South Cotabato Itinerary, Backpacking in Mindanao


Introduction

The Province of South Cotabato is situated in Region 12, commonly known as the Soccsksargen Region. And in the "bowl of forests and mountains" of this province, there's a hidden beauty and charm called Lake Sebu. It is one of the stunning municipalities that's hard to resist. For sure, it is one of the "traveller's bucket lists." Also, their culture and traditions are preserved; these are still intact and still being practised. With the natural wonders, culture and traditions combined, this paradise was recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape.


How to Get to South Cotabato:

  1. By Air: Book a flight from Manila to General Santos City Airport, the nearest airport in the province. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have their regular flights to GES.
  2. At the airport, take a ride to Bulaong Terminal.
  3. Ride in a van to Lake Sebu.
  4. In Lake Sebu, ride on a habal-habal to your destination.

Lake Sebu Tourist Spots:

  1. Lotus Farm
  2. T'Boli Museum
  3. I Love Lake Sebu Signboard
  4. Seven Falls
  5. T'nalak Weaving
  6. Evelandia Lake Vista

9 Days Solo-Backpacking in Mindanao

Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat
Maguidanao, North Cotabato, Surigao del Norte,
Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Sur

Photo: Lotus Farm, Lake Sebu.

  • Lotus Farm

    • Entrance Fee: Free
    • Canoe Rental: 200 Pesos.

Early in the morning, while the cold wind was blowing, I was brought to the Lotus Farm. we visited this spot at around 6 in the morning to witness the blooming of the Pink Lotus flowers floating on the waters of the lake. According to my guide, initially, there were 3 types of Lotus Flower planted, but only the pink ones survived. A manual canoe is used to go to the spot of the Lotus flowers.

Photo: T'Boli Museum, Lake Sebu.

  • T'Boli Museum

    • Entrance Fee: 20 Pesos

Our visit to Lotus Farm was followed by the T'Boli Museum. During our visit, it was still closed but Jorie had it opened for us. The architecture of the museum is also based on traditional houses. What's inside are the gongs used for different occasions, outfits made of T'nalak (a hand-woven fabric), accessories and many other antiques that were used by the locals for agriculture.

Photo of a tourist enjoying the stunning views of Lake Sebu.

  • I Love Lake Sebu Signboard

    • It's by the highway, and you can easily see it. Picture perfect.
Photo: Me, wearing T'nalak Cloth.

  • The Seven Falls

    • Entrance Fee: 20 Pesos
    • Seven Falls Zip Line: 350 Pesos

The 7 Waterfalls and Zipline are probably one of the most visited spots in Lake Sebu. It is where visitors can strike a pose wearing a T'nalak with the Hiking Alu or Falls 1 in the background. If you want something thrilling, try the zip line and witness the beauty of the rest of the waterfalls. Souvenir shops and food stalls are available in the area.

Picture with Sebulan Dulay, Lang Dulay's successor.

  • T'nalak Weaving

    • The Dreamweaver
    • Entrance Fee: Free, Donation

A special visit to the house of Lang Dulay, a former National Living Treasure awardee for the T'nalak weaving, was an honour. By the way, T'nalak is a traditional hand-woven fabric made from refined abaca fibre. This type of fabric got attention worldwide because it is done through a manual process. Still, the finished product has amazing and unique patterns that are usually based on Lang Dulay's dream - the reason why she was called the "Dreamweaver."

Photo: The stunning view of Lake Sebu.

  • Evelandia Lake Vista

    • Entrance Fee: 30 Pesos

Our last destination was Evelandia Lake Vista. It is the perfect place to relax because there is a clear and wide view of the lake, with the mountains and farmlands in one frame. It is a relaxing spot because it is surrounded by luscious greens, and the breeze is cool. If you're lucky, you will see people paragliding. Paragliding is definitely a must-try. To know more, you can contact 09327694156, 09177121868 and 09285247349.


Other Tourist Spots in South Cotabato:

  1. Lake Holon
  2. Mt. Matutum
  3. Pineapple Plantation
  4. General Santos Tuna Port


Photo taken at the SLT Homestay.

Where to Stay in Lake Sebu:

  1. SLT Homestay
  2. Sunrise Garden Lake Resort
  3. Ramfels Paradise Resort

There are a few choices of places to stay; just search online or Google Maps. I always wanted a unique experience, so I stayed at the prominent SLT Homestay or School of Living Tradition, just 5 minutes from the terminal. For an overnight stay, I paid 350 pesos with a free breakfast. This place is searchable on Google Maps. You can contact them on 09354569359.

The architecture of SLT Homestay is based on the cultural wooden houses in the area; it has a spacious interior made of local and handcrafted products and musical instruments. Anything inside the house is unique. Maybe it's the reason why it was chosen as the place where Catriona had her video shoot for Miss Universe. Anyway, I learned something very important: to show respect and as a common courtesy, sleepers and shoes are left outside, like the Japanese and Korean.


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