Of the thousands of islands that make up the Philippine Archipelago, the grouping of islands in the south, known as Mindanao, is the largest and contains one of the Philippines most important watersheds, Lake Sebu. Surrounded by rainforests, the shores and mountain slopes around this vital lake are home to many significant tribal groups. The T'boli are known for their extraordinary woven fabrics, embroidery, beadwork and brassware are one of the last remaining tribes whose customs and traditions are still preserved.

Among the many tribal groups in the Philippines, the T'boli are renowned for their personal adornment, and heir tribal ethos includes strong philosophies about the importance of beauty. They can be recognized by their distinct and colorful clothing made of t’nalak, a specially woven earth-tone cloth covered with bright embroidery, and their many body adornments consisting of jewelry, headdresses, tattoos and facial ornamentation. Because they consider white teeth unattractive, they embellish theirs with tree bark sap and occasionally gold. Women wear fancy hairdos with combs and beads and, during travel and farming, a large circular hat made of woven bamboo and vibrantly colored fabrics.