Tboli Dance

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 12, 2007) – A T'boli lass performs during the light-a-tree program at municipal kiosk Tuesday evening, December 11. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Sarangani Village Museum

MANILA (December 12, 2007) – Herminia Lacna and Rose Bantilan show upland rice packaged in indigenous materials including the tools used in milling rice the traditional way at the launch December 3 of the first village museum in the Philippines at the National Museum in Manila. The museum to be established in Lamlifew village in Malungon, Sarangani will provide information and growing specimen of the dozens of varieties of upland rice that the B'laan have managed to nurture. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE courtesy of Marlene Po)

NOTES ON THE EXHIBITION

Launch at the National Museum of the Philippines, 03 December 2007
Lamlifew Village Museum
Malungon, Sarangani
NOTES ON THE EXHIBITION*

This modest exhibition at the 4th floor of the Museum of the Filipino People, Manila, was curated to serve as an announcement that the Philippines’ first village museum, created by its residents, begins its institutional life.

The Lamlifew Village Museum is located in a hilly sitio of the town of Malungon, Province of Sarangani. At the moment, it is an empty thatch and bamboo structure larger than the huts of the residents, a closely-related B’laan-speaking community. The first materials developed for the interior of the museum are the photographs and initial texts exhibited during tonight’s launch. These materials will be shipped to Lamlifew after a few days at the National Museum.

At Lamlifew, the photographs will be serving two bridging functions. Firstly, between the residents and visitors, these images will represent portals into B’laan life (traditional, transitional, and altered), particularly in relation to geographic and social areas that visitors will not be able to access readily. Secondly, between and among the B’laan residents themselves in Lamlifew, especially across the generations, the photographs will be the foci of discussions, narrations, perhaps singing—with the intended outcome of compiling data, from within the community, at their own pace, usually without the presence of visitors, out of which they can craft which stories they wish to tell about themselves.

With this system, the tasks of data-gathering, interpretation, editing,
and conveying information, will primarily be in the hands of the residents of Lamlifew. It is expected that they, in turn, will also develop a strong sense of trusteeship over the narratives of other B’laan in the more interior areas of Sarangani, on one hand, and on the other hand, a dynamic relation with parties coming from outside their cultural world.

The exhibition tonight at the National Museum will differ in a substantial way from what will be seen in the thatch and bamboo museum in Lamlifew. Tonight, there is on exhibit superb early 20th century examples of B’laan ikat dyeing, beadwork and mother-of-pearl work. These are on loan for a few days from private collectors. There are only a handful of such examples held by the B’laan themselves at present. Indeed, there are very few examples left in the Philippines, as these materials are dispersed in private and state collections all over the world. Many B’laan have not seen these materials. The monetary values of these antiques are at quantum distance from B’laan reality. It is important to note that the younger B’laan of Lamlifew itself have not seen these materials.

Thus, a major part of the work of the Lamlifew Village Museum is to attempt to gain access to photographic images of old B’laan artwork (dyeing and beadwork in particular), to try to relearn the processes and aesthetic-spiritual content that create these materials, and to try to harmonize this re-learning process with the demands of a changing world.

Having acknowledged their amputation from their own artistic traditions, the Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association chose to focus on the still-intact rice planting traditions as the museum theme. During the coming years of re-learning material culture skills — and they know this will take a long time — they have decided to promote upland rice agriculture.

Their hope is that the transitional process they will be undergoing can be managed in
ways that allow them the dignity of a continuing link with their own sources of genius.

*Information courtesy of Ms. Marlene Po, co-organizer of the event.

Some photos taken during the launching of the first Village Museum of the Philippines courtesy of Ms. Marlene Po, co-organizer of the event.

