B'laans, Samals, and Agtas. Smaller communities of Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Warays, and Bicolanos are also found.

ECONOMIC PROFILE Agriculture is the main economic activity in the region and Banana is the primary agricultural product produced in many banana plantations. In 2007, the region produced a total of 3.1 metric tons the highest among the regions. Other farm products include rice, corn, coconut, pineapple, sugarcane, and durian. The region is also a well-known center of the cutflower industry especially in orchid growing. Fishing and raising of poultry, hog, and cattle are some alternative sources of income. The region is famous for its rich mineral resources. Reserves of gold, copper, manganese and nickel are found in this part of the country. The Diwalwal area in Compostela valley has attracted thousands of small scale miners as well as commercial explorers. Manufacturing in the region is concentrated mostly around Davao City, the largest city in the Philippines outside Metro Manila. Industrial products from the region include construction materials, processed food, and furniture.

DAVAO REGION, otherwise known as Region 11, is composed of 4

provinces namely: Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao Del Norte, and Davao Del Sur. It is located in the southeastern part of Mindanao Island. It is bounded on the north by CARAGA Region, on the east and south by the Philippine Sea, on the west by Bukidnon and SOCCSKSARGEN Region. Terrain is mostly hilly and mountainous in the eastern, western, and souther part of the region. Flat lands can be found in the southern part of Davao Del Norte, in the northern and central part of Compostella Valley, and in the central part of Davao Del Sur. Climate is mostly of Type IV in which rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Highest Peak is Mt. Apo, located in the boundary of Davao Del Sur and North Cotabato. With its 2,958-meter height, it is also the tallest mountain in the country. Other notable mountains include Mt. Galintan in Davao Oriental (1,738 meters high), Mt. Pasican in compostela Valley (1,652 meters high), and Mt. Mayo, also in Davao Oriental (920 meters high).) The region has a generally uniform distribution of rainfall through the year and experienced fewer typhoons because it lies outside the typhoon belt of the Philippines. Davao Region has abundant forestland and fertile fields. It is also rich in mineral resources such as chromite, iron, nickel, manganese, gold, copper, and other nonmetallic minerals. Five of the major fishing grounds of the Philippines are located in the region. PEOPLE Region 11 is a melting pot of many cultural groups. It is is an immigration area, with a mixture of migrants, including Cebuanos, Ilonggos and Ilocanos. Its ethnic groups include Manobos, Bagobos, Maiisakas, Maguindanon, T boli, Tirurays and few Muslims. Cebuanos, Boholanos, and Ilonggos are the majority groups. Others include Maguindanaos, Maranaos, Manobos, T'bolis, Bagobos, Tourism is fast becoming an important source of employment. It has many resorts and other eco-tourism sites that are a must for travellers. The economy of the region is predominantly agriculture based. Its products such as bananas, pineapples, fresh asparagus, and fish products are exported abroad. Davao Region is now developing its agro industrial business, trade and tourism. It is a vital link to markets in other parts of Mindanao, Brunei Darussalam and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. Other economic activities are mining, fishery and agriculture.  18 ethnic groups are in the region with Mandaya, B laan and T boli as the largest groups Cebuano, Ilonggo, Ilokano and Tagalog are the common dialects beside those spoken by the tribal communities.  Principal products are rice, corn, coffee, fish, timber, root crops, livestock and poultry,fruits and vegetables.  Mineral resources include copper, nickel, chromite, gold and marble.  Has several tourist attractions such as Mt. Apo, Philippine Eagle Nature Center, orchid farms, fruit plantations and many more. Infrastructure developments in the region are considered excellent. The region is accessible by land, air and sea. The airport in Davao City is the largest and most developed in Mindanao. The principal ports are Sasa International Seaport, Panabo Seaport in Davao del Norte and Mati Seaport in Davao Oriental. Davao Region has adequate communications facilities, reliable power and abundant water supply.

LITERARY WORKS:
BILAAN FOLKTALES
The word "Bilaan" could have derived from "bila," meaning "house," and the suffix "an," meaning "people," so that the term may be taken to mean "people living in houses." Other terms that have been used to refer to this group are Blaan, Bira-an, Baraan, Vilanes, Bilanes. Names such as Tagalagad, Tagakogon, and Buluan have also been used; however, these denote the kind of site where some Bilaan groups were located. The Bilaan inhabit the southern part of South Cotabato and southeastern part of Davao del Sur, as well as the areas around Buluan Lake in North Cotabato. Some Bilaan live on Sarangani Island, off the coast of Davao del Sur, although they are referred to as Sarangani Manobo. Other Bilaan groups on this island have been referred to as Balud or Tumanao. The Bilaan share similarities in culture and physical features with the neighboring Tagacaolo and the Tagabawa. As of 1988, the Bilaan numbered some 250,000. The Bilaan who live in the forested areas of Davao and Cotabato are called kapil or pagan by the people of Cotabato. In truth, however, their religious beliefs are characteristics of pre-Spanish folk religion. The Bilaan are monotheistic in the sense that they believe that there is but one supreme being ruling the cosmos. They also believe in the existence of th soul which upon leaving the body causes illness and death. Their concept of heaven or kaluwalhatian is under the earth. Kaluwalhatian has no space for planting rice or processing abaca. It is also a place where the chasing of deer is not allowed. Because of intermarriages, some Bilaan have today become Christians or Muslims. The Bilaan Folktale is comprised of two parts: the beginning and the creation. [1] In the Beginning

