Fifteen Words about South Cotabato

TUNA. That’s General Santos! DURIAN. That’s Davao! WHITE SAND. That’s Gumasa in Sarangani Province! How about South Cotabato? What are the terms which can be associated with this beautiful province in the south? Here are fifteen words to describe South Cotabato:

1. PINEAPPLE. South Cotabato is rolling will hills of pineapples. Whether you are travelling along its highways or visiting its remotest towns, you will never miss out the pineapples. In a way, thanks to Dole Philippines, who does not only provide such sweet-tasting fruits but also offer employment opportunities to the people.

2. GRAINS. South Cotabato, along with General Santos City, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, is the top producer of both corn and rice in the country according to a report by NSCB. Surallah, Norala, Banga, and other municipalities have large expanse of corn and rice field irrigated by the waters of the great Allah River and its tributaries. 

 

3. FRUITS. South Cotabato has become one of the country’s fruit baskets. Pass by Polomolok and Tupi and have a taste of their rich harvest of fruits such as durian, papaya, banana, and much more.

4. FALLS. Who does not known the famous Seven Falls of Lake Sebu? If you have only heard of it, then it is now time to visit the wondrous falls. Seven is quite a lot, but seeing only just a half of them will already mesmerize you, urging you to keep wanting for more. The famous tourist attraction is at Barangay Seven Falls where you must also experience the highest zipline in Asia (that’s roughly 200 meters above the ground!). Besides Lake Sebu, there are also many awe-inspiring falls in Koronadal.

5. T’NALAK. A fabric unique to the T’boli tribe of South Cotabato, the T’nalak is made of abaca fibers meticulously woven to create a strong and colorful piece of clothing. With its tough assembly and vibrant appearance, the T’nalak is truly a symbol of the region’s rich culture that stands the test of time and development.

6. TILAPIA.  South Cotabato is unindated with healthy lakes and clean waters. Living abundantly in these waters are the beautiful but humble tilapias. Whether they are grilled, fried, stewed, or dried, tilapias are simply mouth-watering. And where can you find the cleanest, fattest (just imagine the thick line of fish fat along their belly) and most delicious tilapias? Only in this part of the world! 

7. POTS. Visit the silent municipality of Tantangan and be impressed with its display of clay pots and ceramics. With their exceptional details, these pots are truly works of arts by the local artisans and craftsmen.

8. FLOWERS. South Cotabato is also the home of many exotic and beautiful flowers such as the Waling-waling which is the “Queen of Philippine Flowers”.  Try visiting Durian Garden in Polomolok and be dazzled with the myriad showers of sweet blossoms. And isn’t cutflower a major production in Tupi? 

9. UP. Recently, the University of the Philippines Manila launched a satellite campus in Koronadal named as the UP Manila – School of Health Sciences Koronadal Campus. It would not be surprising that in the coming days, Koronadal will prove to be a center of excellence in the country, not only because of the establishment of UP campus but also due to its already well-performing schools and universities.

10. MARDI GRAS. Festivals in South Cotabato are bursting with life, colors, and joviality. Whether they are about foundation anniversary, patronal feast, or simply thanksgiving celebration, these festivals are highlighted with street parties and colorful mass parade, featuring the wonderful culture and richness of harvest in the region.

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11. MATUTUM. Standing proud on the region’s ground, the majestic Mount Matutum is a distinguishing landmark in South Cotabato. Rising to almost 2.3 km above sea levels, the volcano plays host to a variety of plants and wildlife. The cute tarsiers are even found on Mount Matutum.

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12. CAVES. Nature has gifted South Cotabato with amazing cave formations. Discover the Cadidang Cave, Salkak Cave, and various other caves in the region.

13. JOYRIDE. South Cotabato is a great place to hit the road. Try the undulating roads going to Banga, Surallah and Lake Sebu. How about the busy round ball of Koronadal? Or the wide highways of Polomolok, picturesque with the bright street lamps at night? Whether you see agricultural fields stretching to eternity or funny architectures and landscapes, you will surely enjoy the sights and sounds along the roads of South Cotabato.

14. HERITAGE. South Cotabato has a diverse heritage. It is a melting pot of different tribes, mainly Ilonggo, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Cebuano, Muslim and the indigenous tribes of T’boli and B’laan, whose lives converge in perfect harmony, brotherhood, and peace.

15. SUN. Above all, South Cotabato is blessed with a wonderful climate. The sun shines brightly all throughout the year, with occasional rainshower and mist. Such ideal mixture of heat and moisture has nourished the region’s land, making it fit for agriculture and tourism. In analogy, the perfect blend of culture, religion and history has enriched the people’s already flourishing political, social and economic lives.

 

As the sun brings bounty to the land, SUN Cellular also offers much opportunities and fun to the region. With the improved signal and services, exploring and enjoying every corner of South Cotabato can be done to the max. With SUN, “better network, better value”.

“This is my submission for the T'nalak Festival 2012 Blog Writing Contest, which is made possible with the support of sponsors such as Hon. Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr and the province of South Cotabato, Sun Cellular - get two days of unlimited text to all networks for only ₱15 with SUN TEXTALL15, Dole Philippines, Representative Teddy Casiño & Bayan Muna Party-List,  KCC Malls, SouthCotabato.Org and South Cotabato News.”