Gov. Solon supports Blaan cultural masters

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 17, 2014) – Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon joins Blaan cultural masters from the Lamlifew Village Museum based in Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon during the opening of a four-day “Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" exhibit at SM Mall on October 13 where the Blaan indigenous fabric called “Tabih” are showcased until October 16. They are organized as Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association manifesting the role of Blaan women in upholding the identity of the tribe thru crafts. Sarangani Province thru its Sulong Tribu program with the support of the Department of Tourism Region XII aspires that the province will be named as Tabih Capital in Southern Mindanao. The activity is a support to the celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month this October. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 17, 2014) – Emi Englis, Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and Leonardo "Bing" Cariño pose during the opening of a four-day “Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" exhibit at SM Mall on October 13 where the Blaan indigenous fabric called “Tabih” from Lamlifew Village Museum based in Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon are showcased until October 16. Bing Cariño as team leader and Englis with Arjho Cariño-Turner, Helen Lumbos and Toto Tirando served as curators of this heritage material with the only two living keepers of the tradition, Fu Yabing Dulo and Fu Gusiye Buan. Sarangani Province thru its Sulong Tribu program with the support of the Department of Tourism Region XII aspires that the province will be named as Tabih Capital in Southern Mindanao. (Kim Windell Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Blaan master weavers present work at SM City

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 14, 2014) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon pays attention to Blaan master weavers Yabing Caturan Masalon Dulo, 94, and Gusiye Buan, 84, from Lamlifew Village in Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani during the opening of exhibit of "Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" at SM City starting Monday, October 13. The Department of Tourism Region 12 supported the Lamlifew Village Museum under the Sulong Tribu component of Sulong Sarangani program. The exhibit runs until October 16. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Officials open "Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" exhibit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 14, 2014) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (extreme left) leads the ribbon cutting ceremony to open the exhibit"Mabal Blaan:Weaving the Threads of Heritage" and showcasing the Lamlifew Village Museum Monday, October 13, at SM City Events Center. The governor is assisted by her wife Michelle Solon (2nd from left), chair of the Regional Tourism Council. Also in photo are Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao (2nd from right), City Councilor Shandee Llido (extreme right), Dir. Yahya Senti (3rd from left) of the Department of Labor and Employment Region 12 and Dir. Arturo Valero (3rd from right) of the National Economic and Development Authority Region 12. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Glan presents Lumad Pasundayag

GLAN, Sarangani (October 3, 2014) - Indigenous People (IP) and Muslim group of Glan welcome Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon during the "Lumad Pasundayag," one of the activities of the town’s October 8 centennial foundation anniversary Wednesday, October 1. “Lumad Pasundayag” or Indigenous Exhibit was attended by numerous IP groups in the municipality, like the Blaan, Tboli and Mandaya, including Muslims and Indonesians who inhabited the place for decades already. The exhibit showcased each group’s unique presentations and culture. Gov. Solon with Mayor Tata Yap pronounced that "our programs are for all, no prejudice in Sarangani. We will give what is due to the people of Sarangani.” (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Blaan artist plays at School of Living Tradition

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 18, 2014) – A woman in Lamlifew Village Museum and School of Living Tradition at Barangay Datal Tampal plays an indigenous musical instrument during the visit of travel photographer George Tapan with the Sulong Tribu on September 14. The world-renowned Filipino travel photographer Tapan visited Malungon town to document the indigenous culture and textiles. Tapan had visited the IP village in 2005. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Travel fotog tours Lamlifew with Sulong Tribu

MALUNGON, Sarangani (September 18, 2014) — The world-famous and award-winning Filipino travel photographer George Tapan visits Malungon on September 14 with the Sulong Tribu to document the indigenous culture and textiles of the Blaan in Lamlifew Village Museum and School of Living Tradition at Barangay Datal Tampal. Tapan had visited the IP village in 2005. Earlier, he conducted a photography workshop entitled “Secrets of the Master II” in General Santos City as part of the Tuna Festival where photographers over the country attended the workshop and joined the actual capturing of city’s events for his mentoring session. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Sarangani tri-people unite for peace and progress

