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)

MunaTo: Celebrating Sarangani's people, culture, resources

By Russtum G. Pelima

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 28, 2008) – Turning sweet sixteen, young Sarangani province, seen with so much potentials by its founders, now flies like a colorful butterfly with its 6th MunaTo Festival.

Truly celebrating its rich history and cultural heritage, Sarangani pays tribute to its natural bounty and artistry of Sarangans that this year's "Ang Galing Mo, Sarangan" theme oozes with artistic passion and business, hard work and volunteerism, innovations and peace effort put altogether towards prosperity.

"I was told that MunaTo means first people, but for me, you mean people first," said Vice President Noli "Kabayan" de Castro in his opening message.

De Castro is guest-of-honor to the province's 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival formal opening Thursday (November 27) at the Capitol grounds.

De Castro led the ground-breaking ceremony of the Provincial Capitol Employees Village in Alabel earlier.

The Vice President lauded Sarangani's initiative of finding its real potentials for development particularly in tourism.

"When the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian first fought for the province and before the historic March 16 1992 for its independence, Sarangani was seen to have the capability to prosper and become a model province," De Castro recalled.

"Now these dreams are fulfilled because its people and its leaders work together in unity."

At the Kalyak Sarangani, visitors and Sarangans themselves see Sarangani's artistry. Kalyak Sarangani is an exhibit booth of award-winning photographer Cocoy Sexcion with his collection of Sarangani's "Sights and Faces" and Tboli artist Ronald Tamfalan's indigenous paintings.

"Photography is more than just light and composition," said Sexcion. "It is real life I want to capture at the right moment and that's what we want people to see to inspire them again more than just to remember."

"I wanted to capture the positive side of life. I wanted people to appreciate little things through photography."

Sexcion discovered his art in photography in 2004 inspired by Sarangani's beautiful sceneries and its unique peoples being once a stranger to the place. Sarangani is home to multiculturalism. Here, Muslims, Christians and lumads live together in harmony as evidenced by multi-dialects: Sarangans speak Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilongo, Ilocano, Blaan, Tboli, and Maguindanao.

Ronald Tamfalan is a Tboli who finished school in Falel Community School. Falel is a Tboli community in Kiamba town.

Tamfalan should have learned better education, but despite the school's inaccessibility for educational assistance like reading books and more number of teachers (the school has one volunteer teacher for 15 years), but he said his inspiration to paint came from his fellow Tbolis and his surroundings, and put them on canvasses.

Ronald makes oil paintings. His trademark is his Tnalak, a native clothing, in oil.

But he also uses soil like reddish clay, barks of trees and dyes of leaves, in his canvass.

Governor Migs Dominguez is one of Ronald's fans and buyers. Other visual artists in South Cotabato and General Santos City began to appreciate his unique tribal paintings and concepts of visual arts.

"Difficulty has its own way of making struggle to sharpen and purify life in art," commented Ali Al Nezzar, director of Kalinawa Art Foundation, a non-government organization from Canada.

"True artists by necessity and passion are committed to doing their art. It is the spiritual force within the human being the moves the imagining and the making of art."

Sexcion and Tamfalan are indeed true examples of "Ang Galing Mo, Sarangan".

A search for successful Sarangans is conducted on November 29 with the criteria on the field of innovations, excellence, and volunteerism.

In November 28, Chief Justice Reynato Puno inaugurated the Tamdanan sa Balaud, a "Justice on Wheels" project initiated by the Provincial Legal Office. The provincial government purchased a bus worth P900,000 to bring the court to the barangays and speed up the administration of justice among the communities.

Vice President De Castro lauded the provincial officials' initiative in building a housing community project for Capitol employees in Alabel and urged provincial leaders to further do projects for Sarangani's "poorest of the poor" through a joint venture scheme with the national government.

Governor Dominguez despises armed conflicts that occurred in Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum towns during the past few months.

"Sometimes we have to take one step back, but we must take five steps forward to tell the good news to our people," he said.

Fabli Gu Ni, a tribal trade fair, exhibits Sarangani's business potentials showcasing the seven town's One-Town One Product. Also, these booths shows miniatures of their tourism potentials like the waterfalls of Kiamba, world-class diving of Maasim, Maitum's anthropomorphic jars, Isla Parilla in Alabel.

"This rich history and beauty is a result of the blending of many cultures and traditions."

