Comelec proclaims Lawa as rightful Maasim mayor

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Sarangani Provincial Election Officer Jose Alvin Quiňanola (2nd from right) and Election Officer Gertrudes Omaňa (extreme left) proclaim former Provincial Board Member Arturo Lawa as the rightful winner of the 2010 election for Maasim mayoral post during the reconvening of the Municipal Board of Canvassers Monday, May 7, with Vice Governor Steve Solon (extreme right) as witness. Lawa “lost” to Jose Zamorro by a narrow margin due to a PCOS machine which erroneously transmitted results of the test run at Precinct 21 in Kablacan village instead of what Lawa actually received - 136 votes as against only 62 votes by Zamorro - bringing the total votes Lawa garnered to 5,440 as against 5,382 of his chief rival – a margin of 58 votes. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL) Note: Mayor Art Lawa is the first full blood Blaan elected as Municipal Mayor in the province of Sarangani. He was formerly a two-term Provincial Board Member.

Maasim leaders celebrate electoral victory

MAASIM, Sarangani Province (May 8, 2012) – Former Mayor Jojo Lopez, (in white shirt), deputy governor for the Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum development cluster, shares the victory of Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa after his proclamation as the rightful winner of the May 2010 election Monday, May 7. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Maasim municipal councilors and Mayor Lawa

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Municipal councilors congratulate Mayor Arturo Lawa after the Commission on Elections proclaimed him as the rightful winner of the May 2010 election Monday, May 7. The leaders vowed to be partners for the good of the municipality. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Newly-proclaimed Maasim Mayor Lawa takes oath of office

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Newly-proclaimed Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa takes his oath of office before Judge Ruperto Besinga Jr. at the Maasim Municipal Court after his proclamation as the rightful winner of the 2010 election. With him are his wife and son. Lawa “lost” to Jose Zamorro by a narrow margin due to a PCOS machine which erroneously transmitted results of the test run at Precinct 21 in Kablacan village instead of what Lawa actually received - 136 votes as against only 62 votes by Zamorro - bringing the total votes Lawa garnered to 5,440 as against 5,382 of his chief rival – a margin of 58 votes. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Vice mayor welcomes newly-proclaimed Maasim mayor

MAASIM, Sarangani (May 8, 2012) – Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan congratulates and welcomes Maasim Mayor Arturo Lawa after the Commission on Elections proclaimed the latter as the rightful winner of the May 2010 election Monday, May 7. The leaders vowed to be partners for the good of the municipality. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)

Tboli handicraft and crops in Binuyugan Festival

MAITUM, Sarangani (May 5, 2012) – Tbolis in their traditional dress welcome visitors to their cultural showcase and farm products display at the Agro-Trade Fair of the Binuyugan Festival which opened May 3 and culminate on May 7 marking the 53rd Foundation Anniversary of Maitum. The Agro-Trade Fair is a showcase of the tri-peoples' (Christian, Muslims, and Tboli) rich art, culture, and produce. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Blaan children welcome Gov. Migs

MALUNGON, Sarangani (April 27, 2012) - Blaan children welcome Governor Migs Dominguez Thursday, April 26, in a community village museum in sitio Lamlifew. The governor showed around his guests from USAID-GEM to the School of Living Tradition where the Blaan way of life is taught to the younger generation to be preserved. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Blaan tradition showcased in Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani (April 27, 2012) - Blaan performers entertain guests with their traditional "bird dance" Thursday, April 26, in a community village museum in sitio Lamlifew. The village is one of the top tourist destinations of the province where visitors could witness and experience the traditional way of life of Blaans being taught to the young generation through its School of Living Tradition. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Coffee break at Sarangani cultural museum

MALUNGON, Sarangani (April 26, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez talks to USAID-Philippines deputy mission director Reed Aeschliman as Ross Wherry, Growth with Equity in Mindanao chief of party, and Provincial Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit listen. The guests were enjoying locally brewed coffee and native goodies called "nilupak", a pounded boiled banana added with sugar and shredded coconut, Thursday, April 26, at the weaving house of the community living museum and School of Living Tradition in sitio Lamlifew. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lamlifew Community Village Museum

MALUNGON, Sarangani (April 27, 2012) - Young Blaans pose in front of their museum Thursday, April 26, in sitio Lamlifew. The village is one of the top tourist destinations of the province where guests could witness and experience the traditional way of life of Blaans. The Blaan culture and tradition are being taught to the younger generation through their School of Living Tradition implemented by the Indigenous People’s Development Program of the provincial government. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

TRIBU, BANGON!

