Tag: SOCCSKSARGEN

Travel Mindanao | Lake Seloton: Hello Sunrise, Good Bye Lake Sebu

Post author By Ferdz
Post date March 28, 2014
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Catching what's left of the sunrise — Catching what’s left of the sunrise

Sometimes it’s disheartening to see a place change. There are times when places are best not seen again as not to ruin the initial perception of a place. Like love at first sight, when emotions run high and the amazing sense of bewilderment how something could captivate your being without understanding. Sometimes it’s beyond words, like how the placidness of a lake can calms one’s inner being. How a wisp of mist gently dances above the water can hypnotise. How the light plays with your vision. Such is the morning at Lake Seloton when I first experienced the place. However, things have slightly changed on my recent visit.

Tags Lake Sebu, Lake Seloton, Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Sunrise, TravelMindanao

Philippines South Cotabato Travel Waterfalls

Travel Mindanao | Lake Sebu Zipline and The Seven Falls

Post author By Ferdz
Post date March 26, 2014
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Lake Sebu has seen its share of development in the years. Apart from the tranquil three lakes in this land of dreamweavers, the Lake Sebu Zipline has been a big draw — being the highest in the country and personally the most scenic as well. The #TravelMindanao team of course wouldn’t miss experiencing this one. Even if I had rode the Lake Sebu Zipline before, I was still excited to try it again. The group headed to Hikong Alu, the first of the seven falls in Lake Sebu where the jump-off for the zipline is stationed.

Tags Lake Sebu, Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, TravelMindanao, Zipline

Cotabato City Philippines Travel

Cotabato City: People’s Palace and Al Nor Complex Changing Lifestyle

Post author By Ferdz
Post date June 14, 2012
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The People's Palace, seat of the local government in Cotabato City

If one would imagine Cotabato City solely from how media paints it to be, I would picture people cowering in fear hiding in their homes, areas devastated by bomb blast or probably a war zone (now that is exaggerating a bit). But being there is different. I didn’t have heightened alarms ringing in my head like when I was in Basilan during an election period, and I see people, families happily going around the street. Yes there are military check points for safety purposes but threats to security won’t stop this city from developing, especially with the people striving for a change. With the old structures are new establishments changing the way Cotabateños live.

Tags Cotabato City, Landmarks, Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN

Cotabato City Philippines Travel

Cotabato City: The Traditional Way of Brassware Making

Post author By Ferdz
Post date June 11, 2012
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The brassware tradition of Cotabato City

Many would be familiar with the ancient musical instrument kulintang, consisting of rows of graduated pots laid horizontally in ascending pitch. We admire at its sound that have graced cultural presentations, yet are we aware of how it was made? Kulintang, gongs and even the elaborate designs of a Muslim jar are brasswares popularly made in Mindanao, particularly the oldest city in the region, Cotabato City. I visited Baranggay Kalanganan for the Cotabato Maguindanao Brassware Association Incorporated to see how a community painstakingly continues an age-old tradition, dating back to the Sultanate days, of making high quality brassware.

Tags Arts, Cotabato City, Culture, Mindanao, People, SOCCSKSARGEN

Cotabato City Philippines Travel

Cotabato City: Keeping the Inaul Weaving Tradition Alive

Post author By Ferdz
Post date June 7, 2012
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“This one took me about 2 weeks to finish” the woman weaver told me as she showed a golden angular pattern on a clean white sheet. The pattern is called sugkip, a tipas (slanting) design touted as the most complicated of Inaul Weaving designs that it takes 2-3 people to weave. I inspected the pattern in awe as I ponder its intricacies. Cotabato City may not have much in terms of natural attractions but cultural products such as the Inaul, a Maguindanaon hand-woven fabric, is particularly sought-after for its quality and beauty.

Tags Cotabato City, Culture, Mindanao, People, SOCCSKSARGEN, Weaving

Cotabato City Philippines Rivers Travel

Cotabato City: The Bustling Market Scene by Matampay River

Post author By Ferdz
Post date June 4, 2012
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Early morning at the Bagsakan by Matampay River

Without any vast lands to cultivate in this small Cotabato City, Trade and Commerce is the main livelihood in the city. With its strategic location, found at the heart of Mindanao, it is easy to travel to different points of Mindanao from the city, making it a popular transit and drop-off point for goods before bringing them to other areas. Staying at Don Rufino St, near and Parallel, Matampay River, a tributary of Rio Grande River, I visited the riverside “Bagsakan (drop-off)” and discovered a lively market scene filled with a splash of local colors.

Tags Cotabato City, Market, Mindanao, People, SOCCSKSARGEN

Cotabato City Philippines Travel

Cotabato City: Tamontaka Church and Kutang Bato Cave Connection

Post author By Ferdz
Post date May 31, 2012
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Kutang Bato, the cave where the city was named

Wandering around the streets of Cotabato City, It’s easy to assume that the city is predominantly a Muslim country with many minarets and crescent moons from Mosques jutting out from the city skyline. In fact, if it weren’t for the Hijab (women’s headscarf), it’s hard to tell whether one is Muslim or Christian. Both religions have been deeply intermingled since the birth of Muslim and Christianity in Mindanao. The Tamontaka Church, the oldest church in the city, stands in testimony on the harmonious co-existence of both religions.

Tags Caves, Churches, Cotabato City, Heritage, History, Islam, Mindanao, Muslim, SOCCSKSARGEN