Since my first visit to Mindanao barely a year ago, I’ve found myself back in this southern island for the fourth time now. I love how different it feels wandering through its city streets and exploring its lush countrysides. The opening of new direct flights between the Iloilo, my hometown, and Davao City was definitely a major factor, which made Mindanao more accessible for me (and many travelers from Panay Island). On this particular trip, I really enjoyed my visit to a couple of places situated at the bottom half of Mindanao … most for the first time.
Davao City and Tagum City, Davao del Norte
I started my 10-day journey in Davao City and tucked in a day trip to Tagum City in Davao del Norte. Being a bit of an urbanphile, I wanted to see new constructions like Abreeza by Ayala Malls and the New Tagum City Hall.
Flying out from my beautiful City of Iloilo. Love love how the winding Iloilo River dominates the aerial urbanscape. From this angle, you could see the nose-like shape of the river bend, which is how the early settlement got its name “Irong-irong” (later shortened to Ilo-ilo). “Ilong” is the local translation for nose and “Irong” was derivated because early Chinese traders could not pronounce the letter “L” very well.
Arriving in Davao City
Aerial View of Davao’s Bajada Area
Modern Architecture of the New Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte Province
Old Tagum City Hall
Wide 6-lane highway in Tagum City with room for 4-6 more lanes
Newly Opened Abreeza Davao by Ayala Malls
Saranggani, General Santos City, and South Cotabato
My plan to visit SOCSKARGEN Region (South Cotabato, Saranggani, and General Santos City) was supposed to be part of my (unsuccessful) first visit to Mindanao … I didn’t get to go on the trip all because I missed my early morning flight to Davao. This time I was determined to experience the region had to offer: Gumasa Beach in Glan, Saranggani Province (known for its gorgeous long white sand beach), General Santos City (tuna capital of the Philippines) and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato (ancestal home of the T’boli tribe of South Central Mindanao).
Kuya Avel toured me and Bernie (HabagatCentral, my travel buddy during my visit to General Santos and Lake Sebu. Kuya Avel is the blogger behind GenSan News Online Mag. He is a General Santos resident and passionate advocate of the city’s tourism capaign: Magandang GenSan (translated as “Beautiful GenSan”).
Abroad the bus from Davao City to South Cotabato
Inviting blue waters of Isla Jardin Beach Resort in Glan, Saranggani Province
Beachfront of Isla Jardin
View of 1km+ white sand stretch of Gumasa Beach in Glan, Saranggani
Southern end of Gumasa Beach
Self-portrait at Gumasa Beach
Saranggani Provincial Capitol
Batchoy and Dinuguan at Batchoy King in ECA Complex, General Santos City
Healthy Cashew treats at House of Cashew in ECA Complex, General Santos City
Seafood plate dinner at Piyesta Restobar in Robinsons Place General Santos
Photo-ops with Boxing Celebrity and General Santos City resident, Manny Paquiao (photo grabbed from Berniemack Arellano)
Relaxating massage at The Horizon Spa and Fitness Studio, which can be found at the 2nd Floor of Tan Building, corner Manansala Subdivision- Aparente Avenue in Purok Malakas, General Santos City
Morning visit to the General Santos Fish Port
Tuna Overload at the Tuna Capital of the Philippines
Photo-ops with a tuna being weighed before it is graded and stored for canning
Breakfast of Balbacua, a Cebuano soup dish, at Gamay Eatery found along the way between the Fish Port and General Santos City Proper
Plaza Heneral Santos at the General Santos City Hall Complex
Robinsons Place General Santos
Koronadal City (Marbel) Roundball
First Falls in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato Province
View at the COWHED Products Showcase Center in Lake Sebu
Firey sunset in Lake Sebu
Early morning overview of Lake Sebu
Sunrise canoe ride at the lotus flowers of Pag-asa (bend) in Lake Sebu
Lake Sebu’s signatire deep pink lotus flowers, only blooming during sunrise
Majestic 2nd falls in Lake Sebu
Self-portrait in Punta Isla Resort, Lake Sebu
Durian Coffee at Punta Isla Resort in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato Province
Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City, Basilan
Originally, I was bent to pursue what was probably my most ambitious travel plan yet. I really wanted to see Tawi-tawi, a province in ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) not many Filipinos would dare to visit. Unfortunately, I had to cut my travel plans for the whole trip from 14 days to (a shorter) 10 days because of my sister’s wedding back home. I scourged Zamboanga City for ferry schedules but realized that I wouldn’t have enough time to travel to Bonggao, Tawi-tawi by sea … airfares were already too expensive also. While deciding on a “Plan B,” I decided to kick back and have a leisurely rest in Zamboanga City. I ended up having a very worthwhile visit to the stilt house colony of Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City, daytrip to Malamawi Island in Basilan, Merloquet Falls (also in Zamboanga City), and Ipil (the capital of Zamboanga Sibugay).