So they took some wax and worked long, fashioning it into forms, but when they brought them to the fire the wax melted, and they saw that men could not be made in that way. Next they decided to try to use dirt in making people, and Melu and one of his companions began working on that. All went well till they were ready to make the noses. The companion, who was working on that part, put them on upside down MeIu told him that the people would drown if he left them that way, but he refused to change them. When his back was turned, however, Melu seized the noses, one by one, and turned them as they now are. But he was in such a hurry that be pressed his finger at the root, and it left a mark in the soft clay which you can still see on the faces of people. [2] The Story of the Creation

In the very beginning there lived a being so large that he can not be compared with any known thing. His name was Melu,[2] and when he sat on the clouds, which were his home, he occupied all the space above. His teeth were pure gold, and because he was very cleanly and continually rubbbed himself with his hands, his skin became pure white. The dead skin which he rubbed off his body[3] was placed on one side in a pile, and by and by this pile became so large that he was annoyed and set himself to consider what he could do with it. Finally Melu decided to make the earth; so he worked very hard in putting the dead skin into shape, and when it was finished he was so pleased with it that he determined to make two beings like himself, though smaller, to live on it. Making the remnants of the material left after making the earth he fashioned two men, but just as they were all finished except their noses, Tau Tana from below the earth appeared and wanted to help him. Melu did not wish any assistance, and a great argument ensued Tau Tana finally won his point and made the noses which he placed on the people upside down. When all was finished, Melu and Tau Tana whipped the forms until they moved. Then Melu went to his home above the clouds, and Tau Tana returned to his place below the earth. All went well until one day a great rain came, and the people on the earth nearly drowned from the water which ran off their heads into their noses. Melu, from his place on the clouds, saw their danger, and he came quickly to earth and saved their lives by turning their noses the other side up. The people were very grateful to him, and promised to do anything he should ask of them. Before he left for the sky, they told him that they were very unhappy living on the great earth all alone, so he told them to save all the hair from their heads and the dry skin from their bodies and the next time he came he would make them some companions. And in this way there came to be a great many people on the earth.

In the beginning there were four beings: Melu, Fiuweigh, Diwata, and Saweigh, and they lived on an Island no larger than a hat. On this island there were no trees or grass or any other living thing besides these four people and one bird. One day they sent this bird out across the waters to see what he could find, and when he returned he brought some earth, a piece of rattan, and some fruit. Melu, the greatest of the four, took the soil and shaped it and beat it with a paddle in the same manner in which a woman shapes pots of clay, and when he finished he had made the earth. Then he planted the seeds from the fruit, and they grew until there was much rattan and many trees bearing fruit. The four beings watched the growth for a long time and were well pleased with the work, but finally Melu said: "Of what use is this earth and all the rattan and fruit if there are no people?" And the others replied, "Let us make some people out of wax."

BAGOBO RIDDLES
BOTAD Disok poron nu anak Duwon dad sawwon din Ahad kas mama' Duwon dun sawwon din. LAYA' Atin anak pa Abpana'uwa: Atin buyyag don Warad sa'uwa: CORN While yet a small child He is already with offspring Even as he grows into a man He still carries his child. BAMBOO SHOOT While still young He wears trousers But when already old He is without trousers.

The Darangan is one of the oldest and longest Philippine Epic poetries. Several nights were needed to recite the twenty five beautiful chapters. The Darangan, sung in its original, possessed a sustained beauty and dignity, it might be studied for its esthetic values alone.