TRIBU, BANGON!
Annalie T. Edday

Patuloy na lumalaban ang aming mga pusong nasusugatan
Trabaho, sakripisyo, serbisyo, ay patuloy na pinagyayaman
... Ikakabuti, ikakaunlad ng tribu ay laging isinasaalang-alang
Upang maibangon ang tribong matagal ng napag-iwanan.

Paaraalan, daan, bahay-pagamutan ay di man lang nasilayan
Ng aming mga ninunong pinanganak sa lupang pinabayaan
Kaya hanggang sila ay tumanda at namatay na lamang
Konting kasaganaan ay di man lang natikman.

Kaya sa tribong pinanganak sa bagong henerasyon
Kahirapang dinanas ng ninuno ay maging inspirasyon
Magsumikap ng husto at mangarap ng walang limitasyon
Upang sa gayon, sa problema ng tribu ay maging solusyon.

Maging mapagmatyag, makialam at makibaka
Tradisyong di kanais-nais at di nakakatulong ay isantabi na
Solusyon sa problema ay huwag na huwag ipaubaya
Sa mga mapanghusga at pulitikong mapagsamantala.

Hoy tribu, bangon na! Magkapit-bisig at panahon na
Mapagsupil na kamangmangan at karukhaan ay lipunin na
Matiwasay na pamumuhay, magandang bukas ay mapasaatin na
Dahil ito ang dapat na buhay at bukas ng bawat isa.

*****
Bong salamat Ann Edday!

Greek envoy visits Sarangani

SARANGANI HIGHLANDS, General Santos City (December 11, 2011) - Greek Ambassador Xenia Stefanidou holds a frame of Blaan women photographed at the Lamlifew village in Malungon during a recent visit to Sarangani province which she described as “paradise”. Stefanidou also visited the white sand beaches of Gumasa in Glan. The “tinolang” native chicken that was served according to her was the best soup she had ever tasted. She was thankful to the hospitality of the people of Sarangani. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

“Builders of peace”, Sagip Kapamilya help Sarangani village

By COCOY SEXCION

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 10, 2011) - A two-classroom school building was inaugurated and formally turned over Friday (December 9) to the community of Lamlifew, a Blaan village.

It was also the launching of a 120-day feeding program for the pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School.

The projects were carried out through the concerted effort of the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM), ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya “Gusto kong mag aral” program, Municipal Government of Malungon, Department of Education and the Provincial Government of Sarangani.

The P800,000 school building for Lamlifew Elementary School and another school building in barangay San Jose in General Santos were part of the 12 school buildings completed nationwide by soldiers from NADESCOM, said Capt. William Rodriguez, public affairs officer of Sarangani-based 1002nd Brigade.

The turnover was witnessed by Major General Carlos Holganza, commander of NADESCOM; Tina Monzon Palma, program director of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya; Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, Vice Governor Steve Solon, Congressman Manny Pacquiao’s chief of staff Bren Evangelio, and other stakeholders who contributed for the completion of the project.

General Holganza thanked the community for the support given to the construction soldiers. “Without you, we will not be here. I hope we will be able to continue our relationships in this way. We are here to serve and we will continue to serve,” Holganza said.

“From managers of wars, our soldiers now are builders of peace,” Holganza added.

Vice Governor Solon lauded the efforts of the community for effectively managing the community-based living museum.

“The governor put in assistance initially, and it was the community itself that is running the museum and the tourism aspect of the community,” Solon said.

Sitio Lamlifew was officially declared as living museum of Blaans during its launch in November 2008.

