Outstanding IP teachers honored in Sarangani

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 29, 2012) - Governor Migs Dominguez presents the seven outstanding IP (Indigenous People) teachers representing each of the seven municipalities of the province during the provincial celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day Monday, October 29, at the Capitol gymnasium. The awardees are (from left) Ginalyn Barcena from Malapatan, Karen Ruth Kusin from Maitum, Noemi Suga from Kiamba, Diosdado Sol Sichon from Alabel, Ricardo Unda from Glan, Mateo Gulac from Maasim and Avelina  Sarominez from Malungon. The governor has invited all IP professionals and employees at Capitol to join the event to deepen awareness, appreciation and celebrate the richness of our culture. For more news and updates, please visit the http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/> Province of Sarangani

. Come and enjoy the MunaTo Festival and 20th Foundation Anniversary of Sarangani Province on November 28-30, 2012. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli Tribal Learning Center in Kiamba opens

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 1, 2014)– Lyn Lambago (extreme left), founder and coordinator of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe Inc., shares the historical background of the group during the opening of the Tboli Tribal Learning Center in barangay Badtasan on January 28. The tribal learning center is expected to be one of the renowned schools of living tradition in the province according to Michelle Solon (extreme right), wife of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, who represented the governor during the opening program. Also in photo is chieftain Gideon Lambago (5th from right) who led the Sembali Onuk, a Tboli practice of shedding chicken blood which symbolizes blessing. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal Learning Center is also home of cultural dance troupe

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 1, 2014) – Michelle Solon, wife of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, assisted by former Maitum Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett, leads the cutting of ribbon during the opening of the Tboli Tribal Learning Center in barangay Badtasan on January 28. Also in photo is Lyn Lambago (extreme right), founder and coordinator of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe Inc.. Perrett, who is one of the supporters of Lambago’s group since 2007, expects to see more dancers formed through the tribal learning center. The group started with only five young dancers in 2007. At present, the group has already 12 active and dedicated dancers and musicians. (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli Tribal Learning Center opens in Kiamba

By JOY R. SEVILLA KIAMBA, Sarangani (January 29, 2014)- A hub for culture, arts and music, which is expected to be one of the schools of living traditions of the Tboli tribe in the whole province, officially opened in Kiamba Tuesday (January 28). Michelle Solon, wife of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, represented the latter in the opening of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe Inc. Tribal Learning Center in barangay Badtasan. Solon expects that the center would be an inspiration not only in Badtasan, but also in Kiamba and eventually in the whole province as well. “The opening of this house will help cultivate the culture and arts of our province. In the past, maraming artists ang kinukuha natin na hindi taga-Sarangani para mag-perform. Let us be proud of this because this is where our Tboli talents will originate,” Solon said. The Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe Inc. is founded by Lyn Lambago, a Tboli who has a strong passion and determination to train young kids to dance as well as play indigenous instruments. Lambago recalls the group’s humble beginning in 2007 when she was asked to perform during former Mayor Rommel Falgui’s 100 days as a mayor in Kiamba. “Nangita ko og mga bata na pwede mag-perform, ako silang gitudloan. Unang performance namo, bata pa kaayo akong mga dancers, five, six years old ang ilang edad. Karon, 12, 13 years old na sila ug nagapadayon gihapon sila,” Lambago said. She added that at present, Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe has 12 active members, five boys and seven girls. Solon, on the other hand, said the governor has expressed his all out support to the group. “We want to see more and more Tboli be proud of their tribe, huwag ninyo maliitin ang sarili ninyo because you are a different generation. Ipagpatuloy niyo ang ginagawa niyo because you will be part of the province’s tourism circuit,” she told the Lemuhen dancers and musicians. Lemuhen is a term that means “bird”. Lambago said she named the troupe after it saying, like a bird, they will soar high and will be recognized in the future as a renowned group which preserves Tboli traditions through their songs and dances. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal thanksgiving day opening

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 29, 2011) - Lemuhen Performing Arts lead the opening of the provincial celebration of national indigenous people’s thanksgiving day Friday, October 28, at the Capitol gymnasium. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Visit to Lemuhen Performing Arts Group

The Lemuhen Performing Arts Group from Badtasan, Kiamba is a recipient of School of Living Tradition on Tboli Musical Instrument Playing and Dancing funded by the Provincial Government of Sarangani through the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP). The IPDP was joined by Toby Martin in this effort of cultural documentation.

Photos courtesy of Toto Tirando, IPDP.