"As the Vice President, I promise to be a promoter of tourism in Sarangani."

"I am confident that Sarangani will have its leaps and bounds, and why you can count on my support always is because 'Ang Galing Mo, Sarangani'." (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Cas Robles in a very classic Salnaong and using Blaan woven cloth called tabih.Cas is a Tubad Blaan.

Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Robles.

Marian Pastor Roces at Lamlifew

Ms. Marian Roces, President of TAO Inc. and the curator for the Lamlifew village museum sharing with the Blaan folks during the in situ launching of the first village museum of the Philippines held on Nov. 26, 2008 at sitio Lamlifew, Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani Province.

Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Robles.

Jocelyn Robles and Fu Yabing Masalon, the School of Living Tradition cultural master, during the on site launching of the Lamlifew village museum in Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani Province held last Nov. 26, 2008.

Gamti

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) – An archer aims his fana, a B'laan traditional bow and arrow at a target during a gamti, a tribal archery competition, at the opening of the province's 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival Thursday (November 27) at the capitol ground. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sbuno

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) – A game called Sbuno, a tribal wrestling, is officiated by a tribal chieftain at the capitol ground. Tribal games are highlights of the province's 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival which opens Thursday (November 27) with this year's theme "Ang Galing Mo, Sarangan". (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sights and Faces of Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) – "Sights and Faces", a photo exhibit by the award-winning and Sarangani chief photographer Cocoy Sexcion attract the attention of Vice President and Guest of Honor Noli de Castro at the opening of the province's 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival dubbed as "Ang Galing Mo, Sarangan" Thursday (November 27) at the capitol ground. Kalyak Sarangani presents Sarangani's best tourist attractions, people and culture in pictures by Sexcion and canvasses by Tboli artist Ronald Tamfalan. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Token of Appreciation

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) – Governor Migs Dominguez gives a token of appreciation to Vice President and Guest of Honor Noli de Castro, a self-portrait made in painting by Tboli artist Ronald Tamfalan, for gracing the province's 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival Thursday (November 27). (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal trade fair ribbon cutting

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) – Vice President and Guest of Honor Noli de Castro, with Governor Migs Dominguez (left), Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (partly hidden), and provincial tribal chieftain Boni Lawa, gestures at the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Fabli Gu Ni, a tribal trade fair Thursday (November 27) at the capitol ground as the province's 16th Foundation Anniversary and 6th MunaTo Festival formally opens. Fabli Gu Ni exhibits Sarangani's best in culture and arts, agriculture, fishing and tourism. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ribbon cutting

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) - Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon leads the cutting of ribbon Wednesday, November 26,during the launching of community living museum at sitio Lamlifew, barangay Datal Tampal. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE

Oldest Blaan

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) - Students from Mindanao State University pose with Saday-oli Lacna Caolje, the oldest Blaan in Lamlifew community, said to be 120 years old. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Traditional food

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) – A Blaan lady prepares traditional food for guests and visitors Wednesday, November 26, during the launching of community living museum at sitio Lamlifew in Malungon. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Cafeteria

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) - Marian Pastor Roces (2nd from left), president of TAO Management Inc., a partner in living museum development, joins other guests in a lunch break at the newly opened living museum cafeteria during the launching of Lamlifew community living museum Wednesday, November 26, as part of the 6th MunaTo Festival events. Blaan women prepared traditional food for guests and visitors at sitio Lamilfew. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Museum

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 27, 2008) - Students from Mindanao State University take notes inside the tribal house during their exposure trip at Lamlifew community living museum Wednesday, November 26, with Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon who formally opened the museum in sitio Lamilfew, barangay Datal Tampal. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

“GFI shipment of books and school supplies was excellent and perfectly suited for the needs of the school, some of which never seen before.” – D. Wali

“GFI shipment of books and school supplies was excellent and perfectly suited for the needs of the school, some of which never seen before.” – Datu Wali Mission on turn over to Kipalkuda Elementary School

The two boxes of books and school supplies raised during the Ball O Fun event was turned over to Kipalkuda Elementary School in New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province last November 14, 2008. The turn over was facilitated by the Datu Wali Mission (http://www.datuwalimission.org), the GFI’s partner in the project implementation for this school.

