History
Ubo is the tribe in the Western part of Lake, Sebu. It is known since time immemorial, but does not expose
and known, because of the smaller scope of the area they live. Ubo tribe was exposed and known in late 60’s and 70’s
when many Christian came from Luzon and Visayas to the area of Ubo. At that time, conflict arise between the two
groups. At that time, Manuel Elizalde Jr. recommended to institute Datu Mai Tuan as chief negotiator to resolve the
conflict between the Christians and Ubo. There was then created a special body called Panamin, which is in charge of
restoring peace between the two groups. President Marcus proclaimed ‘Datu Ma Falen Reservation.
Throughout the years, Ubo has encountered several challenges. In early 70’s, illegal logging became a
prominent issue in the Ubo community. Since the logging affected their territory, Ubo warriors protected their territory
despite the disadvantage of using only bow and arrow against the logger’s gun.
In 1983, Lamfugon, which is a place occupied by Ubo tribe, was approved to be barangay, from the request
of the T’boli and under Proclamation No. 12211. Their barangay captain was Datu Ontog Logong. When Lake Sebu
became a municipality, Lamfugon became its 19 barangay.
In 1995, Ancestral Domain Management Plan was being formulated by Ubo Tribal Leaders and T’boli
Leaders as their tool for approval of the Ancestral Domain.
Their source of living if farming. Kaingin is the practice, to which the Ubo people call T’niba/ Flusok, in which
they plant rice wheats and root crops as source of food. In addition, they also practice swidden, or the slash-burn type
of farming. According to the culture of Ubo tribe, they planting has specific dates, same goes for the harvest. The
season for planting is when its full moon or, in their term, T’ngol, believing that this will produce abundant harvest.
When it’s harvest time, the owner will then gather people to help in their harvest to help in kaingin, or faming, “Letmus”
in Ubo term. These tradition shows the strong bond of the people in the tribes. Another source of food is from the
forest. For example, biking, bok, t’bongon, and others. They also use traps to catch animals and other root traps.
Another practice is “modung”; this means usually that exercise and exist until now whren they died. “Lungun
Benyawa, Ubo term for coffin, together with damay, kohu, and ubikoyu. This practice could be performed for indefinite
period of time, depending on the wishes of the family.
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Another practice is in their marriage. Before getting married, the couple must first have a Sefni Tising, then
setting a day for ‘mulu’, where parents of the woman prepare food for the parents of the man. They also use in their
practices the idea of dowry, of which the depending on their riches.
Beliefs in Ubo Manobo is very specific. They don’t put their crops inside the house, believing that once it gets
out, it wouldn’t grow again. In addition, they also don’t sweep and plant at night.
These groups speak many different languages and dialects, inclusing: Ata or Lalingan Manobo, Talaingod,
Matig Salug, Tigwa, Diababawon, and Umayamnon. This has made
learning to speak and write their languages very difficult for outsiders. The smaller
cultures are being pressed upon by larger groups that surround them. Because of this,
they fear losing their original languages and cultural idiosyncrasies. Most of their traaditions and stories are orally
passed down, rather than written.
Kidapawan Manobo, Magpet Manobo, Arakan Manobo, Marilog. 69% intelligibility of Tigwa (Matigsalug
Manobo [mbt] reportedly most similar) and 60% of Tagabawa [bgs]. Lexical similarity: 63% with Tagabawa [bgs] and
Ilianen Manobo [mbi], 35% with Cebuano [ceb].
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Profiling
DESCRIPTION SAMPLE PICTURES REMARKS
ECONOMIC Ubo fashion
ACTIVITIES fine weaponry
and jewelry
Agriculturally,
they practice
swidden, a
slash-and-burn
farming, oft
planting and
harvesting
rice, root
crops, and
vegetables for
consumption.
SYSTEM OF
WRITING These groups
speak many
different
languages and
dialects,
inclusing: Ata or
Lalingan
Manobo,
Talaingod,
Matig Salug,
Tigwa,
Diababawon,
and
Umayamnon.
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RELIGION Ethnic Religion
– worships
gods (Diwatas)
Animist –
believes that
ancestral
beings, or not.
Marriage Before getting
married, the
couple must first
have a Sefni
Tising, then
setting a day for
‘mulu’, They also
use in their
practices the idea
of dowry, of
which the
depending on
their riches.
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Submitted by:
Abastas, Klancy June
Alipan, Kevin Joshua
Balverde, Ethan Sean
Belsis, Genevieve
Bonhoc, Joseph
Cabanag, John Paul
Cabrera, Erwan Pierre
Caubang, Angelo
Chua, Francis Gian Phillippe
Costanos, Grizell
Cuizon, Mevelle
Dacillo, Trisha Angele
Del Castillo, Frances Clare
Del Castillo, Jean Michelle
Dignadice, Christian
Dingding, Julius Serge
Garbo, Riza Marie
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