SoCCSKSarGen-BARMM-Davao Solo Trip

Mindanao is a beautiful island at the southern part of Philippine archipelago. As the second largest island of our country, it hosts three major demographic groups or what they call tri-people living in harmony: Christians (mostly immigrants from Luzon and Visayas), Lumad (un-Islamized and un-Christianized indigenous people of Mindanao), and Moros (Islamized people of Mindanao).

IMG20190617170251-min — On foreground are the tri-people sculptures by Kublai Millan at Peoples Park of Davao City: the boy playing a guitar-like instrument is a **Christian**, the girl at center with a flute is a **Lumad**, and the boy with *kulintang* is a **Moro**.

Despite some ongoing conflicts within the region, people are peace-loving and can’t wait to invite us to appreciate the natural wonders, heritage sites and colorful festivals they offer.

REGION XII — **Soccsksargen** (officially styled as **SOCCSKSARGEN**), formerly known as **Central Mindanao**, is an administrative region of the Philippines, located in south-central Mindanao. It is numerically designated as **Region XII**.

Our family from my mother side lives here so at least once a year, we pay a visit especially when there are big family gatherings or special occasions. That time, I make sure to allot some time to visit nearby cities and provinces with my dear relatives such as the annual Tangub Christmas Symbols Festival. Apart from Christmas season, as a solo traveler, I catch some promo fares to get on this island and achieve my #project81 by visiting Mindanao provinces one at a time.

I have visited Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region and Zam BaSulTa part of BARMM before so my goal this time is to cover parts of Central Mindanao. Hence, my itinerary became SoCCSKSarGen-BARMM-Davao Solo Trip! Presenting my Itinerary below with Davao City as my entry and exit point:

TRAVELMAP Counterclockwise route from Davao City — My **SoCCSKSarGen-BARMM-Davao** Travel Map doing counterclockwise route from Davao City

HIGHLIGHTS PER REGION:

SoCCSKSarGen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) Region XII
Cotabato
📍 Asik-Asik falls (Alamada)
Sultan Kudarat
📍Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol (Isulan)
South Cotabato
📍Marbel Cathedral
📍South Cotabato Provincial Capitol (Koronadal City commonly known as Marbel)
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
📍T’boli School of Living Traditions
📍Lake Sebu Lotus Viewing
📍Evelandia Viewpoint
📍Lake Sebu Landmark
📍Lake Sebu 7 Falls and Zipline
GENeral Santos City
📍GenSan City Hall and Plaza
📍GenSan Church
Sarangani
📍Sarangani Provincial Capitol (Alabel)

BARMM: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or simply Bangsamoro
Cotabato City
📍Cotabato City Plaza
📍Old City Hall and Museum
📍Tantawan Park
📍Cotabato City Metropolitan Cathedral
📍Tamontaka Church
📍Grand Mosque (Masjid Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah)
📍People’s Palace (new city hall)
Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao
📍Pink Mosque (Masjid Dimaukom)

DAVAO Region (sidetrip) Region XI
Brgy. Kapatagan, Digos City, Davao del Sur
📍Kublai Art Garden (with famous Agong House and view of Mt. Apo)
Davao City with more of Kublai Millan’s sculptures at:
📍Davao Airport (Durian Monument)
📍People’s Park (Philippine Eagle and Bagobo children, etc)
📍Night views of City Hall and Cathedral

ITINERARY
6/13/2019
0650 ETD NAIA3

0855 ETA Davao Airport (Durian Monument outside)

Nakatyempo ng free ride from Love Radio Davao!

Alight at UM. Jeep to Ecoland terminal Php8
1030 Bus Mindanao star Davao City to Cotabato City Php433. Php20 mineral water.
Later realized that it was an ALL-STOP ung bus

so I arrived at 6pm in Cotabato City. Choose van for faster ride.
1800 Walked towards Hotel Filipino (near city plaza) to check-in. Php300 per night for fan room.

IMG20190613182631-01 — Cotabato City Plaza at night. You can buy *pastil* and other streetfoods on the stalls nearby.

