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)