Foods to die for in Region 12

1.       TILAPIA

As you visit Lake Sebu, you shouldn’t miss the 50 different kinds of dishes mainly made of tilapia! Some examples would be the Chicharon Tilapia, you could enjoy the view of Lake Sebu as you take a bite of this crispy Chicharon Tilapia

www.libotero.com

2.  NILAGANG TILAPIA

             It’s a big bowl of soup with three tilapia that you could enjoy with your friends! 

http://www.pinterest.com

3. NILASING NA TILAPIA

           Another tilapia dish famous in the region is the Nilasing na Tilapia. It’s just like the dish nilasing na hipon, but with tilapia! I know that the word “nilasing” would be enough to entice most foodies to try it, but the reason they keep ordering it is its taste. 

http://myjourneytolife.info

4. BEEF SININA

Cotabato’s beef stew that you would love. It has a twist that is different from other beef stews because it is the Maguindanaoans local version of Filipino beef stew! It is widely served in Cotabato City.

“SININA – a traditional Muslim delicacy that is usually served during festivities or what we normally call “Kanduli”. Traditionally served with tenderized goat meat and served without vegetables but, to be more appealing to the young ones and those who are health conscious, one can either add potatoes or carrots. The Sinina is indeed one multi-ethnicity Filipino cuisine!” -www.bublews.com

http://alantooth.wordpress.com

 5. FRIED CATFISH

VE-JR IHAW IHAW located in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. This restaurant is really famous because of its delightful fried catfish dishes. The resto has their own pond full of catfishes. You could choose from fried or grilled catfish dishes! No worries, their catfish is really fresh and clean!

http://www.pinasmuna.com

6. MARANG

If you don’t want the smell of Durian, the Marang could be your next favorite fruit. It tastes even sweeter than the Durian! A small piece is worth P15 to P20 in Sultan Kudarat.

https://smokebear.wordpress.com

 7. PASTEL

A steamed rice topped with flaked chicken, beef, or tuna that is wrapped in banana leaves. It is also best if paired with hard boiled egg. This delicacy is loved by most locals in Cotabato City and tourists of the province, and it is also sold at bus stations. This is worth P8- P10, it’s really affordable!

www.sezsers.wordpress,com

 8. GRILLED TUNA AND TUNA TACOS TOPPED WITH CHEESE

Since GenSan is known for being the tuna capital of the Philippines, grilled tuna and tuna tacos must be tried! You can get this from BigBen Steaks and Grills for a unique experience. It is one of the most favorite restaurants in the province, located in Robinsons Mall.

http://journeyingjames.com

 9. CALDERETA RICE

Glutinous white rice cooked with Maggi Magic Sarap, liver spread, corn and peas. It has a long cooking time, but it’s sure worth the wait. A must try for the adventurous foodie in Region 12.

http://darkfat.blogspot.com

 10. TINAGTAG

It is made of ground rice and sugar, mixed with a little bit of water. This glutinous mixture cooked then folded like a taco. It is best eaten with either milk or coffee or even a mixture of both! You can find this in Brgy. Tuyan, Malapatan, Saragani.

http://www.mindanews.com

SOURCES:
www.mindanews.com
www.ironwulf.net
www.journeyingjames.com
www.thefoodieschoice.com
www.choosephilippines.com
http://ati.da.gov.ph

THE 10 NATURE'S GIFTS IN SOCCSKSARGEN

1. THE  AWE-INSPIRING GUMASA BEACH IN SARANGANI

www.tropicalvacationspotblog.com

As I said on my previous post, the Gumasa beach is dubbed as the “Small Boracay of Mindanao”. As you walk along the shore, you will be greeted by the relaxing view of sparkling white sand, crystal clear water and you will be caressed by the cool breeze coming from the pristine and beautiful ocean. This is a perfect place for a vacation with family or friends because you won’t be surrounded by a very large crowd and a lot of urban developments to ruin the mood. This place is the destination for you if you’re looking for some quiet time and relaxation. Also, up early to gaze upon the beautiful sunrise when you’re at Gumasa beach!

