Culture. Adventure. Nature.

Over the span of seven days, we embraced the cultural richness of indigenous communities, sampled delicious local fare, explored awe-inspiring natural landscapes, participated in heart-pumping activities, and enjoyed some well-deserved shopping. 

At the Blaan Du Tabih Festival

At the beautiful Lake Holon

The view from Bansada Agri-Eco Adventure Park

This one-of-a-kind experience was curated by the Tourism Promotions Board or TPB’s Domestic Tourism Invitational Program. Our travels took us to South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and General Santos City, all parts of SOCCSKSARGEN, or SOX, in Mindanao.

General Santos City

Our tour began in General Santos City at the iconic Heneral Santos Plaza, a two-hectare landmark featuring the General Paulino Santos Shrine, which holds the remains of the city’s namesake and his wife. The plaza also showcases the historic Dadiangas tree and a memorial dedicated to fishermen lost during Typhoon Pablo. It also has a monument with Andres Bonifacio’s poem Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa in Baybayin script.

We stayed at Greenleaf Hotel, the only 4-star hotel in General Santos City, where we enjoyed a convenient location near a shopping mall and the added perk of its own spa.

The next day, we visited the bustling General Santos City Tuna Market. As the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” GenSan’s fish port comes alive each morning, which showcases the thriving tuna industry that drives both local and international markets.

South Cotabato

Our South Cotabato adventure began at the first Blaan Du Tabih Festival in Sitio Amgu-o, Barangay Landan, Polomolok. This festival celebrates the tabih, an intricately handwoven cloth of the Blaan people, created using natural dyes from endemic plants. 

Before we left, we made a brief visit to the Fu Yabing showroom and weaving center, which now proudly markets under the brand name FUYA, as well as its homestay and Fu Yabing's grave.

From Polomolok, we proceeded to T’boli to visit the Lemsnolon Cultural Village. Here, we dined on traditional fare, donned T’boli attire, and enjoyed cultural performances. The village also offers homestays and traditional crafts, making it an ideal spot for cultural immersion.

The Lemsnolon Cultural Village is one of the many recipients of TPB's assistance.

One of the unforgettable highlights of this SOX tour was the hike to Lake Holon. Initially, I hadn’t signed up for the climb, but I’m grateful I changed my mind. The journey to the lake was both physically invigorating and spiritually rewarding, with breathtaking views.

Part of Salacafe trail to Lake Holon

Lake Holon, often regarded as one of the cleanest lakes in the country, offered more than just a serene escape. It was a window into the rich culture of the T’boli people, whose stories and traditions are deeply intertwined with this sacred lake. Spending the night at camp by its shores was an experience unlike any other.

Cultural presentation at Lake Holon's campsite

No visit to SOX would be complete without exploring the Land of the Dreamweavers and the Home of the Living Treasures. 

Our journey began with a cultural gem: the School of Living Traditions, established by T’boli cultural advocate Maria Todi. This institution is dedicated to preserving the tribe’s heritage through native songs, dances, and practices, including the iconic T’nalak weaving. After enjoying a hearty lunch accompanied by captivating cultural performances, we immersed ourselves further in their timeless traditions with a visit to the T’nalak Gallery.

Another unforgettable moment was partly fulfilling my dream of meeting all the National Living Treasures, or Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees. I had the honor of meeting Bundos Fara, a GAMABA awardee celebrated for his dedication to preserving the brass-casting tradition (temwel).

We spent our first night at Dreamweavers Hill, a scenic and comfortable accommodation that exceeded my expectations with its beautifully landscaped spaces, stunning lake views, and well-appointed villas.

On our second day in Lake Sebu, I was thrilled to meet another GAMABA awardee, Barbara Ofong, who continues the legacy of T’nalak weaving. It was a happy and inspiring moment to see her passion for preserving this beautiful tradition.

I also tried the trending lotus flower shoot at Lake Sebu. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I eagerly followed our tour guide's instructions and posed in traditional T'boli attire while riding an owong (dugout canoe).

