Four Couples Wed in Traditional B'laan Rites

"You may now hug the bride," says officiating minister Datu Edmund Pangilan.
He explains that there is no such thing as "You may now kiss the bride" in traditional
B'laan weddings. 

Clad in colorful beaded B'laan wear, four couples pledged each other lifelong love in a ceremony that featured B'laan music and traditions interspersed with teachings from the Bible.  The wedding was officiated by Datu Edmund Pangilan, provincial tribal chieftain, and held at the Malungon Retreat and Training Center in Malungon, Sarangani.  

One of the grooms and the four brides are B'laan, one of the grooms is a former street dweller ministered to by the Kaibigan Ministry of the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) Group of Ministries, and the two other grooms are graduates of the vocational-technical course of the CCT Training and Development Institute in Magdalena, Laguna. The grooms are members of the Kaibigang Maaasahan Multi-purpose Cooperative Construction Services.  

The equivalent of a bridesmaid and a groomsman in
a Christian wedding
bring bamboo cups and rice bowls fashioned from banana
leaves to the altar.

Young bride Angelica  is escorted down the aisle by her
mother and father who beats out a 
rhythmic pattern on an agung, a traditional
B'laan percussion instrument. 

Datu Pangilan says, "This is not a joke or game or 
presentation  but a sacred event." 

Datu Pangilan feeds the couples a little rice and
ulam...

...and assistant officiating minister Danilo Tolentino
gives each couple a drink. "The officiating ministers 
symbolize God 
in the  food and drink ceremony which 
tells us that God is our provider.  But just as the
bride and groom have to open their mouths to 
receive the food and water, so also  should  they work 
in order to eat," Datu Pangilan explained. 

The groom briefly rests his knee on his
bride's shoulder to symbolize that
she is to submit to him.

Senior members of the tribe provide
music played on the agung and faglong,
a two-stringed instrument. 

The newlyweds.

Newlyweds Carlo and Hazel Mae
Arevalo.

B'laan Dance, Costumes Add Meaning to Retreat Center Opening

B’laan dance and colourful costumes added significance to the ceremony that marked the recent opening of the Malungon Retreat and Training Center in Sarangani province.  The B'laan are indigenous people of Mindanao known for their intricate bead work and brass work.   

CCT staff, beneficiaries of its microfinance program, and construction
workers who belong to the B'laan tribe worship the Lord through the
performance of traditional dance movements during the
praise and worship portion of the Malungon Retreat and
Training Center dedication ceremony..

Ruth Callanta, president and founder of CCT joins B'laan
staff and community partners (above) and B'laan
construction workers (below)in a worship dance. 

Here and in following pictures, B'laan housekeeping and kitchen staff
perform a traditional dance in which a childless wife
implores another woman to share the blessing of fertility. 

Music for the dance is played on a dhol, a B'laan percussion instrument.
The dhol above is owned by Flanek (B'laan for sister)
 Kinsay Tagnaan (left) who says the hollow log instrument
is older than her.

White designs on these women's blouses
are beads carefully sewn on so that
even when the blouses are worn
at events like these and handed
down to the next generation, not
a single bead falls off. 

The retreat venue is built on a 72-hectare piece of property where the Center for Community Transformation has been ministering to members of the B’laan tribe for more than a decade through children’s education, micro finance, spiritual development and other programs.   

For inquiries and booking information, please get in touch with Eva Lope, CCT partner development officer / guest coordinator at evaranlope@yahoo.com.ph, evamlope@gmail.com, 09192933157, 09232497605, and 8066912.

Photos: Harold Nacis and Myra Gaculais del Rosario 

Malungon Retreat and Training Center Dedicated to God in Colorful Ceremony

The Malungon Retreat and Training Center is now open!

Members of the B’laan community, construction workers, local government representatives, and Sarangani pastors and businessmen joined CCT management and staff in a colorful and heartwarming ceremony dedicating Mindanao’s newest retreat venue to the Lord. 

The retreat center, located about half an hour from General Santos City, is on a 72-hectare piece of property owned and managed by the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries in Sitio Lao, Brgy. Nagpan, Malungon, Sarangani.

Already built are two six-bedroom dormitory buildings and a dining hall.  Architect Cris Celeste of the General Santos and Sarangani Local Advisory Council said that still in the works are more dormitory buildings, camping and team building facilities and a zipline. 

In one of the dedication prayers those attending the ceremony prayed,  "Bless, O Lord, all the ministries and services that will be housed in this place.  Enable the training and retreats conducted here to produce humble hearts, keen minds, and skillful hands.  Cause all those who visit this place to experience Your gentle loving care.  May You inculcate love in the hearts of all those who will serve, use them to bless those whom You will draw to this place.  Make this place display the wonders of your creation.  Cause the plants and the trees to grow, flowers to blossom, fruits and crops to ripen in their seasons.  May those who tend to this place enjoy the works of their hands."

Ruth Callanta, CCT president, acknowledged microfinance community partners, Visions of Hope-sponsored children and other members of the B'laan community who were part of the vision of and prayed for a community center dedicated to the B'laan tribe. She also acknowledged the important role played by the construction team led by Engr. Jun Diaz and Zaldy Lugay, head of Kaibigang Maaasahan Multipurpose Cooperative Construction Services, in making this vision happen. The team is composed of skilled workers who are transformed street dwellers initially ministered to in Manila by the Kaibigan Ministry of CCT, alumni of the Training and Development Institute in Magdalena, Laguna, and laborers from the surrounding B'laan community. 

