Lakwatsarah

My first ever T’nalak Festival experience happened in 2008 . Unfortunately, it was just a (half) day short as I booked my return trip to Manila the day the festivity started. Little did I know I would be missing on a lot of fun street festivity. I was able to do a quick tour though of the bahay kubo exhibit, the agri-trade fair and did last few minute pasalubong shopping inside the Protech Center. It was a very short introduction to T'nalak Festival but it sure did ignite my interest to watch the much talked about parade on my next visit.  In 2010, I made sure to catch the Street Dancing Parade . I was on the streets of Alunan by 6am before the street dancing started with the tribal music pumping the festival vibe, I was extremely excited as it was my first ever festival parade experience. But rain poured, hard. Despite that, I was totally blown away to see student performers, still in full spirits, merilly dancing in the rain draped with t'nalak costumes. I wasn’t abl...

     "Dole is our partner for progress," is the common message of local government officials as they laud on Dolefil's "exceptional" line-up of CSR activities, most especially the Alay Gabay Para sa Maginhawang Buhay Program (Alay Gabay) during this year's series of town-to-town visits (Wheelchairs Turnover Caravan) which kicked-off on June 13 at the Dolefil Gym in Polomolok, South Cotabato. Dolefil's Alay Gabay Program has been giving mobility to persons with disabilities (PWDs) and hope to their families for four (4) years now. From only 305 units and covering only two provinces in 2009, the Alay Gabay Program has become bigger this year, reaching out to over 1,800 PWDs in both the whole of SoCSKSarGen region and Bukidnon - a blessing made possible through the generosity of the Alay Gabay Golf Tournament sponsors and our friends from Westlake Village, Dole Food Company's headquarters in USA.

I am a proud Mindanaoan by birth, born in a sleepy town in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat. But I left my birthplace even before I turned 1, when both parents decided to start a family life in the bustling city of Manila. As our family members increase and plane fares became steeper, the more difficult it has been for us to travel back to province for week long visits. But when those trips happen, we make sure it would be one unforgettable travel experience. view you'll see before landing at General Santos Airport South Cotabato is Home. South Cotabato, a neighboring province of Sultan Kudarat has been our second home in Mindanao where many of my relatives live. Long before the province became famous for Seven Falls, T'boli tribe and for sheltering the most scenic zipline in the Philippines, South Cotabato, specifically the highlands of Lake Sebu has been our family's secret hideaway. A place of retreat, healing and of many happy reunions where fogs, lilies, fireflies, sw...

Getting around Lake Sebu is a total breeze (I mean literally!). You see, the province's local transportation itself known as skylab aka habal-habal is an exciting road trip experience that's definitely worth a try. Unlike other provinces, the place serves no tricycles or public utility jeeps. It's either you bring your own car or hop on the skylab experience! lake house at Lake Sebu

I woke up early on July 18, 2010. My much awaited day since I will be seeing for the very first time the T'nalak Festival Parade . With much anticipation, I walked fast the T'nalak Agri Fair and hurriedly made my way to the main street of Koronadal. At 7 in the morning, the weather isn't that great, it was gloomy. Just as the music started, the rain is slowly making its move, anxiously waiting for the big drops.

Being a self confessed fan of my beloved Lake Sebu province, I tried to creatively produce this video for tourists and travelers alike who wanted to go to Lake Sebu but is unclear of what to expect from this southern part of the region. Well if pictures tell a thousand words, then the next videos can surely inspire you to pack your bags and plan your first or next Lake Sebu trip!

On the 44th Foundation Anniversary of South Cotabato, the province celebrates its much awaited festivity - the 11th T'nalak Festival 2010 . Protech Center Entrance Gate

Standing majestically at 70 ft. high, Lake Sebu's Falls 2  of the series of Seven Falls is definitely one of the province's tourist pride. a splash of rainbow adds charm to Lake Sebu's 2nd of the 7 Falls

Dolores Farm Resort If you're from Manila and happen to be in Polomolok, South Cotabato and wanted to try something new and needed a place to stay, better take a look at Dolores Farm Resort . If you seek a taste of some animal adventure, go lake fishing, set eyes on a durian orchard, enjoy a savory seafood meal and authentic Filipino dishes, or dip in a pool surrounded by cool mountain air and fresh tall palm trees, Dolores Farm Resort will truly satisfy your senses for a fun yet relaxing stay at this awesome province.

Want to know the story behind this T'boli dance? Read our day of sharing with the T'boli Tribe 

Here are the first set of pictures taken way back early 1990s. The site then (which is now named Balben Family Cove ) is very much bare! No huts, no warm water, no concrete roads and no electricity.The place is so peaceful.

Why most extensive? Because this 2 week long vacation to our province in Mindanao is special. We've waited 10 long years for something like this to happen again. You see, it IS EXPENSIVE to travel and ride a plane especially if you have a big family, like us (9 members you might ask)!   Anyway, my family's version of a "holiday getaway" i s somewhat fresh this time. Because a lot of new things happened. But I guess what makes this trip extra special is that we were able to get in touch with as many relatives as we can, celebrated the season with parties here and there, reunions, farm visits plus our unforgettable eco-tourism activities in Lake Sebu. We have a big clan (from both sides) so were able to really take advantage of this trip, touring Tacurong City, Koronadal, Lake Sebu, Polomolok and General Santos City.  

A day of Sharing with the T'boli Tribe "Seeing the world from a different angle is a revelatory experience that adds depth and wisdom to our lives."  tribe members of Barrio Siete, Lake Sebu Spending the holiday season of 2008 with my family and relatives from the province of Mindanao left me nothing but good memories. The highlight of our Lake Sebu trip was the scheduled Gift Giving and Medical Mission to the natives from Palo Siete. It has been a yearly family tradition spearheaded by Uncle Nonoy and wife Auntie Malen who've both been actively involved in community service in Lake Sebu. But year 2008 was different, because I was there, and that was one amazing journey!

From my favorite sanctuary, the Suedad Garden in Lake Sebu, here are some of the most bizaare stories compiled during my interview with Aunt Malen. I decided to post these short stories for readers to somehow understand that mystical stories do happen, that mystical creatures do exist...and they should be given due respect as they play a huge part in the balance of nature.

Lake Sebu The summer capital of Southern Mindanao "A long time ago, a local princess had a dream of coming to the mountain lands of Sebu. The princess saw a big leaf. When she opened it up a frog leaped out along with a gush of water which flooded the land and became the lake. From the heavens she threw here pythons to the earth which formed the islands at the lake. And in order for the princess to pass by the lake, her brother parted the islands. The name Sebu actually came from the loyal servant of the princess who fell and died on this lake during his service."