Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Sarangani Coffee Growers Conference

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 29, 2009) - Governor Migs Dominguez holds a cup of coffee as he gives full support and commitment to the coffee growers federation of Sarangani. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Sarangani coffee

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 29, 2009) - Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon listens as Proceso Cortejos of Nestle Philippines explains and points at the locally-grown Robusta coffee during the Sarangani Coffee Conference held at Capitol gym Tuesday, July 28. The conference aims to develop the coffee industry in the province and encourage coffee farmers to produce more quality beans. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Philippine Coffee Board

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 29, 2009)- Philippine Coffee Board chair Nicholas Matti shares his expertise in the coffee industry and the world market condition of coffee to farmers during the Sarangani coffee conference at Capitol gym Tuesday, July 28. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Nestle Philippines

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 29, 2009) - Proceso Cortejos, assistant manager for agricultural services department of Nestle Philippines, discusses coffee business and technology with farmers of Sarangani at the coffee conference in Capitol gym Tuesday, July 28. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Sec. Puno at peace and order meeting

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 29, 2009) – DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno speaks before the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting of Region XII Wednesday, July 29, at Phela Grande Convention Center as Cotabato Province Governor Jesus Sacdalan and Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez listen. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Wharf visit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 27, 2009) – Indigenous pupils of New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools pose with their teachers Leo Lecita and Reynald Daliba at the General Santos City wharf as part of their educational tour “Making Little Dreams Possible” Friday, July 24.Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) and the Alcantara Foundation sponsored the tour to inspire the children to finish their studies. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Visit at the city of tuna

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 27, 2009) – Indigenous children of New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools pose at Makar Wharf duringtheir “Making Little Dreams Possible” educational tour Thursday, July23. The children went down from the mountains and crossed rivers to see the city for the first time. Quality Education for Sarangani Today(QUEST) and the Alcantara Foundation sponsored the tour to inspire the children to finish their studies. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATIONOFFICE)

SPPC with indigenous children

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 27, 2009) – Pupils of New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools pose with Southern Philippines Power Corporation personnel, Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) program manager Annalie Edday, Alcantara Foundation executive director Cecile Dominguez (2nd and 3rd from left respectively) at the SPPC compound on their educational tour “Making Little Dreams Possible” Thursday, July23. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Kiangkos and New Canaan pupils at Bombo Radyo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 27, 2009) – Grade VI pupils from New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools, with sponsors Quality Education forSarangani Today (QUEST) and the Alcantara Foundation officials and Bombo Radyo-General Santos station manager Ricky Collado (middle-left) pose in front of the station after greeting their parents in Kiangkos and New Canaan on air. Transistor radio is the only means of communication that reaches the community from the city. The indigenous children, on their educational tour “Making Little Dreams Possible”experienced city life for the first time. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Lumad children visit city for first time

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 27, 2009) – Thirty Grade VI pupils from New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools, seeing the city for the first time, pose in front of KCC Mall of General Santos Friday, July 25, asone of their destinations in their educational tour. New Canaan andKiangkos, a village community of the Blaan indigenous people who still practice their old tradition, are among the farthest communities inAlabel town where children have to walk for an hour from home toschool. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Feature: Making little dreams possible

By Russtum G. Pelima, MA Ed

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 27, 2009) – It’s a day in the city that these kids would never forget through all their lives.

Just a few weeks ago, volunteers from the Provincial Governor’s Office and staff of the Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) braved bad weather and trails to Kiangkos, New Canaan and Banlibato Elementary Schools. They climbed up the mountains of Pag-asa in Alabel town for eight hours to reach the schools, crossing a river 25 times.

Then the volunteers brought along workbooks from QUEST for the school children. Now, with their parents’ consent, the team brought the kids to the city -- the sight of flickering lights they and the barangay’s upland community can see only at night.

Excitement, joy and happiness painted the innocent children’s faces. There were 30 of them, all in Grade VI, of the New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools whom Annalie Edday, QUEST program manager, identified and promised to show them the lowlands for the first time.

“Making Little Dreams Possible” is more than an educational tour.

“We want them to see their dreams coming true by experiencing the world (place) they longed to see from afar, a life they would want to enjoy after finishing school,” Edday said.

