Last 30 October 2024, the Office of the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) of the Bagobo Tagabawa Tribe bestowed upon Joji and myself the Lumabat Award. The awarding ceremony was held during the Sinub’badan Festival 2024. Receiving the Lumabat Award is a profound honor that fills me with deep gratitude to Manama–the Great Creator, not only for the recognition but for the journey that led to this moment. Named after the legendary figure Lumabat, a cultural hero of the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe, the award embodies the values of resilience, wisdom, and the quest for a meaningful connection between humanity and the divine. As I hold this award close to my heart, I am reminded of the intricate relationship between our work, the tribe’s heritage, and the transformative power of peace and reconciliation. Joji and I are grateful to the IPS for their welcoming embrace, mentorship, companionship, and partnership. We’re also grateful to our sending Body, the Mennonite Church Canada, who gave us freedom to listen and to work with the Bagobo Tagabawa based on local definitions of partnership, companionship, and development.
Who Was Lumabat? The Spirit Behind the Award
Lumabat is a figure revered in Bagobo Tagabawa mythology, a mortal who journeyed into the sky in pursuit of eternal life. According to the legend, he climbed a mystical vine that stretched from the earth to the heavens, crossing into the world of the divine. His journey wasn’t just physical—it symbolized transformation, bravery, and a pursuit of something greater. Lumabat became an intermediary between the human and spiritual realms, bridging life and the afterlife and inspiring generations of the Bagobo Tagabawa people to live with reverence and strength.
The Lumabat Award represents this spirit of bridging worlds—tradition with modernity, culture with commerce, and community with peace. For the Bagobo Tagabawa, Lumabat’s ascent to the heavens holds deep cultural meaning, and by receiving this award, my wife Joji and I feel an immense responsibility to uphold the values he embodies.
Building Bridges through PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. and Coffee for Peace
Our journey with the Bagobo Tagabawa began in 2015 through PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. (PBCI), where Joji and I envisioned a partnership grounded in respect and a shared mission for peace. The Bagobo Tagabawa invited us to walk with them on their path to sustainable development, and our role was clear: to support their aspirations for economic empowerment while honoring their cultural identity. Our second initiative, Coffee for Peace (CFP), became the natural bridge connecting peacebuilding with economic self-sufficiency.
Through CFP, coffee became more than just a crop—it transformed into a vessel for cultural expression, a means of sustainable livelihood, and an instrument of peace. Working with the Bagobo Tagabawa, we saw that their connection to the land around Mt. Apo was sacred, much like Lumabat’s bond with the divine realms. Coffee for Peace honored this connection by fostering sustainable farming practices that reflect the tribe’s respect for the earth and their ancestral heritage.
Honoring the Spirit of Lumabat in Our Shared Work
The Lumabat Award signifies a journey that isn’t ours alone but is shared with the Bagobo Tagabawa. This path has been filled with projects and milestones that align with the values Lumabat represents, bridging the Bagobo Tagabawa’s traditional wisdom with sustainable practices.
- Social Enterprise Training: In 2021, through PBCI, we facilitated a six-month training program focused on social entrepreneurship, particularly for indigenous women. This training was a reflection of Lumabat’s courage and vision for transcending limitations. The Bagobo Tagabawa women learned essential leadership skills to manage their enterprises, becoming champions of their own economic independence while grounded in their culture.
- Post-Harvest Processing Plant: In 2016, CFP supported the establishment of a post-harvest processing plant, a significant development for the tribe’s coffee production. This plant was more than a functional facility; it symbolized self-determination, a practical step toward economic resilience. The plant empowered the community, especially the women, to actively engage in and benefit from the coffee production process, reflecting Lumabat’s spirit of forging a path forward with courage and purpose.
- Cultural Village and Peace Memorial Complex: One of the most meaningful projects we completed was a cultural village and peace memorial complex in Binaton, Digos City, in 2021. Led by Chieftain Bai Jerlina Owok, this complex is a tribute to the tribe’s history and resilience. Like Lumabat, the village serves as a bridge—a space where the Bagobo Tagabawa can celebrate their past while preserving their heritage for future generations.
Titles of Honor: Datu Pugawang and Bai Kasunayan
The Bagobo Tagabawa have honored us with titles that serve as reminders of our role within their community. My title, Datu Pugawang, meaning “MindSetter,” reflects a calling to guide and support the tribe’s vision for peace and development based on their worldview, value system, and behaviour patterns. Joji’s title, Bai Kasunayan, translates to “the Woman of Peace who brings skills and wisdom to the community,” acknowledging her dedication to empowering the tribe, especially its women. These titles, much like the Lumabat Award, are not mere honors but responsibilities—a commitment to uphold the tribe’s values and support their journey of self-sufficiency and peace.
The Role of Coffee in Bridging Worlds
Through Coffee for Peace, we have seen how coffee can be an instrument of connection—a way to bridge worlds, much like Lumabat’s vine. Coffee farming allows the Bagobo Tagabawa to support their families, educate their children, and build a sustainable future without compromising their cultural identity. The coffee produced by the tribe reflects their resilience and values, grown with a reverence for the earth and with practices that honor both tradition and innovation.
By working with Coffee for Peace, the tribe has transformed their ancestral lands into thriving coffee farms. These farms are a testament to the tribe’s commitment to sustainability and cultural preservation, and they have become a source of pride, both for the tribe and for us as partners. In every cup of coffee, there is a story of resilience, strength, and peace—a narrative that aligns with Lumabat’s spirit and the legacy we aim to build together.
The Sinub’baddan Festival and Receiving the Lumabat Award
On October 30, 2024, during the Sinub’baddan Festival at the foot of Mt. Apo, Joji and I received the Lumabat Award from the Bagobo Tagabawa tribe. Standing there, with Mt. Apo towering in the background, I felt the weight of Lumabat’s story and the responsibility this award represents. It was more than a recognition of our past efforts; it was a call to continue this journey with humility, to keep building bridges between tradition and progress, peace and prosperity.
Continuing Lumabat’s Legacy Through Peace, Culture, and Coffee
The Lumabat Award symbolizes a journey far from over. As Joji and I look to the future, we are filled with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. Through PBCI and CFP, we will continue to support the Bagobo Tagabawa in their pursuit of peace, cultural preservation, and economic sustainability. Our partnership reflects Lumabat’s legacy—a journey that reaches toward higher goals while remaining grounded in respect, wisdom, and the shared values that unite us.
The Lumabat Award is more than an honor; it’s a reminder that peacebuilding is a collaborative, deeply personal journey. With each step, we are reminded of the resilience and wisdom of the Bagobo Tagabawa, and the power of coffee to be a tool for peace, a pathway to sustainability, and a celebration of culture. As we move forward together, I carry this award as both a symbol of the past and a guide for the future, honoring Lumabat’s spirit of transformation, courage, and the bridge that connects us all.