“In behalf of the province, maraming salamat to Sagip Kapamilya,” Governor Migs Dominguez told the crowd.

“Ngayong araw na ito, meron isang makasaysayang nangyari sa inyong lugar. Nagkaroon ng isang dalawang classroom at ito ay itinayo ng mga taong nagmamahal sa inyo. (Today, a historic event happened. A two classroom building is constructed in your place by people who loves you),” said Tina Monzon Palma.

Palma said that part of the event is the launching of a 120-day feeding program for the pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School through the Bantay Bata 163.

Palma also promised to give rewards to pupils who will gain weight of at least five kilograms after the feeding program. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Turn over of symbolic key for Sarangani school

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 9, 2011) - Tina Monzon Palma, program director of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya and Bantay Bata 163, turns over the symbolic key to Grade VI pupil Cheann Taguse during the inauguration of one unit two-classroom building and launching of feeding program for Lamlifew Elementary School from ABS-CBN Foundation. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE

Token of appreciation from Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 9, 2011) - Tina Monzon Palma is delighted as she receives an authentic hand-woven malong (tube skirt) from Malapatan as a token of appreciation of the provincial government during the inauguration of one unit two-classroom building and launching of feeding program for Lamlifew Elementary School from ABS-CBN Foundation. Looking on are Governor Migs Dominguez, Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit, Vice Governor Steve Solon and Mayor Reynaldo Constantino. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Ribbon cutting for Sarangani classroom

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 9, 2011) - Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, head teacher Romeo Bogador, Board Member Nene Saguiguit and Tina Monzon Palma lead the cutting of ribbon Friday, December 9, during the inauguration of a two-classroom building and launching of feeding program for Lamlifew Elementary School from ABS-CBN Foundation. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gifts from ABS-CBN Foundation to Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 9, 2011) - Soldiers help out in the distribution of gifts for Lamlifew children from ABS-CBN Foundation Friday, December 9, during the inauguration of a two-classroom building and launching of feeding program for Lamlifew Elementary School from ABS-CBN Foundation. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Gift giving for Sarangani kids

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 9, 2011) - Major General Carlos Holganza, commander of the National Development Support Command, and Tina Monzon Palma, program director of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya and Bantay Bata 163, lead the gift giving to children of Lamlifew Friday, December 9, during the inauguration of a two-classroom building and launching of feeding program for Lamlifew Elementary School from ABS-CBN Foundation. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Builders of peace in Sarangani

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 9, 2011) - Soldiers from the National Development Support Command who constructed the two-classroom building for Lamlifew Elementary School from Sagip Kapamilya of the ABS-CBN Foundation are given due recognition at the inauguration ceremony Friday, December 9. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Token for Vice President Binay

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 25, 2011) – Vice President Jejomar Binay receives a tribal vest as token from the province given to him by Governor Migs Dominguez (right), Congressman Manny Pacquiao (2nd right) and Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (left) as the guest of honor in the celebration of 19th Foundation Anniversary and 9th MunaTo Festival, Friday, November 25. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Tradition takes center stage at MunaTo Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2011) - A Blaan showcase of tradition like the dressing up of horses, or fyu kura, highlights the opening of MunaTo Festival celebration 2011 Thursday, November 24, at the Capitol grounds. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Congressman Pacquiao escorted by Fyu Kuras

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2011) - The float of Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao is escorted by Fyu Kuras or dressed-up horses during the hero’s welcome enroute to the opening of MunaTo Festival 2011. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

MunaTo 2011 launches “Sarangani, your adventure” brand

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2011) - MunaTo Festival opened today (November 24) the four-day festivity in a combined cultural and adventure concept to launch the trademark, “Sarangani, your adventure.”

Board Member Eleonor “Nene” Saguiguit said this is to promote the province being “the tourism hub” in this part of Mindanao.

MunaTo Festival kicked-off today and culminates on November 27.

“We want something that is grand, something that would surpass the previous festivals. And we decided that it will be a different event (this year) to launch the Sarangani brand,” Saguiguit said.

“While we celebrate, gusto nating i-promote and ating turismo and opportunities for investments,” she added.

