Mindanao at its finest in Socsksargen photo safari
MANILA, Philippines - Of all the islands in the Philippines, tourists, locals and foreigners alike, have lamented the fact that they are reluctant to visit the island of Mindanao because of security risks. Thankfully, however, there is still a pretty little corner in Mindanao that tourists can visit without fear — General Santos City, Sarangani and Lake Sebu.
Known as the country’s “tuna capital,†General Santos, or GenSan for short, is the second largest in terms of daily fish catch in the country and the largest producer of sashimi-grade tuna, which is being exported to Japan and the United States.
Naturally, where fish abounds, there are beautiful white sand beaches and dive spots, among them Maharlika Beach and the dive spot in Tampuan. There are also some gorgeous inland attractions such as Malakong Gorge, the Kaljala Karsts Ecotourism Park and Nopol Hills (with its fruit-eating bats).
GenSan is not the tuna capital for nothing. Visitors can have a firsthand look at the tuna trade at the General Santos Fish Port Complex. Watch as fishermen unload tons of yellow fin tuna to be weighed, graded, sold and shipped to fish markets all over the world.
Fishermen will also help you distinguish between the various species of tuna like skipjack, billfish, and bigeye. After checking out how tuna and other seafood are caught, head out to Tiongson Arcade to dine on sumptuous seafood cuisine. For truly delicious seafood dishes plus a scenic view of Sarangani Bay, it is highly recommended to dine at Sarangani Highlands.
Like GenSan, Sarangani also boasts of a number of white sand beaches and dive spots, including Isla Jardin, Gumasa Beach, with its breathtaking sunrise and sunset, and Kapatan-Lago. Barangay Pinol is the site of the famous Flying Fox Bat Sanctuary, and Pinol Cave with its valuable archaeological find. Of course, Sarangani is the bailiwick of world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Some tours have a drive through the community where Pacquiao’s mansion is located.
Beautiful and awe-inspiring Lake Sebu combines the magnificence of nature and a well-preserved T’boli culture. The region’s Seven Falls is a must-see for visitors and hikers. To view the waterfall at its best, one should go for the exhilarating zipline ride, considered the highest in Southeast Asia.
Tourists are recommended to immerse themselves in the T’boli culture by visiting the SIKAT Cultural Center for tribal music and dances, and demonstrations of the art of weaving t’nalak fabric by master dream weavers such as National Living Treasure Awardee Be Lang Dulay.
Mandy Navasero is conducting her destination lectures in General Santos, Sarangani, and Lake Sebu as a photographer’s mecca, although this is also open to local tourists and non-photographers, who will act as models in the participants’ hands-on learning in portraiture and fashion photography.
Aside from touring the various locations that the region has to offer, both amateur photographers and tourists will be able to take beautiful, breathtaking pictures of the sights in this little corner of Mindanao.
It is Navasero’s hope that the adventure-filled Socsksargen Photo Safari on May 29 to June 2 will help local tourists discover Mindanao’s culture and experience unique destinations.
E-mail at luzamandolina@yahoo.com or call 896-3208 or 0915-5430482. The group will check in at the GenSan Greenleaf Hotel, a new four-star hotel.