TUWAANG (Epic of Bagobo)

The Bagobo tribe has an epic hero named Tuwaang. He was a brave and strong warrior with various powers. In one story, he rode a lightning to the land of Pinanggayungan and later, met the maiden of the Buhong Sky who was running away from the young man of Pangumanon: A giant with great vigor. Tuwaang and the giant fought but it was an even match. So the giant used his magical powers and threw a flaming bar at the hero. Entwining itself at Tuwaang, our hero escaped this ordeal and used his own magical ability to call the wind to fan the flames and let the giant be engulfed by the flames. xxx xxx xxx

DARANGAN (DARANGEN) Epic of Maranao

The people of Mindanao had rich literatures that exist only in their minds and memories. Only recently that these epic poetries were put in writing, so these can be studied by the public. Locally called "Darangan", these epic poetries were similar to those of that Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. Meaning literally to narrate in song in the Maranao language, the Darangen existed before the arrival of Islam in the Philippines in the fourteenth century. Being part of a wider epic culture that is connected to early Sanskrit practices and extends through most of Mindanao, it offers insight into pre-Islamic cultural traditions of the Maranao people. The Darangan tells of the sentimental and romantic adventures of noble warriors, one of them, is about a warrior-prince called Bantugan.. Prince Bantugan was the brother of the chieftain of a village called Bumbaran. Bantugan owned a magic shield, was protected by divine spirits called "Tonongs" and was capable of rising from the dead. Once his enemies attacked Bembaran, thinking he was dead. In the nick of time, Bantugan's soul was recovered and he saved the village. There is also an episode, where Prince Bantugan was on a quest and fought his enemies with his magic Kampilan (Native sword). Soon, he got tired and fell on to the water. A crocodile delivered him to his enemies, but he regained his strength, escaped his captors, and commands an oar less ship and won the battle. There were also "Darangan epic poetries that relates stories of wars about abducted princesses. Just like the chronicles of the Trojan War.

Tuwaang received a message of invitation from the wind saying that he should attend the long waited wedding of the Dalaga ng Monawon. Don't go, Tuwaang, his aunt warned him. I feel that something wrong is going to happen to you there. Don't worry, tiyang. I can take care of myself! he said firmly, determined to go. You don't understand me, Tuwaang. I'm not afraid of anything, tiyang. Right now, all I ever want is to have a glimpse of the beauty of the Dalaga ng Monawon. Tuwaang did not listen to his aunt. He insisted to go and prepared to attend the grand wedding. He wore the clothes the goddesses made for him. He got the heart-shaped basket that could make the lightning move. He took along with him his sharp spear and shield and the long knife. He rode in the lightning and he soon reached the beautiful boundless plain of Kawkawangan. There, he found a Gungutan, a bright colored bird that could talk. The bird wanted to go with him to the grand wedding so he took it along with him. When they reached the town of Monawon, they were politely let into the hall where the wedding would take place. The guests started coming one by one. First to come was the young Binata ng Panayangan, then the charming Binata ng Sumisikat na Araw. Last to come was the groom, the Binata ng Sakadna who was with his one hundred well trained men. As soon as he arrived, the groom ordered all his men to drive away the guests who should not be there or those uninvited guests. Insulted, Tuwaang told the groom that they, the guests were allpulang dahon, which meant heroes. In short time, the ceremony started with the guests being offered several precious things that

they should top with what they had. Two were left for the groom but the Binata ng Sakadna admitted that he didn't have a gold flute and a gold guitar to top what were left. Tuwaang came to the quick rescue. With his mysterious breath, he produced a gold flute, guitar and gong. The beautiful bride came out of her room and started offering a bowl containing nganga to every guest. Then she sat beside Tuwaang that put the groom in a very embarrassing situation. The groom felt insulted. He went out the hall and challenged Tuwaang to a fight. Show me that you deserved the honor my lady bestowed upon you by sitting next to you! the Binata ng Sakadnaangrily challenged him. Fight me to death! Tuwaang slowly stood to accept the challenge but the beautiful bride held his hand. Let me just comb your hair before you fight him, the bride told Tuwaang in a soft whisper. And she lovingly combed his hair. Tuwaang glanced and stared at the bride. He saw love and admiration for him in her eyes. Take extra care when you face him,the bride warned him. He does not fight squarely! Tuwaang took her hand and brought it gently to his mouth and kissed it. For you, my lady, I'll be careful! hesaid and came out of the hall to face the groom. The bride nodded and waved her hand to him, wishing him the best. Tuwaang and the Gungutan faced the Binata ng Sakadna and his one hundred well trained men. He fought fiercely with all his might and after a brief struggle, he and the Gungutan had killed ninety four of the groom's men. With less effort, they subdued the remaining six men until he and the Binata ng Sakadna were the only ones left standing. The groom hurled a big stone at Tuwaang but the stone turned into dust before it hit him. Because of the intensity of the struggle, the earth shook and every tree fell down. The groom grabbed Tuwaang and threw him heavily on the ground. He sank on the ground and reached Hades. In Hades, Tuwaang saw Tuhawa, the god of Hades. Tuhawa told him that the life of the groom was in the gold flute. Tuwaang emerged from the ground and killed the groom by buying the gold flute. The bride ran to him happily. He embraced her and kissed her on her cheeks and lips. Will you go with me? Tuwaangasked the bride. With all my heart, she answered. Tuwaang then went home to Kuaman with the bride and the Gungutan and they lived happily ever after.