Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks the New Era for Manobo Heritage Preservation
BUNAWAN, AGUSAN DEL SUR – As technological advancements and globalization continue to reshape Philippine society, many traditions are at risk of fading away. The Bunawan Manobo Ancestral Domain Management Council, Inc. (BMADMCI) ensures its history isn’t left behind. By passing down their language, arts, and traditions to the youth, they keep the spirit of the Manobo tribe alive.
The dream of a cultural hub is becoming a reality with the groundbreaking ceremony for the highly anticipated Manobo Heritage Learning Center. This project was made possible by Philsaga Mining Corporation (PMC), under PMC-MMPRC Foundation, Inc. (PMFI) which provided Php 5,000,000.00 in funding to bring the center to life.
PMC President Atty. Raul C. Villanueva emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating: “For the Bunawan tribe to prosper, the LGU, the Bunawan tribe, and PMC need to be united to realize the development we aim for the tribe. Once the cultural center is constructed, the BMADMCI will have the opportunity to properly impart their ancestral traditions.”
PMFI Executive Director Reygela M. Decalit emphasized, “The center is more than bricks and concrete; it is a symbol of our commitment to build knowledge, preserve the rich Manobo culture, and empower the future.”
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were: PMC Vice President Engr. Ferdinand A. Cortes, Resident Manager Engr. Alvin B. Castaños, Head of Legal Department Atty. Marie Glenn C. Sorila, BMADMCI Tribal Chieftain Datu Hawodon Taogdon Rolito S. Peñaloga, Provincial Tribal Chieftain Hawodon Jose L. Pendon Jr., and Bunawan Municipal Administrator Marvin Mique, representing the local government unit.
With the foundations of the learning center now laid, Bunawan looks forward to a future in which economic progress and indigenous integrity grow together, ensuring that the Manobo legacy remains a pillar of Agusan del Sur’s history.
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