Culture | Witnessed Panaghiusa Festival in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental

Me, Te Jojie and Pretty Lumad Kids

I really have fascination on culturally-inclined activities in any part of our country. Seeing such activities amaze me and make me feel that there’s a lot to explore especially when it comes to traditions. I also think that this is an underutilized strength when it comes to tourism, especially that our regions are home to various indigenous people.

Showcase of Tribes

Mat Weaving/Making

Fire-making

Tribal Game: Kadang

Tribal Game: Bunong-braso

Jewelry Making

Panaghiusa Festival is like a festival showcasing the indigenous culture in the country through the Department of Education. A chance to witness Panaghiusa Festival at Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental last month, for the division leg of the Indigenous People’s Month celebration, was a great opportunity to see the different tribes of Davao Occidental. It was also fun to witness that there are a lot of activities like tribal games, mat making, jewelry making, poster making and others that will really make the indigenous people express their craft in this modern times. Thus, the activity was really making the culture alive and visible to-date. Those who won the competition in each game were the one’s who will represent the division for the regional feat. The activity will always be part of the National Indigenous People’s Month celebration among Department of Education supervised schools.

Proclamation of AO Joyce Mariscal as Bia Apanday

Aside from seeing those outdoor activities, it was also a first for me to witness how a non-lumad was adopted to become part of the community. In which, our friend, Admin Officer Joyce Mariscal was given the name Bia Apanday. She was given the name with the people’s trust and confidence of her services in the community.

Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental has a lot to offer. They have beautiful beaches like the little boracay (which I will visit again soon) and oh my goodness, I cannot forget the sina! Sina is bigger than the mussels and I know they are just relatives. LOL What I like about the sina? It is bigger, full and it has a distinct taste which I can not explain, but all I can say is it delicious.

The Yummy Sinai

The Davao Region is really home to many culturally-rich traditions and practices, nature’s beauty and fascinating food for the hungry tummy. This is among the reasons why it is fun to explore the Philippines!

The Municipal Hall of Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental

We would like to thank the invitation of the Municipality of Sta. Maria, together with the Department of Education Division of Davao Occidental for the opportunity to witness the event. Also, thank you for visiting my avenue, www.ten7avenue.com!

Event | The Art of Weaving and Crafts

Inaul Clothings

Inaul is the fabric weaved by the women of Maguindanao at a Women’s Center in Buluan, Maguindanao. I really have this fascination over weaving. It is like, a big WOW! I mean, when you see them doing it, having intricate design, will really make you appreciate how hard working and creative they are. Take note, doing such a craft takes weeks or months to finish with beautiful designs. In Mindanao, there are so many weaving women from different tribes, and they have all my respect among their crafts.

In this post, I am going to show you some of the women weaving during the Inaul Festival 2018 - Weaving Competition. Here are the photos:

Women weaving during the Inaul Weaving Competition

Aside from the women weaving, the women’s center is also home of inaul craft gallery! You will witness some inaul dresses and crafts in this particular room. You will see the ingenuity of the designs made of the indigenous material. Like me, I am really amazed on the designs of clothing for both men and women. Actually, I like to wear one if given a chance - how I really wish! It has class and elegance with so much culture instilled on those items!

Not only that the dresses are displayed. There are also other crafts like painting and other cloths that can be used as decoration or any home use.

Inaul Galley

Paint over Inaul

I really cannot contain my happiness seeing such crafts. Why? It is because Mindanao really has this for so long and it just awaits to be discovered or showcased. For so many times I have traveled to different parts of Southeast Asia, crafts like these are among the things well-appreciated by many tourists in the world. It is like a soul unleashed in a place.

Indeed, this year’s Inaul Festival’s theme: “A Fabric of Peace: Weaving Diversity, Connecting Boundaries” is a very inspirational message. Flourish more Maguindanao! So, talking about inaul - we are referring to the people of Maguindanao - home of a rich culture and indigenous crafts!

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Event | Inaul: A Festival and Maguindanao’s Pride

A Pose with Women in Inaul with Ms. M. of Mindanao Times

To introduce a place, it is better done with its culture and heritage. In the case of Maguindanao, inaul describes them best!

Usually, when Maguindanao is being talked about, people describe it negatively. Hey, the province of Maguindanao is very huge to be focused on such dark past - people of Maguindanao are peace loving. It has also one of the richest cultures in the country; one that a country can be proud of having. Inaul, for example, has captured the world, the universe rather (borrowing words of Pia), when the Miss Universe 2016 candidates wore the fabric during a fashion event. It is truly world class, truly pride of Maguindanao!

