Photo by Kim Tiblani
"The Last quarter of this year is the call for Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA). The GAMABA is a presidential award that honors outstanding artist in the traditional craft; it is equivalent to the National Artist awards in importance. Among the many indigenous Philippine groups and the many important traditional arts 13 have been given the distinction of excellence (artist) and Heritage of Importance (the craft). The GAMABA has noble intentions among which is the preservation and sustainability of the tradition being recognized by supporting the artist in establishing a School for Living Tradition (SLT). This is the reason why the exhibit MABAL BLAAN: Weaving the Threads of Heritage is mounted in time with the celebration of the Indigenous People’s month this October 2014. This exhibition is co presented by the Department of Tourism Region 12 and the Lamlifew Village Museum.
Only two known masters survive- Fu Yabing Masalon Dulo of Polomolok, South Cotabato and Fu Gusiye Buan of Kibala, Malungon Sarangani. While the LGUs of these masters are supporting initiatives of training a new generation of weavers in Schools of Living Tradition (SLT), the enormity of the Indigenous knowledge systems revolving around the Mabal is daunting. Two Masters in the twilight of their creative energies carry the burden of sustaining, recording and telling the entire narrative of the Mabal that connects each Blaan to their history as a people.
The Mabal Tabih is difficult to make. If the entire tradition of Mabal making will be carried on only by the last two masters, Fu Yabing and Fu Gusiye only a few more Tabihs will be completed; the documentation of this fabulous cultural resource will be left unfinished; the noble narrative of the existence of a Blaan nation will go silent with the passing of the masters.
The concern for the preservation of the culture of the Blaan is not new. Initiatives to help protect the Blaan way of life from vanishing has been going on for quite some time but the enormity of the task found many of these noble interventions lacking at their very best. Many aspects of the Blaan culture are systematically vanishing before an initiative even is thought of. One of these precious heritages endangered of vanishing is the Blaan weaving tradition called Mabal. Let us join hands in preserving this important cultural resource that not only the pride of the Blaan nation but the entire Philippines as well, your help would continue the propagation of the Filipino imagination." Leonardo Rey S. Carino, curator
Only two known masters survive- Fu Yabing Masalon Dulo of Polomolok, South Cotabato and Fu Gusiye Buan of Kibala, Malungon Sarangani. While the LGUs of these masters are supporting initiatives of training a new generation of weavers in Schools of Living Tradition (SLT), the enormity of the Indigenous knowledge systems revolving around the Mabal is daunting. Two Masters in the twilight of their creative energies carry the burden of sustaining, recording and telling the entire narrative of the Mabal that connects each Blaan to their history as a people.
The Mabal Tabih is difficult to make. If the entire tradition of Mabal making will be carried on only by the last two masters, Fu Yabing and Fu Gusiye only a few more Tabihs will be completed; the documentation of this fabulous cultural resource will be left unfinished; the noble narrative of the existence of a Blaan nation will go silent with the passing of the masters.
The concern for the preservation of the culture of the Blaan is not new. Initiatives to help protect the Blaan way of life from vanishing has been going on for quite some time but the enormity of the task found many of these noble interventions lacking at their very best. Many aspects of the Blaan culture are systematically vanishing before an initiative even is thought of. One of these precious heritages endangered of vanishing is the Blaan weaving tradition called Mabal. Let us join hands in preserving this important cultural resource that not only the pride of the Blaan nation but the entire Philippines as well, your help would continue the propagation of the Filipino imagination." Leonardo Rey S. Carino, curator
Featured Indigenous Textiles (inclusive of the more famous Tagabawa Bagobo Inabal and Tboli Tnalak for Comparative Study to that of the Blaan Tabih). Photos by Bing Carino
Photos taken by Cocoy A. Sexcion
The Blaan Looms and Weaves as captured by Edwin Espejo
Photos courtesy of Michelle Lopez Solon, DOT 12 Tourism Council Chair
"TOURISM PRICED ASSET of SOCCSKSARGEN. View the priced collection hand produced by the Blaans of Sarangani Province and South Cotabato. Knowing the authentic helps preserve and protect the heritage. Truly a tourism attraction worthy of promotion. SM Gensan Oct 13-16 only in celebration of IP Month.#Dotxii co presents this MABAL BLAAN Exhibit with Lamlifew Cultural Community, Sarangani Province under the Direction of Leonardo S. Carino and the treasures of cultural collectors." DOT 12 Regional Director Nelly Nita Dillera
Photos courtesy of Rain Ramas, Emi Englis and JM Lavega
"Mabal Blaan: Weaving the Threads of Heritage" Exhibit photos at SM Mall of General Santos City by Kim Tiblani . Graphics photos were also taken by Kim.
Photos courtesy of Jake Narte, Sarangani Provincial Information Office
Photos courtesy of Saturnina Kawari, Nora Kawari and Pawi Laminggo
Photos courtesy of Yadu Karu
Photos courtesy of Yiani Lopez Laguda
Photos courtesy of Jocelyn Carino Robles and Jao Dudez (Arthur Dulo Gulili)
Photos courtesy of Joven Ryan G. Malida and Josseth Ante Malida
Lunch and Dinner experience during the last day of the exhibition at Max's Gensan. Photos courtesy of Jestoni Badilla