You won’t have a hard time looking a place to stay in because there are lots of inns around the place. The place is also an hour’s drive from General Santos City.

ph.news.yahoo.com

2. THE IMPRESSIVE MT. APO NATIONAL PARK, KIDAPAWAN, NORTH COTABATO

www.mtapoadventures.com

 Mount Apo is considered as the highest mountain in the Philippines and it is also known as the “Grandfather of all mountains”. The local tribes or the Bagobos in the place worship the mountain because they believe in the gods of Apo, and the Bagobos call it Sandawa or “Mountain of Sulphur”. Mount Apo is an active volcano and mountain climbers love to hike on this mountain because of the beautiful attractions you would see as you climb the mountain, you would experience a lot of adventures and see different creatures in the mountain. The easiest way to reach the summit is through the Kidapawan Trail which is lined with flowers. The path is where you would also discover unique bodies of water, such as Lake Agco, where cold and hot springs collide, then the Marbel River, then Lake Venado which is 2,194 meters above sea level. You would also meet a lot of curopus and playful wild animals such as monkeys, and it is also home to our very own Philippine eagle.

www.explorecotabato.blogspot.com

www.southcotabato.org

3. THE MAJESTIC ASIK-ASIK FALLS IN ALAMADA, COTABATO

www.hikersitch.com

Water falls lover? Well, this falls is a must-visit for you! Be enthralled by this beautiful falls with your family and friends!

You  could take a jeepney or a van for 20-30 minutes from Midsayap to Alamada for only 50 pesos. You may also want to ride a motorcycle or the “habal-habal” going to Sitio Dulao, Brgy. Dado and feel the excitement of 1 hour and 20 minutes from the entry point down to the falls. Be sure not to miss out on this unique experience!

www.ironwulf.com

4.    THE AMAZING PANGI RIVER IN SARANGANI

www.sarangani.gov.ph

 Have you tried the Rio Grande Rapids in Enchanted Kingdom or the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure in Universal Studios? Well… we have our very own natural rapids adventure in New La Union Maitum, Sarangani Province! This would be more exhilarating than the rides because this river is natural! It would be a wild 1.6 kilometers ride over rocks and white water! Pangi River is a great destination for water tubing because it’s the biggest water tubing location and has a clean river system that guarantees you a very thrilling, heart pumping yet fun adventure! Remember, Natural experience is more fun!

www.peopleedition.com

5.   THE TREMENDOUS TUKA MARINE PARK, SARANGANI

www.yousaytoo.com

 Want to avoid the pressure of urban life? Want to see something you would never see in the city?  Then visit the Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba, Sarangani! It is a protected area where fishing is banned. There are four coves in this place, and only the Tuka Cove 2 is open to the public. The sparkling white sand and an overwhelming coral garden that is just a few meters away from the coast is a must see, and snorkeling and diving is perfect in this place! You would see big fish and colorful corals as you snorkel or dive. For only a hundred pesos, you would be able to rent snorkeling equipment. Plus, you wouldn’t see or hear cars and public transportation vehicles, so this is place offer a tranquil hideaway from your hectic city life.

To get here, rent a boat for 1,500 which accommodates 15 people

.

www.southcotabato.org

6. THE REMARKABLE KUTAWATO CAVES

www.flickr.com

 Kutawato caves is really one of a kind because it can only be found in the “Heart of Mindanao- Cotabato City”. These caves were also the reason behind the present name of the city, “kuta” means fort and “wato” means stone, as said on my previous post.

The caves have several entrances but only four are open to tourists. The gaping mouth entrance offers a distinctive experience! This cave is historical because the Filipino guerillas have used this as a garrison to fight against the Japanese invaders during World War II. As you enter the Bagua cave entrance, you would see mud, ponds and a large group of bats. It would really be astonishing when you experience being inside a historical cave!

www.teamqphotography.photoshelter.com

7. THE OVERWHELMING SEVEN FALLS IN LAKE SEBU, SOUTH COTABATO

www.kodakerdabawenya.com

You will be overwhelmed when you visit a place where you will enjoy nature in it’s full splendor, full of surprises and awesomeness; a place where you could forget about the stresses in life, and a place where nature-lovers unite.

South Cotabato is a prime eco-tourism destination; and not surprisingly, Lake Sebu is one of the destinations that nature-loving tourists visit. 

www.pbase.com

 Lake Sebu is described as the “Little Baguio” of Mindanao because of the cold air that will embrace your body. Lake Sebu is home to the seven falls namely Hikong ali (paasage falls), hikong bente (immeasurable, the tallest), hikong b’lebed (zigzag falls), hikong lowig (booth), hikong k’fo-I (wild flower), hikong ukol (short falls), and hikong tonok (soil).

