Serenity abound at the pleasant waters of Lake Sebu
I’m really loving our country a lot since I started exploring more of Mindanao. There is no denying there are a lot of great places here to explore only dampened by its negative notion of being ‘unsafe.’ True there are areas trodden with strife, but they are concentrated, and a lot of areas are still safe to visit. And with my recent trip to the Southern Cotabato region, I’m more convinced that our natural wonders can offer a lot and even compete fairly with those of other countries as well. And one of those places in this region where I was enthralled by its natural beauty and is considered by Jens Peters as the country’s most beautiful lake, is Lake Sebu. And seeing it myself, I couldn’t agree anymore.
Even our canine friend helps on keeping watch over the fish pens
The journey started from Centennial Terminal 2 where I waited for my clown (joke) este companion to arrive. I had the pleasure of being in company with another talented photographer and word smith, Oggie on this one. Watch out for this guy as his works will soon be featured on the Digital Photographer Philippines glossy very soon as he goes on assignment this weekend in Coron-Calauit, Palawan.
Fishermen rise before dawn to tend to their tilapias at the fish pens
Anyways, despite the stormy weather here in Manila the day before caused by the Super Typhoon Egay, we had no second thoughts on pushing through since Mindanao as we know is blessed with better weather in our country. We flew via Air Philippines to Gen San since they had an earlier flight at 8:10am and found our way 2 hours later on the roads hopping from a Yellow Bus to Koronadal, another bus to Surallah, a short tryke ride to a jeepney terminal, and riding a jeepney to the Lake Sebu took around 3 hours from Gen San.
The floating restaurant and the wide stretch of the lake
The jeep going up to Lake Sebu was trudging heavily on the winding road, probably due to its heavy cargo and passengers. It was slow and the wait was close to agonizing already. As we go upwards, the cool wind can be felt. It reminds me of going up the mountains in Cordilleras. A bit weary and hungry by that time, I guess the other passengers noticed, that three nice ladies gave us a bag of Minatamis na Saging (sweetened banana). Nakakahiya at first. Hahaha. But we did take it eventually as I’m already drooling at the sight of it. Wow. People here are so nice. Soon, after a short habal-habal ride, we found ourselves at Punta Isla Resort and marveled at the sight of the Lake Sebu from the establishment. Breathtaking is all I can say. And we’re just beginning our adventure.
i missed this magical place! been almost a decade thatI haven’t been here.
its not just the lake but also the various waterfalls (around 7 ata) ata and of course, the beetles that I’ve been collecting in this area of which several are still undescribed to science.
Anyway, while the place is idyllic, the souvenir shops there are tourist traps. If they say that the brass thing they are selling, especially nga-nga (betel nut) cases are antique, just don’t be fooled. Most of these are not old and were just made to look antique.
Early mornings are really cool and conducive to s_x. Hahaha…
exactly…mindanao offers more than we see on newspaper when we read about the war there. it’s beauty is sooo underrated to begin with. buti na lang may ironwulf to spread the word! galing!
i love the contrast of the guy wearing red. i mean the whole picture is sort of earthy, but his red shirt gave it that perfect contrast.
I missed this place… been there twice.. i forgot the shell food that they harvest in the lake… kaguton tsaka yung tilapia hehehe… great photos ferdz
…and the lake is abounded by fish cages. i usually hate it. i mean, no matter how supposedly “serene” the shots look like, they often contribute to the distraction. but hey ho, the way you handled them here is simply amazing. you choose angles like a real pro with an eye for seeing beauty. how’s that for a boost! asteeeg. galing mong mag-appropriate ng space to create the “vast” effect.
Wow! I’m really learning more about the beautiful places in the Philippines through your blog . Kaya lang, I’m not as adventurous as you are. Is there a more confortable way to go up the mountains besides the jeepney? Our tourism really should work on the infrastructure.
Anyway, you are right… Lake Sebu looks really enthralling.
hay kung pwede lang ako travel there with you
gusto ko rin yan e masarap daw tilapia dyan? puro daytrip lang magagawa ko na muna
wow! ang gara ng mga sceneries!
may tag pala ako sa iyo heheh…
Photos and write up: Wow!
this is the part i remember! hehe!
man i miss this place. sobrang lamig, and really relaxing. i love your pics!
3 hours pala from gensan un. hey i’m glad you’re enjoying mindanao!!
I agree with Sidney, postcard perfect, all the pictures actually. Now because of you , I’ll be exploring of Mindanao next year.
*more of Mindanao* I mean
[...] is one thing seeing Lake Sebu from afar, but it’s another thing exploring the actual lake itself. For Php 350 at Punta Isla Lake [...]
..wow..its so amzing…nice shots…i really missed my hometown south cotabato…i was visited lake sebu south cotabato last march 1998…i was hoping that next year…i visit this nice place…the summer capital of south cotabato!!!!…VERY NICE SHOTS…I LOVE IT…
[...] about being a caretaker and some about her life. A really lively and friendly old woman. As if the minatamis na saging incident at Lake Sebu wasn’t enough. After touring the museum which was about to close that time, Aling Soseng came [...]
Hi, You have really good shots of lake sebu.
I want to ask permission if I could use the image on youtube. It’s Lake Sebu’s song of Grace Nono.
Thanks.
ang ganda talaga…………
ahhhahhhahhhaaaa i misss my beatifil place…espicially inihaw na tilapia mmmmmmmm
Hi there! Michael here. A pure T’boli from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.. I worked at the Municipal Tourism Office… I disagree with ESTAN statement, hindi namin ipinagbili yung antique na betel nut.. that’s for display. Punta ka lang dun sa house of gongs namin… Pero yung brass casting industry dito talaga yan sa Lake Sebu.. 09063890328 or mikel_scmsi@yahoo.com if you wish to come, just contact me. Thanks.
Hi Ferds, what can you say about Air Philippines? I plan to fly with them. Thanks!