Walked towards Aling Precy carinderia: 110 Beef Sinina Meal

COTABATO CITY_SININA — **Beef Sinina** is the Maguindanaoans’ local version of one of the Filipino’s favorite beef stew. It is widely available in most restaurants in Cotabato City. The beef meat is tenderized and cooked with coconut milk, chili, garlic, onion, palapa, spices, soy sauce and ginger. This ingredients bring unique tasty flavor to the meat. It is one of the authentic dishes of the Maguindanaons.

Ride multicab back to “Town”: Php8
Bought food for tomorrow’s activity: Php10 pastil, Php22.5 water + biscuits

COTABATO CITY_PASTIL — **Pastil**, or **pastel**, is a Filipino packed rice dish made with steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves with dry shredded beef, chicken, or fish. It originates from the Maguindanao people and is a popular, cheap breakfast meal in Mindanao, especially among Muslim Filipinos. *Pastil* is also known as *patil*, *patel*, *patir*, or *pater* in Maranao; and *paster* in Iranun. The meat or fish component of the dish is known as the *kagikit*. It is usually shredded beef or chicken. The meat is cooked similar to *adobo*. It is first boiled until tender, then allowed to cool before shredding them into little strips. Garlic and onions are sautéed in a pan and the shredded meat added after the onions turn transparent. Soy sauce (or oyster sauce), black pepper, labuyo chilis, and salt to taste are added and allowed to simmer until they evaporate. Shredded grilled fish can also be used; usually *katipa* (walking catfish) or *dalag* (common snakehead).

Sleep

6/14/2019
0500 Wake-up and prep. Walk towards Kutoco terminal near Tam’s Bakery
0530 First trip of van to Libungan Php60
0610 Arrived at Libungan terminal. Wait for Kuya Yson.

31_COTABATO — **Cotabato**, formerly but still colloquially known as **North Cotabato** (Hiligaynon: *Aminhan Cotabato*; Cebuano: *Amihanang Cotabato*; Maguindanaon: *Pangutaran Kutawatu,* Ilocano: *Amianan nga Cotabato*), is a landlocked province in the Philippines. This was my **31st province** as I already visited this capitol before.

0630 ETD to Asik-Asik Falls entrance
0800 ETA Asik-Asik entrance. Quick rest and breakfast Php35 Cup noodles
Php30 registration fee Asik-Asik
0830 Descent to falls
0845 Explore Asik-Asik falls. Photoops and swim.

IMG20190614090437-01-min — **Asik-Asik Falls** or Dulao Falls for the locals is situated in Sitio Dulao of Barangay Upper Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato. It is nested in the lower slope of Mount Ragang, also called as Mount Piapayungan or Blue Mountain, an active strato-volcano that sits in the boundary of Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato. The water comes from the rocks, instead of a stream.

0930 Ascent back to registration area. Bought Php50 refmagnet.
1000 ETD Asik-Asik registration area
1130 ETA Libungan crossing to flag van back to Cotabato city.
Php800 Kuya Yson tour guide fee for Asik-Asik falls. Php1300 if Daday falls included.
1133 Php50 van Libungan to Cotabato city. Back to hotel.
1220 Php300 another night in Hotel Filipino for same room.
1225 Visit Old City Hall and museum. Ask for City Guide Brochure for tourist spots.

Cotabato City's Brochure of Tourist Spots — **Old Cotabato City Hall Museum** is a city museum fronting Rizal Park Plaza in Cotabato City, Philippines. The structure was built in 1940s as the Municipal Hall of former Municipality of Cotabato also served as the visitors information center. Designed by the Filipino architect Juan Arellano before the war, this building is a legacy of neo vernacular architecture.

IMG_20190629_104713_022 — **Guinakit** is an extensive banca, made of wooden material and vigorously adorned in bright, customary muslim articles of clothing and conveying melodic instruments, on-screen characters and performing artists on board representing Shariff Kabunsuan and his armada of evangelist muslims. The Guinakit crosses the Rio Grande de Mindanao (Masli Pulangi in ancient times) amid the parade simply like what Shariff Kabunsuan’s armada completed 500 years back. Guinakits are brilliantly enlivened with Muslim fabric in clear shades of yellow, red and green. A move translation joined by customary music is additionally done amid the festival.