More photos at this link:

http://operaiostanco.multiply.com/photos/album/41/BLAAN_TRIBE

Blaan ladies

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 5, 2007) – B'laan ladies spend leisure time together in the village of Lamlifew where the first village museum in the Philippines is being established. This museum will provide information and growing specimens of the dozens of varieties of upland rice that the B'laan have managed to nurture. The village museum was launched Monday, December 3, at the National Museum of the Philippines, Manila. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

5-7 photos of MunaTo Festival Champion

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) – Dancers of Glan School of Arts & Trades perform Wednesday, November 28, at the Sarangani capitol grounds to emerge as the 5th MunaTo Festival's champion in the street-dancing competition with a cash prize of P75,000. The winning group from Glan town used multihued coco-inspired gears to showcase the abundance of coconut in the municipality. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

1-4 photos of MunaTo Festival Champion

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) – Dancers of Glan School of Arts & Trades perform Wednesday, November 28, at the Sarangani capitol grounds to emerge as the 5th MunaTo Festival's champion in the street-dancing competition with a cash prize of P75,000. The winning group from Glan town used multihued coco-inspired gears to showcase the abundance of coconut in the municipality. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy Sexcion)

6 MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) - An entire family of five crowds a small motorcycle so they could watch the street dancing competition at the Sarangani capitol grounds. The province is celebrating the 5th MunaTo Festival which coincides with the 15th Foundation Anniversary Wednesday, November 28, of Sarangani Province. (Photo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE courtesy of Bobby Timonera of MindaNews)

5 MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) – Mothers do last minute touchup before the street dancing competition during the province's 5th MunaTo Festival which coincides with the 15th Foundation Anniversary Wednesday, November 28, of Sarangani province. (Photo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE courtesy of Bobby Timonera of MindaNews)

4 MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) – Street dancers compete for the annual street dancing competition during the province's 5th MunaTo Festival which coincides with the 15th Foundation Anniversary Wednesday, November 28, of Sarangani province. (Photo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE courtesy of Bobby Timonera of MindaNews)

3 MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) – Street dancers compete for the annual street dancing competition during the province's 5th MunaTo Festival which coincides with the 15th Foundation Anniversary Wednesday, November 28, of Sarangani province. (Photo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE courtesy of Bobby Timonera of MindaNews)

2 MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) – A street dancing participant acting the role of a pest escapes the wrath of farmers as Sarangani province celebrates Wednesday, November 28, the 5th MunaTo Festival dance competition which coincides with its 15th Foundation Anniversary. (Photo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE courtesy of Bobby Timonera of MindaNews)

1 MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 29, 2007) – Street dancers compete for the annual street dancing competition during the province's 5th MunaTo Festival which coincides with the 15th Foundation Anniversary Wednesday, November 28, of Sarangani province. (Photo for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE courtesy of Bobby Timonera of MindaNews)

Tribal kids

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2007) – Kids in colorful B'laan dress welcome Governor Migs Dominguez at the tribal village set up at the Capitol Park for the duration of MunaTo Festival from November 23 to 28. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Tinagtag

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2007) – Tinagtag, the crisp rice rolls enjoyed for generations, is cooked the traditional way at the Capitol Park's tribal village by Moro women with a little help from Governor Migs Dominguez. The village is a showcase of the MunaTo Festival. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Sarangani marks Mindanao Week of Peace

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2007) – Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and Governor Migs Dominguez lead the release of doves and balloons at the flag raising ceremony Monday, November 26, at the Capitol marking the Mindanao Week of Peace in Sarangani. The week-long celebration of the province's 15 th Foundation Anniversary and 5th MunaTo Festival highlights the peace forum during the day. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Sec. Dureza in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 26, 2007) – Governor Migs Dominguez (left) and Secretary Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process join capitol employees at the flag raising ceremony Monday, November 26. The week-long celebration of the province's 15 th Foundation Anniversary and 5th MunaTo Festival highlights the peace forum during the day. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Tribal village guests

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 25, 2007) – Children give special attention to Governor Migs Dominguez and Vice Governor Steve Solon as they visit the tribal village at Capitol Park Friday, November 23, where Sarangani's six major tribal groups -- B'laan, T'boli, Tagakaolo, Kalagan, Manobo, Ubo and Moro – are staging a tribal village and museum during the MunaTo Festival. Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Museum pieces

