Ubun na Kettal is the youth program of the Malita Tagakaulo Mission. “Ubun” is a Tagakolu word that means “to take care of,” “to tend,” or “to be responsible for.” “Kettal” is that which defines something or someone’s identity. For the Tagakolu, what defines them as a people is their culture. Ubun na kettal, thus, means those who have been charged or who have taken it upon themselves to care for the Tagakolu culture.
Upon the recommendation of Marites Gonzalo, the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) sought the help of iEmergence, an international NGO based in Davao City helping Indigenous communities, to help design a youth program. After long consultations with various Tagakolu communities under the care of the Malita Tagakaulo Mission in 2014, the program formally began in 2015 in two communities in Matamis, Demoloc and in Kalatagan, Datu Danwata. It was initially called Indigenous Youth Leadership (IYL) and was later renamed Ubun na Kettal after having consulted Tagakolu elders and youth alike. As of 2019, the Ubun na Kettal is present in seven (7) communities.
The program provides a venue for the Tagakolu elders and youth to come together to share and learn about as well as celebrate what is good and beautiful in the Tagakolu culture well aware that it is a gift from Tyumanem (God). Its aim is to form leaders that are rooted in their culture and well aware of the changing world around them. iEmergence continues to be an invaluable partner of the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ) and the Malita Tagakaulo Mission in continuing this youth program.