‘SoccsksarGEM’ offers unique travel treasures

HIDEAWAY The coastline of Glan, Sarangani, is a perfect natural hideaway. —PHOTOS BY BONG S. SARMIENTO

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—From the majestic peak of Mt. Apo to the mesmerizing depths of Sarangani Bay—with the friendly tri-people and their rich cultural heritage as well as diverse landscape in between—Soccsksargen region may well be called “SoccsksarGEM” for hosting unique tourism treasures.

Soccsksargen stands for the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, and highly urbanized General Santos City, more popularly known as GenSan. The component cities of Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan also belong to this region in Mindanao.

GenSan, the undisputed “tuna capital of the Philippines,” is the main gateway to the region, and is directly accessible by either plane or boat from Metro Manila, the national capital some 1,600 kilometers away.

The tourism potentials of Soccsksargen hogged the spotlight when around 200 executives from hotels, airlines and tour operators across the country gathered here for the 13th Regional Travel Fair (RTF) in late September.

Organized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the RTF serves as a platform for host regions to highlight their unique tourism assets in collaboration with local governments and industry stakeholders.

“Through each Regional Travel Fair, we remain committed to boosting domestic tourism by connecting industry players and unlocking new opportunities. Not only do these events benefit businesses, but they also inspire more Filipinos to discover the wonders of our own country,” Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, TPB chief operating officer, said.

In Mindanao, the RTF has been held for Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao Region) and 12 (Soccsksargen). The fair has yet to be conducted for Caraga (Region 13) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The 13th RTF, supported by DOT-Soccsksargen, features business-to-business or B2B sessions, which brought together regional sellers, such as hotel, resorts and tour operators with national buyers (transport operators and travel agents) to form partnerships, expand travel-related business opportunities, and discuss emerging trends in the tourism industry

It was followed by the business-to-consumer (B2C) fair, held in a mall here which allowed the public to purchase exclusive discounts on travel packages, air and sea tickets, accommodations, and other tourism-related products and services.

DIVERSE OFFERING The natural and cultural tapestry of Soccsksargen region makes for a diverse travel offering—from farm tourism, food and delicacies, to an immersion to the ways of Mindanao’s indigenous peoples.

‘Ridge-to-reef’

During the “SoccsksarGEM” leg, local and provincial tourism players featured not only the region’s “ridge-to-reef” tourist attractions but also the gastronomic and cultural diversity peculiar to this side of the Philippines.

For reef-based adventures, there is “Sarangani, your adventure,” which promotes the powdery white sand beaches of Glan, arguably the most popular among tourists in Sarangani.

The world-class scuba diving spot of Lemlunay, a resort located in Maasim town, can also be enjoyed by visitors.

In Malungon, the only landlocked municipality in Sarangani, visitors can commune with nature at the Kalonbarak Skyline Ridge, immerse with indigenous peoples at the Lamlifew Tribal Village or meditate at the CCT Retreat and Training Center.

“[The tagline] ‘Sarangani, your adventure’ depicts the diverse resources and rich culture of the province that make it a truly great outdoor adventure destination in the Philippines,” said April Marjorie Rudes, provincial tourism officer.

In South Cotabato, guests to the 13th RTF toured the indigenous T’nalak weaving center of Lang Dulay, the late Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan (national living treasure) awardee; the museum owned by a local that houses 100 T’nalak designs; and the “House of Gongs,” where dozens of such musical instruments are displayed, all in upland Lake Sebu town.

A trip to Lake Sebu won’t be complete unless tourists visit the famous “Seven Falls” and the namesake lake. There are actually three lakes in the town—Lake Sebu, Lake Lahit and Lake Seloton, the first being the largest lake.

Nature and its bounty

In lowland Koronadal, the capital city of South Cotabato, one must enjoy the delicious refreshments at the “halo-halo” strip along the national highway in Barangay Saravia before heading to the roadside fruit park, where there is an offering of different kinds of fruits, mainly the signature pineapple, in nearby Tupi town.

The SG (strawberry and guyabano) Farm has become a must-visit attraction in Tupi for its buffet offerings and cool ambiance at the foothills of Mt. Matutum, the landmark peak of South Cotabato.

Either in Tupi or in Polomolok towns, make a stopover at the sprawling pineapples grown by Dole Philippines Inc. over rolling lands for a souvenir shot with Mt. Matutum as backdrop.

North of GenSan, Sultan Kudarat province takes pride for its Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City, a migratory path for birds, including the black-crowned night heron believed to be originating from Japan.

“This is the haven for thousands of herons and egrets. This is considered one of the largest roosting and nesting sites for egrets and herons in the Philippines and the seventh internationally important wetland sites in the country,” said Emelie Jamorabon, the city tourism officer.

Further north is the province of Cotabato, whose capital Kidapawan City holds the annual “eat-all-you-can” fruits through its Timpupo Festival every August.

For mountain hikers, Cotabato province is one of the gateways to Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest peak at 2,954 meters (9,652 feet) above sea level.

Baby de Luna Landan, TPB Domestic Promotions Department manager, urged tourists to visit and make an unforgettable experience in “SoccsksarGEM.”

Landan saying the passion and dedication of this year’s RTF were crucial in further advancing the potentials of the country’s tourism industry.

Of course, a visit to Soccsksargen wouldn’t be complete if one does not eat tuna delicacies available daily at the row of stalls and restaurants along GenSan’s Tiongson Street.

“Magandang (amazing) Soccsksargen [awaits tourists],” Landan said, citing the diverse tapestry, stunning landscapes and seascapes in the region.