IMG_20190628_012121_131 — **Inaul** (also pronounced *inol*) is a time-honored weaving tradition of the Maguindanao people usually made into malong or wraparound skirts commonly and regularly used by both sexes.
The colors are also reflective of the Maguindanao culture. Red means bravery, green for peace, black for dignity, white for sadness and green means peace.
Today, inaul is no longer confined to malong and is now being made into modern clothing such as gowns, polo and trousers. (*Upper left:* ***Ulak Ulak*** – This inaul fabric’s design is inspired by a flower.
Upper right: **Binaludan** – This inaul fabric’s design is inspired by a knot. The thread was knot tied before it is weaved.
Lower left: **Magendek Endek** (Zigzag) – This inaul fabric’s design is inspired by a person who does walk with a care-free life.
Lower right: **Siniko-Siko** – This inaul fabric’s design is inspired from part of the human body. “Siko” means elbow in English.)

Bought Php20 lunch pastil+juice+barbecue, Mura na, masarap pa!
Walk towards Tantawan Park and cathedral.

**Tantawan Park** (Filipino: *Parke ng Tantawan*) is a historical park in Cotabato City. Located on the corner of Quezon Avenue and Sinsuat Avenue, next to the Central Bank of The Philippines – Cotabato City Branch and Immaculate Conception Cathedral Cotabato, locals use the park for the relaxing massage offered by the therapist while viewing the busy street and the monument of Muhammad Kudarat.
Situated at the foot of Pedro Colina Hill, also known as Tantawan, it is a historical site in Mindanao. It served as the watch tower of the natives during their defense of the island from the invasion of the Spaniards dated 1635 to 1645.

1320 Php8 multicab town to Tamontaka church

**Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception of Tamontaka** – Tamontaka Church was the center of Jesuit evangelization in the late 19th century and the original structure was built in 1872 along the banks of the Tamontaka River. One of the hidden passageways of Kutawato Cave is the tunnel connecting it to Tamontaka Church, the oldest church in the city.

1400 Walk back to Bubong crossing
1420 Php30 Payong2x bubong crossing to grand mosque
1440 Php20 Grand Mosque donation. Register then explore!

IMG20190614145206-01 — The **Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque**, also known as the **Grand Mosque of Cotabato**, is situated in Cotabato City and is the largest mosque in the Philippines. The mosque is located in Barangay Kalanganan II in Cotabato City, and was funded by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. It is also the second largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

1518 Php30 Payong2x grand mosque to bubong crossing
1535 Php60 Van bubong crossing to Datu Saudi Ampatuan roundball.

58_MAGUINDANAO — **Maguindanao** (Maguindanaon: *Prubinsya nu Magindanaw*; Iranun: Perobinsia a Magindanao; Filipino: *Lalawigan ng Maguindanao*) is a province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). **My 58th province!**

1642 Arrived at Pink Mosque (Masjid Dimaukom) and explore.

IMG20190614164810-01 — The **Masjid Dimaukom** or **Pink Mosque** is a mosque in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, the Philippines. The mosque’s construction was financed by Datu Saudi Ampatuan Mayor, Samsodin Dimaukon. The land where the mosque was built was a property of the mayor’s family. The mosque was painted pink to symbolize peace and love and was built by workmen to symbolize unity and inter-faith brotherhood.

1741 Php80 Husky bus Datu Saudi Ampatuan to Cotabato City Terminal
1924 Walked to Aling Precy’s for dinner: Php235 – 195 Adobong hito + 40 rice (super gutom..hehe)
Php8 Multicab back to town. Wash-up then rest.

6/15/2019
0530 Check-out Hotel Filipino. Php8 multicab town to city hall.
0544 Arrived at People’s Palace

58_COTABATO CITY — **Cotabato City**, officially the **City of Cotabato** (Maguindanaon: *Ingud nu Kutawatu*; Iranun: *Inged a Kotawato*) is an independent component city and **regional center** of the Philippine autonomous region of Bangsamoro or **BARMM**.

