[Snap Shot] Mt Matutum

It's as if a fairy is overlooking the field. =)

T’nalak

Have you heard of a dream weaver?

Well I am not a “Sibika at Kultura” girl when I was in elementary or high school and I never heard of a dream weaver as well. But I think we are lucky to meet the T’Nalak dream weaver herself Lang Dulay.

She was sleeping when we arrived at her humble house turned weaving area and it took her a few minutes to dress up before we finally meet her. Her grandchildren said she does not meet visitors with plain clothes. She makes it a point to look “fabulosa” in her native T’boli gown complete with makeup and red lips. ^_^

According to history, Lang Dulay was just 12 years old when she started dreaming about her designs. It usually takes her around 4-6 months to finish a product that would sell 1000Php per meter.

She was awarded by President Fidel V. Ramos as Philippine’s National Living Treasure in 1998 and is a living testimony of the T’boli tradition.

I hope that the T’boli tribe will continue to nourish their rich tradition and teach the new generation how to live the T’boli way.

*Credits to Kat for the picture. 

Lake Sebu – A calm retreat

The trip from GenSan to Lake Sebu lasted for approximately 2-3 hours including a van ride to the bucolic municipality. The town was reminiscent to my hometown with lots of rice fields and mountains in view. I felt the urge to think quietly while savoring the crisp sight of greeneries. I’m really an outdoor person and I love nature so it’s easy for me to find peace while traveling.

I was curious about Lake Sebu when I first saw pictures of my friend J posted on Facebook. She was raving about the place when she got back from a trip. I immediately put it on my “places to visit list” and was determined to go there when opportunity calls.

My quietness was broken when the lady beside me spoke to me, “First time niyo?” I humbly said “Opo.” Then she began lecturing us about the place. You see, people from the town can be your tour guide. They will tell you all you want to know. J

Then the grandeur of the lake peeked from afar. I was awed and mesmerized. This town is really blessed with such majestic creation of God.

I just hope we could stay longer but out tight itinerary dictated us to move on.

Don’t worry Mindanao, I’ll be back. =)

Tilapia All Over

After the zipline rush, we headed for lunch in one of the stalls in Lake Sebu. Don’t worry, there are a lot of food stalls in the area and they offer sumptuous tilapia dishes at reasonable prices.

Instead of going to a famous resort we opted to try a small canteen located along the road side. We ordered sugba, tilapia chicharon and crispy tilapia with a big platter of rice and 2 big bottles of soft drinks.

The sugba was perectly cooked. The tilapia skin was not charred and the fish tasted great. It’s really swak na swak sa toyo with calamansi and sili. (Yum Yum.)

At first I thought that the tilapia bones will be thrown away after getting the meat for the chicharon. I was astonished when you can actually choose to have it deep fried or cooked ala “paksiw.” We tried it deep fried and it was nom nom nom.

Unexpectedly, the tilapia chicharon was the favorite. We did not expect it to be so delish. I don’t know what they put on it but really it was a mouth watering and tummy bulging dish. Try it when you go there. J

At the end of the day it’s really not about how grand the celebration was but actually the company you are with. ^_^

Till next time.

Lake Sebu

At first I thought “Lake Sebu” is just the name of the lake located in South Cotabato dubbed to be the summer capital of Southern Mindanao. Little did I know that it is also a name of the municipality where the lake is located.

We went to Lake Sebu primarily to experience the tallest zip line in South East Asia. Of course I was excited but at the same time I was scared because of the freaking height.

The fee was 250Php each person for 2 rides – one long ride and one short ride. The long ride lasted for about 45 seconds while the short one around 15-20 seconds. Mind you, the first ride was the longest 45 seconds of my life. :P

The locals say that there are seven waterfalls in Lake Sebu. Well I did not see all of them but I am pretty sure they are all ”grandyoso”. Just take a look at the photos below. [No zipline photos but yes we did it.:) Photos courtesy of K.]

How to get to Lake Sebu?

From General Santos City ride a bus (Yellow Bus Line) going to Marbel, Koronadal. From Marbel you can ride a jeepney or a van to Lake Sebu. You will be greeted by the locals so relax and enjoy. Don’t worry, locals are courteous and kind.

