By traveling somewhere close to home, we can avoid the time change and transportation problems that make us lose precious time. You can also save money on expensive flights by just carpooling or taking a bus or train to your destination. Thus, I personally love promoting travel locally. Now come with me and explore more of the provinces of SOCCSKSARGEN. This time to the Land of the Dreamweavers-South Cotabato!

The Province of South Cotabato is easily accessible by plane, bus and ship through the three-entry-points, the cities of Cotabato, Davao and General Santos. It's capital - the City of Koronadal, is 58 kms from General Santos City or around 45 minutes-1 hour bus or van ride. From Cotabato City, it will take less than two hours of bus or van ride and four hour-trip from Davao City. PUV's, jeepneys and tricycles provide cheaper cost of transportation around Koronadal and nearby destinations.

For a quick start, centuries ago, the area that would be South Cotabato was sparsely inhabited by Malay Pioneers which later evolved into various ethnic groupings that still exist in the province today. Settlers, who would lay the foundation of what would become a progressive province, started trooping down in 1914.

In 1992, South Cotabato gave birth to a new province. Seven towns in the southern and coastal section of the province now form part of the Province of Sarangani. That was a new challenge. And South Cotabatenos, with their indomitable pioneering spirit have proven once more their ability to face and hurdle diverse challenges and ably went through with the demands of times.

South Cotabato sparks new interest having emerged as the favorite venue for conventions and big events of national significance like the National Secondary School Press Conference, the Palarong Pambansa and the 9th Mindanao Business Conference to name a few.

Known as the “ Land of the Dreamweavers”, South Cotabato is home to the T'boli tribe, known for their weaving art that bases its patterns on their dreams. Lakes, waterfalls, vast plantations and well-preserved tradition, South Cotabato opens the doors to the picturesque southern region of Mindanao.

Places to Visit

1. Lake Sebu - during my internship in Sultan Kudarat, we had a quick weekend trip to this magnificent spot. The top attraction in South Cotabato is Lake Sebu named after the town where it is located. One of the three lakes in the town, Lake Sebu is more than just a tourist destination. The lake is a major watershed in South Cotabato and the lake paved the way for a progressive aquaculture industry, an economic ace in the region. Th elake is surrounded with restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine where the TILAPIA fish is the star. If you want a little of solitude, you can rent on one of the cost friendly accomodations. The best part of the visit will be hoping on one of the boat rides which will take you around the lake and see fish pens and the out of this world view of the verdant forests of Lake Sebu.

2. Strawberry Guyabano Farm - situated at the Municipality of Tupi, this tourist spot in South Cotabato is known for its ambiance and of course, its products which are strawberries and guyabanos (soursop). This South Cotabato tourist spot is a perfect place to find peace and joy after a long, stressful week. SG Farm is a great alternative to going to Baguio City as it has the same vibes.

3. Magsangyaw Land of Praise - This religious sanctuary located at Mt. Matumtum. It is located on a mountainous peak where you will surely enjoy the scenic view of the entire SouthCot. After feeding your inner spirituality, do not forget to checking out those cottages in the mossy forests and chill.

4. Zip line across the falls - while Sultan Kudarat offers caves to be part of your adventure, South Cotabato will amaze you with waterfalls. Yes, waterfalls. Lake Sebu alone is compose of 7 waterfalls. Out of those 7 waterfalls, only 2 is accessible. Exciting isn't it? To explore the other waterfalls, take the zip line, yes, zip line and fly as high as 200 meters (656 feet) up in the air. Lake Sebu’s zip line is the highest in Southeast Asia.

5. Lake Holon - this magnificient lake is the crater of Mt. Parker formed after its eruption in 1641. This location is sacred amongst my T'boli brothers and sisters. To get here, the trek takes 3-5 hours and has two trails and voila you will be amazed with this 300-hectare (742 acre) lake with deep blue colored water. Some of the activities to enjoy are swimming, kayaking, and camping. This breathtaking beauty is called the “Crown Jewel of the South.”

6. Mambukal Hot Spring Resort - known to be one of the best tourist attraction sites in South Cotabato.

7. Emilio's Kawa and Flower Garden - my last visit to this place was still on its developmental stage but now flowers are blooming everywhere. Best part of the visit will be kawa bath where you bathe and relax in a wok filled with warm water and flower petals that are perfect for relaxation.

8. DOLE Pineapple Plantation - a must-stop is the pineapple plantation in the city of Polomolok. Covering more than 18,000 hectares (44,478 acres), it is a recognizable area as your pass by with the imposing Mt. Matutum as its backdrop. Operated by DOLE Philippines, the plantation is one of the largest in the world.

9. MOUNT MATUTUM - ount Matutum is situated in the municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato. This beast of a mountain is the most popular tourist spot for hikers because of its majestic shape, similar to Mt. Mayon. It houses various types of flora and fauna, as well as many endangered species. Mount Matutum is also fertile and surrounded by a ten-hectare pineapple plantation.

To help conserve its natural habitat, a group of mountain climbers created a yearly activity called “Amyak Maleh Matutum,” which means “to climb and plant.” This movement mandates every hiker to plant a tree before leaving the mountain, which creates a beneficial impact on the local ecosystem. What a great way of giving back to Mother Nature!

10. GENERAL SANTOS CITY FISH PORT COMPLEX - When visiting the province, do not forget to include a stopover at the GenSan City Fish Port Complex. The city of General Santos is best known and is dubbed as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines.” They are also the largest producer of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. So if you love eating sashimi, you are gonna definitely love to visit here.

Once you enter the area, a massive quantity of tuna being loaded and unloaded will welcome you. This bountiful harvest is a true manifestation of how rich GenSan’s natural resources are. Unlike regular fish ports, this complex is cleaner, more well-maintained, and in order.

The best time to visit the place is early in the morning where the fresh catch arrives from the fishing boats. Tourists and other patrons can even observe the whole marketing and exporting process.

Seriously, you need to add SouthCot on your next travel list. Imagine waking up and be greeted by Mt. Matutum or sipping your coffee in the morning with the view of the hundreds of hectars of the pineapple plantation in front of you? Come visit the Land of the Dreamweavers!

https://lessandra.com.ph/blog/2021/11/18/hidden-spot-cotabato
http://www.southcotabatonews.com/p/travel.html
https://www.camella.com.ph/10-must-visit-places-in-south-cotabato/
https://trip101.com/article/best-things-to-do-in-south-cotabato-philippines