0555 Walk towards van terminal across Husky Bus terminal. Breakfast Php5 pastil and Php25 water
Php150 Van Cotabato City to Isulan (for Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol)
0650 ETD Cotabato City
0830 ETA Isulan capitol. Explore the grand capitol. Golden chairs were not seen as the room was locked.

59_SULTAN KUDARAT — **Sultan Kudarat** (Hiligaynon: *Kapuoran sang Sultan Kudarat*; Maguindanao: *Prubinsiya nu Sultan Kudarat*; Ilocano: *Probinsia ti Sultan Kudarat;* Cebuano: *Lalawigan sa Sultan Kudarat*) is a province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao. **My 59th province!**

0910 Walked towards Isulan Integrated Terminal. Ride Php15 Yellow bus Isulan to Tacurong terminal
0934 Ride NON-STOP Php52 Yellow bus Tacurong to Marbel (Koronadal)
1030 ETA Marbel. Walk towards Marbel cathedral
1039 Visit Cathedral of Christ the King in Koronadal City
1057 Visit South Cotabato Provincial Capitol. Snack Php18 coco biscuits

60_SOUTH COTABATO — **South Cotabato**, officially the **Province of South Cotabato** (Hiligaynon: *Bagatnan Cotabato*; Cebuano: *Habagatang Cotabato*; Maguindanaon: *Pagabagatan Kutawatu*; Kapampangan: *Mauling Cotabato*), is a province in the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. **My 60th province!**

1105 Php15 Trike from capitol to Koronadal City Integrated Terminal

60_KORONADALCITY — **Koronadal**, officially the **City of Koronadal**, (Hiligaynon: *Dakbanwa sang Koronadal*; Maguindanaon: *Ingud nu Koronadal*), referred to as **Koronadal City**, and popularly known as **Marbel**, is the capital of the province of South Cotabato and **regional administrative center of SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)**.

1142 ETD Php80 Van Koronadal terminal to Lake Sebu Terminal
1235 ETA Lake Sebu terminal. Meet Lake Sebu guide Kuya Jorie. He explained the spots you can visit and rates.

60_LAKE SEBU — **Municipality of Lake Sebu** (Tboli: *Benwu Sbù*; Hiligaynon: *Banwa sg Sëbu*; Tagalog: *Bayan ng Sëbu*) is a 1st class municipality in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines. The lake’s shores and the surrounding rainforest are home to the indigenous T’bolis, Tirurays, Ubos and Manobos. One of the major tribes, the T’bolis are known for their weaving skills and brassware production as well as fishing skills. The rest of the population are made of Ilonggos, Bicolanos and Ilocanos.

IMG_20190626_133119_821 — The 42,450-hectare landscape consisting the domains of the Allah Valley is recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a cultural landscape in Mindanao.

Go to accommodation: T’boli homestay as he recommended. A homestay and museum in one!

IMG_20190627_005016_804 — The **Tboli** people are one of the indigenous peoples of South Cotabato in Southern Mindanao. The body of ethnographic and linguistic literature on Mindanao, they are variously known as Tboli, T’boli, Tböli, Tagabili, Tagabilil, Tagabulul and Tau Bilil. They term themselves **Tboli**. Their whereabouts and identity are somewhat imprecise in the literature; some publications present the Tboli and the Tagabili as distinct peoples; some locate the Tbolis to the vicinity of the Lake Buluan in the Cotabato Basin or in Agusan del Norte. The Tbolis, then, reside on the mountain slopes on either side of the upper Alah Valley and the coastal area of Maitum, Maasim and Kiamba.

1325 Late lunch at Lantaw Lake restaurant: Php115 half kilo sinugbang tilapia with rice.
Rest the rest of the day because it rained hard. Advised to do half-day tour the next day. Slept and watched anime and K-dramas from cp…hehe

6/16/2019
0500 Wake-up and wash-up. Free coffee and water. See the little museum of the homestay.350 T’boli Homestay School of Living Traditions with breakfast
0530 Picked-up by Kuya Jorie for Sunrise Lotus viewing. Php200 Lake Sebu Lotus Boat rent. Enjoy the boatride! Bawal malikot kung ayaw mahulog..haha

