Rosebell Ungkal

Rosebell Ungkal is a T’boli artisan from Lake Sebu who practices Mdu, the traditional T’boli art of braiding. She began learning the craft in 2019 under the guidance of her mother-in-law, first observing each step before gradually mastering the small braided loops that form the foundation of her work.

Today, Rosebell creates beklew (necklaces), earrings, lembaley, and other handcrafted pieces. Working with nylon twine and locally available materials, she braids each component by hand before carefully connecting them into finished designs. A matching necklace and earring set can take around a week to complete, reflecting the patience, precision, and concentration behind every piece.

For Rosebell, Mdu is also a space for creativity. She continues to develop her own designs while building on the techniques she has learned through years of practice. One of her proudest milestones was receiving a commission from her local government office, an experience that affirmed the value of her work within her own community.

Looking ahead, Rosebell hopes to establish a creative business of her own, producing T’boli-inspired pieces through original designs while continuing to grow her practice as a Mdu artisan.