Daraghuyan-Bukidnon Tribe Receives Drum-Making Machinery from BukSU, DOST

Local artisans in the Daraghuyan-Bukidnon Tribal Community will use new machinery to produce indigenous drums in less time through a project of Bukidnon State University (BukSU) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Bukidnon.

The equipment is aimed at reducing traditional drum production from weeks to just days. It includes a specialized wooden log lathe machine, a welding machine, and various power tools.

BukSU, through its Research and Development Unit and Extension Services and Community Engagement Unit (ESCEU), partnered with DOST-Bukidnon to turn over the equipment to the Daraghuyan-Bukidnon Tribal Community in Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, on August 14, 2026.

The machinery is intended to fast-track traditional drum production. The equipment will also provide local artisans with tools for different stages of the manufacturing process.

Tribal leader Adelina Tarino(Bae Inatlawan) said the community previously made tambols manually.

“We are very glad to have this equipment. Before, we used to make these tambols manually,” Bae Inatlawan said. “Now that we have these tools, our craftsmen are very happy.”

DOST specifically selected the Daraghuyan-Bukidnon Tribal Community as a beneficiary because of its long-standing tradition of crafting indigenous musical instruments.

The equipment turnover is part of the project “Craftsmanship Improvement of Indigenous Musical Drum Manufacturing Through Science & Technology Interventions,” which aims to make the community more productive.

Nova Belle Calotes-Olloves, science research specialist and information officer for DOST-Bukidnon, said the project includes training and monitoring in addition to the equipment.

“This initiative falls under the project ‘Craftsmanship Improvement of Indigenous Musical Drum Manufacturing Through Science & Technology Interventions,’ which aims to make the community more productive,” Calotes-Olloves said.

“We didn’t just turn over the equipment—we are providing training as well. We will also monitor their progress and conduct follow-up visits to ensure the machinery is properly utilized and to help address any challenges they may face,” she added.

The follow-up activities will include visits to monitor the community’s use of the machinery and address challenges related to its use.

Dr. Jiemalyn B. Paulican, ESCEU director, said the project covers both cultural preservation and livelihood.

“This is preserving the culture and a livelihood at the same time. With this, the community will be much faster in creating the musical instrument and later on will also help them with their income while enhancing their skills,” Paulican said.

The Daraghuyan-Bukidnon community plans to increase its indigenous musical instrument production for ceremonial occasions and the annual Kaamulan Festival. The production will also serve as a livelihood activity for community members. (Derek Jeter C. Olano/ BukSU IU Intern)