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 25, 2007) – Vice Governor Steve Solon (holding a kris) and Governor Migs Dominguez visit the Capitol Park's tribal museum Friday, November 23, where Sarangani's major tribal groups display their products and indigenous handicraft. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Kulintang

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 25, 2007) – Governor Migs Dominguez tries to play the kulintang musical instrument at the Capitol Park's tribal village Friday, November 23, as Vice Governor Steve Solon (2nd from right) and performers look on. Cultural performances which portray traditional dances, songs, chants, musical instruments and other Indigenous People and Moro literature are showcased until November 28. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Pusaka-Kalyak MunaTo Museum

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2007) – Governor Migs Dominguez signals the opening of the Pusaka-Kalyak MunaTo Museum at the Capitol Park Friday, November 23. The museum showcases the distinct and culture and traditions of Sarangani's six major tribal groups: B'laan, T'boli, Tagakaolo, Kalagan, Manobo, Ubo and Moro. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Lamlifew Village Museum launching

The National Museum of the Philippines
The Provincial Government of Sarangani
TAOINC
and
The Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association

Cordially invite you to an evening gathering on the occasion of the launch of

The Lamlifew Village Museum

The first Philippine museum being initiated by our kin
The indigenous B’laan of Sarangani

The Lamlifew Village Museum takes for its topic the numerous varieties of upland rice, which the many villages in the upper reaches of Sarangani continue to propagate. Sample the ten varieties of upland rice of various colors, which will also be available for sale by B’laan women from Lamlifew, Malungon, Sarangani, during this occasion. They will likewise present traditional B’laan songs and instrumental music.

6 in the evening
Monday, 3 December 2007
Cocktails will be served.

Ground level, Museum of the Filipino People
National Museum of the Philippines
(Former) Finance Building, Agrifina Circle, Manila

RSVP (0917) 970-0052 Marlene Po

Fabli Gu Ni in Manila

MANILA (November 21, 2007) – A B'laan lady oversees Fabli Gu Ni ("I am selling this" in vernacular) trade bazaar in Manila Sunday, November 18. Fabli Gu Ni in Manila showcased products indigenous to Sarangani made by B'laan, T'boli and Tagakaulo artists. The trade fair also sold Sarangani products like bagoong, alamang, rice and corn coffee, banana chips and the like. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/MLS)

MunaTo head

MAITUM, Sarangani (November 21, 2007) – This is one of the complete burial jars found at Pinol Cave in Maitum where MunaTo (unang tao) derived its name for the MunaTo Festival. MunaTo is also a vernacular term for "the first people". In 1992, the archaeological find of burial jars dating back 2,000 years ago unearthed artifacts that are now on exhibit at the National Museum. The MunaTo Festival on November 23-28 is a provincial celebration which culminates at its foundation anniversary on November. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

MunaTo trade fair positions to increase investments

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 21, 2007) - This year's MunaTo Festival would provide a better venue to support the aggressive promotion for the province's investment and tourism potentials, organizers said.

Engr. Nenita Barroso, director of Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center, said although the celebration on November 23-28 will highlight the cultural heritage of the province, "the impact of this would be observed in the increase of demand of local products and of the province's tourism industry."

The yearly trade fair, coined as Fabli Gu Ni, a B'laan term for "I am selling this," would be a come on activity for visitors to buy and patronage Sarangani products, Barroso said.

Fabli Gu Ni promotes products of the province's micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and from other regions in SOCSARGEN like processed food, handicraft and other services.

Among these are the OTOP (One Town One Product) of the province and the seven municipalities which Barroso said would push a promotion campaign to market local products to the region and even outside the country.

Barroso was confident the trade fair would do better this year as she reported this early that 30 booths allotted for exhibitors were already confirmed.

Additional booths were reserved to accommodate more exhibitors.

Fabli Gu Ni opens on the first day of MunaTo Festival on November 23 at the MunaTo Arcade which would host food chains, manufacturers, and service providers from Region 12.

The products for sale would be ranging from specialty food, processed food and beverages to fashion accessories, souvenir items, home fixtures and health and beauty products.

MunaTo Arcade organizer Milbie Guiang said the fair would offer "an ideal business atmosphere to encourage investments in the province."