IPHO Maguindanao on Parade for Inaul Festival 2018

2^nd Inaul Festival is celebrated in Maguindanao February 8-14, 2018 with the theme “A Fabric of Peace: Weaving Diversity, Connecting Boundaries”. It is such a humble event that really showcases the intricate design and elegance of Inaul made clothing. During the opening of the festival in Buluan, a parade was done with different representatives from the different municipalities and offices of the province. You will witness them wearing inaul.

Then, the people flocked in the gymnasium to hear the messages from their leaders and it is so colorful to see them wearing inaul. You can see it on my IG account at this link: https://www.instagram.com/p/Be-pToBgm7i/?taken-by=fromdistrict82. At the same time, I love the music background played with kulintang and agong.

Ribbon Cutting of the Negosyo Center in the Province of Maguindanao

Then, one of the newest Negosyo Centers in the country is inaugurated in Buluan, Maguindanao with the Governor of Maguindanao, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, and other officials and representatives. It is really a milestone for the province to eventually help bolster some economic gains they are currently experiencing. Their products and processes on operating business will then be known to many with this one stop shop. Actually, this excites me!

Displayed in the Negosyo Center are some of the products seen and made in Maguindanao.

 

Aside from the Negosyo Center that showcases the products of Maguindanao, because of the festival, there's a trade expo nearby. It has so much to offer the guests and locals. See it in the photos!

Trade Expo Area

Another post that I will do is with regards the weaving of inaul and the museum, I just love that part so much! Click HERE!

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Event | Kadayawan sa Davao: Indak-Indak and Tunog

Kadayawan Square

Every Kadayawan sa Davao, the indak-indak sa Kadayawan or the street dancing competition is among the most anticipated events. This year, the Kadayawan Square is the place where the major showdown will be witnessed, erected at San Pedro Street. It is the first time that such a dome is installed for the event and it is really interesting! There are two (2) other points where contingents show their might in dancing and beating the drums for this event,  it is at the intersection of Roxas Avenue-C. M. Recto Street and corner Pelayo Street-Bonifacio Street.

There is always a number of contingents participating in this event, but this year, the event has nine (9) contingents each category: Davao school based and open category. This is another batch of very colorful, dynamic and full of energy performances from different schools of Davao Region and nearby provinces.

Here's the list of winners for the Davao School Based Category:

Champion: Davao City National High School
2nd place: Sta. Ana National High School Performing Arts Guild
3rd place: Buhisan Elementary School
4th place: Francisco Bustamante Central Elementary School
5th place: Jose Bastida Elementary School

Best Music: Davao City National High School

Davao School Based Category Champion

Here's the list of winners for the Open Category:

Champion: Sagayen National School Performing Arts - Asuncion, Davao del Norte
2nd place: Polomolok, South Cotabato Province
3rd place: Gabi National High School, Compostela Valley Province
4th place: Matiao National High School, Mati City, Davao Oriental
5th place: Brgy Panay, Sto. Niño, South Cotabato Province

Best Music: Sagayen National School Performing Arts - Asuncion, Davao del Norte

Open Category Champion

Indeed, the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan will never fail its audience with ecstatic performances and great music!

On the other hand, Tunog or music is being showcased at one of the malls in the city. It is a songwriting competition in Davao City wherein it will highlight using vernacular instruments and mixed language.

It is also the first time I have witnessed this event yet it is among my interests as I love hearing Mindanaoan music. Mindanaoan music is something you will hear indigenous instruments played making some great relaxing rhythm with great song message especially about life and nature. One of the famous Mindanaoan musicians is Joey Ayala, who is also one of the judges.

Tunog Champion

The winning entry for the Songwriting Competition is entitled Dinhi sa Dabaw (Here in Davao) by LJ Manzano caught the attention of the judges. Congratulations!

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Event | Kadayawan Tribal Village and Mugna sa Kadayawan at Magsaysay Complex

Ata Tribal Representative

The Kadayawan Tribal Village at the Magsaysay Park is one of the most highlighted venues during the Kadayawan sa Davao. It showcases the eleven (11) ethno-linguistic tribes of the city. The following ethno-linguistic tribes are: Ata, Iranun, Kagan, Klata, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Matigsalog, Obu-Manuvo, Sama, Tagabawa, and Taosug. These tribes are still at some prominent points of the city especially at some mountainous areas while some are the lowland areas. This village shows how the living in their tribes look like with display of houses (authentic tribal houses), tribal products, tribal designs and customary traditions.