This is the first time these children would see tall buildings, moving cars, schools where pupils wear uniforms, ships and airplanes, sleep in a concrete house, enter a mall, eat at advertised food chains they heard from the radio.

Kiangkos is 2,149 feet above sea level. Being unreachable by any transportation other than horses, Kiangkos and New Canaan have no electricity hence there’s not one TV set in the community.

On their tour last week, the Southern Philippines Power Corporation provided them with P8,000 shopping money while the Holiday Bus Company provided them free ride for a day.

“Bahala na gutom ug kapoy basta makakita mi ug syudad (We’re tired and hungry but we don’t mind just to see the city),” pupil Michelle Palawan sighed.

At first I thought these kids were just too excited to see the city to walk for eight hours, but I was wrong. For I discovered later that they were more interested about something else - going to school and finish their studies.

Teacher Leo Lecita said his pupils Leah Mayo, Ariel Martin, Wenie Mayo, Jenesa Lagalkan, Analyn Padayag, and Adelyn Mayo had never been absent from school since June. Most of these kids walk an hour everyday from home to school in bare foot or worn-out slippers.

Families of the 200 pupils in Kiangkos and 384 from New Canaan live through corn farming and hunting. They must rent a horse to bring their products to the barangay site for P150 per trip.

“Making Little Dreams Possible’s aim is to really inspire them to finish their studies,” Alcantara Foundation (AF) executive director Cecile Dominguez said. AF initiated and organized technological transfer of QUEST from Synergeia Foundation and find linkages from the private sector to help parents, community, and the local government work for better education of their children.

At the Bombo Radyo station, they greeted their parents and the community in Kiangkos and New Canaan on air. Transistor radio is the only means of communication there.

Lecita, one of the three teachers assigned in Kiangkos, thanked sponsors QUEST and the Alcantara Foundation for the children’s once-in-a-lifetime tour in the city.

“After ten years of teaching, it’s the first time that I see my pupils very happy,” he said.

“Murag dili na ko muuli pero kinahanglan nako maghuman ug eskwela ug mubalik ko diri aron mag trabaho para matabangan nako akong parents (I feel like I’m not going home, but I have to finish my studies and come back here soon to work in order to help my parents),” Analyn Mayo, a 16-year old Grade VI pupil said.

It is quite surprising but all pupils gave me the same answer while talking to them at the end of the day.

Funny how these children were amazed seeing crushed ice at the fish port given to them by a quality controller. They tasted the crushed iced as they laughed at themselves.

For the volunteers and the sponsors, enjoying by themselves the gain of giving, will surely never forget the word of thanks and appreciation the children left them in handwritten letters. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Assistance to lumad pupils

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 27, 2009) – Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) program manager Annalie Edday, with Alcantara Foundation executive director Cecile Dominguez, receives a check from Southern Philippines Power Corporation human resource manager Joel Aton as “shopping money” for the indigenous school children of New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools on their educational tour “Making Little Dreams Possible” Thursday, July 23. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Rocky road to little dream

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 27, 2009) – Pupils of New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools, with volunteers and staff of Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) walk for eight hours Thursday, July 23, heading to General Santos City on their “Making Little Dreams Possible” tour. For the first time, the 30 Grade VI Blaan school children saw a city - tall buildings, moving cars, malls, an airport and a wharf - where in their community up the mountains, they can see only the flickering city lights at night. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

QUEST with pupils

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 27, 2009) – QUEST program manager Annalie Edday (center) enjoys an afternoon chat with pupils of Kiangkos Primary School on arrival at the school Wednesday, July 22, after an eight-hour trek following mountain trails and river crossings. The Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) conducted an educational tour “Making Little Dreams Possible” to 30 lumad school children from New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools to General Santos City’s airport, wharf, seaport, malls, schools, Sarangani Capitol building and other big infrastructures. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Making little dreams possible

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 27, 2009) – Indigenous children of the Blaan tribe pose with their tarp for their “Making Little Dreams Possible” educational tour Thursday, July 23, sponsored by QUEST and Alcantara Foundation. The tour aims to show to the children modern life to inspire them to finish school and help their community. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Lumad pupils at "QUEST Waterfalls"

