Lakwatsarah

My first ever T’nalak Festival experience happened in 2008 . Unfortunately, it was just a (half) day short as I booked my return trip to Manila the day the festivity started. Little did I know I would be missing on a lot of fun street festivity. I was able to do a quick tour though of the bahay kubo exhibit, the agri-trade fair and did last few minute pasalubong shopping inside the Protech Center. It was a very short introduction to T'nalak Festival but it sure did ignite my interest to watch the much talked about parade on my next visit.  In 2010, I made sure to catch the Street Dancing Parade . I was on the streets of Alunan by 6am before the street dancing started with the tribal music pumping the festival vibe, I was extremely excited as it was my first ever festival parade experience. But rain poured, hard. Despite that, I was totally blown away to see student performers, still in full spirits, merilly dancing in the rain draped with t'nalak costumes. I wasn’t abl...

I am a proud Mindanaoan by birth, born in a sleepy town in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat. But I left my birthplace even before I turned 1, when both parents decided to start a family life in the bustling city of Manila. As our family members increase and plane fares became steeper, the more difficult it has been for us to travel back to province for week long visits. But when those trips happen, we make sure it would be one unforgettable travel experience. view you'll see before landing at General Santos Airport South Cotabato is Home. South Cotabato, a neighboring province of Sultan Kudarat has been our second home in Mindanao where many of my relatives live. Long before the province became famous for Seven Falls, T'boli tribe and for sheltering the most scenic zipline in the Philippines, South Cotabato, specifically the highlands of Lake Sebu has been our family's secret hideaway. A place of retreat, healing and of many happy reunions where fogs, lilies, fireflies, sw...

Experience the grandest showcase of rich cultural fabrics of Southern Mindanao with the upcoming T'nalak Festival 2011 this July 12 - 18, 2011. T'boli Women wearing t'nalak I've seen the festival twice, the solo trips I made during 2008 and 2010 made me love my province even more. It was truly a fascinating experience being immersed in the rich living heritage and colorful spectrum of Philippine culture, cuisine and crafts.

I woke up early on July 18, 2010. My much awaited day since I will be seeing for the very first time the T'nalak Festival Parade . With much anticipation, I walked fast the T'nalak Agri Fair and hurriedly made my way to the main street of Koronadal. At 7 in the morning, the weather isn't that great, it was gloomy. Just as the music started, the rain is slowly making its move, anxiously waiting for the big drops.

I left Marbel (aka Koronadal) on the day the T'inalak Festival started. Although main activities hasn't started yet, I was still able to visit some exhibits inside and outside the ProTech building. Good thing I was scheduled for an afternoon flight in GenSan so I have the whole morning to check the Kubo Competition . T'nalak Festival – Koronadal City An annual celebration in South Cotabato which demonstrates the importance and significance of t'nalak cloth as the cultural image of South Cotabato. The festival, being a one T'nalak piece, designed by patterns would likewise represent various activities during the celebration characterized by its outlook on being people and product-centered, development oriented, and with tourism, history, culture and arts-driven events.