Blaans in the Hinterlands of Davao del Sur

Photo credits: Ms. Marideth Franca-Enrique

The b'laans are one of the indigenous peoples of Southern Mindanao in the Philippines. B'laan is an indigenous group that is concentrated in Davao del Sur and South Cotabato. Their name could have derived from "bla" meaning "opponent" and the suffix "an" meaning "people". Other terms used to refer to this group are Blaan, Bira-an, Baraan, Vilanes, and Bilanes. The Blaan, are neighbors of the T'boli. They practice indigenous rituals while adapting to the way of life of modern Filipinos.

They are famous for their brassworks, beadwork and t'nalak weave. The people of these tribes wear colorful embroidered native costumes and beadwork accessories. The women of these tribes, particularly, wear heavy brass belts with brass 'tassels' ending in tiny brass bells that herald their approach even when they are a long way off.

In the hinterlands and mountainous parts of Kiblwan, a town in Davao del Sur, you can find the B'laan settlers in the area. Take a look at these photos:

typical village in the hinterlands

performing a tribal ritual

B'laans in their colorful costumes

doing their tribal ritual

tribal assembly

typical B'laan house design

beautiful designs

B'laan women

B'laan woman in her tribal costume

B'laan man with his musical instrument

Davao City Celebrates St. Peter's Feast

Dabawenyos celebrate today the feast of St. Peter. San Pedro is the patron saint of Davao City so some Catholic institutions celebrate with it, making today a holiday. The San Pedro Cathedral is situated in the heart of the city, along San Pedro street, just in front of the Sanguniang Panglungsod building.

San Pedro Cathedral

Sangguniang Panglungsod building

Happy fiesta everyone. Have a pleasant day to all!

Products Made Behind the Bars

Looking at my photo files, I have these photos which I have taken in one of the trade fairs here in Davao City that I have visited. I stumbled upon a booth that sells beautiful and functional products and looked at their beautiful items. The man in the booth prides that the products are made by prisoners inside the city jail. Oh, I can imagine how miserable I would be if I were behind those bars. Limited, crowded space. No freedom to go where you wanted to. But indeed, there's always a way to spend what could have been wasted time into something worthwhile and useful.

They are given the opportunity to showcase their talents and craftsmanship through these products and they are being sold to raise funds for them. Take a look at their finished products...

A Nice Place to Relax from the Hassle of Work

We have been busy on our work in order to survive and meet the needs of our family and our selves. But sometimes we do forget to stop and take a breather from all this. Our body needs a little time to rest too you know. I tried looking for some place to relax and found one at the net. The place can be found 4 kilometers from Gaiole in Chianti, the place is or to be precise a hotel named Hotel Le Pozze di Lecchi is what I'm talking about. The place got one heck of a swimming pool, spa, wine shop, and a restaurant. Check this place out and I'm sure you'll like it.

A Solution for my Eye Problem

I have long been searching for something to replace my eyeglass and contact lenses. This two does bother me a lot in s0 many ways, though it helps me in having a clear vision but I'm still hoping to find a much better alternative for this two. Lucky me, I stumble upon this site on the web Stahl Eye Center. They are performing Lasik surgery which does a surgical procedure that changes the shape of the cornea to reduce the need for glasses or contact lens. This maybe the solution that I have been waiting for, to say goodbye to my glasses and contact lens.

Brokenshire Resort and Convention Center

I attended a seminar workshop and the communication letter says it will be held at Brokenshire Resort and Convention Center. Though, Brokenshire is just my "neighbor", I've really not explored the latest developments in the place. I've been to their hospital and school but never been to their resort and convention center. I rode a taxi when I went there and dropped at the school thinking that the convention center is within the school premises. But when I asked the guard, he pointed me to the exit direction and so I have to walk several meters from the school. When I arrived, I was wowed by the place. It's beautiful! Here are some photos:

Beautiful Designs

These are beautiful designs by a Dabawenya designer Ann Pamintuan. I have taken this photos in an exhibit few months ago.

the designer, Ann Pamintuan

Maria Antonieta "Ann" Tiukinhoy Pamintuan is a Davao-based jewelry and furniture designer. She made her name by making jewelries made not from stones but from vines, roots, flowers, petals. Westerners were awed by how she transformed these organic and ephemeral materials into lasting objects of beauty just by welding. Ann also has evolved into a world class furniture designer earning various accolades from top international design institutions. Here highly-acclaimed works are sold in top centers of designs like New York, Sweden, London, and Japan. She is the first Asian woman designer to be included in the prestigious International Design Yearbook ( in 2002 and 2004).