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 27, 2009) – Lumad pupils pause at a waterfalls they named “QUEST Waterfalls” with Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) program manager Annalie Edday before going down to General Santos City for their “Making Little Dreams Possible” tour sponsored by QUEST and Alcantara Foundation. 30 Blaan children visited the city for the first time. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Crossing river to city

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 27, 2009) – Grade VI pupils of New Canaan and Kiangkos Elementary Schools cross a river and walk for eight hours Thursday, July 23, during their educational tour “Making Little Dreams Possible” sponsored by the Alcantara Foundation. A few weeks ago, volunteers from the provincial government and staff of the Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) went up the mountains to visit the schools, bringing along workbooks for the lumad school children. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Sec. Teodoro delivers projects to Sarangani towns

By Macky Macavinta

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 26, 2009) – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro attended the turnover ceremony of various projects by the Department of National Defense in the Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum Industrial Triangle(MAKIMA-IT) Saturday (July 25).

“These development projects are what we need to achieve peace. But wealso need to educate the people to abide by the law especially those who intend to disrupt our way of life,” Teodoro said.

Maasim Mayor Jojo Lopez, Kiamba Mayor Rom Falgui, Maitum Mayor Elsie Perrett and barangay captains received symbolic keys for the various projects initiated by the Department of National Defense as part of“Labanan ang Kahirapan” project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Governor Migs Dominguez lauded Secretary Teodoro’s efforts and commended Col. Romulo Cabantac Jr., head of the Bukidnon-based 52nd Engineering Brigade of the Armed Forces, for spearheading infrastructure development across the region.

The completed projects in Maasim included repair of classrooms in two elementary schools and construction of one school building each in two villages.

Farm-to-market roads in Kiambing, Maitum were also repaired. The renovation of a day care center in barangay Gasi, Kiamba was alsocompleted.Numerous projects are still in the pipeline such as the construction of school buildings in barangays Nomoh and Lumasal in Maasim,construction of Barangay Hall in Kiamba and rehabilitation of more farm-to-market roads in Maitum. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Token of appreaciation

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 26, 2009) - Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro receives a "Kampilan" as a token of appreciation from Mayor Rom Falgui at the turnover ceremony of MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum) development projects from the Department of National Defense Saturday, July 25. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Message of thanks

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 26, 2009) – Gov. Migs Dominguez expresses his thanks to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro during the turnover ceremony of MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum) development projects from the Department of National Defense Saturday, July 25. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Consultation

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 26, 2009) – Gov. Migs Dominguez listens to a resident during the turnover ceremony of MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum) development projects by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Saturday, July 25. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Airman

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 26, 2009) - An airman directs the chopper where Gov. Migs Dominguez and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro are on board in a safety landing procedure Saturday, July 25, at Kiamba National High School campus. The Secretary visited to formally turnover the MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum) development projects under his office. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Arrival of Sec. Teodoro

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 26, 2009) – Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is welcomed by Mayor Rom Falgui (right) Saturday, July 25, at Kiamba National High School campus. The Secretary delivered to MAKIMA (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum cluster of towns) development projects under his office. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Courtesy call

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 22, 2009) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (right) talks to Civil Service Commission Chair Ricardo Saludo (left) who paid a courtesy call Wednesday, July 22, before launching the Citizen’s Charter of the provincial government. The Citizen’s Charter is part of the continuing reforms that the province is initiating in the government service bureaucracy. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Civil Service Chair

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 22, 2009) – Civil Service Commission Chair Ricardo Saludo is welcomed by Capitol employees Wednesday, July 22, as he arrives to launch the Citizen’s Charter of the provincial government. Republic Act 9485 known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 mandates government agencies to craft its own Citizen’s Charter. It is an official document, a service standard, or a pledge, that communicates information on the services by the Province. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/Bon-Bon Quiño)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Talking to pupils

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 22, 2009) - Mayor Rom Falgui shares a light moment with pupils of Avenida dela Cruz Elementary School during the education roadshow of QUEST (Quality education for Sarangani Today) and CLASSROM (Comprehensive Learning Assistance and Support by MayorRom) Tuesday, July 21. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

State of education Report

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 22, 2009) - "In nurturing the future of our children, school is no substitute for home" are some words of challenge of Mayor Rom Falgui to teachers and parents in his State of Education Report during the QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) and CLASSROM (Comprehensive Learning Assistance and Support byMayor Rom) education roadshow and summit Tuesday, July 21, at Kiamba civic center. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Inspirational message

