Tagakaolo youth

Tagakaolo youth performing arts group of Sitio Kityan Daku, Malungon, Sarangani Province. Photo taken by Rene Valenzuela.

Tagakaolo youth

Tagakaolo youth performing arts group of Sitio Kityan Daku, Malungon, Sarangani Province.They are wearing their traditional clothing.

Let us talk Tagakaolo-Kalagan

Good morning - madyaw masolem/madayaw aga
Good afternoon - madyaw ambong
Good evening - madyaw gabi/madayaw gabi
How are you? - kumusta kaw?/kumusta da kaw?
Where are you from? - ayen kaw sikon?
Where do you live? - ayen kaw mig-iya
Are you married? - menyo da kaw?
How many children do you have? - pila ya kanmo ise'?
What kind of work do you do? - uno ya knamo trabaho?
Thank you - salamat
Goodbye - manaw da/adtu da
I love you - dakwa ginawa ko kanmo

The Tagakaolo-Kalagan tribe

The name Tagakaolo means inhabitants of headwater (olo sa tubig) or sources of rivers and streams. According to the Spaniards, these places are the favored dwelling sites of the Kaolos. On the other hand, according to Fay Cooper Cole, an American anthropologist who wrote in the early 1900s the name Kalagan referred to those Tagakaolos who converted to Islam. But for the practice of Islam, the Tagakaolo and the Kalagans belong to the same cultural group. During the American colonization of Davao, the Tagakaulos were described as a warlike and turbulent people. Mungalayon, a Tagakaolo, killed Edward Bolton, the first American Governor of Davao. Today, the Tagakaolos and Kalagans are found in the Municipality of Malungon, Sarangani Province (Dr. Heidi K. Gloria, Historian).

The elderly woman shown above is from Barangay Panamin, Malungon (taken in 2006). She wore her traditional dress and complete head accessories, necklaces, and gold teeth.

Source:Indigenous Peoples Development Program, Sarangani Province

Winning Piece "Tabih"

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (August 1, 2007) – Helen Lombos shows her winning piece, the traditional tabih, for the visual arts tilt traditional category at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University on Wednesday (August 1). The Kalinawa Art Foundation founded by businessman David Gilinsky conducts exhibits across the country to help indigenous peoples and their visual arts industry gain international market and audience through the internet. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Traditional visual arts winners

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (August 1, 2007) – Local artists show their expertise in traditional arts Wednesday (August 1) at the visual arts exhibit and tilt of 46 artists at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University with 1st prize winner Helen Lombos' (3rd from right) B'laan tabih from Lamlifew, Malungon, Sarangani and 2nd prize winner Rose Bantilan (middle) with her traditional B'laan mat. The Kalinawa Art Foundation founded by businessman David Gilinsky conducts exhibits across the country to help indigenous peoples and their visual artists gain international market and audience through the internet. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Mat Weaving School of Living Tradition

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 20, 2007) – Governor Migs Dominguez speaks to graduates Friday (July 20) at the Mat Weaving Center in barangay Sapu Masla in Malapatan where B'laan women learn traditional mat weaving thru the School of Living Tradition program of the governor. The center, partly funded by the American Women's Club of the Philippines, transfers indigenous skills and knowledge from cultural masters to learners and develops cultural enterprise in the province. (Photonews by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Sarangani Music Video Clip

Hear the music of MIGS (Musically Inclined Group of Sarangani) dedicated to express and share the bounty, beauty, and the blessing of having a good leadership in Sarangani Province, Philippines.

http://migsdominguez.multiply.com/video/item/1

First day 2007 of Sarangani Provincial Officials

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 2, 2007) – New Sarangani Vice Governor Steve Solon (right) tells Capitol employees that he is looking forward to working with and learning from them during his first flag ceremony as vice governor Monday (July 2). Gov. Migs Dominguez (center) earlier said he expects Capitol employees to supply service and to quickly respond to the requirements of the people. At left is re-elected Board Member Art Lawa. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Re-elected Provincial Board Member Art Lawa is a Blaan tribal leader from the Municipality of Maasim, Sarangani Province. On his first tearm, he acted as the Chairman for Environmental Committee, Culture and Arts Committee.