You could ride the zipline as said in my previous post, where you can view the falls from the top! Also, get the chance to meet the T’bolis! I’m sure you would love to have new friends that have a different culture from yours!

8.  THE AWESOME WORLD-CLASS LAGBASAN CAVE IN SULTAN KUDARAT

www.southcotabato.org

You would be surprised that one of the Philippines’ caves is considered as a world class cave by the specialist Glen Malliet from the United States Speleological Society. The Lagbasan cave is located at the municipality of Sen. Ninoy Aquino in the province of Sultan Kudarat. It is located 20 km from the barangay hall, then another 1km of trekking through the Lagpasan Pass. The opening hole is a 3 feet wide and 6 feet length and getting into the chamber requires a 10 meter descent.

The cave got its name from a mountain pass that was used by the natives in Barangay Kuden in Sen. Ninoy Aquino, to go to the town proper and back to their mountain community. 

The cave has two huge cathedral-like chambers, filled with cave formations like dripstones and cave crystals. According to some tourists, it is the most preserved cave that they have been to.

www.twelveinchesbehind.com

For me, it’s a mystery why and how the cave has formed such thing like these stone formations.  The cave was first discovered by Mr. Charito Santiago when a farmer reported that there were birds coming out from a hole on the side of the mountain. The formation inside the cave is very rare, and you wouldn’t see something like this in any other cave! This is really one of a kind! Also, you are not allowed to touch anything white inside the cave or else, you might kill the cave!

If you plan to visit this cave, you must first coordinate with the provincial tourism office. Also, be ready for some trekking! Visiting a place like this wouldn’t be fun if there’s no adventure!

www.portaltotheplateau.com

9. THE AMUSING BAT SANCTUARY IN SARANGANI

ph.geoview.info

 You would be amused if you knew that the “largest bat in the world” could be seen flying every night in brgy. Pinol, Maitum Town in Sarangani! They are called Pteropus vampyrus, or “Giant flying foxes”. These bats look like a dog or a fox when you look at them up-close. But wait… they are not harmful, they are not the kind of bat who suck your blood, but they are the ones who feed on nectars and fruits. They are crowned as “The giant golden crowned flying fox bats” by the wildlife experts!

www.galleryhip.com

10. THE EXQUISITE NOPOL HILLS IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY

www.panoramio.com

This highest camping ground gives you a good view of Sarangani Bay and the neighboring towns. Because of this stunning view, you would enjoy hiking and trekking with your family and friends during the afternoon to capture the beautiful sunset in Nopol Hills!




Sources:

www.ecoearth.info

www.hikersitch.com

www.langyaw.com

www.wayph.com

www.choosephilippines.com

www.philippinesmyphilippines.com

www.visitmyphilippines.com

www.cotabatoprov.gov.ph

www.traverseph.blogspot.com
www.m.roughguides.com

5 BEST THINGS TO DO IN SOCCSKSARGEN

    1. Glide through the air when you ride the zipline at Seven Falls in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Have you ever tried walking along the magnificence and serenity of waterlily and lotus paths?  Well… That’s only a bonus when you visit Lake Sebu! The most exciting thing you can do when you visit Lake Sebu is riding the zipline while seeing the seven falls of the lake.

The falls have T’boli names, the Hikong Ali (Passage Falls), Hikong Bente (Immeasurable, the tallest), Hikong B’lebed (Coil or Zigzag Falls), Hikong Lowig (Booth), Hikong K’ Fo-i (Wild Flower, where wild flowers are seen), Hikong Ukol (Short falls, the shortest fall), and  Hikong Tonok (Soil).

 I’m sure that after the exhilarating zipline ride, you would most definitely crave more!  Gliding along with the birds is an amazing feeling that you will experience nowhere else. The zipline is considered as the highest and longest zipline in the Philippines, the Hikong Bente, known as the tallest fall with a height of 70 feet. So, if you’re brave enough to get as high as this, it is truly a one of a kind experience!

