Romancing the scent of Ylang-ylang

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 9, 2015) - Tboli chieftain Basilio Kusin renders a Tboli song as an intermission number before proceeding to the tree planting activity during the Ylang-ylang project launching at the Lamlunay Research and Learning Center in Barangay Upo Wednesday, July 8. His song stated that if a Tboli man keeps an Ylang-ylang flower in his pocket, the scent of the flower will surely attract women. (Joylyn Ty/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli girls graduate from SLT

KIAMBA, Sarangani (June 2, 2015) – These young Tboli girls are fresh graduates of the Lemuhan Cultural Dance Troupe organized by Lyn Lambago since 2008 in Sitio Mapangal, Barangay Badtasan. They were trained within 18 days by the senior members of the dance troupe, one of the assisted organizations of School of Living Tradition (SLT) under Sulong Tribu Program of the Provincial Governor’s Office. (Ener T. Toguin for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tboli fashion: Starting ‘em young

KIAMBA, Sarangani (June 2, 2015) – This is the high fashion of the Tboli tribe. The art of dress, overdress and wooden comb decorated with beads and jewelry, according to “Pilipino Heritage”. (Ener T. Toguin for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Tribal chieftain is new SB member

MAITUM, Sarangani (June 4, 2014) - Caleasa Sambay Katug takes oath as Indigenous People mandatory representative in the Sangguniang Bayan Tuesday, June 3. Katug was previously the tribal chieftain in the municipality for more than a decade. Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon challenged Katug and Councilor Freddie Balazon to boost their teamwork to bring about more development in the municipality. (Kim Windell V. Tiblani/PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Sulong Kapayapaan building rises in IP village

MAASIM, Sarangani (June 4, 2014) – Locals pose before the newly-constructed building funded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP) under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA)on May 30 at Barangay Nomoh. The project will serve as training center for the Sulong Kapayapaan project of the provincial government. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

OPAPP donates training center for IPs

MAASIM, Sarangani (June 4, 2014) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) leads the opening on May 30 of a P300,000-training center funded by PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan) under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) with counterpart from the provincial government. The project is located in Barangay Nomoh. Also in photo are Barangay Captain Luna Tabalao and Vice Mayor Utoh Salem Cutan. (Jake T. Narte/SARANGANI INFFORMATION OFFICE)

OPAPP donates footbridge for IP villages

MAASIM, Sarangani (June 4, 2014) - Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (center) joins the ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening of footbridge in sitio Maklong, Barangay Nomoh on May 30. Also in photo are Vice Mayor Uttoh Salem Cutan and Barangay Captain Luna Tabalao. PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan), a program for Peace and Development Communities under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), donated the footbridge worth of P740,000. It would benefit 150 households in three sitios for the transportation of their agriculture products. The project was implemented by the Office of the Governor under Sulong Kapayaan program. (Jake T. Narte/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)

Tboli and Blaan leaders hold regular meeting

MAASIM, Sarangani (September 20, 2013) - Tboli and Blaan leaders led by vice municipal tribal chieftain Engr. Ruben Isla hold a regular consultative monthly meeting at the local Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) office in Maasim. Mayor Anecito Lopez Jr. said the congregation provides leeway for the indigenous people to present their plight, specifically on the needed LGU assistance in the upper valleys and other far-flung tribal communities of the municipality. (Darwin B. Tolete/MAASIM INFORMATION OFFICE)