The T'boli has been classified as a people in the mature in the hunting-gathering stage while being already horticulturists. Hunting used to be one of the prime sources of T'boli livelihood, supplying theme with wild pigs, deer, monkeys, snakes, frogs, birds, and bats. The forests have also supplied theme with rattan, bamboo, wax, honey, and other wild fruits and plants for their own use and as items for barter with neighboring groups and lowlanders. The rivers, lakes, and streams of the region supply them with fish, shrimps, and snails caught with fishing rods, spears, nets, and other traps. Ducks are also raised along lakeshores.
The T'boli practice kaingin or taniba (slash-and-burn) method of cleaning land for farming. Fields usually cleared on hilltops where T'boli establishes their homesteads. They plant corn, upland rice, sweet potatoes, and various vegetables. They raise domestic animals the most distinctive being horses, which enjoy a singular stature. Possession of horses is an indicator of financial and social prestige. Much of the producer is kept for the use of the household; some to barter with certain necessities like salt. The T'boli is also skilled in textile weaving and metalwork which enable them to produce the distinctive T'boli cloth known T'nalak and various metal artifacts ranging from swords to musical instruments and figurines.
Progressive contact with Christian lowlander's pattern T'boli life. Increasingly , T'boli hunting grounds have been constricted by expanding Christian communities in the lowlands . Barter is also giving way to a money economy. Household utensils, cosmetics and certain fabrics are already being bought from stores in the lowlands, rather than made by the T'boli households or bartered from other tribes. Lately, the sale of T'boli products has became a profitable business; the products are sold to tourists or sent to outlets around the country.
Pressure has also been brought to bear upon the T'boli to open up theire lands to contract-growing schemes for pineapple and other cash crops, a strategy adopted by the local government for lowlands Christian farmers who have either abandoned their traditional crops or become employees of giants multinational fruit companies like Del Monte. The upland climate and soil of the T'boli homelands have been determined to be suitable for pineapple, coffee, and cacao.