http://journeyingjames.com

http://southcotabatonews.org

http://4shared.com

2. Wondering how the T’nalak is made? Learn how to weave it yourself!

It would be memorable if you learn how to make a T’nalak, one of the most treasured products in South Cotabato, a product that is surely unique in the culture of the T’bolis, and you can even make your own personal touches to the one you take home by adding them yourself.  I’m sure you would not want to miss an experience like this!  You would not be surprised that the T’nalak is not easy to make because of its intricate designs, it takes days, or even weeks, for one person to finish it. The T’boli are also called the “The dream weavers” because they weave what they dream of! Every single T’nalak that is made is distinctive and unique. Most of their designs are relative to the T’boli’s life and culture; and this makes this cloth really revered. Plus, you would have the chance to meet and get to know more about the people behind these T’nalak cloths!

http://tboli.globalmatters.com

http://thetravelkit.com

3.  Relax, walk, snorkel, swim, dive, and more…  The Gumasa beach a.k.a  “Small Boracay of the South” is the one for you!

 The Gumasa beach is flaunted as the “Small Boracay of the South”, located in Sarangani Province. 

But what makes it different? You can relax without the noises; you would just hear the sound of the waves, and breathe the fresh air from the sea.

The Gumasa beach is like Boracay decades ago, before the influx of high class hotels and megabars, clean and pristine. And if I were to choose from the two beaches, I would choose Gumasa beach where I can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, kayaking and of course…..

RELAXING, without the noise and pollution that comes with the urbanization of natural places. If you want some quiet time for yourself, well this beach would let you have it. You could do walking along the white sand, sparkling coastline and crystal clear water of the beach. Also, feel free to watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset at the beach; I’m sure you would feel like you’re in a paradise!

There are many resorts in Gumasa to choose from so you wouldn’t have a hard time looking for one!

http://entravel.com

http://rappler.com

http://acrosdayunibers.com

4. One, two, three… SHOT! Bird watching in Baras Bird Sanctuary.

Visit the home of rare and endemic birds, such as the Philippine Eagle, Philippine Hornbill, Brahiminy Kite, and many more! Also, if you are lucky, you may chance upon seeing thousands of migratory birds visiting the sanctuary. You would see 20,000 migratory birds flying along the sanctuary. Their population keeps on multiplying because they never stop hatching eggs. This attraction is a must-see for those who like animals, especially bird-watchers. If you love photography, this place would give you the chance to capture your best shots of lots of species of birds up close!  Unlike other sanctuaries, you could walk along the place to see the birds up-close. The best time to capture photos would be during early mornings and late afternoons! PLUS… the environmental group described the sanctuary as “Compared to nothing like in the Philippines”.

A young black crowned night Heron
http://nomadperspectives.com

http://tacurongcity.net

5.  Something fishy…  Join the generals at their Tuna Festival every September!

Would you join the generals?

The locals and tourists alike celebrate thanksgiving for the bountiful tuna found along GenSan’s coast. The festival is celebrated every September 5th, and it is a week-long festival. Local companies parade floats that people can ride, and there is a street dance competition, and a beauty contest, dubbed, the Search for Mutya ng Mindanao 2014.

Most likely, the tuna in the sashimis you have eaten all this time are from GenSan! You would want to buy your own tuna fish here for only P300-P500 per kilo. WOW! 

So come join the party of the generals! I’m sure you wouldn’t want to miss a party like this, party animals! 

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

http://southcotabato.org

Sources:

http://lakwatsero.com

http://journeyingjames.com

http://www.thepinaysolobackpacker.com

http://www.choosephilippines.com

http://thetravelteller.com

http://www.wayph.com

http://www.nomadperspectives.com

http://www.southcotabato.org

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

ALL ABOUT SOCCSKSARGEN

What comes to mind when you hear the word Soccsksargen?

Most people would say nothing, because this region is not familiar to them. What they don't know is that they are missing out on one of the most diverse and culturally rich regions in the country. Soccsksargen region consists of the provinces South Cotabato(SOC), Cotabato(C), Sultan Kudarat(SK), Sarangani(SAR) and General Santos(GEN). Soccsksargen is the home of the T'boli tribe, one of the most colorful and musically inclined tribes in the country, and boasts a booming economy based on agriculture and fishing, and a lot more unexpected attractions waiting to be discovered.

The provinces of the region are located in Central Mindanao of the Philippines.

source: onlineservices.da.org.ph

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COTABATO(North)

source: en.wikipedia.org

We wonder where the word "Cotabato" came from...

