Sarangani officials join folklore festival

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 27, 2015) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquaio dance in the stage with the Suli Di Kay Luan dancers from Malapatan Elementary School during the international folklore festival at Capitol Gym on August 17. The dance depicts the belief, ceremonies and rituals of the Blaan tradition. (Kim Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR'S OFFICE)

Governor, vice governor dance with Blaan kids

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 23, 2015) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquaio dance with the Blaan pupils of Lun Padidu Elementary School during the International Folklore Festival on August 17 at the Capitol gym. The crowd cheered as the two officials were fetched from their seats by the kids to do Blaan dance routines. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)  

Folklore festival delegates visit Lamlifew

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 23, 2015) - International Folklore Festival delegates pose with Bai Herminia Lacna and Fu Yabing as they visit Lamlifew Village Museum at Barangay Datal Tampal on August 18. The folklore festival aims to provide convergence among ethno-linguistic groups in the country. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) 

Tabih weaving in Lamlifew Village Museum

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 18, 2015) - Celebrity Dingdong Dantes, chairman of YesPinoy Foundation, watches Tabih weaving during his visit at Lamlifew Village, the country’s  Blaan school of living tradition and museum at Sitio Lamlifew in Barangay Datal Tampal on August 8. Tabih refers to the traditional handwoven Blaan tubular skirt. Dantes later launched Project 888 at the provincial gymnasium. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lamlifew Village Museum welcomes guests

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 18, 2015) - Celebrity and YesPinoy Foundation (YPF) chairman Dingdong Dantes takes photos of young villagers of Lamlifew Village Museum in Barangay Datal Tampal as they perform Blaan dance routines on August 8.  Dantes visited Sarangani Province to launch Project 888, a project of YPF that aims to fully fund the education of eight deserving youth scholars. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Dingdong visits Blaan school

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 18, 2015) – Actor Dingdong Dantes, chairman of YesPinoy Foundation, mingles with the youth of Blaan community Lamlifew in Barangay Datal Tampal on August 8. Dantes also enjoyed the cultural presentation and warm welcome of the community during his arrival at Lamlifew village, site of the Blaan school of living tradition and museum. Dantes, a commissioner of the National Youth Commission, heads the YesPinoy Foundation which is a national organization that helps the youth through programs and projects. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

 

Dingdong meets Fuglung cultural master

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 18, 2015) – Actor Dingdong Dantes, chairman of YesPinoy Foundation, beams as he poses with Blaan boat lute (Fuglong) cultural master Bai Hermania Lacna of Lamlifew Village Museum and School of Living Tradition at Sitio Lamlifew in Barangay Datal Tampal on August 8.(Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Bikes for Blaan village

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 5, 2015) – The Lamlifew Tribal Women's Association receives 10 mountain bikes from ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) through Bantay Kalikasan-Green Initiative Project. Green Initiative is a joint project of ALKFI and the provincial government in developing community-based sustainable tourism, community-based enterprise, environmental conservation and people's participation. The partnership was forged under the administration of Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. (Ener Toguin/SULONG TRIBU)

Cultural cooks learn food handling

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 5, 2014) – School of Living Tradition museum cooks learn the basics during a demo food cliniquing such as food presentation, table setup and food handling in Sitio Lamlifew, Datal Tampal. Other topics are good manufacturing practices for traditional food delicacies and cuisine. The training was facilitated by Gretchen Foster through the Sulong Tribu Program of the Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. (Ener Toguin/SULONG TRIBU)

Cultural learner at SLT

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 5, 2015) – Blaan eight-year-old Shandy Lacna is one of the 34 cultural learners of the School of Living Tradition (SLT) on traditional music and playing of musical instruments. Lacna can do chanting and play fuglong, skills she learned from her grandmother Heminia Lacna (background). The SLT is based in Sitio Lamlifew, Barangay Datal Tampal. (Ener Toguin/SULONG TRIBU)

Road to Lamlifew gets major upgrade

MALUNGON, Sarangani (August 5, 2015) - Road concreting is ongoing in Sitio Lamlifew, Datal Tampal where one of the well-known tourist destinations of Sarangani is located, the School of Living Tradition and Community Village Museum of the Blaan tribe. This major upgrade to the once difficult road leading to the tribal village of Lamlifew was spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways and Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. (Ener Toguin/SULONG TRIBU)

VG Jinkee joins IP Thanksgiving Day

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 6, 2014) – “Ako usab naay dugong lumad, partikular ang tribu sa Blaan, ug akoang ginakalipay ug garbo nako ang akong gigikanan,” said Vice Governor Jinkee J. Pacquiao in her message during the National Indigenous Peoples Thanksgiving Day and Indigenous Peoples Month Festival at Capitol gym on October 29. This activity attended by the major tribes of Sarangani namely Tagakaolo, Blaan, Tboli, Manobo and Kalagan was initiated by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in partnership with the Provincial Governor’s Office  - Sulong Tribu Program, Provincial Vice Governor’s Office – Gal E’ Libun Program and Provincial Tribal Council (PTC). (Jerald Rubio/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

SP accredits NGOs

ALABEL, Sarangani (October 23, 2014) – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) headed by Vice Gov. Jinkee Pacquiao unanimously approves the renewal of accreditation of Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association and Plan International Inc. on its regular session Tuesday, October 21. The two non-government organizations (NGOs) are major partners of the provincial government. The Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association preserves the Blaan indigenous fabric called “Tabih” that was recently displayed at SM Mall of Gensan. The Plan International, on the other hand, has a thrust of building a society that truly cares for and protects the Sarangani children. (Jerald S. Rubio/VICE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Blaan weavers to co-star in Munato Festival Yesterland theme park

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 17, 2014) – This four-day “Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" exhibit at SM Mall ended Thursday, October 16, but will be on display again during the Munato Festival on November 27-29 at the Yesterland theme park of the Capitol grounds. The Blaan indigenous fabric called “Tabih” is from Lamlifew Village Museum based in Barangay Datal Tampal, Malungon, Sarangani. This heritage material has only two living keepers of the tradition, Fu Yabing Dulo and Fu Gusiye Buan. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) 

Important note: The Tabih shown above is a modern/contemporary design.