IMG_20190619_090639_888 — **Lake Sebu** (Tboli: *Lanaw Sbù*; Filipino: *Lawa ng Sëbu*) is a natural lake located in the municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabatowithin the Alah Valley region. The Philippine government has recognized it as one of the country’s most important watersheds. Lake Sebu is one of the many bodies of water supplying important irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

0600 ETD to Evelandia resort.
0623 ETA Evelandia resort. Php30 entrance fee. Enjoy the sunrise view!
0650 Visit Lake Sebu Landmark then municipal hall.
0710 Back to homestay for breakfast. Super sarap! Logbook and paid Php350 for 1 night stay.
0800 Picked-up by Kuya Jorie for Lake Sebu 7 Falls. Php20 Hikong Alu (1st falls) entrance fee.

IMG_20190621_003119_361 — The first falls of Lake Sebu town’s “Seven Falls” is named **Hikong Alu** (passage falls) and was used to be called as Dongon Falls in tribute to the landowners. It is a block waterfalls which stands at 35 feet. It is the most accessible in the series of seven falls. It is just less than 100 meters away from the entrance gate and parking area of the Seven Falls via a paved walkway. The current is so strong that it’s impossible to swim here.

Php50 for T’nalak costume rent and photoops. Enjoy the view.

IMG20190616084529-01-min — **T’nalak** is a traditional cloth found in Mindanao island made by a group of people in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato called T’bolis, Tboli people. This traditional cloth is hand-woven made of Abaca fibers which traditionally has three primary colors, red, black and the original color of the Abaca leaves. The colorant of the materials are naturally dyed boiled in with bark, roots and leaves of plants. It is a heritage and believed that the intricate and creative patterns of the Tinalak was seen on their dreams and made it on to work. They can’t create a design of the Tinalak if they haven’t dreamed of it. They are sometimes called the “Dream Weavers”.

0845 Walked towards zipline area. Bought Php50 Lake Sebu refmagnet at souvenir shop. Wait until 9am for zipline to open.
0900 First one at the queue! Php350 zipline. Sign the waver and pay. Optional: Php150 package#2 with 3 pics. Keep the receipt. Amazing view of falls with rainbows! I was not afraid…haha
Get the 1st pic at area of 2nd zipline. After the zipline ride, get the 2nd pic at the counter nearby.

Soaking wet at Hikong Bente (Immeasurable Falls) — The second falls of Lake Sebu town’s “Seven Falls” is named **Hikong Bente** (immeasurable falls) by T’boli tribe due to its enormous height, as they exclaimed when they first saw it, though it was actually 70ft. The powerful falls emanates a rain-like spray when you get on the bridge so expect to get wet! I would love to get closer to the falls but if I’ll do, I’ll be totally soaking wet.

1040 Walk towards Hikong Bente (2nd falls) and photoops. Up to bridge due to strong splash of water from falls. I was soaking wet…hehe. Back to parking area and ride skylab/habal to get 3rd pic at Hikong Alu entrance (inside souvenir shop).
1105 back to homestay to pick-up backpack.
*T’boli Museum was closed under renovation and Lang Dulay Weaving Center open at 12pm so I was not able to visit both. Will do next time.
1117 Fetched to Lake Sebu Terminal. Php550: 500 Kuya Jorie halfdaytour + 50 fetched at inn the day before.
1130 ETD Php150 Van Lake Sebu to GenSan. Php15 chicharon. At the border of GenSan, checkpoint so get out of van, show valid ID then get back to van afterwards.
1334 ETA Bulaong Terminal (General Santos City Integrated Terminal)

60_GENSAN — **General Santos**, officially the **City of General Santos** (Cebuano: *Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos*; Hiligaynon: *Dakbanwa sang Heneral Santos*; Maguindanao: *Ingud nu Heneral Santos*; Blaan: *Banwe Dadiangas*; Tboli: *Benwu Dadiangas*), referred to as **General Santos City** and abbreviated as **GenSan**, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in Soccsksargen, Philippines. It is the **regional center for commerce and industry of the Soccsksargen region** and the southernmost city of the Philippines.

