My Glimpse of Mindanao

CEBU, Philippines - Travelling down south to Mindanao, the Land of Beauty and Promise, is such a wonderful experience. I never thought that my trip to Mindanao would be fruitful along with the 11 officers of the Barangay Councilor’s League of the Philippines-Cebu City.

It was about 5 in the morning when we arrived in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) last October 27. I enjoyed every minute of passing through the national road before reaching our destination in the Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Upon reaching the house, all of us were in good spirits as we headed to the nature-theme park, and to the Del Monte Pineapple plantation in Bukidnon. I have never seen such a large plantation!

The following day, we traveled 12 hours by land from Bukidnon to General Santos City. We passed three military check points and had time for picture taking in the beautiful sights of Bukidnon. There are various plantations like pineapple, banana, tomato and corn, on either side of the road so that the mountainous province of Bukidnon looks very refreshing and lovely indeed.

My first land trip to Mindanao made me realize how lucky I was to have been born a Filipino. I even told my colleagues that there was so much potential in Mindanao. But seriously, we did ask ourselves if it was not an insane idea to travel around Mindanao with the fear of getting kidnapped, ambushed and beheaded?

We continued as we travelled down the long stretch of the Pan-Philippine Highway, passing through the Municipality of Polomolok and Tupi before reaching the Municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Lake Sebu is surrounded by rolling hills and forested mountains and is home to the T’boli, a highland tribe famous for their colorful costumes, traditional art forms, music and dance that are well preserved.

Stories and news about the beheading and kidnapping did not stop us from enjoying that trip as it was my first time to set foot in the Cotabato area. But truly, I don’t think that Mindanao, and particularly the province of South Cotabato, is as unsafe as many other places in the world.

Just in time for our lunch at the lakeside cottage, in Punta Isla resort, we had the resort’s prime produce: TILAPIA. The restaurant specializes in native cuisine which mainly consists of tilapia dishes.

In this T’boli ancestral domain, I discovered the beauty of Lake Sebu’s Seven Falls. I have seen waterfalls and it was such a magnificent sight to behold – the seven falls, inter-connected with each other as it runs down the rugged terrain of magnificent hills. Crystal clear water from the edges of the hills has, over ages, been carved like a unique masterpiece of Nature.

As one passes through the main entrance, you will see the first waterfall named Dongon Falls or Hikong Alu. It is the most accessible and most photographed among all the seven waterfalls of Lake Sebu.

The town collects P5.00 per person at the entrance for the maintenance of the falls which is now turned into a park. It is surrounded with concrete steps for people to get a better view of the falls at different angles. They say that Falls No. 2 is the highest so far and more majestic with a height of about 100 feet.

In order to see the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th falls, one must really conquer his fear of heights. I went solo through ziplining at the Lake Sebu’s Seven Falls Zipline Center. I really enjoyed my first try. The view is just too fascinating from above. Imagine seeing the lush trees and waterfalls while you’re ziplining.

Whatever they may call Mindanao, it is still undeniably a Land of Beauty, Promise and Opportunities. I know that many things have been written and much has been said about Mindanao but personally, I have experienced Mindanao as a diverse, safe and inexpensive destination offering something different and special.

Our four-day trip in southern Mindanao would not be possible without our BCLP President Franklyn Ong, and the ANAD Partylist Rep. Pastor Alcover and Sambag II barangay councilor Lemar Alcover by allowing us to stay at their house in Bukidnon and General Santos City.