Tribal Day celebration

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - (L-R) Town First Lady Roselyn Constantino, Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino and Gov. Migs Dominguez watch the “Ede'l” play-and-dance competition staged Friday by Blaan and Tagakaulo contestants to highlight the culmination of the two-day Tribal Day celebration (November 17-18) in Malungon. Also in photo are NCIP director Timuey Lim P. Wong and Board Member Virgilio Tobias. (JoJo Gocotano/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal Day beauty pageant winners

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - The Blaan and Tagakaulo ladies who won in the 1st ethnic beauty pageant dubbed as “Manenggeya na Libun”, meaning most beautiful girl, pose to celebrate Tribal Day in Malungon. They are, (L-R) 1st runner up Mary Mae Mayo, 2nd runner up Lovely Basoc, 4th runner up Michele Tumandan, chosen first Manenggeya na Libun ’11 – Ms. Angelica Pane and 3rd runner up Bea Acupan. (JoJo Gocotano/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

Horse fight as part of culture

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) – Stallions fight over a female horse during a series of horse fights which highlighted the celebration of Malungon town’s 4th–year Tribal Day. Supervised horse fighting is part of indigenous peoples’ culture and is allowed by cultural authorities. (JoJo Gocotano/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal council leads watershed project

By COCOY SEXCION

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Jose Zamorro and Joel Aton of Sarangani Energy Corporation had a turnover of seedlings to the Municipal Tribal Council here for distribution to indigenous people (IP) families living in the upland barangays of Nomoh, Kablacan and Amsipit.

The seedlings would be planted to boost the watershed development program of the municipality.

In a turnover rites Monday (November 21) at the municipal grounds during the flag raising ceremony, officials said thousands of seedlings were set for planting this year.

“For the remaining months of this year, we will be distributing a total of 17,500 seedlings of rubber, coconut, jackfruit and coffee to 50 families from Barangays Nomoh, Amsipit and Kablacan,” said Joel Aton, project assurance manager of Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC).

“This is part of the commitment of Sarangani Energy Corporation to rehabilitate watersheds and to provide livelihood support to Maasim highlanders and tribal communities and each family will receive seedlings good for one hectare which can provide an added income of around P3,000 to P5,000 pesos a month upon reaching its productive stage,” Aton added

The project was supported by the provincial and municipal government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine National Police, 73rd Infantry Battalion and Alcantara Foundation.

“I know this project will change the life of our people. The tribal people will cooperate and support this project because we know that this project will give us some livelihood and at the same time will help us restore all the forests that are gone in the mountain,” Municipal Tribal Council chief Benjamin Donato said.

Mayor Jose Zamorro also urged his constituents to plant trees.

“Supposed to be, we Maasimians are the ones who should initiate this reforestation project. This is everybody’s concern. For me, the only solution to the problem of global warming is plant more trees. So I thank SEC for this project,” the mayor said.

On the other hand, Vice Mayor Utto Salem Cutan appealed to those who are against the construction of the 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Sarangani Energy Corporation in Maasim set for its groundbreaking this November 25, to just give them a chance to welcome and embrace investments and development for their municipality. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Message of support

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez calls on barangay and municipal officials not be the last but always strive to be the best as he speaks at the flag raising ceremony and ceremonial turnover of planting materials to Maasim Municipal Tribal council Monday, November 21, at the municipal grounds. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Fruit seedlings for watershed development project

MAASIM, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - Joel Aton (extreme left), Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) project assurance manager; Noli Cajutol, SEC consultant on carbon sink project (4th left); and Governor Migs Dominguez turnover planting materials to the Maasim Municipal Tribal council during the ceremonial turnover for the 17,500 seedlings of coffee, jackfruit, rubber and coconut for the Maasim watershed development project. The reforestation and livelihood project is initiated by SEC and supported by the provincial and municipal government, 73rd Infantry Battalion and Alcantara Foundation. Also in photo are (from right) Seven Hills Barangay Captain Edwin Reducto, Nomoh Barangay Captain Lazarus Limpong, Kanalo Barangay Captain Jumbra Tama, Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan and Mayor Jose Zamorro. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program uses horses

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 21, 2011) - Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) workers with their newly-acquired horses pose at the Capitol before going to their respective barangays after the formal turnover of additional 13 ECCD horses for workers from municipalities of Alabel, Malapatan and Malungon Monday, November 21. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ethnic wrestling (S’buno)

