peoples are located in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, Davao Del Sur and General Santos City, strategically located in the southernmost part of the islands of Mindanao.

Join us for an interactive session about the Blaan culture. View an exhibit of Blaan costumes and accessories, weaving, cultural photos. Listen to Blaan original song compositions by the Tubad Performing Arts Group of Sarangani Province. And enjoy a Blaan tribal dance presentation.

Free and Open to the public.

Alpharetta Branch Library
238 Canton Street
Alpharetta, GA 30009
770 7410-2425
www.afpls.org

Notes: Flyer courtesy of Marlan, Alpharetta Branch Library.Photos taken by Cocoy Sexcion at Lamlifew, Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani Province. Information also posted at http://projectgaling.blogspot.com/ and http://www.accessphilatlanta.blogspot.com/by Toni Daya-Luetgers.

Check for emergency resettlement

MAITUM, Sarangani (March 5, 2009) – A Tboli mother in Kipalkuda (now barangay New La Union) receives a P10,000 check Thursday, March 5, from Mayor Elsie Perrett assisted by barangay captain Digs Movilla as Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon looks on. The fund comes from the provincial government for calamity-stricken households in the barangay. Kipalkuda is a native term which means “horse crossing the river” since the village has many small rivers and horses as their means of transportation. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

The Blaan rider

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (February 28, 2009) – A B'laan horseman joins the celebration of Kalilangan Festival and 70th founding anniversary Friday, February 27, of General Santos City. Kalilangan is derived from the root word "kalilang" which typically means celebration or commemoration in the Maguindanaon dialect. General Santos City lies between the east and west coasts of Sarangani province with Sarangani Bay as the city’s maritime passageway. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

Tug of war

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Ken-Ken Juan (in yellow shirt)overpowers his opponent and declared as champion of the "Sudol dek", a tribal version of tug of war during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Tboli courtship dance

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Members of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe performs the "Madal temelek", a Tboli courtship dance during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Pole artist

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Michael Sagam crosses a 15-foot rattan pole which is a tribal contest known as "Kametay Luas" during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Indigenous firemaking

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Consito Tamfalan is the fastest contestant to make fire out of bamboo materials, commonly known as "Kamesong" in Tboli. The contest is part of the activities during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Comfort room donation

MAITUM, Sarangani (February 5, 2009) – American missionary Dan Evans (right) turns over keys of the donated comfort room (CR) to head teacher Aura Mirayo of Kipalkuda Elementary School. The new CR will provide greater sanitation and hygiene for the school property, students, and teachers. The school with 350 students in grades 1-6 is located in barangay New La Union. The construction project was initiated and funded by the Datu Wali Mission of Maitum, with planning assistance by the Maitum municipal engineering department, and hands-on supervision by engineer Gilbert Rocapor. Datu Wali Mission directors, Dan and Aurea Evans, who sponsor other programs to assist the children of Kipalkuda school, raised funds among their foundation supporters in the U.S. for the project. The CR follows a standard Unicef design, with all concrete walls and floor, and a dedicated septic tank. The original design was expanded to include two stalls in the female side of the CR, and a stall and urinal in the male section. Fresh water for flushing is supplied by a spring, and an outdoor faucet was incorporated for hand washing. (Photo courtesy of Datu Wali
Mission/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal wrestling

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 5, 2009) – A huge crowd enjoys watching the S'buno, a tribal wrestling among the Blaans and Tbolis during a community outreach and medical mission Wednesday, February 4 at the barangay site in Amsipit. The community welcomed Governor Migs Dominguez who celebrated with villagers a day before his birthday. The governor usually celebrates his birthday in the province's farthest
barangays. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mass wedding

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 5, 2009) – Mayor Aniceto Lopez, Jr. officiates a mass wedding (Kasalan ng Bayan) for 21 Blaan couples in barangay Amsipit Wednesday, February 4. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bridal kiss

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 5, 2009) – Newly-wed couples kiss after the Kasalan ng Bayan (mass wedding) in a community outreach and medical mission Wednesday, February 4, as Governor Migs Dominguez celebrates with the community a day before his 32nd birthday. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gift packs

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 5, 2009) – Mothers carry their gift packs from Governor Migs Dominguez. Provincial and municipal employees conducted a community outreach and medical mission at barangay Amsipit Wednesday, February 4, in partnership with YACAP, Alcantara Foundation, Conal Holdings Corporation, Southern Philippines Power
Corporation, and doctors from General Santos City. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. Migs with kids

MAASIM, Sarangani (February 4, 2009) – Governor Migs Dominguez celebrates with village children in barangay Amsipit Wednesday, February 4, a day before his 32nd birthday. Provincial and municipal officials conducted a community outreach and medical mission at Amsipit, a former insurgency hotbed which is now Dole Philippines'
pineapple expansion area. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

L'muog Festival

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) – Tboli children dance and socialize with one another at the L'muog Festival celebrated every year for three years now by the Tbolis in Maitum at the Kalaong River estuary. In the olden days, Tbolis stay in the riverbank for two to three days not only to gather food but also to meditate, pray, and give thanks for the blessings they receive. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mayor with children

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) - Tboli children greet Mayor and Boi Labi (princess of all tribes) Elsie Lucille R. Perrett (right) upon her arrival during the L'muog Festival, celebrated on December 29. Mayor Perrett was crowned Boi Labi of the Tbolis in August 2004. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mayor and Boi Labi

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) – Mayor Elsie Lucille R. Perrett, also known as Boi Labi (princess of all tribes), encourages the Tbolis to preserve their customs and traditions during the L'muog Festival. She expressed her full support to any endeavor of the Tbolis. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli children

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) - Tboli children eagerly await the opening of the L'muog Festival to revive customary laws and practices of their ancestors. The L'muog Festival re-lives olden day practices where Tbolis gather together in a riverbank to fish and hunt wild pigs. The festival was held at the Kalaong River estuary on December 29. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Villagers welcome Gov.