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)

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)

Malapatan: A rich tapestry of colors, cuisine and culture

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 23, 2014) - Tucked near the southern edge of Sarangani province is a small, sleepy town with a rich and colorful culture; whose richness is only matched by its equally beautiful mix of well-preserved tradition and reserved natural tourist destinations.

The town is named Malapatan, which means “mala” - pepper and “fatan” place in Blaan.

Malapatan’s unique culture is mainly borne out of the diversity of culture that is inherent in the place. It is inhabited by the three major cultural contributors namely the Blaans (first inhabitants), Maguindanaons (Muslim pilgrims) and the mostly Christian group of immigrants that first settled in the area during the land settlement years.

In its 45th foundation anniversary last June 21, the inhabitants of Malapatan showcased how all this colorful cultural contribution is now interwoven and integrated itself into what we now know as the unique festival called “Pakaradyan”.

“Pakaradyan means festivities,” said Mayor Alfonso Singcoy Sr.. “The five-day celebration features the richness of the culture of the town, highlighting efforts in its preservation in the light of pushing for grassroots-based development.”

Among the most unique and vibrant features of the Pakaradyan is the Guinakit Festival – a fluvial parade of colorful boats to commemorate the arrival of Shariff Kabungsuan in the 16th century to establish the first sultanate of Maguindanao and preach Islam in the Philippines.

Engr. Tita Suib, municipal planning officer and tourism officer, said they plan to expand the Guinakit parade by the sea so that all barangays of the town will have an entry in the coming Pakaradyan.

Aside from the Guinakit, the town also boasts of the tribal celebration during the Pakaradyan Festival – a special celebration where each tribe is given a whole day to showcase their culture.

In an interview during the culmination of the Pakaradyan Festival, Vice Mayor Jimmy Bagit said that they purposely have three tribal days so that all tribes can be proud of their unique contribution to the culture of the town.

Vice Mayor Bagit added that in the Pakaradyan Festival you can experience the different culinary delights of the tribes such as the Tinagtag of the Maguindanaon’s, the Palapa, Tangigue Steak and sweets laced with coco sugar.

And what Philippine tourist festival would be complete without the street dancing? In Malapatan, they call it the Kadindang sa Lalan or dancing in the streets.

In the end, the Pakaradyan Festival of Malapatan is much like the product of the famed Blaan "dream weavers" of the place who make sleeping mats based on designs they have dreamt off – from the dream of the early ancestors who made a pact to live separately as one in the place full of peppers; respecting each other’s culture and intricacies and silently build together a community where all is unique just like everybody else.

Perhaps Mayor Singcoy said it best in his culmination speech when he said that, “the secret of Malapatan is the mutual respect and reverence we show for other members of different tribes and religion. My father inculcated in us that Malapatan cannot grow without each other. United we stand, for the future of Malapatan.” (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Weavers showcase Blaan craft

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (June 21, 2014) - Blaan women showcase their mat weaving skills at the municipal grounds as Malapatan stages its annual Pakaradyan Festival. Pakaradyan means festivities which also features the richness of the culture of Malapatan. (Cocoy Sexcion for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sarangani’s Blaan School of Living Traditions recognized by NCCA

By APRIL JANE C. UGSAD

ALABEL, Sarangani (June 6, 2014) — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has recognized the School of Living Traditions (SLT) in Lamlifew, Malungon as one of the most successful SLTs in the Philippines through its cultural master and SLT coordinator, Helen Lumbos.

The award to Lumbos was given during the 2^nd SLT Summit held in Zamboanga City recently.

The summit gave credit to all cultural masters and implementers of SLTs and how they responded to slowly fading culture of IP communities.

“We highlighted the provincial government’s effort in protecting the cultural heritage of the Indigenous People (IP) through special programs, tourism development, and cultural development initiatives,” said Celito Terando, project manager under Sulong Tribu of the provincial government.

Also, the Lamlifew community took effort in gaining economic significance to sustain themselves by showcasing their food, dance performances, and craft produced though weaving which is an alternative source of their income.

Terando said that Lamlifew, beyond NCCA’s assistance, has become a cultural enterprise and then eventually became a cultural tourism site through the provincial government’s effort, in partnership with some private organizations.

Lamlifew community is a recipient of the ABS-CBN Foundation for cultural tourism and is now part of the Department of Education’s curriculum under the IP education program.

“We would like to thank Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon for the strong support to make this recognition to the province possible,” Terando said as he made the announcement in the Capitol.

Sarangani became a model for NCCA on how the province pushed to include the SLT in schools. The participants who attended the 2nd SLT Summit wanted to adopt the strategies and best practices applied by Sarangani to preserve its cultural heritage. (April Jane C. Ugsad/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)