Gov. Migs inaugural address

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 29, 2007) – Re-elected Governor Migs Dominguez calls on his officials, employees and constituents to "to start thinking out of the box" in his inaugural address Friday morning (June 29). Dominguez, who earlier took his oath of office, urged his people to "start thinking of new ways to innovate. If we are doing things for the past thirty years, let us retool all of these and come up with new ideas in delivering faster service that will create investments, employment for this great province of Sarangani." (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)


Gov. Migs Dominguez is the youngest Governor of Mindanao. He is a pro-active leader with dynamic leadership and management style.In his first month as Governor in 2004, he issued an Executive Order that initiated the creation of the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP). Seated at the back is newly-elected Vice Governor Steve Solon.

Tubad of Lamlifew

Tubad (new generation) of the Blaan tribe performing traditional Blaan dance during the launching of Gumne Blaan, the Shool of Living Tradition built by the Lamlifew Tribal Women's Association. Photo from Sarangani Information Office taken by Cocoy A. Sexcion.

Gumne Blaan launching

Blaan dance performance of the young kids at Lamlifew, Datal Tampal, Malungon during the launching of the Gumne Blaan (tribal house) used for the School of Living Tradition (SLT). Primary focus of the SLT is to transfer skills by the old folks to the new generation for ansif (cross-stitching), mabal making (different designs of Blaan cloth made of abaca or hemp), traditional necklaces, head dress, takmon (cloth designed with mother of pearl), beaded dress as well as basketry making. Photo from Sarangani Information Office taken by Cocoy A. Sexcion.

Gumne Blaan launching

MALUNGON, Sarangani (June 22, 2007) – Village children give a welcome dance to visitors Friday (June 22) during the launching of the Gumne', a B'laan tribal house built by tribal women in Lamlifew and funded by the provincial government. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) said Sarangani pilots the country's School of Living Tradition (SLT) continuing program. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Blaan School of Living Tradition

MALUNGON, SARANGANI PROVINCE (June 20, 2007)- Ms. Helen Lombos, chairperson of the Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association (LTWA) applies finishing stitch patterns to a traditional B’laan dress in the terrace of a tradional B’laan house. Made of bamboo, wood and indigenous materials from the area, the B’laan traditional house constructed by the LTWA will soon showcase B’laan handicrafts and beadworks. Lamlifew is a tourist destination in Sarangani where one could experience the B’laan culture and witness their everyday life. (PHOTO BY SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)


The association is technically assisted by the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) under the Office of the Governor.Tourists visiting Lamlifew Tribal Eco-Village came to have a truly tribal interaction. School of Living Tradition cultural crafts are sold to the tourists. Some guests even requested for specific Blaan clothing like the ansif (cross-stitched dress), takmon (upper garment made of mother of pearl), mabal (woven abaca/hemp fiber) and some beaded dress. They also make traditional beads necklaces, head dress accessories, and basketry.

Visits to the community can be arranged thru the Office of the Governor - IPDP. Contact person is Maribeth Farnazo, Program Manager (+63-83-508-2258).

Blaan traditional house

MALUNGON, SARANGANI PROVINCE (June 20, 2007)- Ms. Helen Lombos, chairperson of the Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association (LTWA) applies finishing stitch patterns to a traditional B’laan dress while her baby is peacefully asleep in a B’laan hammock in Lamlifew, Malungon. Lombos is sitting on the window cover of a traditional B’laan house. The oversized and protruding window cover, a unique fixture in traditional B’laan houses in Sarangani also serves as a deck for B’laans to do their chores. Made of bamboo, wood and indigenous materials from the area, the B’laan traditional house constructed by the LTWA will soon showcase B’laan handicrafts and beadworks. Lamlifew is a tourist destination in Sarangani where one could experience the B’laan culture and witness their everyday life. (PHOTO BY SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Mat Weaver

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 18, 2007) - A "dreamweaver" sorts out her "romblon" used for making "banig" in the showroom of the Mat Dreamweavers in Malapatan Monday. The weavers of Malapatan do not follow any pattern but rather base their design on their dreams. Malapatan is celebrating its 38 th Foundation Anniversary and "Pakaradyan" Festival which started on June 15 and will end on June 21. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Romblon is an endemic plant in Sitio Upper Lasang, Sapu Masla, Malapatan. The management of this important resource is vital to the survival of the mat weaving in the community. Efforts done by the community was to do re-planting of Romblon and managing the harvest of the leaves as raw material for the mat weaving.