Guiang said they invited entrepreneurs outside Sarangani to have the "chance to explore possibilities of expanding business." (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/BCP)

Launching of Lamlifew Village Museum

The National Museum of the Philippines
The Provincial Government of Sarangani
TAOINC
and
The Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association

cordially invite you to an evening gathering on the occasion of the launch of

The Lamlifew Village Museum

The first Philippine museum being initiated by our kin
The indigenous B’laan of Sarangani

The Lamlifew Village Museum takes for its topic the numerous varieties of upland rice, which the many villages in the upper reaches of Sarangani continue to propagate. Ten varieties of upland rice, of various colors, will be sold by B’laan women from Lamlifew, Malungon, Sarangani, during this occasion. Examples of upland rice-based foods will be served. The B’laan women will also present traditional songs and instrumental music.

6 in the evening
Monday, 3 December 2007
Superb cocktails will be served.

Ground level, Museum of the Filipino People
National Museum of the Philippines
(Former) Finance Building, Agrifina Circle, Manila

For your RSVP , more information about the museum project and B’laan upland rice, please contact
(0917) 970-0052 Marlene Po
marlenepo@yahoo.com

Lamlifew Village Museum press release

The first village museum in the Philippines is being established in the hamlet of Lamlifew, in an interior highland part of the municipality of Malungon in the Province of Sarangani, Mindanao. Initiated by the indigenous B’laan inhabitants of Lamlifew, this museum will provide information and growing specimens of the dozens of varieties of upland rice that the B’laan have managed to nurture — notwithstanding the ascendancy of monocropping over the last century. This rice museum will be taken care of entirely by Lamlifew villagers, including the cyclical planting of the seedlings that they find in their continuing search among the other highland B’laans for even rarer varieties.

This village museum will be launched at 6 p.m. on Monday, 3 December 2007, at the Museum of the Filipino People (Finance Bldg.), National Museum of the Philippines, Manila. Attending the evening event is one of the project’s principal sponsors, Governor Miguel Domiguez of the province of Sarangani. He joins the B’laan women who are coming to Manila from December 1–10, to introduce the Manila public to their museum and to the wealth of rice culture preserved by the B’laan.

The launch of the Lamlifew Village Museum at the National Museum is a symbolic demonstration of the support by a national cultural agency of a village-based cultural initiative. According to Marian Pastor Roces, the independent curator who introduced the Lamlifew B’laan effort to the National Museum, the launch signals a new kind of trusteeship. Instead of centralizing the idea of caring for and interpreting cultural materials exclusively at the national level, the Lamlifew Village Museum moves towards decentralization. This direction will mean that eventually, it will be understood that the most effective custodians of local cultural and indeed even scientific heritage, are to be found at the village level. Roces finds it impressive that the Lamlifew Village Museum will have its own institutional identity separate from any national or even regional agency; and equally impressive that the National Museum’s Director, Corazon Alvina, recognizes the vitality of such an initiative.

Lamlifew is an unusual village in that, in its quiet, unhurried ways, it has been a catalyst for tradition-sensitive change. A few years ago, Lamlifew women formed themselves into a association, and set about establishing an enterprise based on traditional beadwork and weaving. They eventually registered themselves with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission, likely becoming the first such formal entity instituted by a Philippine indigenous group. They were assisted by yet another rare agency: the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP), created by the Provincial Government of Sarangani as acknowledgement of the provincial profile: more than half its population consists of indigenous peoples. The IPDP staff, many of whom are B’laan themselves, have made it a point to provide assistance that encourages and allows for independent action on the part of villagers. Such independent action is embodied in the Lamlifew Women’s Association, now strong enough to undertake a museum project.

It was the IPDP that first introduced the Lamlifew women’s association to Marian Pastor Roces, president of TAOINC - a museum planning agency. By conceptualizing the village museum project, she is thus bringing together the wishes of the Lamlifew women’s association; and the advice, oversight, and technical support of the IPDP. Assisting Roces with the launch, fund-raising, project implementation and promotion/sales of Sarangani B’laan upland rice is Marlene Po, indigenous peoples (IP) advocate and cultural worker

For information on this project, please contact TAO INC, at 8163726, Room 206, LaO’ Centre, 1000 Makati Avenue corner Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City. For invitations to the December 3 museum launch or details about B’laan upland rice, please contact Marlene Po at (0917) 9700052.