Following this, we dined while cruising Lake Sebu aboard a boat from Punta Isla Resort. The meal was accompanied by another cultural presentation.

I also experienced the Seven Falls Zipline again, one of Asia’s tallest. Stretching 740 and 420 meters across two lines, the zipline offers breathtaking views of the falls and lush landscapes below.

Our final stops were the T’boli Community Library and Culture Hub and the Lang Dulay Weaving Center. The T’boli Community Library and Culture Hub is a space dedicated to fostering a love for reading among T’boli children and young adults while encouraging an appreciation for their cultural heritage.  At the Lang Dulay Weaving Center, family members of Lang Dulay, another GAMABA awardee, continue her weaving tradition. 

The only remaining T’nalak woven by Lang Dulay with her family, bearing her signature.

Sultan Kudarat

From South Cotabato, we ventured to Sultan Kudarat, another province to tick off my list.

We visited the Bansada Agri-Eco Adventure Park in Titulok, Bagumbayan. This hilltop attraction features a cable car, a café, and picturesque views. 

Afterward, we dropped by the provincial capitol, followed by the Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City, a haven for bird watchers and nature lovers. Although the herons and egrets were elusive, the sanctuary’s conservation efforts left a lasting impression.

For dinner, we went to SG Farm in Tupi, nestled at the foot of Mt. Matutum. Unfortunately, it was already dark, but we got to see some of the amenities it offers.

Leaving SOX

Our final evening was spent at The Farm at Cabinet Hill in Koronadal City, a charming garden resort with beautifully landscaped surroundings. Before leaving Koronadal, also known as Marbel, we made sure to savor its renowned halo-halo, served in coconut shells.

We returned to General Santos City after for some last-minute pasalubong shopping, a quintessential Filipino tradition, before flying back home. 

This 7-day journey through SOCCSKSARGEN was the ultimate celebration of culture, adventure, and nature.

A heartfelt thank you to the Tourism Promotions Board for making these experiences possible. Many of these treasures would have remained undiscovered without their efforts, and I hope more Filipinos get the chance to explore and appreciate SOX as I did.

Seventeen years on, the thrill of returning to the trails never wanes.

For our 17th anniversary outreach, we decided to go back to Sitio Polis in Barangay Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet. This was our fifth outreach to this remote community, continuing the bonds we first formed in 2010 and strengthened over subsequent visits in 2012 and 2017, as well as through our pandemic aid in 2020.

It felt like coming home. This year’s outreach held even greater significance as it was also our Christmas celebration in the mountains.

Before trekking to Polis, we stopped by Kibungan Central School, another recipient of our aid during the pandemic. It was our first visit to the school. We held a simple gift-giving ceremony, with presents coming from ninongs and ninangs who fulfilled the kids’ Christmas wishes based on letters sent a month earlier. After the program, we shared lunch with the community and some members from Sitio Polis who would later help us haul our donations through the mountains.

After Kibungan Central School, we began our hike to Sitio Polis. The start of our journey was a mix of nostalgia and discovery, with familiar faces greeting us. Seeing former students, now young adults, step forward to help us carry donations was profoundly moving. The path itself held memories: the familiar long staircases we had to descend, the long hanging bridge we crossed, and the mountain trail leading to Polis. The trek was as tough as ever, with steep trails that tested our endurance. Yet, it was even more beautiful, with blooming flowers and newly installed handrails making the journey safer.

In Polis, we were welcomed with warmth and hospitality. Hot cups of lemongrass tea and rice cakes awaited us — a thoughtful gesture that made us feel at home once again. 

Despite being tired from the overnight journey from Manila to Baguio, the long jeepney ride to Kibungan, facilitating morning activities at Kibungan Central School, and the exhausting trek to Polis, our team still found the energy to embrace the tasks ahead with enthusiasm.

Our dental mission team promptly began providing their much-needed services, while other volunteers prepared for the turnover program with unwavering dedication and energy.