Mat Weaving

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 18, 2007) – The traditional banig or mat weaving reveals the colors and tradition of the B'laan indigenous people. An organization of B'laan women displays their products at the opening of the town's 38th Foundation Anniversary and 2nd Pakaradyan Festival which ends on June 21. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Shown in the photo above is Rose Balandan, the head of the Mat Weavers Association located at Sitio Upper Lasang, Malapatan. Each mat design is unique. A visit to thier Mat Weaving School of Living tradition site is worth a visit.You can contact the Office of the Governor thru its Indigenous Peoples Development Program for technical assistance.

Malong Weaving

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 18, 2007) – Muslim women in Malapatan weave the traditional malong dress as one of the highlights in celebration of the town's 38th Foundation Anniversary and 2nd Pakaradyan Festival which ends on June 21. Pakaradyan is a Maguindanao word for "feast" which may come as a wedding celebration, Tanda (baptismal rites), Salangguni (pamanhikan), Qadtamat (Koran reading), among others. For the non-Maguindanaon, Pakaradyan is equivalent to any Filipino fiesta celebration and banquets. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

Photonews from Provincial Information Office, Sarangani

Malong Weaver

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 18, 2007) - Sarmia Ameril, 23, of Tuyan, Malapatan weaves a traditional Maguindanaon garment -- the "Malong". Maguindanaons in Malapatan have long produced colorful "Malongs" for their everyday use. One garment takes a day to weave and costs P600 if sold. Malapatan is celebrating its 38 th Foundation Anniversary and "Pakaradyan" Festival which started on June 15 and will end on June 21. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

The municipality of Malapatan is also a home to cebuano migrants and the Blaan tribe. This cultural heritage of Malong weaving is very significant to the Muslim, thus, needs to be preserved by and for the future generations.

Mt. Matutum

Majestic Mt. Matutum (a dormant volcano)

• 7,600 ft. elevetion
• 2,293 m high
• 120 m deep and 320 m wide crater
• Home to the Blaan indigenous peoples group of Southern Mindanao
• View taken at Amgu-o Village, Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato by Bernard Turner

The joy of an SLT graduate

GLAN, Sarangani (June 8, 2007) - Grascela Lasnan, 14, smiles after receiving her certificate of completion during the graduation ceremony of the School of Living Tradition (SLT) on traditional musical instruments-making and –playing Friday (June 8) at barangay Kapatan. The SLT aims to restore, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the different ethno-linguistic groups in Sarangani by transferring the indigenous knowledge system from the cultural masters to cultural learners or bearers. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/CAS)

The graduate shown in her Blaan traditional attire.

SOCSARGEN

Map of South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City (SOCSARGEN). It is siutated South of mainland Mindanao and served as a gateway for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). With its strategic location, it is easily accessible from neighboring ASEAN countries.

Source: 2006 Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) brochure

School of Living Tradition news from Sarangani

Flute

GLAN, Sarangani (June 8, 2007) - A B'laan student plays her slali (flute) during the graduation ceremony of the School of Living Tradition (SLT) on traditional musical instruments-making and -playing Friday (June 8) at barangay Kapatan. The SLT aims to restore, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the different ethno-linguistic groups in Sarangani by transferring the indigenous knowledge system from the cultural masters to cultural learners or bearers. (Photo by SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Cocoy A. Sexcion)

The SLT is a component project implemented by the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) under the Office of the Governor.

Sarangani pictures

Link for Sarangani photos taken by Cocoy Sexcion.

http://saranganiprovince.multiply.com/photos/album/1

Visit the beauty and bounty of Sarangani Province whenever you are in Mindanao.

Let's talk Tboli

Good Morning - hyu flafus
Good Afternoon - hyu kuloy
Good Evening - hyu kifu
How are you? - kumusta wo'
Where are you from? - no kom gono lemwet?
Where do you live? - no kom gono meno?
Are you married? - won yahen nom?
How many children d you have? - deng helo kom nga?
What kind of work do you do? - bey kom keyo nemo?
I love you - kenodo te nu
Thank you - bong salamat
You are welcome - hyu
Goodbye - lomwet me kom

Atlanta Regional Commission EJ meeting

Arjho's recent volunteer event with the Atlanta Regional Commission Environmental Justice Planning Advisory Group.Click link below:

http://accessphilatlanta.blogspot.com/2007/06/turner-reports-on-atlanta-regional.html

