Manolo Fortich a beautiful town anybody can call home. Its surrounding so relaxing. The air so fresh and cool that sometimes it could make someone shiver. The trees shading almost every inch of the place. Its people living simply free from any pollution. Almost anybody who makes their first step into the town would always gasp at such comfort it will make you feel.
Technological ways surely have invaded our town. Because of course being one of the progressive municipalities in Bukidnon, we must never miss out in the new technology. But this technological invasion didn’t seem to have marvelled its way to the hearts of the tribes in our town. They did not reject modernization, but our tribesmen chose to never forget who they come from and our local government acknowledges them and has given them the support they need. The people look up to them and respected them being the first people here never forgetting that if not for them, there wouldn’t be a Manolo Fortich.
This year, just like the years before, on the first day of the Charter Celebration a Pamuhat ritual was made by the Datu’s of Manolo Fortich. What is Pamuhat? As explained to us by one of the Datu’s Pamuhat, is a thanksgiving for the many blessings given from the year earlier and also a ritual asking for blessings for what lies ahead from the Magbabaya. As part of the tradition and ceremony, animals were killed as offering. Witnessing the ritual first hand, gave me goose bumps. It was so full of emotions. So heart-warming. In the whole duration of the ritual we were all so quiet that I was almost holding my breath. After the ritual, almost all of us there released our breaths. And I have never felt so alive after such intensity. But all I know for sure, Magbabaya has blessed my hometown.
Growing up, what I have observed that made Manolo shine is its innate talent of embracing diversity. Various native groups make up the town, as well as our Muslim brothers and sisters dwell here, Christians, even foreigners. The people always so welcoming. These people from different groups are all united despite the different beliefs and practices. With that said, I don’t think Manolo Fortich could be any more blessed.
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