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.

Ani ng Sining ng Sarangani: Paghugyaw 2011

Ani ng Sining ng Sarangani: Paghugyaw 2011 is a provincial celebration of Philippine International Arts Festival and National Arts Month funded by National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through Lamlifew Tribal Women's Association (LTWA) implemented by the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) in partnership with Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) and MLGU Glan.

February 28, 2011 at Municipal Plaza, Glan, Sarangani Province.

MunaTo Festival 2010 cultural performance

Artists are from the Lemuhen Cultural Dance Troupe of Sitio Mapangal, Badtasan, Kiamba, Sarangani Province

Photo courtesy of Iner Toguin, IPDP.

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)

Monkey dance

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 30, 2010) – A member from Lemuhen Performing Arts Group performs a monkey dance at the indigenous peoples thanksgiving day and turn-over of chieftainship Friday, October 29, at the provincial gym. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

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)

L'muog Festival

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) – Tboli children dance and socialize with one another at the L'muog Festival celebrated every year for three years now by the Tbolis in Maitum at the Kalaong River estuary. In the olden days, Tbolis stay in the riverbank for two to three days not only to gather food but also to meditate, pray, and give thanks for the blessings they receive. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mayor with children

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) - Tboli children greet Mayor and Boi Labi (princess of all tribes) Elsie Lucille R. Perrett (right) upon her arrival during the L'muog Festival, celebrated on December 29. Mayor Perrett was crowned Boi Labi of the Tbolis in August 2004. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Mayor and Boi Labi

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) – Mayor Elsie Lucille R. Perrett, also known as Boi Labi (princess of all tribes), encourages the Tbolis to preserve their customs and traditions during the L'muog Festival. She expressed her full support to any endeavor of the Tbolis. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli children

MAITUM, Sarangani (January 6, 2009) - Tboli children eagerly await the opening of the L'muog Festival to revive customary laws and practices of their ancestors. The L'muog Festival re-lives olden day practices where Tbolis gather together in a riverbank to fish and hunt wild pigs. The festival was held at the Kalaong River estuary on December 29. (Photo by Beth Ramos Palma Gil/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli courting dance

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 2, 2008) – Tboli children entertain the crowd at the municipal kiosk with a "Courting Dance" as Kiamba hosts the Mindanao Week of Peace celebration with the theme "Integrity of the Heart and Mind, A Way to Reconciliation and Peace." (Photo by Ray Daniel/KIAMBA NEWS & INFO CENTER)

Tboli kids

KIAMBA, Sarangani (October 13, 2008) – T'boli kids from barangay Badtasan share their cultural dance during the Indigenous People's Sunday Celebration at San Antonio de Padua Parish on October 12. (Photo by Allan C. de Lima/KIAMBA NEWS & INFO CENTER)

Kids with Gov.

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 26, 2008) – Tboli kids of Badtasan tribal dancers from Kiamba town usher Governor Migs Dominguez to the front row before the group makes a dance number during the flag raising ceremony Monday, May 26, at the Capitol. (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Philippine epics

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 26, 2008) – May is the National Heritage Month. The theme for this year is "Philippine Epics" and local events being held under the auspices of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts are celebrated by Capitol employees with Tboli kids from Badtasan village of Kiamba town. Different tribal groups join the flag raising ceremony Monday, May 26, at the Capitol. (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal dancers

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 26, 2008) – Capitol employees enjoy watching and taking pictures as a group of young Tboli girls from barangay Badtasan, Kiamba town, performs at Capitol in celebration of the National Heritage Month. (Photo by Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli Dance

KIAMBA, Sarangani (December 12, 2007) – A T'boli lass performs during the light-a-tree program at municipal kiosk Tuesday evening, December 11. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)