South Cotabato, Philippines — The T’nalak Festival of South Cotabato has been approved for inclusion in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) 12-piece Festival Commemorative Coin Series, following a conference, disclosure, and decision-making meeting involving cultural and local stakeholders.
The inclusion secures T’nalak’s festival as the only traditional weave pattern featured in the limited commemorative collection, with only 3,000 pieces to be minted nationwide.
Of the 12 coins in the series, only three designs will represent Mindanao, underscoring the cultural significance of T’nalak at the national level.
The coin design will prominently feature the distinct T’nalak patterns, along with seven diamond symbols representing the month of July, a period linked to major Mindanao cultural celebrations such as Kaamulan in Bukidnon and Kadayawan in Davao.
Christine Joy Aclan-Pacalang, Head of the BSP–General Santos City Branch, confirmed that the commemorative coin series featuring T’nalak Festival is scheduled for launch in July 2026.
She emphasized that the decision highlights BSP’s recognition of indigenous culture as part of the country’s shared heritage.
“T’nalak will be the only weave pattern included in the entire 12-coin series,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ezabel M. Wanan, CAO I of the Regional Office, explained that the approval came after a series of consultations, which led to the issuance of a memorandum to the use of the T’nalak festival in the commemorative coin.
Reden S. Ulo, National Commission for Cultural and the Arts Commissioner, underscored that T’nalak carries meaning beyond its visual appeal.
“T’nalak is not merely a design. This is our living heritage, passed on from generation to generation,” Ulo said.
Thus, it becomes a festival that South Cotabato represents.
He highlighted the deep spiritual connection embedded in the weave, where each pattern carries symbolic meaning rooted in ancestral tradition.
“Cultural representation should be done with respect and accuracy,” he added.
The inclusion of T’nalak Festival in the BSP commemorative coin series is being viewed as a historic milestone for indigenous representation, placing a sacred Mindanao symbol onto a national platform and ensuring that T’nalak is recognized not only as an art form but as a living cultural legacy.
With the July 2026 launch approaching, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the integrity of T’nalak as it takes its place in Philippine numismatic history.