Dan Evans, DWM Director, shared that he was privileged to witness the joy of teachers and students during the turn over. “It was a wonderful experience to watch them sort through the items they received, some of which they have never seen before. This was an excellent variety of things for the students and teachers at Kipalkuda. Three of the teachers and about 100 tribal students gathered in and around the small room that serves as the school library and office to see the treasures received.”

Experiences prior to the turn-over were also expressed by Dan Evans in his e-mail for GFI. “Because of the weight and size of the boxes, and the challenge in delivering them to the mountain school, we transferred and sorted the contents before taking them to New La Union, the barangay in which Kipalkuda school resides. We withheld the clothing and toys that were sent, to assemble them along with toys and clothing received in a previous GFI shipment, for a separate distribution to children most in need around Christmas. But this shipment of books and school supplies was excellent and perfectly suited for the needs of the school.”

“Kipalkuda is one of the most disadvantaged schools in Sarangani Province, so the help they are receiving from Galing Foundation is very significant. Our organization, Datu Wali Mission, provides the school with writing paper, pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue, construction paper and other supplies for all six grades, plus the mayor's office delivers a limited amount of similar items for grade 1 pupils once or twice a year. Without this type of help, children would be reduced to writing with charcoal on banana leaves or tree bark. The school supplies GFI sent this time are very important and directly affect the ability of these children, neglected by society in this country, to learn to read, write and do basic math.”

Local partnerships are very important strategy for community development efforts. Dan Evans noted the significance of GFI’s intervention in this school along with the existing efforts done by their ministry and the local government in making a holistic impact. “The books received in this shipment represent an amazing and totally appropriate collection of references and reading materials to contribute to the learning experience at this school. With the help of Galing Foundation, Datu Wali Mission, and others, Kipalkuda has become academically competitive with other schools in this district, after suffering for many years as the least successful of schools in this region. It is also a huge morale booster for teachers, who make great sacrifices to traverse the dangerous mountain roads between town and the school each day. Teachers formerly resisted assignments at Kipalkuda because of risks from rebels, the dangerous roads, poor student attendances, and the general hardships of going to and being in New La Union each day. Now, teachers apply for assignments at this school, because it has improved so much under the sponsorship of our organizations.”

On behalf of the Kipalkuda Elementary School, the Datu Wali Mission also wishes to extend a big thank you and appreciation for GFI donors, the teachers, students and parents, and all partner organizations here in the US for their respective efforts in this great endeavor.


Arjho Turner
GFI Mindanao Outreach Director

Source: http://projectgaling.blogspot.com/

Tribal wedding

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 18, 2008) - A Blaan mother and her daughter, a bride, walk in the aisle during a tribal mass wedding ceremony as part of the 1st Malungon Tribal Day celebration of the municipality Tuesday, November 18. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal chieftains

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 18, 2008) - Municipal tribal chieftain Edmund Pangilan and provincial chieftain Boni Lawa officiate a tribal mass wedding during the 1st Malungon Tribal Day Tuesday, November 18, at the municipal gymnasium. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Malungon tribal day

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 18, 2008) - Mayor Reynaldo Constantino (center) joins the community singing during the 1st Malungon Tribal Day Tuesday, November 18, at the municipal gymnasium. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bamboo baskets

KIAMBA, Sarangani (November 18, 2008) – Y'e Tamfalan weaves a bamboo baskets in her house at sitio Falel during the weekend. The municipal government further pushes Indigenous Peoples' Development Program in the Tboli community, that over the years, enhances traditional skills in brass casting, basketry, mat-weaving and beads making. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFO CENTER)

An artist's haven

KIAMBA, Sarangani (November 18, 2008) – Tboli artist Ronald Tamfalan works in a ridge overlooking the green scenery of Falel village mountain and the Celebes Sea. Being Tboli, Ronald paints to orient people about the culture and the history of his tribe, depicting both the positive and negative aspects. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFO CENTER)

School for Tboli

KIAMBA, Sarangani (November 18, 2008) – Construction of a two-classroom building in sitio Falel, funded by the United States Government through the Visiting Forces Agreement, is half-way finished, with Tboli villagers unmindful of the heat of the sun and still go on 'Kiambayanihan' (volunteerism) Saturday, November 15. Falel Community Elementary School – a private school – was originally established by the Santa Cruz Mission in 1995. Today, the United States' Partners for First People provides a maximum of $500 in funds per month for volunteer teachers and school supplies for the Tboli schoolchildren. The school has one main structure with three classrooms where teachers combine two grade levels in each room. A makeshift building made of kalakat (fixed bamboo stripes) is used for Grade I pupils. Most of the children had to walk two and a half kilometers to reach the school every day, some on bare foot. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFO CENTER)