Lalaine Naquita, community center coordinator, said "We pray that God will make this place a blessing to churches, schools, government organizations and other groups in  General Santos, Sarangani, the rest of the SOCCSKSargen region, and all of Mindanao.”

For more information about MRTC facilities, please get in touch with Lalaine Naquita at 09258846711, lalaine.naquita@cct.org.ph, or with Pastora Flor Soler at 09154617250, astelflor_awp@yahoo.com.

 

Members of the Brigada Bata (Children's Brigade) of Malungon Visions of Hope Christian School carry the
Philippine flag and CCT flags to the stage at the beginning of the dedication service. 

Marifi Sayon sings the introit, Dakilang Katapatan.

The GenSan praise and worship team (above) and
B'laan staff and community partners (below) lead the
guests in worshiping  the Lord through songs and native dance.

Architect Chris Celeste speaks of his joy at seeing a dream for a 
retreat center in Sarangani fulfilled. He said that part
 of the property development plan involves 
sports facilities and a prayer mountain.

 

B'laan community partners in CCT's micro finance program
and kitchen and housekeeping staff  perform a traditional B'laan dance.. 

Pastor Ed Tuazon preaches a message on Jesus and the miraculous catch of
 fish in John 21. He said,  "Success is not dependent on expertise, experience,
equipment, or imagination but on dependence on God." 

The CCT GenSan Choir sings Your Grace Still Amazes Me

Here and below: construction workers composed of B'laan men, former Manila street dwellers,
and graduates of the CCT Training and Development Institute in Laguna. 

CCT President Ruth Callanta speaks of a long-held vision for a 
retreat venue in Malungon  finally coming true in God's right time. 

Daisy Dosado, OIC  regional peer servant,
and Pastor Jun Castillo cut the ribbon
at one of the dormitory buildings.

Dr. Mian Tan (left) and Dr. Russell Gonzales of the VOH health team
cut the ribbon at the kitchen and dining hall. Also in photo are Pastor
Peter Ligaya (2nd from left) and Dr. John Tabije (2nd from left).

Part of the sumptuous lunch served by
Chef Harlequin Boloron and crew.

Photos:  Harold Dacis, Jasmin Servito, Edna Panuncio,
Noelyn Bayno, Anter Sapnu, Myra Gaculais del Rosario

Newest Retreat Center in Mindanao is Training Workshop Venue

The CCT Malungon Retreat and Training Center hosted a major event even before its official opening.   

It was the venue for a six-day  refresher course for  team servants from Mindanao in the micro finance program of the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries in March. (A team servant is the equivalent of a branch manager in other organizations that offer micro finance.)  It will also be the training venue for another group of  25 team servants from the Visayas and Mindanao in April. 

The retreat center facilities are built on a 72-piece of property in Malungon, Sarangani where CCT has been ministering to B'laan families for more than a decade. Services offered are in children's education, skills training, micro finance, savings, and spiritual development.  

The retreat center, which will officially open on March 29, 2014, will be able to comfortably house 144 guests when finished.  So far, two of its planned four dormitory buildings are complete.  

 CCT also owns the Tagaytay Retreat and Training Center (ccttagaytay.blogspot.com) in Tagaytay, Cavite.  

Photos: Philip Agot

New Conference Site to Rise Soon in Malungon

Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino lowers into the ground a time capsule containing
  copies of the Malungon development plan and of the CCT Mission and Vision.  
Also in photo are Michael Chiongbian, Jan Ced, Emerson Tan, Arch. Chris Celeste (members of the 
General Santos / Sarangani CCT local advisory board),  and CCT Regional Peer Servants 
Romelie Nicolas and Jun Castillo.

A new venue for conferences, spiritual retreats, and similar activities for a  large number of participants will soon rise in Malungon, Sarangani province.  The conference site is being developed by the Center for Community Transformation Group of Ministries on a 72-hectare piece of land it owns in Sitio Lao, Barangay Nagpan.

A groundbreaking ceremony held on April 6, 2013 was attended by municipal and barangay officials, Christian businessmen from General Santos City who do volunteer work with CCT, and CCT staff  in General Santos City and Sarangani province.

In his message, Mayor Constantino said, “I am glad that CCT is my partner in making the lives of Nagpan people rise from less to better. CCT’s name speaks for itself -- transformation from less fortunate to better lives.” He also advised the people of Nagpan not to take for granted the help given by CCT, and that they should also help CCT as a manifestation of their transformed lives.

CCT’s community center on the Sitio Lao property ministers to B’laan and Tagakaolo people through micro finance, savings, and spiritual development programs, and through a boarding school for children.    

Malungon is one of seven towns of Sarangani province.  It shares boundaries with Davao del Sur in the northeast and with General Santos City in the south.

Lalaine Naquita, CCT's national coordinator for its Savings and Credit Association, 
 gives the welcome remarks on behalf of Ruth Callanta, CCT president and founder. She
 expressed thanks to the Lord for His work among the B'laan and Tagakaolo people since
 CCT began operations in Malungon.  

Arch. Christopher Celeste discusses plans for the site which includes five two-story buildings, an amphitheatre,
a swimming pool, basketball court, soccer field, prayer cottages, and an aviary. 

Pastor Berdin Allado shares God's message based on Deuteronomy 7 and 8.  

Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, Brgy. Captain Mario Legania, Mike Chiongbian, and Lalaine Naquita.

Arch. Chris Celeste and GenSan businessman Jan Ced.