Cawa-cawa Boulevard in Zamboanga City
Tuna pasta at Lantaka Hotel in Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City Hall, one of my favorite old city halls in the Philippines
Fort Pilar Shrine
Fort Pilar National Museum
Bajao kids fishing for coins at the Zamboanga City Port
Arrival at the pier in Isabela City, Basilan
Boat ride to Brgy. Carbon in Malamawi Island
White Beach in Malamawi Island
Viewdeck at the White Beach (Resort) property in Malamawi Island
View of mangrove forests in Malamawi Island and the mountains of Basilan from the viewdeck of White Beach (Resort)
Isabela City Hall
Rubber Tree Plantation in Isabela City
Maligue Falls located along the highway going to Maluso, Basilan (at the 7km mark from Isabela City)
ISAWAD Inland Resort in Isabela City
Rubber Processing Plant in Isabela City
Muslim architecture along the river of Isabela City
Facade of the Basilan Provincial Capitol
Stilt houses at the eastern coast of Malamawi Island
Old lighthouse at Malamawi Island during sunset
Sunset view of Little Sta. Cruz Island on the ferry back to Zamboanga City
Stilt house colony at Brgy. Rio Hondo in Zamboanga City
Samal tribe kid wearing a traditional patadyong at Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City
Sunset view of Paseo del Mar in Zamboanga City
Trek to Merloquet Fall at the nothern hinterlands of Zamboanga City
Smooth cascade of Merloquet Falls in Zamboanga City
Self-portait at the lush jungle surrounding the Merloquet Falls
Unfinished Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga Sibugay, one of the younges provinces in the Philippines
View of Zamboanga Sibugay from the Provincial Capitol Complex regally located atop a hill in Pili town
Aerial views of Zamboanga City on the outgoing flight to Cebu
Patches of interesting islets lying off the eastern coast somewhere in northern Zamboanga City / Zamboanga Sibugay area
Connecting flight at the Cebu International Airport
Arrival back at the Iloilo Airport
As always, unplanned trips are always the best. Mindanao is just so beautiful, I can’t help but feel inspired every time I am presented with the gorgeous sights that it has to offer. Tourists who skip visiting Mindanao just because they are scared of the security issue are missing A LOT. Since my first visit to Mindanao last year, I’ve been to 15 out of 26 provinces in Mindanao … each province has so much beautiful places to offer for tourists, I still want to see more of Mindanao!
"Southern Mindanao Backpacking for 10 Days: Davao, South Cotabato, Saranggani, Zamboanga, and Basilan" is part of the Southern Mindanao: Davao, South Cotabato, Zamboanga, & Basilan (10 days) series
In the Philippine Ilonggo dialect, ambot ah literally means "I don't know." After graduating in college, I decided to hold off pursuing my profession and embarked on a free spirited journey of adventure and self-discovery. My travels have led me to many places across the Philippine Islands and South East Asia. I don't know where this path will take me but I'm certain I'll get a lifetime of stories out of it.
I am so glad you visited my mom’s hometown – GenSan. She is one of General Paulino Santos’ grandchildren and we are proud descendants. :) It is a beautiful city and after seeing your pics, I am now longing for some GenSan tuna kilawin, panga, and tuna belly! Did you get a chance to eat at Lake Sebu? They do a wonderful performance of T’boli dances at the floating restaurant.
