Slingon 2025, Lake Sebu

 Months ago, GaMaBa Awardee Aunty Rosie Godwino Sula invited me to the Slingon—a chanter’s meet in Lake Sebu. I didn’t hesitate to say yes. How often do you get to join an event filled with spontaneous chanting?

 

The Slingon was held on September 20–22, 2025, in Gono Lemingon, Klubi, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. I arrived a day earlier to meet the volunteers and help iron out last-minute details. Our small but determined team was there to support Aunty Rosie in making sure the Slingon was documented and a great success.

 Sligon is a chanter’s meeting. It has a deeper meaning in the T’boli language. It means to meet under one roof, to be one. This does not happen often. I knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

 Months before the event, I sent out an SOS to friends and supporters—and you all came through! With the help of donations, we were able to buy tokens for the chanters and students, provide books, and use the cash contributions for food. Truly, community spirit made this gathering possible.

 In the end, the Slingon gathered 12 cultural workers, 18 students, 5 volunteers, and representatives from the NCCA. It was a heartfelt gathering, filled with voices, stories, and rhythms that echoed into the night. For the students, it became a rare chance to practice their craft in a semi-public space. At the same time, cultural workers saw the possibility of this becoming a tradition to replicate in other communities.

 

Did I mention Aunty Rosie sang an impromptu song about me? Yes, that is the reason why she is a Gawad Manlilikhang Bayan Awardee or National Living Treasure. She can chant or sing, composing on the spot!

 Lake Sebu has always been close to my heart, not just for its natural beauty, but for the passion of its people for culture and the arts. There are four GaMaBas from Lake Sebu: Lang Dulay, Rosie G. Sula, Barbara Ofong and Bundos Farah. No doubt there will be more. Compared to Davao, they proudly wear their clothing, their malongs, their T’nalak. May the T’boli culture continue to live on and prosper!

 To all who supported—through donations, sharing posts, or simply cheering us on—thank you. This event was not just a celebration, but also a seed for something bigger: a future where more Slingon gatherings will rise, honoring and sustaining our heritage. Special thanks to Karl of Philippine Spirits, Mike Patolot and his wife, volunteers Isaac Maluhia Castillo, Jillian Bacarisas, Levi and Summer, Mechie Mafok, Armila De Velez Todi, Maria Todi (for one night at SLT), and to those who donated anonymously—you made Slingon 2025 shine brighter.

 Here’s to the next Slingon, and to more adventures that keep our stories alive.

New Book Alert! Neph XY: Emergence of Prophecy

 Neph XY: Emergence of Prophecy

Junio journeys through memory and time to uncover his destiny.

Tikbalang. Warrior. Leader. Will he rise or fall?

This new book is all about Junio and his spiral in time. His life isn't going so well. He's being used and abused, fighting a war he feels is pointless, reeling from the absence of his parents and dealing with puberty. Did I mention Junio was only 17 years old? Like in Stanzo's book, he's also 17, looking for the point in life.

Special children were able to gain powers between 7 and 17. They lose their powers at 18. In the meantime, governments, organizations, and even the church are using these children.

Junio hates it, but he still wants to save children. He rescues three of them in a secret lab. Instead of setting them free, he embarks on a wild adventure in time and destiny. 

And maybe, just maybe, his destiny intertwines with Prophecy.

So, who are the bad guys? Meet the 3rd Generation Nephilim, who will do whatever it takes to restore the "good old days" when humans still revered them as gods.

Stanzo - Used to lead his own team. Works for the government of Singapore as a Neph Exterminator. He can turn into a Kapre/giant. Battling depression in his book, he was finally able to heal when he realized that helping children healed his inner turmoil. After losing his powers, he still continues to train children in the orphanage and around the world.

Tino - When he was fifteen, he and his twin, Stanzo, were separated. He was given to China as a Neph exterminator. As he excelled, he became a captain of his own squad. After being sold to Dagon, he developed PTSD.  After losing his powers at 18, he helped Stanzo train the children in the orphanage.

Junio- 17 at the start of his book. He can turn into a Tikbalang, a horse-headed humanoid giant with claws. Because of the twins' training, he was faster and better at fighting. He had a high kill-count and was a powerhouse known to many around the world for his fighting prowess. He works for Interpol, heading his team.