Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Sarangani summer
GLAN, Sarangani -- Summer is one good reason to take a vacation to release all the stress of everyday life.
For those who want to try something new, Sarangani may yet be your best discovery. It offers the mountains and the beach plus more.
Its rainforests and white-sand beaches are perfect destinations for vacationers.
The landscape offers exciting finds and the people makes you feel at home.
"You have wonderful people. The smile is always there," noted Spanish travel photographer Jordi Llorens who was in Sarangani last October. "I was even invited by the people at the beach to have breakfast with them. And I don't even know them."
Glan's Gumasa beach is a surprise to every tourist that comes.
You may think it is just another white-sand beach. However, the almost 10 km. strip of powdery white-sand offers the tranquility and solitude every city denizen is looking for.
Not only that, Gumasa, whose backdrop are coconuts planted on hills, will remind tourists of paintings and sketches of the past.
Picture perfect from the sea and from the hills, Gumasa is host to small resorts. The crystal clear waters are best for snorkeling and even for a whole day swim.
Great sights underwater are starfish of assorted colors and a bed of sea-grass only found in Sarangani.
But it does not end there. A short banca ride will take you to a reef, which is home to schools of fish.
The banca will also take you to hidden coves and cliffs, which are just as pleasing. The best thing about Gumasa is your feeling that you have it for yourself.
And don't forget to watch the sun set.
Having the beach for yourself does not end with Gumasa. You will also get the feeling in Tuka Marine Park in the town of Kiamba.
Tuka Marine Park is a protected area where fishing is banned.
It has four protected coves and only one (Tuka 2) is open to the public.
It has awesome coral formations. You will be literally swimming with fishes once you decide to snorkel.
When you hit the beach, you have it for yourself and your friends. It does not have the bothersome vendors and hawkers.
For those who are serious underwater buffs, South Point Divers offers complete dive packages. Located in Maasim, South Point is perched on a cliff with a spectacular view of Sarangani Bay.
South Point will give you Tampat Wall, Malbang Reef and Tampuan Point. These are only some of Sarangani's dive spots, which can compete with the best of the world. Ask any diver who had taken the plunge.
With an average of 20 visiting divers per month, South Point owner Don Partridge is bullish on the prospects of his resort.
"The Provincial Government is finalizing the tourism plan. When things fall into place, Sarangani will see a lot of tourist arrivals," Partridge said.
He plans to include the Lot Marine Sanctuary in Malapatan to his dive package.
Fear not if you don't like the beach. Sarangani offers more.
"Everything in Sarangani is exciting. It is unspoiled and you have the feeling of being the first to discover the place," said Spanish traveler Maria Fernandez.
The Pangi River in Maitum can give you the thrills.
Set in the idyllic barangay of New La Union, the 1.6 km. tube ride will let you experience the rapids in one of the country's cleanest rivers.
Here, life is slow and simple. Smiles from residents are not wanting. The place is rural Philippines.
The whitewater tubing resort saw more than 6,000 visitors last year alone. And to think that it started only in 2004.
There are overnight cottages and a tent area. As you sleep at night, all you can hear is the river and crickets.
A short trek will lead you to waterfalls, passing by a community of T'bolis as they go on with their daily lives.
What more you could ask for?
"You have it all here. A complete tourist destination," said Dr. Jose Muñoz, a physician from Chicago who recently visited Sarangani with his wife, daughter and friends.
If the beach, the river, and the rainforest is not your thing this summer, you can still do a lot of things in Sarangani.
There are a lot of caves in Maitum, Malapatan and Malungon.
For one, Pinol Cave in Maitum is where hundreds of anthropomorphic jars dating 500 B.C. to A.D. 225 were found in the early 90's.
Zion cave also in Maitum has an imposing chamber.
The Milay Bato cave in Malapatan is inhabited by thousands of bats.
And there's a cave in Malungon whose chamber can have room for a big truck.
Discovering the B'laan culture is another good thing to do this summer. Witness loom-weaving and beads-making in the B'laan tribal community of Lamlifew, Malungon.
And if you're one who always dream, don't let the chance pass to visit the "dream weavers" of Malapatan.
The B'laan community in Upper Lasang in Malapatan is home to the Mat Dream Weavers. Weaving the traditional "banig" in front of your eyes, you will get to wonder why the "banig" has no same design.
That's why they are called the dream weavers. The designs are product of their dreams. Each "banig" is the only one of its kind.
Coming to Sarangani is easy. General Santos City, which lies in the middle of Sarangani, is the service center of the province. It has an international airport and seaport.
To the east, Alabel, the capital town is a 15-minute ride from the city. Gumasa is an hour's drive from the city.
Going west, Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba is also an hour away from General Santos, while New La Union is 30 minutes from Kiamba.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(May 1, 2006 issue)
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