LANG DULAY: THE LEGENDARY DREAMWEAVER OF SOUTH COTABATO

Every human is an artist. The dream of your life is to make beautiful art.

- Miguel Angel Ruiz

Everyone of us has a hidden talent in creating arts just like Lang Dulay, who is known as the dreamweaver of South Cotabato. Because of her contribution in preserving their culture by weaving t’nalak with the use of Abaca fiber, she was awarded as the National Living Treasure by National Commission for the Culture and Arts. Her art represents the life of a T’boli people. 

Visiting Lang Dulay completes ones journey in Lake Sebu. As part of our Eco Cultural Tour in the province, we had the chance to meet the famous Dreamweaver of Lake Sebu. From Poblacion, it took 10 to 15 minutes of travel depending on the type of transportation. When we arrived, I saw a small t’boli house. A two-storey structure made of wood, bamboo, and a kind of grass for the roof. The foundation was already concrete to make it sturdy. One thing I’ve noticed was the window. It was an unfamiliar style that the t’boli tribes were practicing. According to our tour guide, the unique style of window was designed to prevent the children from falling down from it. Since most of the t’boli houses were hanging, and some were two stories, this kind of design was created. 

We have to leave our footwear upon going upstairs. The 5 stepped stairs were made of wood.

We were welcomed by Lang Dulay together with her relatives when we entered the hall. I felt sad at first because the famous Dreamweaver was already old and according to our tour guide she has minor illness. She was a 90-year old lady whose job was to make t’nalak as a source of their income and to preserve their traditions and culture. Weaving t’nalak was not easy because there were steps to follow. The 5 to 8 meters of t’nalak will take 3 to 4 months to finish. The price of the t’nalak will cost 600 pesos per meter. One reminder about this cloth, it should not be cut since it was considered as a sacred piece among T’boli.

I really appreciated the t’nalak display. Its unique design and the vibrant colours made it more attractive. There were to weave the abaca fibers placed at the center of the house. According to our tour guide, we have to be in careful movements since abaca fiber was a sacred to the T’boli.

There were photos, recognition, newsprint, and huge photo of Lang Dulay displayed in the place. 

Despite of language barriers, since she cannot speak other dialects, except t’boli, I had a chance to have a photo with her. She was very pleasant in accommodating us while we sat beside her. It was a great moment to sit beside the famous dreamweaver of South Cotabato. Her legacy and her dreams will be the inspiration, not only to her tribe but to all Filipinos.

How to get there ?

By Air

1 hour and forty five (45) minutes flight using Manila-General Santos-Manila direct flight or Fifty five (55) minutes flight using Cebu-GeneralSantos-Cebu Route with connecting flights from key cities when you are in the Visayas. 

By Land - Bus Ride

From Davao City Overland Transport Terminal, ride a bus going to Gensan (There are 2 bus companies plying to Gensan, Holiday Bus and Yellow Bus Line). A 3-hour ride for 1-stop Digos regular aircon and less than 3 hours for executive class bus.

Another 2-hour ride by bus from General Santos to Surallah, South Cotabato which is the jump off point to Lake Sebu. 

Land - Jeepney/Van

One (1) hour ride by jeepney/van from Surallah to Poblacion Lake Sebu. Get a skylab or habal-habal as a major transport vehicle in Lake Sebu.

Fare:

Executive Class | Davao – Gensan – P300.00

Regular Aircon | Davao – Gensan – P190.00

Regular Bus | Gensan - Marbel - P80.00

Regular Bus | Marbel - Surallah - P30.00

Van | Surallah - Lake Sebu - P50.00

If you need a tour guide in visiting Lake Sebu, kindly contact Roy Ungkal, accredited by Municipal Tourism of lake Sebu.

Cellphone no. 09066931745