Huge crowd join SLANG Fest '13 in Mal'ngan

The tribesman behind  – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino gesture with confidence as he awaits the arrival of tribal chieftains to join the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18,) annual celebration of 6th SLANG Festival ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu ako” in Malungon, Sarangani Province. Also in photo are municipal councilor Benjamin Santos (seated-L) and the event organizer and municipal Assessors head, Honnelyne J. Guilley-Toyogon (right).  For more information, visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Leaders of the high winds – Clad in different tribal attires, Blaan and Taga-Kaulo tribal chieftains’ convene Sunken Arena on November 16-18, 2013 to join Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino, LGU-officials, visitors and the people of Mal’ngan celebrate the 3-day revelry of the 6th  SLANG Fest ’13 in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

‘Proud to be Blaan’ – Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino, clad in colourful  Blaan DATU attire, welcomes the arrival of ‘leaders from the high winds’ during culmination of the three-day 6th SLANG Fest ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu Ako (II)” on November 16-18, 2013 at the municipal Sunken Arena in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE). 

Street Dance – A student-contingent of Malungon Sped National High School drops the ground as she portrays theatrical part of a tribal dance during the street dancing competition which highlighted the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18, 2013) 6th SLANG Fest ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu ako”  in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORATION OFFICE).

Pride of the tribes – Newly crowned ‘Miss Manenggeya na Libun ’13 (meaning beautiful girl) Thelma Mae Trazona of Brgy. JP Laurel (seated 2nd from right) gestures with (L-R) 1st runner-up Irish Manialon of Brgy. Poblacion, 3rd runner-up Mary Jade Manambay of Panamin and 2nd runner-up Aubrey Sano of Brgy. Banahaw during a souvenir shot with Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino (center), Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo (3rd-L) and the tribal chieftains amid the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18, 2013) 6th  SLANG Fest ’13 in Malungon, Sarangani Province. (Isagani Palma-MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

Mal’ngan is my people’s home – Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo fervently denies the presence of other tribal communities in Malungon town except to those of the Blaan and Tagakaulo tribes, while Mayor Reynaldo F. Constantino thoughtfully listens amid the culmination of the three-day (November 16-18) celebration of the 6th SLANG Festival ’13 in Malungon, Sarangani Province. For more information, visit malungon.blogspot.com (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MALUNGON, Sarangani – A huge crowd of thousands come to join the three-day (November 16-18) celebration of the 6th SLANG Fest ’13 dubbed as “Garbu ko, Tribu ako (II),” here in the said town.

Mayor Reynaldo ‘Bong’ Constantino said the event was a presentation of various cultural values that was figuratively designed to revitalize younger generation of their ethnic practices, traits, cultural traditions, and the significance of thy father’s - ancestral lands.

“Actually, Slang is like a continues practice of ethnic barter trading, socializing, and conflict resolution among different indigenous tribes. For this will remind the new broods of the Blaan and Tagakaulo tribes, and even the emigrants as well, of our cultural history so that respect to the forebears and the good examples they have shown shall always be remembered and valued, as a people,” said Constantino, who is half-blooded Blaan. 

The event organizer Honnelyne J. Guilley-Toyogon, said the occasion was stressed through a series of horse fights in its opening salvo on November 16, followed by a cultural presentation and search for new ‘Manenggeya na Libun 2013’ (meaning beautiful girl) on November 17 at the municipal gymnasium. 

Chosen winners on Sunday night's beauty pageant are all bonafide members of the Blaan and Tagakaulo clans, said Toyogon. She identified the newly selected beauty queens for 2013 as: Ms. Manenggeya na Libun - Thelma Mae Trazona of Brgy. JP Laurel; 1st runner-up Irish Manialon of Brgy. Poblacion; 2nd runner up Aubrey Sano of Banahaw; and 3rd runner-up Mary Jade Manambay of Panamin. 

The November 18 inaugural program was highlighted with colorful street dancing competition participated by hundreds of students-contingent from different schools in the locality.

Toyogon said major cash prizes were awarded to Banate National High School, Malandag National High School and Malungon Sped Elementary School, which bagged all of three primary prices that were intended for the said event.

She said first prize winner (BNHS) has received P50, 000 in cash; P30, 000 for 2nd prize (MNHS) and P20, 000 for the third prize (MSES) winner. 

Other ethnic sports presentation such ‘Sambuno’ or otherwise known as the tribal wrestling were also held at the sunken arena sports ground. 

Vice Mayor Erwin Asgapo, in a message, has lucidly emphasized the novelty of the Blaan and Tagakaulo minorities in Mal’ngan, as he vehemently denied any existence of the Kalagan tribe in town. “All that are here are nothing less but the Blaans and the Kaulo tribe where I myself belong,” Asgapo said.

He said the (Slang) event also serves to remind everyone that even with the influx of settlers and the massive expansion of progress and development ... peaceful co-existence flourishes in the part of the Lumads and its brother lowlanders here in town. 

Meanwhile, Toyogon said one of the main purpose of the celebration is to unveil the town’s rich cultural areas, scenic views, and other different tourist destinations. 

Among those is the Nanima Watershed that laces the foot of Kalumbarak Skyline, which is a clear vista to one of Mindanao’s most famous volcanoes - the proud Mt. Matutum. Municipal Tourist Council officials said Mal’ngan is also a habitat to some 91 endemic flora and fauna, and a home to the World’s smallest monkey, the Philippine Tarsier, whose population in the area is said to be denser as compared to Bohol. Tarsier is considered a sacred creature by the indigenous peoples of Malungon town. 

Other destinations here are the Pacman Farm, Villareal Garden Resort, Busagan Falls, the wide-stretched banana and pineapple plantations, and the moon-eyed pile of the town’s sweet Golden Mango farmlands. 

“This merriment will remind all and sundry, that atop the hilly portion of Sarangani  dwells a promising group of indigenous entrepreneurs who are living in friendly culture - and a place for peace and nature lovers,” said Constantino. (Isagani Palma – MALUNGON INFORMATION OFFICE).