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 22, 2009) - Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon gives his inspirational message during the QUEST (QualityEducation for Sarangani Today) and CLASSROM (Comprehensive LearningAssistance and Support by Mayor Rom) education roadshow and summit Tuesday, July 21, at Kiamba civic center. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Education roadshow

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 22, 2009) - Mayor Rom Falgui greets pupils of Tambilil Elementary School during the education roadshow of QUEST(Quality Education for Sarangani Today) and CLASSROM (Comprehensive Learning Assistance and Support by Mayor Rom) Tuesday, July 21. (CocoySexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Books for Grade 2

KIAMBA, Sarangani (July 22, 2009) - Grade 2 pupils of Kiamba Central Elementary School pose with Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Rom Falgui,Cecile Dominguez and Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon after the ceremonial turnover Tuesday, July 21, of "As a Filipino" teacher's manuals and workbooks donated by Union Bank. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Trooping the line

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 21, 2009) - Governor Migs Dominguez troops the line with Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon, commander of the Philippine Army 73rd Infantry Battalion, during its 21st founding anniversary Tuesday, July 21. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Guest of Honor

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 21, 2009) - Governor Migs Dominguez delivers his speech as guest of honor and speaker of the Philippine Army 73rd Infantry Battalion’s 21st founding anniversary Tuesday, July 21. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Corner-stone laying

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 21, 2009) – (From right) Philippine Army 1002nd Brigade commander Col. Rainier Cruz; Major General Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of 10th Infantry Division; and Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon lay the corner-stone of the administration building of the new headquarters of the Maasim-based 73rd Infantry Battalion during its 21st founding anniversary Tuesday, July 21. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Arrival honors

MAASIM, Sarangani (July 21, 2009) – Philippine Army 73rd Infantry Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon (left) gives Governor Migs Dominguez full military honors during its 21st founding anniversary Tuesday, July 21. The governor was guest of honor and speaker of the Maasim-based battalion. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Monday, July 20, 2009

Statement of purpose

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) – QUEST prime mover Cecile Dominguez, executive director of Alcantara Foundation, delivers the statement of purpose of QUEST (Quality education for Sarangani Today) program during its launching ceremony in the municipality Monday, July 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

State of Education Report

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) - Mayor Elsie Perrett delivers her State of Education Report at the launching of QUEST program in the municipality Monday, July 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Signing of commitment

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) - Cecile Dominguez, executive director of Alcantara Foundation, signs the commitment wall for quality education for children of Sarangani at the launching of QUEST program in the municipality Monday, July 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

QUEST workbooks

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) - Grade 1 pupils of Malalag Central Elementary School pose with Gov. Migs Dominguez, Cecile Dominguez of Alcantara Foundation, Mayor Elsie Perrett and Vice Mayor Tito Balazon after the ceremonial turn over of QUEST workbooks at the launching of QUEST program in the municipality Monday, July 20, at the municipal gymnasium. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

QUEST beneficiaries

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) – As QUEST beneficiaries, pupils of Teneb Elementary School greet the education caravan participated in by teachers, parents and local officials as part of the launching of QUEST( Quality Education for Sarangani Today) program in the municipality, Monday July 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pupils Teneb 1 & 2


MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) - Pupils of Teneb Elementary School greet the education caravan participated in by teachers, parents and local officials as part of the launching of QUEST( Quality Education for Sarangani Today) program in the municipality, Monday July 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Governor's challenge

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) – Gov. Migs Dominguez delivers his challenge to parents, teachers and local officials to become partners in uplifting the quality of education of their children at the launching of QUEST program in the municipality Monday, July 20, at the municipal gymnasium. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Education caravan

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) - Teachers and pupils of Teneb Elementary School wave QUEST flaglets as Mayor Elsie Perrett leads the caravan as part of the launching of QUEST( Quality Education for Sarangani Today) program in the municipality Monday, July 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Consultation

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) – Gov. Migs Dominguez consults a parent during the launching of QUEST(Quality Education for Sarangani Today) program in the municipality Monday, July 20, at the muncipal gymnasium. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