MALUNGON, Sarangani (November 18, 2011) – Locals closely watch S’buno, a wrestling competition for the indigenous people (Blaan and Tagakaulo) during the culmination of the 4th–year Tribal Day celebration on November 17-18 in Malungon. (JoJo Gocotano/MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE)

All systems go for Sarangani’s Nov. 24-27 MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 17, 2011)- Organizers of the upcoming 9th MunaTo Festival said preparations are all set for the extravaganza of cultural events, exhibits, and crowd-drawing competitions guaranteed to stir excitement over this year’s celebration.

MunaTo Festival is a celebration honoring the first people and leaders of Sarangani.

MunaTo was derived from the native vernacular meaning “unang tao” or “first people”, the early inhabitants of Sarangani who passed on a rich cultural heritage.

MunaTo also refers to the makers of the 2000-year old anthropomorphic burial jars discovered in Maitum that are now in the National Museum.

As a tribute to the pioneering leaders of the province, MunaTo is a celebration of their efforts to spur development in Sarangani which is sustained up to this day.

Sarangani is rich with the local culture and tradition of the Blaan, Tboli, Manobo, Ubo, Kalagan, and Muslim tribes who succeeded in preserving the cultural heritage and the craftsmanship that are reflective of their respective culture.

This year’s festival is set on November 24-27 with activities lined up to showcase Sarangani’s “history, culture and resources.”

Acting coordinator of Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotion Center (STIPC) Larry Asparin anticipated that “sounds and colors” with a festive mood would dominate the forthcoming MunaTo.

He expected a huge attendance this year compared to the previous celebrations because activities were properly screened to attract more people.

A considerable increase of tourists has been noted from the 16,080 in 2009 to 26,100 in 2010 as reported by the STIPC.

MunaTo Fun Run: “A Run Against Global Warming” from the Capitol grounds to barangay Maribulan in Alabel would open up the festival. Male and female runners of all ages are invited to join with prizes at stake for both male and female categories of P1,000 - 1st prize, P750 for 2nd prize, and P500 for the 3rd prize.

A hero’s welcome for the internationally acclaimed boxing icon and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao from his recent victory in Las Vegas would also be staged on November 24.

The street dance on November 26 is an open competition which the organizer proposed bigger prizes this time of P100,000; P75,000 and P50,000 respectively for the champion, 1st and 2nd placers. A P12,000 consolation prizes would also be given.

The cheerdance competition, dubbed as “Sayaw Hugyaw sa Kalinaw”, is giving away prizes of P45,000; P30,000 and P20,000 for the champion, 1st and 2nd and a consolation of P10,000 each for the non-winning entries.

Other events worth watching are the cultural exhibits, Fabli Gu Ni (municipal showcase), Photo Exhibit, Moro Pagingadan and Kadtigi sa Kapangiluto (Moro Cottages and Traditional Delicacies), Wall Climbing, Zip Line, Karnabal sa Kapitolyo, Pearl of Sarangani Pageant, Motocross, Eco-Trek, Battle of the Bands, concert featuring Cueshe, street party and fireworks display. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

"WELCOME TO MUNATO FESTIVAL 2011 AND 19TH FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY OF SARANGANI. NOV. 24-27 AT THE PROVINCIAL CAPITOL IN ALABEL. MunaTo was derived from the native vernacular meaning “unang tao” or “first people”, the early inhabitants of Sarangani who passed on a rich cultural heritage. It also refers to the makers of the 2000-year old anthropomorphic burial jars discovered in Maitum that are now in the National Museum. As a tribute to the pioneering leaders of the province, MunaTo is a celebration of their efforts to spur development in Sarangani which is sustained up to this day." Information from My Sarangani Facebook Post

Women’s association makes bags for sale

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 20, 2011) – Municipal Administrator Vicky Grafilo (middle), representing Mayor Corazon Grafilo, buys bags made out of discarded promotional tarps during the graduation ceremony of the Tribal Women’s Association on skills development on bag-weaving and -making at Sitio Bolol Kilot in barangay Kawas. Grafilo committed to give one unit of industrial sewing machine during the closing ceremony of the training. The four-day training was facilitated by Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) in partnership with SMART Communications, Inc. (Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)