Tag: Southern Mindanao

Tawi-tawi: Climbing, wishes and beliefs at the sacred Bud Bongao

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Bud Bongao Peak from afar
The Sacred mountain Bud Bongao in Tawi-tawi

“Di ka pa nakakapunta ng Tawi-Tawi pag di mo pa na-akyat ang Bud Bongao (You haven’t been to Tawi-Tawi if you haven’t climbed Bud Bongao)” said our Muslim guide Ben as we started our climb one morning in Bongao, Tawi-tawi. Bud Bongao dominates the whole landscape of the Tawi-tawi island. The Muslim people there considers the mountain as sacred and guards the well being of the island and the people that resides. At least once, in every Muslim’s life living on the island, they would climb the mountain and pray at the peak.

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Tawi-Tawi | Where to Stay in Bongao

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Tourism is not really the main draw in Bongao, Tawi-tawi so there aren’t that many accommodations to choose from. There are however three notable hotels there which caters to businessmen, visitors and the occasional travelers in Tawi-Tawi. We were able to stay at some of them and we can say that don’t expect any 3-5 star types here. Most of the rooms are basic and spartan. (Updated December 2014) Almost 5 years since my first visit, there are already additional options for stay in Bongao. Some though have remained the same.

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Transit: Going to Tawi-tawi

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Weesam Fast Craft at Bongao Commercial Port

Tawi-Tawi is a hard place to reach and its jump-off point is Zamboanga City. The most common means of traveling to and fro Bongao, the capital of Tawi-tawi is by sea. Curently, there two options, the Aleson Shipping Lines Ferry and the Weesam Fastcraft. The former is slow but it’s how the locals do it and can be quite interesting and the latter is fast and comfortable.

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Tawi-tawi: Breaking the myths in Bongao

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Bongao Capitol Minaret and Cupola Duo

The southern most tip of Mindanao holds a lot of mystery to me which may attribute my excitement about visiting the place first time around. But mention the word Tawi-tawi, Mindanao, the first impression I get from most people is “Di ba delikado dun?(Isn’t it dangerous to go there?).” With all the negative news Jolo, Sulu is getting, people are afraid to venture further that region. Honestly I also have some expectations when I went to Bongao, Tawi-tawi but gladly, I was proved wrong in my initial notions about Tawi-tawi.

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Sulu: A glimpse of Jolo

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View of a mosque, Stilt houses at Jolo Port, Sulu

The volcanic island of Jolo in Sulu has been a staple on recent news lately. More so on the rampant kidnappings happening on the region, particularly in Southern tip of Mindanao. Just recently, this early 2009 there were around 10 kidnappings reported, from missionaries, traders, volunteers and even a 9 year old boy who just came out of a computer shop was kidnapped. It is a sad fact but there are really places in the Philippines that are best avoided and one of those is this volcanic island of Sulu. Quite ironic when we landed on Zamboanga Airport, there was a WOW Sulu banner on the arrivals.

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