Let's have more FUN in Maitum with our 5th Bangsi Festival. Come and join the fun!

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 24, 2011) – The Munato Festival 2011 celebration opened Thursday (November 24) with a fun run and a series of environmental protection and rehabilitation activities.

The 5.4-kilometer run started in front of the Provincial Capitol compound and finished at purok Fabricante in barangay Maribulan where each finisher was enjoined to plant a mangrove seedling and release bangus fries to Sarangani Bay.

“Around 700 runners participated in the fun run, though only 611 officially registered,” said Aiza Platinos of the Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotions Center (STIPC). Platinos facilitated the registration.

ALABEL, Sarangani (November 16, 2011)- Organizers of the upcoming 9^th MunaTo Festival said preparations are all set for the extravaganza of cultural events, exhibits, and crowd-drawing competitions guaranteed to stir excitement over this year’s celebration.

MunaTo Festival is a celebration honoring the first people and leaders of Sarangani.

MunaTo was derived from the native vernacular meaning “unang tao” or “first people”, the early inhabitants of Sarangani who passed on a rich cultural heritage.

MunaTo also refers to the makers of the 2000-year old anthropomorphic burial jars discovered in Maitum that are now in the National Museum.

MAITUM, Sarangani (November 11, 2011) – Mayor Elsie Perrett welcomes the candidates for Miss Pearl of Sarangani 2011 during their recent visit to the municipality. The Pearl of Sarangani pageant night with GMA Kapuso artists will be on November 25, 7pm., in front of the Capitol. The contest is one of the highlights of Sarangani’s MunaTo Festival on November 24-27. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

MAITUM, Sarangani (October 20, 2011) – 1st Lt. Rio Anthony Gammad (left), confers with Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett and Councilors Ruben Balanag and Arturo Desaville after receiving his commendation from the Sangguniang Bayan of Maitum Monday, October 17. Gammad, former commanding officer of the 73rd IB Charlie Company, was cited for his “unrelenting effort in the protection of the forestland environment as a whole by running after illegal miners and loggers." Because of his exceptional leadership in maintaining well-disciplined men, not a single abuse was reported during his tour of duty as commanding officer of the military in MAKIMA area (Maasim-Kiamba-Maitum) from January 2010 to August 2011. (Afren de Guzman/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

MAITUM, Sarangani (October 4, 2011) – Troops led by 1st Lt. Ferdinand Ragos (right) present to Mayor Elsie Perrett (2nd, left) tools seized from illegal loggers on September 30 in barangay Upo. The suspects fled and abandoned three illegally cut trees, 5,000 board feet of lumber, a chain saw and fuel containers. The mayor has a standing order to the chief of police to heighten their campaign against illegal loggers. (PO2 Mark Orlan Barbosa/MAITUM POLICE STATION)

MAITUM, Sarangani (October 4, 2011) - Sawn lumber (guiho and yakal) recovered at sitio Labudog, barangay Upo, Maitum are taken into custody by military and police. Elements of Maitum police Station led by SPO2 Jesus Dollente together with 73rd Infantry Battalion troops led by 1st Lt. Ferdinand Ragos, environment office representative Rico Nola, Councilor Kubli Kusin, and Upo barangay Capt. Sebastian Paralejas conducted an operation against reported illegal cutting of trees at the hinterland of Upo on September 30. The suspects abandoned three illegally cut trees, 5,000 board feet of lumber, a chain saw and fuel containers. (PO2 Mark Orlan Barbosa/MAITUM POLICE STATION)

MAITUM, Sarangani (October 4, 2011) - A police officer inspects the stump of a huge tree cut by illegal loggers in sitio Labudog, barangay Upo. Military and police troops swooped down on the village September 30 and confiscated at least 5,000 board feet of sawn lumber and logging tools. (PO2 Mark Orlan Barbosa/MAITUM POLICE STATION)