Please be Careful of Jeepney Modus

This happened this morning (January 6, 2014). It was a typical Monday morning and I was on my way to the office. I boarded a jeepney at St Joseph (near Ever Gotesco Mall along Ortigas Extension) and seated next to a lady sitting near the entrance. Four men went inside the vehicle and one of them sat beside me. My bag has pockets outside where I usually put coins so I won’t be opening my bag when preparing my fare. I was giving my fare to the guy next to me but he didn’t take it. The lady next to him took it and gave it to the person in front. Then suddenly one of the guys seated across the lady in black said “May dumi ka sa damit.” pointing at the sleeve of the lady. At this point the man sitting beside me sat beside the lady identified to have “dumi” on her sleeve. The girl just shrugged it. Then the man across continued saying “Mukhang ice cream. Ay dura pala. Akala ko ice cream.” I think at this point he is expecting the lady to panic because of the word he used.

Then he talked to the lady beside him saying that he is from Davao and just went here in Manila just recently. I don’t know if the lady is an accomplice or what but I just don’t trust her either. I think they are distracting all of us so that our attention will be focused on them. I read a similar incident in Facebook a few months ago so I held on to my bag and stared at the bag of the lady in black. I was staring at it because I know someone will be taking something inside the bag as what the FB post said and I would like to be as vigilant as possible.

The men expected the lady to panic and that the spit on her sleeve will create a commotion inside the jeepney. But the lady was calm and just took out some tissue papers and wiped her left sleeve. They were agitated when they noticed that we are all clinging at our bags and no one is alarmed. Nobody wants to create a commotion among the passengers. We just stared at them and took notice of their actions. Then before the jeepney can reach a gas station one of the men said “Para.” The jeepney driver hesitantly pulled over and the four men went off. (I was thinking that if the four men will continue their act, the driver will pull over the gas station for the safety of his passengers.) The (I think) lady accomplice stayed inside the jeepney.

After a few seconds the driver told us to check our belongings. Fortunately everybody is safe and nothing was taken. I was still skeptical on the lady whom one of the robbers talked to. I just thought she is one of them but I just kept quiet.

Upon checking on the girl beside me, one of the men put the spit on the lady’s sleeve even before they got inside the jeepney. This is to create distraction and commotion so that they can grab anything they could.

I also noticed that one of them was carrying an empty backpack. I suppose this is where they put what they can take from the passengers.

Mag-ingat po tayong lahat.

General Santos City Fish Port

I was still half asleep when we went out of our hotel room to go to the Fishport Complex located in Brgy Tambler, General Santos. We hailed a “motorela” and paid 20Php each going to the Fishport. It was a 20-minute smooth ride. The city is still asleep because it was just 5AM. Only few vehicles are roaming around so the commute went fast.

We were already in the fish port at 5:30AM. The personnel in charge told us that we cannot enter the premises yet because the unloading process will start at 6AM and only then that visitors are allowed. 

PS: Please wear proper attire when going to the fish port. Wearing shorts is highly discouraged. 

For visitors who are not in proper attire, a few pajamas are available for rental. And of course you need to rent white boots for protection.

Proper Attire (thanks Kat for the pictures)

After changing, we immediately proceeded to the area where large (I mean really LARGE) tunas are unloaded. We saw a 90-kg tuna unloaded from the boat, carried over the shoulder of one of the porters, weighed and marked for buyers to see.

This is how they clean the tuna

This is how the weigh the tuna

How do the buyers asses the tuna? There is a tool used by the buyers for them to properly rate the fish. According to Frank the seller and the buyer needs to agree on the price first before the test is done. After agreeing on the price the buyer will insert a sort-of “sanction” inside the tuna to get a sample - the more red the tuna meat is the better. And also, the tuna has a higher selling value when it is oilier.

We stayed at the fish port for a couple of hours. I was personally awed by the sights in front of me. The wackiness of GenSan fishermen were a delight to see. They were willing to pose for pictures and even smile when in front of the camera. And because I am such a loser, I did not bring my camera. Olats din ako minsan mag-assume e. I assumed that because we were going to the port it would be very rowdy and crowded. That I will attract too many of the fishermen and we will be eyed all over. That was the dumbest thing I thought about the people of GenSan. The fishport was actually orderly and organized. It was such a shame on my part that I assumed otherwise.

So I just grabbed a few pictures from Kat to show you how it was in the Fish Port of GenSan.

Till next time.