She disclosed that “Sarangani as a tourism hub has already taken off,” as supported by acting Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center (STIPC) coordinator Larry Asparin that tourist arrivals have been increasing since 2005.

An increase of tourist arrivals has been noted from the 16,080 in 2009 to 26,100 in 2010 as reported by the STIPC.

The “Sarangani, your adventure” brand would create a name recall for Sarangani “as we wanted to make a mark in the tourism industry right now,” Asparin said.

“We (Sarangani) have a combination of tourism resources like the world-class dive sites, white-sand beach resorts, Manny Pacquiao, water tubing, and a lot more wherein others may only have two or three but they do not have this package of resources,” Asparin said.

Asparin also pointed out tourism employment was rising as tourism activities in Sarangani were picking up too. “It encompasses basically all sectors, even fisherfolk and the transport sector, among others.” (Beverly C. Paoyon/ SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

UNICEF horses ensure better early learning services in Sarangani

By BEVERLY C. PAOYON

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2011) - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated additional 13 horses to ease transport in holding home-based pre-school education in the hinterlands of Sarangani.

This is the second batch after the distribution of 10 horses in February this year for the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the province.

Home-based education for 3-5 year old children is commonly patronized in Sarangani in relatively rural and upland communities where pre-school facilities are lacking because of geographical distance.

The use of horses is a strategy in Sarangani to increase the participation rate of children, from 63 percent in 2010 to the 70 percent target this year.

Racquel Panal, assistant provincial social welfare and development officer, hoped this would also increase the number of children to benefit especially in remote communities “wherein services are very mean already at halos hindi na maabot ng ating mga service providers (barely reached by service providers).”

Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) workers usually take a half-day walk just to reach these communities.

Panal also lamented the minimal honorarium the SNP workers receive that could barely suffice for the daily fare.

Mila Labuan would take a four-hour motorcycle ride everyday to reach the site of her assignment in sitio Amlitos, barangay Kihan in Mapalatan. With the horse given her now, she said it would be easier for her to reach the site and can attend whenever there would be meetings at the Poblacion.

“Karon nga naa na ECCD materials, patuonon gyud nako ang mga bata kay naa na sila magamit (Now the kids have ECCD materials to learn from),” because before she would just make her own improvised learning materials for the 60 children she is teaching.

“Some of our workers are already serving five years.” With the ECCD on horse, she said they would be able to deliver the “best services to the children in the communities.”

The total 110 SNP sites established at far-flung barangays in Sarangani cater to more than 4,000 disadvantaged children mostly from the indigenous people.

The horses were turned-over with complete accessories like saddle, nylon rope and native horse backpacks where SNP workers would use to carry ECCD package for their classes like toys, reading and art materials, musical instruments, toothbrush, and utensils.

Panal said all these learning materials are intended to hone these children “for their total development.”

Board Member Hermie Galzote said this strategy (ECCD on horse) would be an effective motivation in providing “services to our children particularly to the lumads (IPs).”

Daan Suyan barangay councilor Fatima Hidalgo said the horse is a big boost in educating the children being the future leaders of our nation.

“Ang atong gobyerno naga tan-aw gyud diay sa kalisod sa atong lugar labi na sa mga bukid nga lugar. Dili nato ikalilong, kinahanglanon nato ni siya ilabi na sa atong mga bata nga gataas ang quality sa education karon (The local government is indeed sincere in poverty alleviation especially in the hinterlands. It cannot be denied that we need such programs for quality education),” she said.

The horses that were turned-over on Monday (November 21) benefited barangays Paraiso and Pag-asa of Alabel, barangays Daan Suyan, Lun Padidu, Kihan, Kinam, and Libi of Malapatan, and barangay Panamin of Malungon. (Beverly C. Paoyon/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

ECCD worker receives teaching tools

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 23, 2011) – A Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) worker receives learning materials for her pupils from UNICEF during the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) turnover of materials Monday, November 21. Thirteen horses were also given to SNP teachers so that they can reach far-flung villages with their teaching tools. (Russel Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)