Tboli basketry training in Falel, Tamadang, Kiam

Lemuhen Performing Arts

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – Lemuhen Performing Arts Group dancers from Kiamba town perform at the indigenous peoples thanksgiving day Friday, October 29, at the provincial gym. This Tboli performing arts group is recipient of the School of Living Tradition, a project by the Indigenous Peoples Development Program under the governor’s office. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Traditional Tboli feast

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 10, 2009) – A traditional feast of delectable native dishes is offered inside the newly built Tboli house at Falel community in barangay Tamadang, consecrated during the feast of Immaculate Concepcion Wednesday, December 9.(KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Allan de Lima)

Kehelubong Lemlunay: A feast of exotic culture

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 10, 2009) – Seven kilometers of uphill motorcycle ride from Kiamba proper awaits an unveiled paradise of a mountainous village in barangay Tamadang.

Sitio Falel is endowed with rich traditions and well-preserved culture that have long been kept by one of Sarangani’s indigenous tribes – the Tboli.

It is a community now groomed by the local government as an integral part of the town’s eco-tourism showcase.

“It is one of our beautiful tourist spots here that if you happen to miss, you missed half of your life,” Mayor Rom Falgui quips.

On December 18-20, the Tbolis at Falel will display various traditional practices of the tribe as they celebrate Kehelubong Lemlunay, which means a gathering in paradise, as the village commemorates its 33rd founding anniversary.

One of the feast’s highlights will be the showcasing of Tboli hut making, revealing the tribe’s time-honored way of building their houses which are primarily composed of indigenous materials such as bamboo poles and Fern tree (cabo negro).

The name “Falel” was derived from one of the species of Fern plant that is prevalent around barangay Tamadang.

Meanwhile, Cogon grass and Rattan strips are used for binding. Even without bolts and nails, Tboli houses are said to last for 15 years.

Prior to the occasion, a hut was already constructed. Through a bayanihan, the building was put up as the multi-functional hall for the community’s various ethno-cultural practices.

The Tboli villagers, who are now mostly Catholic converts, have consecrated their newly-built house during the feast of Immaculate Concepcion (December 8).

“Kasi po proud kami na Tboli tribe kami. Gusto sana namin ibalik ang sinaunang sistema ng paggawa ng traditional na Tboli house para sa eco-tourism program ng munisipyo,” said municipal tribal affairs coordinator Juanito Sampan.

“Kiamba is full of pure beauty that every nature-lover, local or foreign, will surely admire especially the picturesque view here in Falel,” said municipal tourism officer-designate Allan de Lima.

“Every tourist will surely experience the traditional means of living as the way it was during the ancient days of the Tboli community,” De Lima concluded. (KIAMBA NEWS CENTER/Joel C. Pinos)

Tboli community

KIAMBA, Sarangani (May 4, 2009) – The Offsourcing Team poses with T'boli villagers in Falel during the delivery of rice, used clothes, shoes, books and toys Sunday (May 3). In photo, from left, are Macky Macavinta (department manager), April Kwong (junior developer), Francis Albores (junior developer), Marl Tumulak (senior developer / project manager), Alexis Corcino (senior developer), Gilmar Padua (junior project manager), and James Bautista (senior developer). (Photo courtesy of James Bautista/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Social Responsibility

KIAMBA, Sarangani (May 4, 2009) - A vacation for the Davao members of a US-based outsourcing company take social responsibility to the mountain village of Falel by bringing in rice, used clothes, shoes, books and toys Sunday (May 3) for the Tboli community. (Photo courtesy of James Bautista/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tug of war

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Ken-Ken Juan (in yellow shirt)overpowers his opponent and declared as champion of the "Sudol dek", a tribal version of tug of war during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Tboli courtship dance

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Members of the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe performs the "Madal temelek", a Tboli courtship dance during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Pole artist

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Michael Sagam crosses a 15-foot rattan pole which is a tribal contest known as "Kametay Luas" during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Indigenous firemaking

KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 13, 2009) – Consito Tamfalan is the fastest contestant to make fire out of bamboo materials, commonly known as "Kamesong" in Tboli. The contest is part of the activities during the Muslim & Tribal Day February 11 at Kiamba's 5th Timpuyog Festival. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFORMATION CENTER)

Tribal sports fest

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) – A Tboli archer aims at his target during the tribal sports fest in celebration of the 32nd foundation anniversary of Sitio Falel Sunday, December 21. This event was organized by the municipal government in partnership with Smart Public Affairs Mindanao which provided the prizes. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Spear

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) - A Tboli aims his spear during the traditional sports festival in Sitio Falel Sunday, December 21,organized by the municipal government in partnership with Smart Public Affairs Mindanao. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Piglet-catching

KIAMBA, sarangani (December 23, 2008) - Bebe Sadaya celebrates after winning the piglet-catching race Sunday, December 21, in celebration of 32nd foundation anniversary of Sitio Falel, a Tboli community. At right is Juanito Sampam, one of the event organizers. This event was organized by the local government of Kiamba in partnership with Smart Public Affairs Mindanao. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

New slippers

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 23, 2008) - Pupils of Falel community school show off their new slippers donated by Smart Public affairs Mindanao. (Photo by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)