In celebration of the 59th Foundation Anniversary of the province of South Cotabato, staging the 26th T’nalak Festival, Master Guides and Pathfinders from Adventist Community College, Inc. and Matutum View Academy of Acmonan, Tupi, South Cotabato joined the opening civic parade at the provincial capital of Koronadal City on July 18, representing around 120,000 Adventists across approximately 426 companies and churches in the province.
The festival is a vibrant cultural celebration which honors the T’nalak cloth, a handwoven abaca textile crafted by the T’boli women, often inspired by dreams—earning them the title “dreamweavers.” T’nalak cloth symbolizes unity among South Cotabato’s tri-people: T’bolis, Christians, and Muslims.
South Cotabato, as home to 199 barangays, 10 municipalities, and one component city of Koronadal and the independent city of General Santos, is where one of the five Adventist regional headquarters named Southern Mindanao Mission is situated. It serves diverse ethnic and linguistic communities, including T’boli, Blaan, Maguindanaon, Ilonggo, Cebuano, and Ilocano speakers.
Matutum View Academy (MVA), a secondary school established in 1968 and operated by SMM, is situated at the foot of Mount Matutum in Acmonan, Tupi, South Cotabato. Known as the “School of FAITH,” MVA emphasizes character development, preparing youth for service and eternity.
Sharing the same campus, which spans over 8 hectares, Adventist College of Technology, formerly Matutum View Christian College, was established in 1995 to provide technical and tertiary education alongside Matutum View Academy.
The participation of MVA and ACT Pathfinders and Master Guides in the aforesaid parade is a harmonious collaboration of faith and culture—a witnessing through service. Their impressive marching technique reflects Adventist commitment to community engagement, not just within church walls but in the public square—through discipline, character, and cheerful service.
While in 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul advises, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”, Mrs. Ellen G. White also gave another beautiful emphasis, saying, “Knowledge harmoniously blended with a Christ-like character will make a person truly a light to the world. Our bodies and souls belong to God, for he has bought them. He has given us talent, and has made it possible for us to acquire more, in order that we may be able to help ourselves and others onward in the way to life… to bless humanity and glorify God.” Review and Herald, June 21, 1887