Galing Foundation, Inc. Outreach for Mindanao

Galing Foundation, Inc. (GFI) is a non-profit organization here in Atlanta, Georgia founded by Toni Daya Luetgers in 2005. It is focused on increasing English literacy especially among the indigent school children. They are operating in pilot schools in Quezon Province. I was recently appointed as the Galing Foundation, Inc. Mindanao Director to bridge opportunities for indigent school children from Mindanao. GFI will celebrate its 2nd year anniversary this May 22 which I will have an opportunity to share about indigent students especially the Blaan and Tboli tribe. Also, we will have fundraising event for books and school supply on June 16, 2007 to benefit the Blaan Dalel Christian Academy, Amgu-o Village, Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato and the Kipalkuda Elementary School, New La Union, Sarangani Province.

Here are the links for more details:
http://accessphilatlanta.blogspot.com/2007/05/invitation-from-gfi-great-evening-of.html
http://accessphilatlanta.blogspot.com/2007/05/gfi-ball-o-fun-on-june-16.html

More information about GFI can be accessed in its website www.galingfoundation.com

Tboli Tribe of Sarangani Province

The Tboli tribe also inhabit both upland and coastal areas. Tboli population is largely concentrated on the western side of the Sarangani Bay which bisects the whole province into an eastern and western part. The municipalities of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum are home to large Tboli settlements. Tbolis are also found in the province of South Cotabato especially in Lake Sebu and Tboli towns. The traditional upland agriculture today is still widely practiced and this is enhanced by the indigenous crafts of weaving and brassmaking. The Tbolis are known for the manufacture of T'nalak cloth using an indigenous process known all over Southeast Asia. Their brasswares such as bells, bracelets, armlets, leglets, necklaces, etc. are prized among other indigenous groups. The Tbolis have some of the best preserved oral literature such as the Tudbulol epic which is sung by traditional singers during thier festivals (IPDP 2005 brochure).

Non-government organizations doing volunteer work among the Tboli tribe of Sarangani are the Datu Wali Mission and the Salvation Army. More information and pictures about the Sarangani Tboli tribe in http://www.datuwalimission.org and www.sarangani.gov.ph

Comments from Kernie Fanagel

"Ganahan ko sa imo tubad mindanao blogspot...great idea! Dako gyud ni matabang sa pag-introduce sa atong tribu--Blaan."

I really like the tubad mindanao blogspot. It will be of great help to introduce our tribe --Blaan.

Kernie Fanagel
Founder
TUBAD Performing Arts
Malapatan, Sarangani Province

The Blaan tribe of Sarangani Province

The Blaans are the most numerous of the indigenous groups of Sarangani Province. They are found mostly in four Municipalities of Sarangani Province namely; Malungon, Malapatan, Alabel, and Maasim. Since ancient times, the Blaan have populated both the upland and coastal ares ans subsisted primarily on upland agriculture using indigenous technology founded on field rotation. Although the principal crop is rice, root crops constitute an important part of the diet and for this reason are planted in backyard gardens to sustain family meals. Thier traditional crafts are weaving and basketry.

Source: IPDP 2005 brochure "Meet the Sarangans: People and their Cultures"

Photo of Fulong Calingo Maluma and Herminia Lacna from Lamlifew, Datal Tampal, Malungon taken by Cocoy Sexcion.

TUBAD

TUBAD performing arts group composed of Blaan youths from Malapatan, Sarangani Province. The name TUBAD was deliberately chosen by Josephine Carino, Kernie Fanagel and Jeffry Guiban in 2003 to represent the ideals of the group.

Performances of the group include: Cultural production on Indigenous Peoples Rights (Dec. 10, 2003);Wow Mindanao 2004; Cultural Production for 2004 and 2005 Sarangani Province Foundation Anniversary; National Arts Month Celebration in 2005;Vice Governor's Night (February 2005); Wow Philippines in Intramuros.Present number of members are 7 musicians, 18 choreographers, 3 production crew.TUBAD songs were mostly composed by Kernie Dason Fanagel. The group also produced TUBAD Live CD and recorded other cassette tape music on traditional songs.The Indigenous Peoples Development Program is also working closely with the TUBAD Performing Arts group.

Photo taken February 2005 during the National Arts Month celebration and MET Museum Baray Exhibit in Sarangani Provincial Capitol complex.