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 15, 2014) - "Dwata samsagen di gamu, ta dini gamu di lamfufung gu (The Lord is always with you, and you are always here in my heart)," Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon tells a member of the tribe during the 1st Indigenous People's Day of Alabel town’s anniversary on September 12. Gov. Solon and the rest of the officials are grateful for the continued unity of the tri-people in Sarangani - the Lumads, Muslims and Christians – for peace and progress. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Alabel celebrates 1st Indigenous Peoples’ Day

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 12, 2014) - Tribal chieftains from the 13 barangays of the municipality welcome Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon in the 1st Indigenous Peoples’ Day as part of the celebration of Alabel’s 43rd Foundation Anniversary and 13th Kasadyaan Festival Friday, September 12, in front of the municipal hall. The IP Day was conducted by the Sulong Tribu component of the Sulong Sarangani convergence program of Gov. Solon. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal dancers perform at Kasadyaan Festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 12, 2014) - Vice Mayor Vic Paul Salarda (2^nd from left) learns and dances with the tribal dancers grooving to the beat of the tribal singers in the 1st Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Alabel as part of the celebration of its 43rd Foundation Anniversary and 13th Kasadyaan Festival Friday, September 12. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Villagers welcome Cherry Mobile, Hearts and Brains Inc. services

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 12, 2014) – Residents of Sitio Safya in Barangay Poblacion flock at their community church to avail of the two-day medical mission offered by Cherry Mobile, a cellular phone company, Tuesday, September 9. Cherry Mobile partnered with the Hearts and Brains, Inc. (HABI), Sulong Sarangani program of the provincial government, and the law enforcement agencies. Sitio Safya is inhabited by Blaans and can be accessed only by foot for about 7-8 hours by non-residents. Aside from medical services, Cherry Mobile is on the process of a community consultation for the proposed construction of several dormitories called Bahay Tuluyan for elementary pupils in Sitio Kiahe, Barangay Kinam. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Dr. Cagape, Cherry Mobile bring E-txt Mo Kay Doc to remote village

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 11, 2014) – Dr. Roel Cagape of the Hearts and Brains, Inc. (HABI) and a recipient of the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino award distributes the manual for E-txt Mo Kay Doc for its E-Health Center project during the two-day medical mission sponsored by Cherry Mobile, a cellular phone company, at Sitio Safya, Barangay Poblacion Tuesday, September 9. Sitio Safya is inhabited by Blaans and can be accessed only by foot for about 7-8 hours by non-residents. Aside from medical services, Cherry Mobile is in the process of a community consultation for the proposed construction of several dormitories called Bahay Tuluyan for elementary pupils in Sitio Kiahe, Barangay Kinam. The Sulong Sarangani convergence program of Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, in partnership with Cong. Manny Pacquiao and Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao, is grateful for this partnership and welcomes other NGOs to join the poverty alleviation and access-to-basic-services program. Sulong Sarangani’s thrust is to converge knowledge and resources of both public and private sectors. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Cherry Mobile brings medical mission to remote village

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (September 11, 2014) – Cherry Mobile’s Corporate Social Responsibility manager Leah Lopez shares to the residents of Sitio Safya, Barangay Poblacion how she is delighted to reach their far-flung community bringing with her the help of their company in partnership with the Hearts and Brains, Inc. (HABI) and Sulong Sarangani program during the two-day medical mission sponsored by Cherry Mobile in the area Tuesday, September 9. According to Lopez, it was her first time to experience climbing mountains and crossing rivers to extend community assistance. Cherry Mobile went back to Sarangani Province after its successful “Be Cool in School” project last June, with the office of Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon and partner law enforcement agencies, giving school supplies to students in remote public schools. This time they are focusing on medical program and school dormitory construction in the indigenous people communities of the province. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)