Living in the South PH

Name: Dreamweaver's Hill Location: Sitio Sarisa, Barangay Lamdalag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/4zDffPQdBeW1oLcN9 Because of the covid-19 pandemic, most of us were kept inside our own homes. For more than nine months it also seemed boring if we only had a virtual relationship with each other. And of course long isolation does not benefit our mental health.  So when the tourist attractions reopened we did not miss the opportunity to travel and roam with family and friends. Still with precaution not to be infected with covid-19.  Mountain resorts are one of the most popular destinations nowadays, what with the relaxing views and cool climate. The opening of various mountain resorts in SOCCSKSARGEN. Some of them are flooded with local tourists wanting to relax. One of the most visited is Dreamweaver's Hill in Lake Sebu. Lake Sebu is already known as a tourist destination because of its lake resorts, seven falls, zipline which is one of the high...

If you think the white sand beaches of Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani Province are the only tourist spots the town can offer, you better suspend that thinking until you see what we've just discovered. Beyond Gumasa lies a hidden paradise called Bato Buri, accessible via KingKim resort in Barangay Burias, around 20km from Gumasa. Not very fancy but it will surely bring you closer to nature and would make you appreciate God's gifts to Sarangani. How to Get There If your are driving, go to Glan and take the road to Gumasa. Head on to Barangay Burias 20-km away. On the right side look out for the signage that says Burias Beach or Mingkat Gampal Elementary School. For those who are commuting, take the van to Glan from Veranza Mall. Drop off at the Terminal in Poblacion Glan. From there look for a motorcycle that will take you to Burias. Fare is usually Php 100.00. There are also big trucks that head straight to Margus. Their terminal is at Lagao Public Market, G...

Lake Sebu in South Cotabato is one of the favorite destinations of those who come to visit the southern Philippines. A lot of tourist have fallen in love with the idyllic town. Last April, my sister and her hubby wanted to visit Lake Sebu. So I, having been to Lake Sebu for countless times, acted as their tour guide. I made this itinerary below: 6:30 AM ETD from Alabel 7:30 AM ETA at Mariano's Blooming Petals Agri-Venture 8:30 AM ETD to Lake Sebu 9:30 AM ETA at Lake Sebu Seven Falls Adventures 9:30 - 11:30 AM Trekking to Falls No. 2 and Zipline Adventure 11:30 AM ETD to Punta Isla 12:00 NN Lake Cruise at Punta Isla with Lunch 2:00 PM ETD to Marbel 3:00 PM ETA at Apareja Buko Halo-Halo (Cancelled due to rain) 3:30 PM ETA at Durian Garden (Durian Pie) 4:30 PM Home Sweet Home MARIANO'S BLOOMING AGRI-TOURISM PARK Who can resist taking selfie with these sunflowers? They schedule the planting of sunflowers so that there will always be sunflowers in full blo...

If you are looking for "pasalubong" to give away to your friends you can try these food products I have tasted recently. These are made in here in SoCCSKSarGen so you will be bringing the region with you to people who have not been here, who want to here, or who have been here but missing our place. So I received a pack of local goods containing a pack of salmon cracklings (chicharon), mushroom cracklings, pastillas delights, and chili garlic sauce. I made a video as a tried these local delicacies: The products I featured, as well as other local products, can be availed of as Ellyne's Pasalubong Market , Maduramente Building, National Highway, General Santos City. If you are interested, you can check out their Facebook page or contact them through phone number 0945 789 4134.

There's an undiscovered paradise further down south of Sarangani Province in Brgy. Batulaki, Glan, Sarangani Province. I have visited it recently and fell in love with it the moment I caught a first glimpse of it. We went to Tinaca Point, where the Philippine Navy Littoral Monitoring Station is located. There stands an old lighthouse and it showed us a great view of Celebes Sea, the coastline of Southern Sarangani, and of Balut Island in Davao Occidental. GETTING THERE From Poblacion Glan, we took a government vehicle to Barangay Batulaki, the last barangay of the Municipality of Glan. It took about about an hour and a half of road trip in order to get there. For those who wish to visit the place, coordination with municipal tourism office is advised. You must also communicate with the Punong Barangay (Chairman). The long stretch of beach grayish in Batulaki is a beauty in itself. From there you can see Balut Island,which is part of  the Municipality of Sarangani in Da...

In the idyllic town of Kiamba in the western part of Sarangani lies a hidden cove that has become a favorite among those who are seeking adventure and immersion in nature. The Tuka Marine Park, reachable via a 15-minute boat ride provides a one-of-a-kind beach experience. How to Get There Take whatever available modes of transportation to Kiamba, Sarangani Province. That's about an hour and a half drive. For those who are taking the public transportation, the bus fare is Php 100.00, while the van fare is P120.00. Buses are stationed at Bulaong Terminal in General Santos City, while you can take the van at Ablog Terminal along Daproza Street. The Tourism Information Office, which is also the booking office to Tuka Marine Park is located at the Kiamba Port, near the Municipal Plaza. From there you will need to take the boat ride that costs Php 121.00 pesos, which will take you to Tuka Marine Park and back to Kiamba Port. Entrance Fee, Environmental Fee, and Accommod...

It's my fifth time to try the whitewater tubing at NLU Whitewater Eco Park but, I swear, it always feels like the first time every time. I have even tried tubing without a river guide during the AMARACA Festival in summertime. Recently, I tried the 2.1-km trail and it features the big fall. It's a different experience altogether. Check out my video to see what I'm talking about. The New La Union Whitewater EcoPark takes advantage of the rapids of Pangi River, which has been adjudged as one of the cleanest rivers in the country. How to Get There NLU Whitewater Eco Park is found in Maitum, Sarangani Province. From General Santos City, travel to Maitum, about a two-hour journey on average. Before reaching Poblacion, make a right turn just before reaching Pangi Elementary School. Pangi ES in on the left side of the road. The road to NLU is at the right side. If taking public transportation, you stop by Pangi ES and take a tricycle or a motorcycle to NLU, ...