The next day, shortly after breakfast shared with the community, we gathered the kids and fitted them with new TREK shirts, jogging pants, and shoes. Once everyone was ready, having completed their dental checkups, we assembled for a short program. We began with a prayer, including a moment of silence for our departed volunteer, Busi, whose last project was providing pandemic aid to Polis Barrio School and Kibungan Central School.

We then proceeded with the distribution of gifts for the kids. Once again, we had our TREK X Conquer backpacks for each child, part of our ongoing collaboration with Conquer Outdoor Equipment. Through this initiative, our group sold backpacks to volunteers, friends, and families, and for every backpack sold, one was donated. Fortunately, we sold enough to provide for all the children of Sitio Polis.

Each backpack was packed with school supplies. In addition, we distributed new umbrellas, hygiene kits, and loot bags to each child. For each household, we provided grocery packs. As requested by the teachers, we also gave the school sleeping mats, sports equipment, mirrors, and more school supplies.

Seeing the children’s smiles as they opened their backpacks and the gratitude of the parents as they received their grocery packs reminded us of the true spirit of the season. It was a moment of simple yet profound happiness, one that left all of us feeling grateful and fulfilled.

This mission was particularly special for me as it coincided with my 50th birthday. Celebrating this milestone in the mountains, surrounded by co-volunteers and the community we have come to love, was a gift beyond measure.

Our volunteers managed to surprise me with a second birthday celebration at Sitio Polis, complete with cakes and balloons. I was amazed at how they carried the cake up the challenging trail without a scratch. The first celebration had been at Kibungan Central School.

Another highlight was reuniting with Dempsey, a boy we first met in 2010 who inspired the design of that year’s TREK shirt. Now a young man and a farmer, Dempsey has become more than just a celebrity among us TREK volunteers. He is a hero to his community and a source of pride for the entire country.

Dempsey's mother, the president of the Parents and Teachers Association, expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the community. The program concluded with a touching song performed by the teachers and parents, dedicated to us.

As we began our journey back, our physical burdens were lighter, but our hearts were full. The scenic beauty of the mountains, coupled with the knowledge that we had made a positive impact, filled us with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude.

Seventeen years is a long time, but our journey is far from over. The trails we walk may be rugged and challenging, but they are also filled with moments of joy, connection, and purpose. Here’s to many more years of empowering kids and transforming lives, one step at a time.

I'm not a big fan of gyms, and while my neighborhood is nice, walking the same paths can get boring. So, when Jing Ordona announced a new Manilakad Adventure in New Manila, I signed up immediately. Spending All Hallows Eve exploring a historic neighborhood sounded perfect. It was a mix of adventure, history, and an exciting way to hit those 10,000 steps!

New Manila is a prestigious, tree-lined district in Quezon City, rich with history and intrigue. Originally friar lands, it was transformed in the 1930s by Doña Magdalena Hemady, who created spacious lots in a New York-inspired grid. Known for its exclusivity, New Manila quickly became a peaceful retreat for the country’s elite, including President Manuel Quezon, who even built his family mansion here. By the late 1930s, New Manila had earned the nickname "Hollywood of the Philippines." Sampaguita Pictures, one of the first Filipino film studios, opened its doors here, attracting local stars and filmmakers.

The Mansions of New Manila

Balete Drive might usually steal the spotlight for spooky stories, but Broadway Avenue has its own eerie vibes. Jing shared that former residents described Broadway Avenue as the “gate to hell.” 

The creepiest spot is probably Villa Caridad, an old mansion on Broadway. Built in the early 1900s, this mansion has a storied history: it served as a Jesuit rest house, a Japanese officer’s residence during WWII, and later a private family home. Today, Villa Caridad sits in ruins and has served as a filming location for classic horror films like Halimaw sa Banga and Hiwaga sa Balete Drive.

Jing explained that Villa Caridad has long been rumored to be haunted. Every time workers tried to demolish parts of the mansion, they reportedly heard sounds of crying, scaring the owners into leaving it standing as it is. The broken stairways and gargoyles still visible through the gates add an eerie quality, especially under the dimming light of dusk.