Tribal Village

At the entrance of the tribal village, there are assigned members of each tribe each day to give greetings and information to the guests. It is pretty interesting that there's a number of guests, either local or foreign tourists, who visit the village to witness it in person and experience a bit of the tribal living. It is a really a place of cultural heritage with harmonious relationship that helps drive growth in the city.

This village is often available during the Kadayawan sa Davao and this will always be part of every Kadayawan sa Davao as the festival is a celebration of bounty, culture and beauty of the city.

Along side the Kadayawan Tribal Village is a one day event of Mugna (doodling) sa Kadayawan.

Youngsters Doodling at the Park

This is event showcases the artistry of many young Dabawenyos. There are two categories for this doodling competition, the professional and student category. There is a number of participants for the event and you will really appreciate great creative talents.

The usual elements you will see with their creations are the people of Davao, the Philippine Eagle, Mt. Apo, Waling-waling, durian and other landmarks of the city.

It is such an honor to witness such events. It is a way to remember the city's pride culture and heritage marks - the people and its traditions. It is also a way to showcase creativity among artists and hopefully it will bloom to show the whole world of artists from this southern region of the Philippines.

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Event | Dula Kadayawan: Play of Indigenous Games

Davao City is such a blessed place wherein there is unity in diversity. There are eleven (11) tribes that reside in the city that co-exist with peace and harmony. Among these tribes are the following: Tausug, Sama, Tagabawa, Maguindanao, Iranon, Kagan, Maranao, Matigsalog, Obu-Manuvu, Ata, and Bagobo-Klata.

In this digital era, it may be rare to see such outdoor games played by the indigenous people because they are also influenced doing mobile games, too. Every Kadayawan sa Davao Festival, Dula Kadayawan or the Tribal Games is part of the activities. It is usually conducted at the city's People's Park. There are several games played during this event, to wit: osoroy, popano, solopot, bubuntug, totaringki/babag-id, sisikow, kakasing, karang, siklot and sosakoro for the lumadnong (indigenous people) games; and sipa sa lama, sipa sa manggis and kanggaratoya for the moro games.

Among these games, I have witnessed eight (8) games. Here's my gallery of those games I witnessed. Enjoy!

1) Bubuntug (photos above). This is a game in which a player will be throwing his wooden spear to hit the target, which is a ball made of coconut. The one who hits the target wins and it not, the one who got very near the target wins.

Play of Solopot

2. Solopot. This is a game known as a "blowgun". It is used for hunting and sometimes during tribal wars. Good thing it is dula kadayawan, it is played according to rules. hahaha So, the target is a puso ng saging or a banana blossom. If the target is hit, it is a point; if the target is hit but didn't penetrate it, it is considered as half a point.

Play of Popano

3. Popano. This is known as the archery. The tribes make their own bow and arrows that is used for hunting and also during tribal wars. Same with solopot, the target is also a banana blossom and the point system is the same. 

Play of Osoroy

4. Osoroy. This is known as the tug of war. I know you know the rules about this game and it is the same. The indigenous people call it as osoroy while the moro group call it as kanggaratoya.

Totaringki/Babag-id Game

5. Totaringki/Babag-id. This is a fire making game. It is pretty familiar to many as it is usually done in the areas wherein there's no aid of matches. There are two bamboo sticks rubbed (bag-id) together to create a friction then, heat, smoke to fire.

Sisikow Game

6. Sisikow. This is a game that can be associated with a familiar game known as "syatong". This game is played using two sticks that is used to hit from a distance the target that is like a pyramid. It is played by both men and women.

7. Kakasing (photo above at the left). It is also known as a top. However, the tip of this top isn't a nail but a wooden thing and the body of this top is a fruit.

8. Karang (photo above at the right). This is a game using two bamboo sticks as stilts. It is a race game wherein the one who finishes first without falling is the winner.

There are more games I haven't witnessed. Siklot is a tribal game comparable to pick-up-sticks or jackstones wherein it is thrown then catch the sticks. Sosakoro is another tribal game wherein it is a race of fetching water using a bamboo shoot. Sipa sa lama is a moro game wherein it is comparable to "takyan" and I guess you know how it is played, but this one uses a takraw ball and pass to playing members and the team with longer time to play it wins. Sipa sa manggis is another moro game that is comparable to bubuntug or siklot but the mechanics differ with kicking to hit a target using a ball.

So, those are the tribal games that I witnessed. It is pretty interesting and very entertaining. I enjoyed watching it personally and hopefully next Kadayawan Festival, you can also visit and witness Dula Kadayawan.

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