My Lake Sebu

Stop by and visit the T’boli Museum when you’re in Lake Sebu. 

The lush forests and rivers of Lake Sebu, among them the majestic Three Kings, are home to many wildlife. The Three Kings Mountain is a known wildlife sanctuary located in Barangay Lamlahak, protecting around 12 species of flora that are classified as vulnerable, critical, or already depleted, and around 5 species of fauna as critical, endangered, or vulnerable.

Be sure to keep the area clean and as undisturbed as possible, if ever you decide to come for a visit.

Here’s another trivia question: Guess what Philippine symbol can be found in the forests of Lake Sebu?

Here are a few helpful hints: It is an endangered animal, its species is usually referred to as a king, and its original name indicates the animal that was initially thought of as its only diet.

We think these clues are more than enough to help you figure this one out. Good luck!

Did you know that Lake Seloton is a junction where numerous rivers meet? 

If you decide to take a boat ride around Lake Sebu, here’s a quick fact to take with you:

Among the 12 islets located on Sebu Lake is Tegaya Island, recognized by the locals for its history. The island was once a burial ground of the T’boli, though it is no longer in use for this purpose.

Planning to make a trip to Lake Sebu in November? 

Did you know that horses are highly-valued by the tribes of Lake Sebu? 

Did you know that spirituality is a big part of the lives of the T’boli?

Did you know that dreamweaving is not a hereditary gift? Though the arts and technique to creating t’nalak is usually passed down from mother to daughter, the skill and secret to dreamweaving is something that must be earned, or bestowed upon by the spirits.

It is said that weaving t’nalak requires a clear vision of the design, patience, and purity of the weaver, as she puts her feelings and emotions into creating the cloth. But did you know that aside from the 2-3 months it takes to finish a t’nalak, weavers are required to practice sexual abstinence in order to keep the purity of the cloth. This helps ensure that the cloth is free from impure or negative thoughts, which could affect the output and appear in the t’nalak.

Want to know how to create colored dyes using parts of trees and plants? We know where you can get them!

Here are some of the materials the T’boli use for sourcing their colors: The roots of a loko plant is used for the color red, k’luga (annatto) for orange, lomus leaves for the color green, bayabas for the color brown, and luyang-dilaw (turmeric) for yellow.

Weaving is only one part of creating and completing a t’nalak cloth. Temugo, or dyeing, is what the T’boli call the process of submerging the abaca fibers into natural dyes that are taken from trees and plants. It is a tedious process that requires the threads to be boiled for up to 5 days, with fresh grated roots or leaves added to the mixture each day, to help saturate the color.

No wonder it takes up to 3-4 months to completely finish one beautiful roll of t’nalak cloth.

Stories are pieces that showcase history and creativity, but at the T’nalak Festival, these stories find new life through reenactments. Enjoy performances by various groups through ADUSAY (Awit, Dula, at Sayaw), consisting of differently-themed performances that portray these tales through songs, dances, and drama interpretation.

We can’t wait to show you how we tell our stories. See you at this year’s upcoming T’nalak Festival!

One of the best times to visit Lake Sebu is in July, when the T’nalak Festival is held. Celebrated in the city of Koronodal, the festival showcases the renowned t’nalak cloth, where people dressed in their respective cultural attires showcase their provincial trademarks through street dance competitions.

It’s one of the most beautiful things to see, especially if you want to see how the T’boli’s celebrate their culture and heritage. Book your ticket now, July is just around the corner!