Lamlifew 4-H Club

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 18, 2008)- Lamlifew 4-H Club, a community-based organization of Blaan youth who are actively involved in different livelihood projects that focus on the sustainability of upland rice farming, traditional weaving, beads and basket making is a nominee for the 6th Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) by the National Youth Commission. These young Blaans from Sarangani were chosen as among the top five finalists from 60 entries all over Mindanao. Awarding for national finalists is on December 13-18 2008 in Manila. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Story-telling session

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 15, 2008) – Josephine Morta, (2nd from left), provincial coordinator of Sarangani Province Empowerment and Community Transformation Forum, shares a story to children in their new day-care center at sitio Tahakayo. (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Group picture

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 15, 2008) – Day-care pupils get umbrellas, school bags, t-shirts and school supplies from the provincial government during the turn-over of day-care center at sitio Tahakayo. At the back, from left, are Tahakayo purok chairman Nolding Lanon (in pink cap); Josephine Morta, provincial coordinator of Sarangani Province Empowerment and Community Transformation Forum (in red-orange shirt); and Orphelia Sitjar, program manager from World Vision (wearing violet polo). (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Day-care pupils

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 15, 2008) – Pupils welcome guests from a window of their new day-care center funded by the World Vision in partnership with Sarangani Province Empowerment and Community Transformation Forum (SPECTRUM) and the provincial government at sitio Tahakayo, barangay Amsipit Friday, November 14, wherein 38 children were accommodated this year. (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Day-care center in the sky

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 15, 2008) – At an altitude of more than 3,000 feet above sea level is a native-designed day-care center called "Gumne Blaan" (Blaan House)in sitio Tahakayo, barangay Amsipit funded by the World Vision in partnership with Sarangani Province Empowerment and Community Transformation Forum (SPECTRUM) and the provincial government. (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

"Thank you so much for the excellent assortment of books that we received from donors of GFI" says D. Evans

by Arjho Turner, GFI Director for Mindanao Outreach

The Kipalkuda Elementary School of Barangay New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province is one of the GFI outreach school in Mindanao. For this school year, there are 357 students enrolled and are mostly belonging to the Tboli indigenous peoples group. The GFI box sent last May 31, 2008 was turned over to the school last September 22, 2008. The turn over of books was facilitated by the Datu Wali Mission (DWM), the partner Christian non-profit organization of GFI in the project implementation. DWM is also assisting the school through its lunch and transportation program among other services provided by the ministry. DWM Director Dan Evans further extends appreciation for GFI assistance, "Thank you so much for the excellent assortment of books that we received from donors of Galing Foundation, Inc. We delivered them to Kipalkuda Elementary School yesterday. In the attached photos, you will see the head teacher, Mrs. Aurea Desaville, and a group of first grade tribal children enjoying the unpacking and first-look of the books. They were truly excited, and we are very grateful for your assistance. For many of these children, it was the first time they had ever held a book in their own hands."

Source: http://projectgaling.blogspot.com/ and www.galingfoundation.com

Blaan archer

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 14, 2008) – A Blaan archer from Lamlifew, an indigenous Blaan community, readies his bow and arrow made of bamboo for a day's practice and hunting in the wild. A sport called Gamti, a competition of bow and arrow will be one of the tribal sports in this year's Munato Festival and the province's 16th Foundation Anniversary from November 27-29 at the Capitol grounds. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gov. & Vice Gov.

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 3, 2008) – Vice Governor Steve
Chiongbian Solon (left) talks to Governor Migs Dominguez during the
16th Foundation Anniversary & 1st Tribal Day celebration of barangay
Datal Tampal on October 28. (Photo by Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI
INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal Day

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 3, 2008) – Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian
Solon gives his message during the celebration of 16th Foundation
Anniversary and 1st Tribal Day of barangay Datal Tampal. The 1st
Tribal Day on October 28 was officiated and hosted by Datu Doming
Tampal, the committee on tribal affairs and barangay tribal chieftain.
(Photo by Bon-Bon Quiño/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)