MAITUM, Sarangani (December 24, 2008) – Tbolis welcome Governor Migs Dominguez during the culmination program of Haggai for Peace project, a three-month Culture of Peace and Spiritual Enrichment Training at sitio Labudog in barangay Upo. (Photo by Bon-Bon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal sports fest

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) – A Tboli archer aims at his target during the tribal sports fest in celebration of the 32nd foundation anniversary of Sitio Falel Sunday, December 21. This event was organized by the municipal government in partnership with Smart Public Affairs Mindanao which provided the prizes. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Spear

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) - A Tboli aims his spear during the traditional sports festival in Sitio Falel Sunday, December 21,organized by the municipal government in partnership with Smart Public Affairs Mindanao. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Piglet-catching

KIAMBA, sarangani (December 23, 2008) - Bebe Sadaya celebrates after winning the piglet-catching race Sunday, December 21, in celebration of 32nd foundation anniversary of Sitio Falel, a Tboli community. At right is Juanito Sampam, one of the event organizers. This event was organized by the local government of Kiamba in partnership with Smart Public Affairs Mindanao. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

New slippers

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) - Pupils of Falel community school show off their new slippers donated by Smart Public affairs Mindanao. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Contestants

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) - Contestants line up as they wait for their turn during the traditional wine-drinking contest Sunday, December 21, in Sitio Falel, a Tboli community. Smart Public Affairs Mindanao provided the prizes. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Wine-drinking

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) - A contestant drinks the wine during the traditional contest Sunday, December 21, in celebration of 32nd foundation anniversary of Sitio Falel, a Tboli community. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Spiritual enrichment

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 16, 2008) – Blaan women who graduated from the three-month Culture of Peace and Spiritual Enrichment Training talk with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon about the HAGGAI for Peace Project of the province on monday, December 15, at barangay Maligang in Kiamba. (Photo by Bon-Bon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

HAGGAI project participant

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 16, 2008) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon congratulates one of the oldest Blaan participants during the graduation of the Culture of Peace and Spiritual Enrichment Training under HAGGAI for Peace Project of the province at sitio Kyumad, barangay Amsipit, Maasim on December 13. (Photo by Bon-Bon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Blaan entertainment

MAASIM, Sarangani (December 16, 2008) – Blaan women entertain guests with a dance number during their graduation after three months of joining Culture of Peace and Spiritual Enrichment Training in line with the HAGGAI for Peace Project of the province at sitio Kyumad, barangay Amsipit, Maasim on December 13. More than 50 participants graduated from this barangay and pilot for the municipality of Maasim.
The HAGGAI name is derived from the Old Testament's Prophet Haggai.(Photo by Bon-Bon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Volvic (Tubad Blaan) and Ken (Tubad Tboli) posing at the artwork of Tboli artist Ronald Tamfalan during the 2008 MunaTo Festival. Photo couresy of Jocelyn C. Robles.

Volvic (Tubad Blaan) at the Kalyak Sarangani exhibit during the 2008 MunaTo Festival. Photo courtesy by Jocelyn C. Robles

Joy ride

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 10, 2008) - Blaan kids enjoy carabao back riding in Lamlifew, a Blaan village where a community living museum of the tribe is situated. Lamlifew is a Blaan coinage- lam, a place, and fefew, a variety of taro or yam, a Blaan delicacy. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Joey Ayala Concert

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 2, 2008) – A lady from sitio Lamlifew, Malungon dances as Joey Ayala sings at the celebration of the 6th MunaTo Festival of Sarangani at the Capitol Gym on November 27. (Photo by BonBon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal show

ALABEL, Sarangani (December 2, 2008) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) wears a hand-painted Barong Tagalog design by Emi Alexander Englis, an international fashion designer from barangay Datal Tampal in Malungon, during the Kfife ded Saul fashion show with Board Members Aniceto Lopez III (left) and Art Lawa (right) on November 27. (Photo by BonBon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli courting dance

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 2, 2008) – Tboli children entertain the crowd at the municipal kiosk with a "Courting Dance" as Kiamba hosts the Mindanao Week of Peace celebration with the theme "Integrity of the Heart and Mind, A Way to Reconciliation and Peace." (Photo by Ray Daniel/KIAMBA NEWS & INFO CENTER)

Theater Arts Presentation

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 2, 2008) – Theater actors of the Mindanao State University's Kabpapagariya Ensemble perform before a huge crowd at the municipal kiosk in commemoration of the Mindanao Week of Peace on November 27. In this scene, performers show bigotry among culture as the root-cause of conflict in Mindanao. (Photo by Ruel D. Ampatin/KIAMBA NEWS & INFO CENTER)

Tboli art

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 30, 2008) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon observes Tboli artist Ronald Tamfalan as he paints at the booth of Kiamba in the opening of 6th MunaTo Festival Thursday, November 27, at the Capitol. Tamfalan's artwork mostly reflects on his tribe's culture and history. (Photo by BonBon Quiňo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)