Photos during the opening of the "Kdile: Culture and Identity of the Blaan" ethnographic exhibition and the launching of the Blaan Studies Center by the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC). The event was attended by the local government officials of General Santos City, the Department of Tourism 12 Regional Director, and the RMMC President. This exhibition curated by Leonardo Rey S. Cariño opened on July 22nd in time for the First Blaan Day celebration and ended July 27th at Gensan SM Events Center. The Blaan Tabih and rare collections of authentic Blaan cultural identifiers (clothing, accessories, musical instruments) were the highlighted in this exhibition.

The KafyeBlaan Empowerment Inc. in partnership with Gensan Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) advocated for Blaans to come in their traditional clothing and accessories. Photos below featured the Kawari sisters sharing their dancing (Maral) skills and in traditional fashion during the opening of the program of the First Blaan Day celebration.

"The Beautiful Blaan Women who are making a difference in this generation. Proud of them." - Michelle Lopez Solon, Wife of Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and DOT 12 Regional Tourism Council Chairperson

"Reclaiming our share in the history. A celebration of culture and pride." - Annalie Edday, Kafye Blaan Empowerment Inc. Founder and Executive Director

Some members of the KafyeBlaan Empowerment Inc. Board of Trustees working hard in partnership with Gensan City's Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) for the celebration of the First Blaan Day.

"Empowered women. Like mothers as their true nature, the women has a big role in nurturing the community. See empowered, intelligent women facilitating the forum." - Leonardo Rey S. Cariño

These thoughts from an artist, a curator of 2 Blaan exhibitions (Mabal Blaan:Weaving the Threads of Heritage and Kdile: Culture and Identity of the Blaan) in Gensan City in less than a year, and cultural development advocate says it all for this forum on the first Blaan Day celebration.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (right) and Indigenous People Representative Mario Empal (left) grace the opening of the Blaan Exhibit inside the SM Mall Wednesday, July 22. The exhibit, which is part of the 1st Blaan Day celebration of the city, displays different items, clothing, and photos that depict the culture and history of Blaans in Gensan. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Source: Mayor Ronnel Rivera Facebook Page

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2015) - In the first Blaan Day in Gensan on Wednesday, July 22, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (right) confers with KafyeBlaan Empowerment Inc. president Annalie Edday (left) on collaboration between the city government and the organization to further promote indigenous people's culture and rights. The KafyeBlaan is a non-government organization registered under Securities and Exchange Commission that educates and empowers different Blaan communities while strengthening their cultural identity. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins the celebration of the 1st Blaan Day in General Santos Wednesday, July 22, by doing traditional tribal dances together with the Blaan community. Under his term, Mayor Rivera put Gensan among the few cities in the country that pushed for an indigenous people celebration such as the Blaan Day. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)
Source: Mayor Ronnel Rivera Facebook Page