1344 Php10 Trike Bulaong terminal to City Hall
1350 Explore City Plaza and Church.
Unfortunately, no backpacks allowed inside cathedral so I wasn’t able to get in.
Walk towards SM City GenSan. WildCard Gym of Manny Pacquiao across. Just a glimpse.
Walk towards Gaisano Mall. Php10 buko juice.
1440 Php10 Trike Gaisano to Lagao terminal.
1445 25 multicab Lagao to Alabel Sarangani Capitol

61_SARANGANI — **Sarangani** (Cebuano: *Lalawigan sa Sarangani*; Hiligaynon: *Kapuoran sang Sarangani*; Ilocano: *Probinsia ti Sarangani*) is a province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region. Its capital is Alabel. **My 61st province!**

1500 Arrived at Sarangani Capitol. Explore the grounds.
1530 Php25 Multicab capitol to Lagao.
*I initially planned to go to Glan, Sarangani (vans also at Lagao terminal) for heritage houses and Gumasa beach but my plans changed, as I’ll visit Kublai Art Garden the next day as suggested by my cousin. Spending the night at my cousin’s house.

6/17/2019
0600 Bid farewell to my cousin. Alight at Lagao terminal.
0611 Php161 ONE-STOP Yellow Bus to Digos City

30_DAVAO DEL SUR — **Davao del Sur** (Cebuano: *Habagatang Dabaw*) is a province in the Philippines located in the Davao Region in Mindanao. Its capital and largest city is Digos. This was my **30th province** as I already visited this capitol before.

0730 ETA Digos City Bus Terminal. Bought Php90 Mer’s puto and Php25 water.
Php10 Trike Digos terminal to market. Look for van terminal bound to Kapatagan.
1046 ETD Digos City. The van took off only after it got full…huhu (faster way is to ride a trike bound to Cogon terminal then ride habal-habal straight to Kapatagan)
Php100 van bound to Kapatagan (terminal at the back of Digos market). Alight at corner of Den Yho’s Place.
1145 ETA Den Yho’s Place. When crossing Den Yho’s going to Art Garden, you’ll pay Php50 Entrance fee. But I chose the FREE way, so I walked back to dirt road nearby, 5 mins walk in the woods until you see the sculptures.
1150 ETA Kublai Art Garden. Agong House the centerpiece (house with wishing well). There is a viewpoint in the roof to see Mt. Apo. Explore the area and photoshoot!

IMG20190617120218-01-min — **Kublai Art Garden** of well-known Mindanaoan artist **Kublai Millan** is found in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur. It’s the first of its kind in Mindanao and perhaps, the only one in the Philippines.
Kublai Millan hails from Cotabato City and is a graduate of Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. His other notable gigantic sculptures around Davao City are the **durian monument** at the Davao International Airport, “Kampilan” in Sultan Kudarat, “Risen Christ” in Tagum City as well as the giant eagle and **Bagobo children** in People’s Park Davao City.

1255 ETD Kublai Art Garden
1300 Back to highway. Wait for habal-habal
1310 Yehey! Someone let me hitch for a ride. I asked to be brought straight to Digos Bus Terminal. Php100 only!
1355 Php98 Yellow bus Digos to Davao City. Checkpoint again so we need to alight, bag inspection, show ID, then back to bus.
1515 ETA Davao City. Php8 ecoland terminal to city proper. Walked towards Penong’s but still closed.

30_DAVAO CITY — **Davao City**, officially the **City of Davao** (Cebuano: *Dakbayan sa Dabaw*), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the island of Mindanao, Philippines. It is the largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area and the third-most populous. The city serves as the main trade, commerce, and industry hub of Mindanao, and the **regional center of Davao Region**.

1545 ETA Php132 Delumbar’s Chicken Barbecue for lunch. Pagodtom!
1645 Walk towards People Park. Php20 Durian ice cream. Sarap! Chill at the park. Amazed by Kublai Millan’s sculptures. They are like characters who came out of Studio Ghibli films.

