The Gems of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

The dream of traveling to Mindanao is one that many from Luzon and Visayas share. Tales of unrivaled natural beauty is heard over stories of conflict. Indeed, Mindanao has long been beleaguered but there's no denying that beneath this clout of discord, the country's southernmost parts are some of the most beautiful.

The province of South Cotabato, like the rest of Mindanao, is no stranger to gun fights and military encounters, but this progressive province is perhaps the safest place to explore. Lake Sebu, one of its 10 municipalities, is a hotpot of indigenous culture. The T'boli, Tiruray, Ubo, and Manabo all call Lake Sebu's lush forests home.

In fact, the town shares its name with the largest of the T'boli's three sacred lakes. Lake Seloton, and Lake Lahit being the other two. Furthermore, a large section of the town's land (924.5 square kilometers to be exact) is declared as a protected landscape.

Photographed these wooden canoes during dawn at Lake Seloton. I may have failed to shoot astrophotography that morning, because of the thick clouds. The Lake made up immediately when the sun came up and showed its scenic view.

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Woke up early to photograph Lake Seloton while the lotuses are in full bloom. Right before dawn, men board the traditional T'boli canoe "owung" to check the fishing nets around the lake. • • Like/follow my FB page, just click the link on my bio. 👍🏼

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A man paddling through the waters of Lake Seloton early in the morning to fix fishing nets around the lake.

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Begin your day by heading to the banks of Lake Seloton just before the crack of dawn. Watch fog dance across the surface of the placid lake. As the sun rises, see how the water turns purple-pink, and how everything – from the mountains to the ground you're on – is bathed in soft, warm light.

A pair of zipline rigs, approximately 180 meters above ground, is perched across Lake Sebu's forests and waterways. This contraption in the 7 Falls Eco-Park is hailed as the tallest in Southeast Asia.

The view as you zoom your way across features a verdant sea split by a serpentine estuary. If you're lucky, you might even see a rainbow forming from the spray of one of the waterfalls. Speaking of waterfalls...

The eco-park in which the tallest zipline is located also hosts the famous 7 Waterfalls of Lake Sebu. Hikong Alo, the first cascade, is easily accessible from the entrance of the park. This falls, whose name is translated to "Passage", is measured at 35 feet. Hikong Bente ("immeasurable"), the second falls is accessed by the paved trail a few steps from the entrance.

The second of the 7 falls of Lake Sebu, commonly known as Hikong Bente – "Immeasurable".

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To take you to the rest of the seven waterfalls (Hikong B'Lebel or "Coil/Zigzag"; Hikong Lowig or "Booth"; Hikong Ukol or "Wild Flower"; Hikong K'Fo-I or "Short"; and Hikong Tonok or "Soil") can be reached via rugged hike, if weather is permitting.

Related Adventure: Beginner-friendly Places for your Mindanao Trip

Sing and Dance with the T'boli
In Punta Isla Resort, you can watch members of the T'boli tribe perform traditional dances and demonstrated indigenous musical instruments. Hear the distinct sounds of the kumbing  – an instrument used to "call" the moonlight during an eclipse – and the lonely notes of the seloli, as well as the flirtatious courtship dance of madal semguwit.


On top of having a glimpse of the T'boli's rich culture, you can also replenish your energy here at Punta Isla Resort. They serve traditional cuisine usually starring the abundant tilapia.

Learn the Secrets of the 'Dreamweavers'
South Cotabato is mostly known as the Land of the Dreamweavers. These artists, so called because they dream the patterns they create, are the makers of the prized T'boli abaca fabric called "T'nalak". This tradition is being proudly carried on in the Lang Dulay Weaving Center and T'nalak House in Sitio T'bong. The center, started by the late "Great Lady" Lang Dulay, is now ran by her family and successors, most notably by her best-friend, daughter-in-law, and protege 70-year old Sebulan.

Discover the rigorous steps – all 32 of them – in making a T'nalak. From the plants and implements used to the unique designs of the fabric, the story of the Dreamweavers is one you should definitely include in your itinerary.

Related Adventure: I Cry Like She's Family