Kewl, it’s a proud heritage indeed. I’m a big fan of tuna also, which why I liked GenSan a lot :D We stayed at Punta Isla Resort but didn’t eat at the floating restaurant since they charged a premium for the dining experience.
Ah yes, Punta Isla, is the restaurant we ate at. We did not stay in Lake Sebu kasi we stayed in GenSan proper in one of the apartelle places near KCC. Saranggani Highlands has a great view of the whole city at night.
Nice. Parang okay nga yung hilltop location ng Saranggani Highlands.
hm, durian coffee, interesting :) i’ve always wanted to travel to mindanao, to see Lake Sebu, because i read it’s really beautiful there, but with the not-so-good news about the place and all, medyo hesitant ako. so thank you! your blog is SUPER! more fun trips to come! :)
It was … wouldn’t mind to come back. It was raining heavily during our visit … we didn’t get to visit more of Lake Sebu. South Cotabato is a relatively safe place to travel. It (security) is just like visiting any other place in the Philippines.
South Cotabato is definitely much safer than it’s neighbor to the north – North Cotabato/Cotabato City where much of the gulo occurs. Davao is also relatively safe as well.
True. Only selected areas in Mindanao should be approached with caution, most of it is not as dangerous as many think.
Hello Marcos,
I like your Basilan album. A friend of mines is from Basilan, they told me interesting stories of the place, anyhow how you able to tour the area without encountering danger? you went there all by yourself? Just recently went to Zamboanga, but even there I went with a companion.
Yes, I went there all by myself. I guess looking like one of the locals helped (with my dark skin and all)… I kinda grew out my beard intentionally to blend in, haha. Seriously, I was really scared going to Basilan. When I was at the port in Zamboanga, I texted my friends back home so they’ll know my whereabouts … that’s something I haven’t done before … and knowing that, my friends got scared for me also (even scolding me). I made sure to be discrete and take all precautions. When I arrived at the port in Isabela, I went straight to the city tourism office (located at the back of Isabela City Hall) for assistance.
Many bloggers have been to Basilan too. From what I gather reading their posts (and from my experience also), Basilan is a relatively safe to travel if you have a local companion. They would know if it’s safe to visit or not. Though, Isabela City is a relatively safe place if you stick at the city proper area… there are military stationed there with multiple checkpoints set up during “volatile” periods. Going beyond Isabela, take extra extra precaution.
During my first visit to Zamboanga, I was scared also. I wouldn’t dare bring out my camera without thinking thrice. When I went back though, I realized it wasn’t as dangerous as I thought … I’d be more scared now roaming around many parts of Metro Manila than Zamboanga City.
Grabe byahe mo ah. I wanted to go to Merloquet Falls but had no time so omit it from my IT. I never had been to Basilan too.
Ahh… I was only able to go to those places because it was my second trip. On my first, I didn’t venture out of Zamboanga City because there was already a lot to do in the city.
hello marcos,
i very much like this.. i am now at Zamboanga City and i’m planning(i think i will) go to Basilan next week. I am reading travel blogs and articles about Isabela, Basilan to gather information and to make myself comfortable when i go there. I was inspired that you go there alone because I am hesitant to go there all by myself.
Just seek the advice of the tourism office in Zamboanga if it’s a safe time to travel to Isabela :D
This is a cool (and brave!) way of exploring Mindanao. I’m from Gensan and I’m glad you got to visit my hometown.
hehe. Your hometown is very beautiful … clean, orderly, good street layouts, lots of breathing space, promising economy :) Glad we have cities like GenSan in the Philippines!
hi. im off to zamboanga first week of april 2012– first time ever to travel solo.
i was really inspired with your mindanao travel. i want to go to basilan but im hesitant coz i’ll be alone. =( do you have contact person in basilan? can you share your itinerary?
Going into Basilan, I didn’t have contacts. I went straight to the City Tourism Office after I arrived in Isabela City. Will have to check my baul first.