As Sarangans, when it's the last week of November, we know the drill. It's MunaTo Festival! And yes, the festive spirit is rising once again in— and you can already feel the energy building up across Sarangani Province! As Sarangani celebrates its 33rd Founding Anniversary alongside the 23rd MunaTo Festival, the province pays tribute to its roots, its people, and its thriving cultural identity. “MunaTo,” meaning “First People,” is more than just a name — it's a reminder that Sarangani’s story is deeply grounded in its heritage and in the communities that have shaped its vibrant character. This year’s theme, “ Kultura Natin, Lakas Natin, ” captures the soul of the celebration — a powerful declaration that culture is at the heart of Sarangani’s strength and unity. From November 28 to 30, 2025, the Sarangani Capitol Grounds will once again come alive with music, color, and culture. But a personal favorite of mine? The festivities start even before the main program — and they’r...
Aside from the white sand beaches of Gumasa and the old houses in Poblacion, the municipalit of Glan in Sarangani Province is also part of a 500-year-old history! Five hundred years ago, the surviving crew of the expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan docked on the shores of Sarangani, one of which is in Barangay Batulaki,
In commemoration of the 500th year of the circumnavigation of the world led by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, a marker has been unveiled in Batulaki. It is the 32nd of the 34 markers installed in different parts of the country, specifically in Visayas and Mindanao. The markers indicate the places where the crew of the Magellan-Elcano expedition dropped anchor.
After the battle of Mactan, where Magellan was killed, the surviving crew led by Juan Sebastián Elcano continued the expedition to find the island of Molucca, landing on various shores of the archipelago, before eventually, returning to Spain.
In the province of Sarangani, the National Historical Commission and the National Quincentennial Commmission have ascertained two areas where the surviving crew of the expedition docked.
Based on the records of the chronicler Antonio Pigafetta, the crew landed in "Benaian," which is believed to be what is now Barangay Kamanga, in the Municipality of Maasim. From there, in October 26, 1521, the crew was forced to seek refuge at "Biraham Batolach," or the present-day Batulaki, due a furious storm.
The marker in Batulaki was unveiled on October 26, 2021, exactly 500 years after the recorded landing of Magellan's surviving crew. The following day, the crew continued on their journey to find Molucca or the spice island, dropping by Balut and Sarangani islands on their way there.
While the Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation expedition of proved that the Earth is a sphere, the records of Pigafetta also show that the Philippine islands were not "discovered" by Magellan, instead our ancestors have already been thriving and have always been here even before they came.
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