Datu Maayun-ayun Arthur “Tiboy” Melendez, president of the clan of the Bukidnon Tribe leads the conduct of the annual Pamuhat or ritual dubbed as Panenden ta Sakub in the site in Bahada, Brgy. 7 Malaybalay City on January 29, 2025.
According to accounts, as qouted by Erlow Talatala from author Ludivina R. Opeña and Arturo Melendez “Datu Muayon-ayon, the tribe celebrates the “Panendan Ta Sakub”, every first new moon of the year as an expression of respect and thanksgiving to Magbabaya for the blessings and protection of the previous year, and a commemoration of the historic landmark and sacred site of the descendants of Datu Mansikyabo (Moreno) and Datu Mampaalong (Melendez), the traditional clans of Malaybalay who belong to Bukidnon/Tagoluwanen tribe as pre-colonial inhabitants of Malaybalay.
Talatala quoted that once upon a time there was a man named Manlanot (bulawan sa hiruga-an yo). His name was derived from the word Lanot which basically means Abaca rope, which he uses as his belt to fix his scabbard or sheath. One day, while fixing his belt he accidentally dropped his scabbard to the river. He tried to save it so he dived to the water and never surfaced again. His family searched and never found him. Since then, the people called the place Sakub in memory of Manlanot who sacrificed his life to be the “Alambiton” or watcher of the place, together with other elders.
As the time goes by, some of the people who have special needs for any occasion come to Sakub, put up a Bangkasu (bamboo altar). They offer three silver coins, three eggs, and an Apog (betel leaf). Accounts said the offerers wshes were granted the following day.
The people then established a wishing well (Pamugwakan), thus, it became a sacred place (Talangdanen) where even just mere washing of dirty clothes was not allowed and where Malaybalay also derived its original name Salebseb, a native name for a spring whose fresh waters came from an underground water bed source.| With texts from Erlow Talatala’s FB Post/BukidnonNews.Net photos courtesy of Brgy. 7 Kagawad Emil Cahilig.
Datu Maayun-ayun Arthur “Tiboy” Melendez during the ritual
Ritual assistants place an offering floater in a part of the Sawaga River
Sketch of the location of the sacred site, courtesy of Erlow Talatala