Information courtesy of Ms. Marlene Po, cultural advocate and partner for Sarangani Indigenous Peoples Development Program.

Lamlifew Village Museum Launching

An Invitation from Marlene Po, President of the Museum Volunteer of the Philippines (MVP)


Please reserve MONDAY, 3rd DECEMBER 2007 from 6:00 pm onwards for a very special event at the National Museum of the Philippines. (Finance Building,Agrifina Circle, Manila)

The event is the launch of a village museum initiated by an indigenous group, the B’laan.

The village has the lovely name of Lamlifew

and it is in the highlands of the province of Sarangani, Mindanao.

The village museum will be devoted to the propagation

of information and seedlings of the impressive number of

upland rice varieties that, surprisingly,continues to exist in the B’laan highlands.

More than 100 varieties have been documented.

The colors alone are astounding. Ten varieties will be for sale
in 2, 4 and 5 kilo volumes packed in their basket weave.

On December 3, we will be partaking of preparations

of some of the rice varieties.

Four Lamlifew women are coming, and one of them will

be singing for us traditional B’laan songs.

We will also be viewing the first elements,

mainly photographs, that will be part of the Lamlifew Village Museum.

A bit of backgroundA few years ago, Lamlifew women formed

an association to manage the trading of their beadwork and weaving.

Eventually, they registered that association with the

Securities and Exchange Commission.
The villagers of Lamlifew have now decided that

they wish to have a museum.

They also decided on what they intend the focus to be:

rice, food, and associated traditions of the B’laan ethnolinguistic group.

Aware of a research study on rice conducted by the

Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP)

of the Government of Sarangani,

the Lamlifew residents—all B’laan—have a fresh

appreciation of the value of the more than 100 varieties

of rice documented during this study.

Many of these upland varieties of rice are

only planted in extremely interior villages of Sarangani,

most of which are practically inaccessible.

This modest effort of creating a village museum

has considerably great dimension.

Curating this museum for them, Marian Pastor-Roces

subsequently introduced them to the leadership of the National Museum.

At the provincial level, it was Governor Migs Dominguez himself

who instituted the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP)

of the Sarangani Government – the first-ever agency under

his office created in response to a demographic fact:

more than 50% of the population of his province is indigenous.

The IPDP, with a staff speaking indigenous languages,

has been quite consistent with sustaining independent

initiative on the part of villagers.

As for myelf, it is such an exciting and enriching experience

to help Marian Pastor-Roces(my “role model”, who is a museum designer,

tectile expert and regular MVP lecturer)

on this project and to collaborate with the B’laan of
Lamlifew, the IPDP staff and... Gov. Migs!

So don’t miss out on this evening of singing, wining,

dining, shopping, and engaging interacting!

See you there!

The National Museum of the Philippines

The Provincial Government of Sarangani

TAOINC

and The Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association

cordially invite you to an evening gathering on the

occasion of the launch of The Lamlifew Village Museum

The first Philippine museum being initiated by our kin

The indigenous B’laan of Sarangani

The Lamlifew Village Museum takes for its topic

the numerous varieties of upland rice, which the many villages in the

upper reaches of Sarangani continue to propagate.

Ten varieties of upland rice, of various colors,

will be sold by B’laan women from Lamlifew,

Malungon, Sarangani, during this occasion.

Examples of upland rice-based foods will be served.

The B’laan women will also present traditional songs

and instrumental music.

6 in the eveningMonday, 3 December 2007

Superb cocktails to be served.

