Sarangani has the unusual distinction of being one of the country’s youngest provinces and at the same time, one of the oldest.
In 1992, it was created to become the 75th of the 81 provinces out of the coastal municipalities of South Cotabato. Hence it is relatively one of the country’s youngest provinces. Oldest because it is home to one of the archipelago’s oldest prehistoric settlements found in the remote caves in Maitum town where 2,000-year old anthropomorphic burial jars were unearthed.
Fragments of the said jars can still be seen inside Pinol Cave, while an archaeological diorama is on display at the Maitum Municipal Hall.
This old world charm was showcased once more as Sarangani held the 15th MunaTo Festival to mark its 25th founding anniversary. MunaTo was derived from the B’laan phrase Muna To or “first people” who inhabited the area.
The centerpiece of the festivities was the street dancing competition topped by the James L. Chiongbian High School in Kiamba who presented the town’s Timpuyog Festival. The dance routine was based on the tri-people culture of the Tboli tribe, the Sangir Islamic community and the Visayan lowland settlers, particularly on the harvest, and warrior and hunter way of life of the natives.
The celebration also highlighted the exquisite culture and traditional weaving of its indigenous peoples—the Blaan, Tboli, and Tagakaolo, as well as the Maguindanaon and Maranao Moro communities. Taking the spotlight was Blaan master igem (mat) weaver Bai Estelita Bantilan, recipient of the 2017 Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan or National Living Treasure accolade.
“MunaTo celebrates the province’s rich cultural heritage, adventure destinations and natural wonders which are wonderfully interwoven together,” says Sarangani Governor Steve Solon.
He noted that this year’s festival is special as 2017 has been a banner year for the province in the fields of businesses, agriculture, and tourism.
Sarangani was named the country’s sixth most competitive province in the 2017 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI), 18 notches higher from its 23rd position the previous year.
Organized by the National Competitiveness Council with the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) and the United States Agency for International Development, local governments are ranked based on their scores on economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency.
The province was also recognized by Secretary Manny Piñol as the most successful Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Project of the Department of Agriculture because of its efficient and implementation.
“Tourism is bright spot in the local economy, as we registered 980,972 day visitors and 107,730 overnight guests in 2016,” Solon said.
He pointed out that the province has also gained recognition as the country’s paragliding capital, with some flyable 300 days a year because of good winds and fair weather.
Located at the peak of Maasim, the SAFI Ranch Fly Site has been identified by aerosports aficionados as among the archipelago’s best fly sites, having hosted the International Paragliding Accuracy Competition (IPAC) in 2014, and the prestigious Paragliding Accuracy World Cup (PGAWC) in 2015.
Meanwhile, Sarangani Bay was declared by the Department of Tourism as the scuba diving haven of Soccsksargen Region following a safari which gathered the country’s leading dive tour operators and underwater photographers.
Spicing up the fete was the Pearl of Sarangani pageant won by Kiezel Mellado of the Municipality of Alabel who was awarded by former actress and DOT region 11 Tourism Officer Juliana Palermo and Pearl 2016 winner and Eat Bulaga Miss Millennial contestant Maria Carmela Villaruel.
Rivermaya brought festivities to an end as they rocked the night away with their well-loved hits before an adoring crowd at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Alabel.