(Note: The text below is taken from “2010 Socio-Economic Profile of Sultan Kudarat Province,” compiled by the Provincial Planning Development Office. I edited the text for clarity purposes, but I’m not vouching for the accuracy of the content.)
Senator Ninoy Aquino is located at the mountainous part of Sultan Kudarat Province, where the
Dulangan Manobo tribe is the original settlers of the area. Years after, the rich and vast resources of the area prompted the influx of many Christian settlers in Kulaman. Together they enjoy the vastness and the rich natural resources of the place.
Sulok is the Manobo Dulangan term for basket. Long ago, the forefathers of the Dulangan Manobos made suloks from tree barks. Now, Manobo women have learned to weave and use dapdap (a kind of bamboo) and nito (rattan). The Dulangan Manobos, especially the women, often store their adornments and other belongings in a sulok and sling it on their heads or shoulders when they’re traveling. The Manobo also use a small sulok called sinagfeng. Chewing ingredients such as betel nuts, tobacco, ash, and buyo are kept in the sinagfeng.
During planting season, Dulangan Manobos perform rituals to ask for a plenteous harvest later on. Part of the ritual is using suloks as containers of the seeds that they are going to sow. After the harvest, the Manobos also store their produce in suloks. (I’m not sure if I have rewritten this part accurately. The original is quite confusing. —Blogger)
Manobos are nomadic by nature, and suloks are used as containers in transferring their belongings from one place to another. Through Resolution No. 02-08 series of 2002, it was declared that “Sulok Festival” be the official name of the foundation anniversary celebration of Senator Ninoy Aquino.
The sulok symbolizes the struggles and efforts of the Dulangan Manobos. It also symbolizes the unity of the constituents, together with the local government, who are now reaping the fruits of their labor and sacrifices. Sulok Festival was declared as the official name of Senator Ninoy Aquino foundation anniversary celebration to inculcate the paramount role of oneness and belongingness among the populace. (This is a shorter version of the original, which, in its pompousness and verbosity, is simply discombobulating. —Blogger)
Through this festival, Senator Ninoy Aquino has started to boost its name and the natural wonders and resources that can be found in the municipality. This great success is accredited to the Manobo Dulangan tribe.
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