Let us talk Blaan (Talù ato Blaan)

• Good morning - Fye flafus
• Good afternoon - Fye flabi
• Good evening - Fye kifuh
• Thank you - Bong salamat or tay kafyem
• What is your name? - Det e dagit tam?
• God bless you - Dwata kamdo ge
• How are you? - Kumusta ge? or Det kagkaham?
• Where are you from? - Nè gu frum?
• I love you - Kando ta ge
• I like you - Aknayè ta ge
• Are you married? - Ta nun yaanam?
• How many children do you have? - Ta file ngàam?

Note: Sourced from IPDP 2005 Meet the Sarangans brochure. Correct Blaan spelling contributed by Kernie D. Fanagel.

Indigenous Peoples Dev't. Program and Staff

The dynamic staff (L-R: Maribeth Farnazo, Josephine Carino, Fernando Tusan, Emma Rizza Bantilan, Jestoni Badilla, Edzel Pontong and Ener Toguin) of the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP) of Sarangani Province. Other staff not in the picture are Celito Terando and Annalyn Eday.Photo taken at Kasfala Hall during the Munato Festival Cultural Exhibit.

The Indigenous Peoples of Sarangani consist largely of the Blaan, Tboli, Tagakaulo, Kalagan, Manono/Ubo tribes. These indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) are among the most marginalized sectors of the society. This condition is attributed to a complex web of socio-economic and politico-cultural problems and the most pressing of which are poverty, lack of access to basic services, possible loss of ancestral lands/domains and diminishing cultural heritage.

The Provincial Government of Sarangani is committed to address the problems and concersn of its IPs/ICC constituents as manifested in its vision, mission, values and priority programs (http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/). It encourages the active participation of the IPs as partners and cooperators in government development efforts. IPDP evolved from the Luntiang Lumad Program (LLP) under the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist. The LLP operation which was started in December 2000 was limited to basic agricultural extension services. However, the change of provincial political leadership in 2004 also brought a dynamic change for government project implementation.The Sarangani Provincial Task Force was created to review and evaluate current programs undertaken by each department. The LLP under the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist was seen to become a potentially important program for comprehensive cultural development focused on the Indigenous Peoples (IPs). By virtue of Executive Order # 19, the IPDP study team was composed of Fulong George Young, Romy Martin and Josephine Carino to address that concern. The IPDP Conceptual Framework Plan was presented to the Local Finance Committe and the Provincial Development Council on October 14, 2004. Thus, creating the IPDP as a unique program under the Office of Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez.

The program goals are to preserve and promote cultural heritage as well as improve living conditions of the indigenous peoples in Sarangani Province. The objectives are as follows:

1. To assist/facilitate acquisition of IP tenurial instruments in indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) ancestral domains.

2. To restore and preserve the cultural heritage and traditions of Sarangani IPs.

3. To increase the participation of IPs in the development process through the representation of IP groups in development councils, local special bodies as well as other capability building activities and respective resources in support to a particular project undertaken and or facilitated by the program.

Blaan tribe of Sitio Lamlifew, Datal Tampal, Malungon in traditional clothes.Photo taken by Cocoy Sexcion in 2005.

Perspective "Mindanao"

Recent volunteer event with the Filipino-American organizations here in Atlanta, Georgia last April 24, 2007. Arjho shared about Mindanao (People, Nature, Culture and Governance). Click the link for more details http://accessphilatlanta.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html

Mabal

Mabal is the art of making a traditional Blaan cloth. The fiber used is abaca or hemp freshly stripped and air-dried.Colors used are from endemic plants grown by the Blaan tribe in their backyard garden.The whole process of making the cloth is very tedious task. The secret of the unique designs rests upon the weaver's dream inspired by their spirituality and respect towards the interrelatedness of human and their environment.

However, this traditional skill is feared to vanish and be forgotten by the new generation (tubad) of the Blaan tribe .To address this problem, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) initiated a program called the School of Living Tradition (SLT). It is basically geared towards transferring the traditional skills to the new generation (tubad) so as to preserve the culture. The picture shown above is the SLT located in Lamlifew, Datal Tampal,Malungon, Sarangani Province facilitated by the Indigenous Peoples Development Program (IPDP).Photo taken by Cocoy Sexcion.

Welcome!

Welcome to the "tubadmindanao" blog.This is designed to have a venue for cultural appreciation, understanding and development of the different indigenous peoples groups in Mindanao, Philippines.Issues besetting the indigenous peoples of Mindanao are welcome for virtual learning.