Philippine eagle with Bagobos at People's Park — The **Philippine eagle** (*Pithecophaga jefferyi*), also known as the **monkey-eating eagle** or great Philippine eagle, is an eagle of the family Accipitridae endemic to forests in the Philippines. It has brown and white-coloured plumage, and a shaggy crest, and generally measures 86 to 102 cm (2.82 to 3.35 ft) in length and weighs 4.04 to 8.0 kg (8.9 to 17.6 lb). It is considered the largest of the extant eagles in the world in terms of length and wing surface, with Steller’s sea eagle and the harpy eagle being larger in terms of weight and bulk. Among the rarest and most powerful birds in the world, it has been declared the **Philippine national bird**.

1800 Walk towards city hall. Attempted to get inside cathedral but BACKPACKS NOT ALLOWED! So I passed by.
1810 Php8 jeep to Roxas. There’s a food night market. Wait for another jeep bound to LASANG (will pass by airport).
1820 Php20 jeep to airport. Traffic!
1930 ETA Davao airport. Bought Php95 mangosteen candies.
2120 ETD Davao airport
2325 ETA NAIA3

For Davao City Must-Visit Spots and Delicacies:

Davao Region-Cotabato Solo Trip

Davao City: Food trip at Crown Jewel of Mindanao

REGION XI DAVAO — **Davao Region**, formerly called **Southern Mindanao** (Cebuano: *Habagatang Mindanao*), is an administrative region in the Philippines, designated as **Region XI**. Highlighted are province and city I’ve visited for this trip.

SoCCSKSarGen-BARMM-Davao Solo Trip
#SOCCSKSARGEN #BARMM #Davao

June 13-17, 2019 (Davao City Entry and Exit)

AIRFARE: Piso base fare pre-booked last Sept 2018
✈Airfare Manila-Davao – Php481.12
✈Airfare Davao-Manila – Php496.12

EXPENSES:
🏨 Accommodation: Php950
Cotabato City:
Hotel Filipino (3D2N): Single Fan Room Php300 per night
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato:
T’boli Homestay SLT (2D1N): With Breakfast Php350 per night
*Last night spent at a relative in GenSan

📍 Activities: Php700
Asik-Asik Fals Registration: 30
Grand Mosque Donation: 20
Lake Sebu Lotus Viewing Boat Rent: 200
Evelandia Resort Entrance: 30
Lake Sebu’s Hikong Alu Falls Entrance: 20
T’nalak costume rent: 50
Lake Sebu Zipline: Php350

📍 Souvenirs: Php250
Asik-Asik refmagnet: 50
Lake Sebu refmagnet: 50
Lake Sebu Zipline 3pcs pictures: 150

🍲Food 1002.5

🚌Transpo: Php3170
🛵📸 Tour guides:
Kuya Yson Padrique (Asik-Asik falls guide): 09268605767
Kuya Jorie Sabal (Lake Sebu guide): 09058240725

*For inquiries on Cotabato City and Maguindanao, kindly refer to below contacts:
-Ms. Norianne Lou S. Frondoza (Cotabato City Tourism Officer): 09162655907
Tourism FB page: It’s more fun in Cotabato City (www.facebook.com/sigaykacotabato)
-Mr. DatuHabib Ala Salazar (DOS Tourism Officer): 09056171725
Tourism FB page: Dos Tourism (www.facebook.com/dos.tourism)

TOTAL ACTUAL EXPENSES: PHP7049.74

Safety comes first! Research first before going to your destination. I checked blog posts in various FB pages before doing this trip so I’m confident in the tour guides they highly recommended. Know a bit of travel phrases like Cebuano or Ilonggo since these are the major languages spoken in Central Mindanao. We do know that locals are aware when you are a tourist “dayo” so be low-key always. Bring trail foods to save on expenses, have long patience when waiting for public transpo at always pray for safe trip. Dont wear attention-seeking OOTD. Be respectful of culture in every place we visit. Follow the rules. When in doubt on pursuing the destination, don’t push it! Trust your instincts. Most of all, enjoy you trip in this part of the Philippines. Muster courage enough to unravel the beauty of our country, and I…thank you! I can’t wait to visit other parts of Mindanao. (n_n)

#project81 #barabara #PinasMuna #SOXisnext #VisitSOX #bangsamoro #barmmtourism #sigaykacotabato #MindaNOW #BackpackingMindanao

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