The Subanens is the largest non-Muslim tribe in Mindanao. This tribal group is indigenous to the Zamboanga Peninsula area, particularly living in the mountainous areas of Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental. The name “subanen” came from the word, “suba” which means river and the suffix “nen” indicates a locality or place of origin. Thus, Subanen means “a person or people of the river.” The name implies that these people originally lived along riverbanks in the lowlands. However, due to disturbances and competitions from other settlers and lowlanders, this peace-loving tribe is now found to be residing in the mountains.

The Subanens are semi-nomadic people, moving from one location to another to clear more forest for fields. They cultivate crops, with rice as the most important crop, but they are also known to raise livestock including pigs, chickens, cattle, and water buffaloes. Subanen houses are built along hillsides and ridges overlooking family fields. The homes are usually rectangular and raised on stilts with thatched roofs.

The Subanens believe in a Supreme Being called “Megbebaya” (the One who exercise control). They believe that this Supreme Being is unapproachable and the diwatas or spirits who dwell on rocks, trees and rivers are the ones in whom they have to deal with. Through their “belian” or shaman they offer sacrifices of chicken, egg or pig to these spirits in order to gain favor or appease them.

New Tribes Mission of the Philippines began working among the Central Subanens in 1992 through Rene and Gemma Padrelanan. About this time, the completion of the New Testament in Sinubanen language, which was started two decades ago by SIL missionaries, Robert and Felicia Brichoux, was already nearing completion.

With the coming of other missionaries to help in church planting work, a local church emerged in Titik, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte on 1995. From this congregation a local Bible school was formed to train Subanen believers to reach its own people. Five Subanen believers; two couples and a single man were the first batch who finished the course. They are now assigned in different barangays of Zamboanga del Norte. As a result, two more local churches were planted: one in San Pedro, in the town of Godod and another one in Dagohoy, Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. Other NTMPI missionaries, Joel and Rose Guemo, started church planting work in Liguiran, one of the barangays of Sindangan.