Ground level, Museum of the Filipino People

National Museum of the Philippines (Former) Finance
Building, Agrifina Circle, Manila RSVP (0917) 970-0052 Marlene Po

Sarangani street dancing event

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 14, 2007) – Sarangani presents Sayew D' Dalan (street dancing) competition on November 28 during the November 23-28 MunaTo Festival and the province's 15th Foundation Anniversary. Dancing contingents from Sarangani's seven municipalities will compete at the Capitol grounds. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Sarangani Cultural Heritage

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 14, 2007) – Sarangani pays tribute to its people and cultural history with the MunaTo Festival on November 23-28 and the province's 15th Foundation Anniversary on November 28, 2007. The festival also showcases cultural traditions, music and dances that depict the richness of Sarangani heritage. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

MunaTo '07 celebartes Sarangani Cultural Heritage

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 13, 2007) – Upbeat with its tourism and natural potentials, Sarangani pays tribute to its people and cultural history with the yearly MunaTo Festival and the province's 15th Foundation Anniversary this month.

Munato is a local native term for "first people".

The MunaTo as provincial festival was conceptualized taking on the significance of the archaeologists discovery of burial jars in Pinol Cave, Maitum town, in 1992.

The jars, dating back to around 2,000 years ago, were believed to have been relics of the first civilization in this part of Mindanao. The Maitum Jars are now exhibited in the National Museum.

Sarangani gives homage to diverse culture and people where the five-day provincial festival will showcase their traditional arts and crafts, dresses and dances.

"Overtime, constant mingling of people with diverse cultures can slough off differences while reinforcing ethnic identities," wrote historian Heidi Gloria.

The provincial government's School of Living Tradition (SLT) with funds coming from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) reaches out to Sarangani Indigenous Peoples in both developing and preserving their cultures and ethnic origins.

Among these are the myths and legends of the tribes like the Tagakaolos of Malungon.

"Long time ago, Prophet Lumabet and his followers were on a long journey," retold the Datus of Tagakaolos.

"They got thirsty and when they saw a big rock, Lumabet struck his spear on the rock eight times and water flowed from it. And so it was called the Walong Tinugbulan or Eight Springs."

Then Lumabet drank water from the spring with a bamboo cup. The water spilled on the ground which became the origin of Lake Danao in Malita, Davao del Sur."

There are 14,000 Tagakaolos scattered in the communities and high land villages of Malungon but particularly in Kityan where its largest 319 families reside.

"This November, we are going to inaugurate our training center where our youth and women make artifacts and dresses," tribal leader Narcisa Galgo said.

The Munato Festival opens on November 23 with Fabli Gu Ni, a B'aan term for 'I am selling this' a trade fair of native artifacts that will attract buyers and tourists. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/RGP)

Cultural Village Photo 9

Miniature Sarangani Bay photo taken at night inside the Cultural Village for the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.

Cultural Village Photo 8

Cultural village photo of miniature Sarangani Bay taken at night.

Guests in the Cultural Village

Guests coming in to see the different presentation and exhibit at the Cultural Village in celebration of the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.Shown in the picture is Boe Labi Elsie Perrett, the Supreme Crowned Princess of Sarangani, wearing her traditional Blaan beaded upper cloth.

Young Muslim Dancers

Young Muslim cultural performers during the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.

Muslim Dance

Young Muslim cultural performers presentation during the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.

Blaan dance formation 3

Maral, traditional Blaan dance presented during the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.

Blaan dance for planting 2

Traditional Blaan dance for planting called lamgi which is considered as a sacred ritual for blissful harvest.

Blaan dance for planting

Re-enactment of a Blaan dance for planting season called as lamgi wherein men are digging the holes and women follows to drop the seeds.

Blaan dance formation 2

Traditional Blaan dance formation showcased during the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.

Blaan dance formation 1

Traditional Blaan dance formation showcased during the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.

Blaan dance

Young Blaan cultural performers showcasing the traditional Blaan dance called maral during the 2006 MunaTo Festival.

Blaan ritual re-enactment

Young Blaan cultural performers during the Cultural Day presentation of the 2006 MunaTo Festival.

Tboli cultural performers

Young Tboli cultural artists during the 2006 MunaTo Festival in Sarangani Province.

Muslim Dance Photo 3

Young Muslim performing traditional dance during the 2006 MunaTo Festival.