The tour also took us past several other grand mansions, each with its own unique story. Renou Space, also known as the "Ice Cream Mansion," is a creative space often used for film locations and concept shoots. We were lucky enough to get a tour of the house, which is filled with stunning artwork. Outside, a Fruits in Ice Cream (FIC) truck was parked, offering us free ice cream samples, a sweet treat during our walk.

We also saw Doña Hemady’s original house, which is now home to the Pastorelle Sisters, who manage the Jesus Good Shepherd School in Imus, Cavite, where I finished elementary.

Another noteworthy property along Broadway Avenue was the former residence of Senator Geronima Pecson, the first Filipina senator and a key figure in education and social work. A historical marker from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines outside her former home honors her achievements, including her role as the first Filipino and woman to serve on the executive board of UNESCO.

An Unexpected Discovery: Wisdom Park

One of the most surprising discoveries on our walk was Wisdom Park, a Buddhist Center and Museum nestled within Quezon City. Visitors to Wisdom Park can meditate, offer incense, or pray around a sacred Bodhi tree. The park features a stupa, a library with free books on Buddhist teachings, and a Dharma Cafe offering vegetarian meals. 

Inside the basement area, my favorite spot, soft lights and rose quartz and citrine crystals forming a lotus create a calming atmosphere. This peaceful oasis was completely unexpected, showing just how diverse and vibrant New Manila’s cultural landscape is.

The Spiritual Side of New Manila

The tour wasn’t all about ghosts, though. New Manila is home to some truly beautiful and historic religious sites. Our first stop was the Christ the King Mission Seminary along E. Rodriguez Sr. Boulevard, a peaceful compound with several important spaces. This seminary, run by the SVD (Societas Verbi Divini), houses the Villa Cristo Rey for retired priests, the Sementeryo ng Mga Relihiyoso cemetery for SVD priests, and the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus, The Divine Word.

In 2008, the serene Garden of the Divine Word was added to the seminary grounds. This columbary, where my dad and sister are at rest, is a hidden oasis within the city. The three-story main building houses offices, small chapels, and niches, while a series of multi-level stairways lead to the garden area. In the garden, a koi pond, Stations of the Cross, and the Grotto of Our Lady of Annunciation create a peaceful environment for reflection. The Virgin Mary statue overlooking the garden feels like a comforting presence, watching over the visitors and those laid to rest here.

We also visited the St. Joseph Convent of Perpetual Adoration on Doña Hemady Avenue, where the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, or Pink Sisters, practice perpetual eucharistic adoration. Their pink habits, symbolizing love and joy, are a unique sight and give the convent a special atmosphere. Founded in 1896 by Saint Arnold Janssen, who also founded the SVD, the Pink Sisters focus on prayer and worship around the clock.

Our next religious stop was the Minor Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has become an important pilgrimage site in Quezon City. This basilica, established in 1964 and declared a minor basilica in 2019, is one of the main centers of devotion to the Brown Scapular in the Philippines. The church, run by the Order of the Discalced Carmelites, has a serene ambiance that draws devotees from across Metro Manila.

A fascinating stop on the tour was the Our Lady of Victories Church, located at the corner of Cannon and Betty Go-Belmonte streets. The church is administered by the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), a traditionalist Catholic group that broke away from the mainstream Catholic Church in 1988. The SSPX was founded in 1968 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who sought to preserve the traditional Tridentine Latin Mass, which was largely replaced by masses in local languages after the Second Vatican Council. Dedicated to Our Lady of Victories, this church has retained its traditional practices, making it a unique stop on our tour and offering a glimpse into a different chapter of Catholic history.

Our last stop was the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao, commonly known as Cubao Cathedral. By the time we arrived, it was already dark, and the church was closed, so we could only view it from the outside. 

Despite this, seeing the grand cathedral under the night sky was a fitting end to our journey, bringing together the many layers of faith and history we had uncovered throughout the day.