The practice of “panawagtawag” or the imploring of the spirits of nature for guidance and blessing is a long-time tradition of the Manobo lumads of Caraga. They believe that there is a harmonious scheme of things and that people and nature co-exist with the interference of spirits/deities, ruled by Magbabaya (supreme deity of the human world).To ensure the blessings of the spirits/deities, an offering and a ritual (usually involves the offering of live animals) is commonly done by Manobo tribal leaders (datu) or a tribal priest to appease the spirits and bless the endeavors of the community.

The communities of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur recently performed the “panawagtawag” to bless their efforts in building the first ever Municipal Tribal Hall to be built in Brgy. Poblacion costing Php1,294,517.

All 32 barangays have decided to propose the said sub-project to address the cultural and traditional needs of the 9,756 (3,103 households) Manobos in the municipality. This strong gesture by the people of Prosperidad is an acknowledgment to the fact that communities, regardless of culture, religion, and ethnicity need to co-exist to progress.###(MARKO DAVEY D. REYES /Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)