As a Filipino workbooks

MAITUM, Sarangani (July 20, 2009) - Grade 2 pupils of Malalag Central Elementary School pose with Gov. Migs Dominguez, Cecile Dominguez of Alcantara Foundation, and Mayor Elsie Perrett after the ceremonial turn over of "As a Filipino" teacher's manuals and workbooks at the launching of QUEST program in the municipality Monday, July 20. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Big brother

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 19, 2009) – Kiamba Mayor Rom Falgui receives a plaque of appreciation from provincial Board Member Aniceto Lopez IIIfor his generous support and invaluable contribution in reducing thenumber of non-readers in Sarangani through Sarangani Big Brother“Reading is Fun Season 2” during its culmination and awarding ceremony Saturday, July 18, at the Capitol gymnasium. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANIINFORMATION OFFICE)

Alcantara Foundation

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 19, 2009) - Cecile Dominguez of Alcantara Foundation makes a brief presentation of Sarangani Big Brother“Reading is Fun Season 2” score card during its culmination andawarding ceremony Saturday, July 18, at the Capitol gymnasium. (CocoySexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Active partner

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 19, 2009) - Racquel Aquino (right), Mindanao manager of SMART customer care, receives a plaque of appreciations from Aniceto Lopez III, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation chairman, and Cecile Dominguez, executive director of Alcantara Foundation, forbeing an active partner of Sarangani Big Brother “Reading is Fun Season 2” in achieving the goal of reducing the number of non-readersin Sarangani during its culmination and awarding ceremony Saturday,July 18, at the Capitol gymnasium. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Friday, July 17, 2009

Community celebrates Kanduli festival for peace

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 17, 2009) – On its 60th Foundation Anniversary today, barangay Sapu Masla celebrated unity among its indigenous Blaan and Muslim residents.

Barangay council member Edwin Tumandan called on his Blaan tribe to shun banditry in the mountains. Instead, he urged them to join the government in propelling progress for their community.

“Though we are late in time, we have to wake up and go away from our evils ways. Let’s join hands towards development,” Tumandan said.

Tumandan said dialogues are effective ways of addressing the needs of the tribal community.

Blaans are highlanders. Traditionally, they do farming and hunt wild animals for food.

The barangay also celebrated its 4th Kanduli Festival. Kanduli is a Maguindanao term for thanksgiving. It is the Muslim’s traditional practice of asking more blessing through a gathering to partake food.

Nur Aminulla from Sulu, a retired principal of the Mama Nawa Elementary School here, had been teaching at the school from 1972 to 2006 and he brought up a family here.

“The Kanduli Festival is our way of promoting peace in our community,” Aminulla said.

For government officials, the community needs more assistance in education to help alleviate their standard of living.

Through the provincial government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide 10 computer sets for the school. Many of Malapatan’s remote barangays have been recipients of USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) projects.

Governor Migs Dominguez said the provincial government will provide 250 additional teachers all over the province to address the need for more teachers among its far-flung schools like Mama Nawa.

“The way to peace is the Golden Rule that is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves,” Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon told residents.

Sapu Masla had been a place of banditry and a battleground between government forces and outlaws some decades ago.

Four years ago, a suspect for a rape case here showed up to Moro Islamic Liberation Front Kumander Buhar who turned over the suspect to the Philippine National Police and local officials. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Village dancers

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 17, 2009) – Upper Lasang Elementary School dancers in their Blaan traditional costume perform to win the dance competition during the celebration of Sapu Masla 60th foundation anniversary and 4h Kanduli Festival Friday, July 17. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

The Golden Rule

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 17, 2009) – Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon recalls the Golden Rule - love your neighbor as you love yourself - as he delivers his message of peace to the community of Sapu Masla in celebrating the barangay’s 60th Foundation Anniversary and 4th Kanduli Festival Friday, July 17. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Pupils posing

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 17, 2009) – Pupils of the Mama Nawa Elementary School pose before their performance at barangay Sapu Masla’s 60th Foundation Anniversary and 4th Kanduli Festival Friday, July 17. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Message from Sangguniang Panlalawigan

MALAPATAN, Sarangani (July 17, 2009) – Provincial Board Member Eunice Santos gives her congratulatory message to the community of Sapu Masla as they celebrate 60th Foundation Anniversary and 4th Kanduli Festival of the barangay Friday, July 17. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)