Surallah today is a proud site of a cultural landmark so uniquely attractive that tourists going to and coming from Lake Sebu stop by to take a close look!
Unveiled last March 15, 2011, it’s towering, obelisk-like central piece of a 2-string lute points straight to heaven , silhouetted by the blue sky at more than 60 feet above the ground. Called he’galong by indigenous T’bolis, the slim lute seemingly grows from the core of a huge, endemic , bulb plant bohong, the elongated leaves of which spread out in radial fashion.
Around the bohung , gigantic figures of T’bolis, Muslims Maguindanaos and Christian settlers , drum T’nonggong. Other figures are occupied with fresh harvest of grains, vegetables, fish and fruits. All the while water flows from an elevated spout and trickles down a boulder t a reflection pond. The landmark exudes beauty , happiness and bounty.
The sculpted human figures smile so realistically that their contagious blissful mood affect the viewers in similar manner. Children happily mill around to have their photographs taken as their elders sit down in contentment and relax on rocks and boulders.
Called “ The Strings of Life” by it’s builder, acclaimed Mindanao sculptor Reu Mudjahid “Kublai” Ponce Millan, the culturally significant landmark is the hub of a rotunda where the national highway crosses with a wide, concrete, municipal road in the heart of poblacion Surallah. One cannot miss it’s attention-getting presence.
“ The he’galong at aims at the heavens so that our traditional music, coming all the way from our forefathers, may live and be played forever by succeeding generations,” Kublai explains, adding that what he meant by music also includes other positive cultural values and practices. “ Bohung leaves point to all directions indicating that the good message of this landmark be conveyed north, south, east, west.”
During the grand unveiling program, Surallah Mayor Romulo O. Solivio , Sr. pointed out that the site in the past has been accident prone. “ There had been at least fifty accidents here resulting to death and injury. By building this imposing landmark we hope the incidence would end.” He said.
The town’s homegrown talents, including an all children rondalla, provided musical numbers highlighted by a cheerfully colorful streetdance performed by the same Surallah children who are Davao’s Kadayawan Festival streetdancing champions for two consecutive years from 2009 to 2010.
Award –winning folksingers Popong Landero and Maan Chua, both from Davao also belted out compositions that made the audience interact by stamping their feet and clapping their hands. Landero together with his band , later held a lively concert at night of the same day.
The Municipality of Surallah is consistent winner to South Cotabato province’s annual Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality contest. It too won the Galing Pook Award and Agriculture Secretary’s Award for it’s succesful organic & biodynamic farming program.
Mayor Solivio, optimistic of the project’s evident long term commercial effect concluded, “ I believe cultural investment with the people’s support is bound to succeed economically as well. This is an essential component of nation building!” - Phillip Samozo