Cotabato derived its name from the word "kuta wato" meaning "stone fort" which served as the seat of the great Sultan Kudarat.  Cotabato before was the largest province in Mindanao, but South Cotabato was separated from the province in year 1966. And now, North Cotabato is called Cotabato.  This province is known for being the food basket of Mindanao because it is a major producer of cereals, sugarcane, coconut and coffee. It also produces sand, gravel, and white clay, which is a good raw material used in the production of porcelain.

source: cotabatoprov.gov.ph

Languages spoken are Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Maguindanao, Cebuano and Chavacano. Dominant religion are Roman Catholic and  Islam. Cotabato has a total land area of 656,590 hectares. It is the largest in terms of land area among the provinces of Region 12. It is composed of 17 municipalities and one city, Kidapawan City, which is the capital.

And most importantly, it is really easy to get here!

Just by air, there are direct flights from Manila to Cotabato City.

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SOUTH COTABATO

source: en.wikipedia.org

South Cotabato has 10 municipalities and 2 cities, with Koronadal City as the capital. Most of the province's land area has been devoted to agricultural purposes; mainly for the production of crops such as rice, corn, pineapple, asparagus, coconut, banana, cotton, and mango, and the Dole Philippines pineapple plantation is one of the major tourist attractions of the province. People from the region speak HIligaynon, Cebuano, Tagalog and English. South Cotabato is known for being the home province of the T'boli tribe or what we call the dream weavers. The product that they weave is called the "T'nalak" which is one of the popular products of South Cotabato. The tribe also makes bead-works, woven baskets and traditional bass ornaments.

source: malasimbofestival.com

How to get here?

There are daily flights from Manila to General Santos City and from there, you could rent a cab going to Koronadal City.

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SULTAN KUDARAT

source: en.wikipedia.org

Sultan kudarat is located in the southwestern part of mindanao, and was named after Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, one of the greatest leaders who ruled this area under the Sultanate of Maguindanao. It is composed of 11 municipalities and 1 city, with the municipality of Isulan as its capital. It has a total land area of 4783.1898 square kilometers, composed of flat plains lined with mountain ranges. People from sultan kudarat speak 84 dialects, with Hiligaynon and Ilonggo being the main languages. Sultan kudarat relies on agriculture and the sea to sustain its economy. It produces most types of crops grown in the country, and is one of the few places that produce irish potatoes in the philippines. Fish caught in the province include various marine, brackish water or fresh water fish, and the high quality tuna caught along the coasts are exported to japan and europe.

source: dantedalabajan.wordpress.com

How to get here?

There are daily flights from Manila to General Santos or Cotabato City and from there, Sultan Kudarat is accessible via major highways.

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SARANGANI

source: en.wikipedia.org

Sarangani is located at the Southernmost tip of Mindanao, and it has a total land area of 4,100.42 square kilometers. Sarangani has seven municipalities, with Alabel as the provincial capital. Sarangani was once part of South Cotabato, but it became an independent province in the year 1992. Major agricultural products of the province include coconut, banana, sugarcane, corn and durian. It is also rich in precious metals, such as gold, copper, iron, and it also produces silica, coal, marble and white pebbles. Early inhabitants of the province were called the "MunaTo" which means "first people". People from this region have many dialects such as  Cebuano, Ilocano and Ilonggo depending on the area.

Also, our very own boxing champion is the congressman of this province! He has his own farm in Sarangani called "Pacman Farm".

source: sarangani.gov.ph

You would also be surprised to know that this province is a typhoon-free province! 

How to get here?

There are daily flights from Manila to General Santos City and from there, go to KCC mall and take the shuttles bound for Sarangani

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GENERAL SANTOS

source: en.wikipedia.org

General Santos or GenSan is part of the province South Cotabato and is the first congressional district in the province. It is known as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines", and the fishing industry has greatly contributed to their economy.

source: mindanews.com

The people of GenSan are called the Generals or the Henerals. Its total land area is 536.01 square kilometers, and it has varying terrain, ranging from flat plains to scattered hills. GenSan is composed of 26 barangays and it is occupied by 538,086 Generals, making it the 15th most populated city in the country. Cebuano is the most widely spoken language in the city. But Generals also speak English and Tagalog as their medium in schools and business communication. This province is really famous because it is the hometown of our very own boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao.

Getting here is really easy because there are daily flights from Manila to General Santos City

Sources:

Cotabato

South Cotabato

Sultan Kudarat

Sarangani

General Santos