5 Must-Do's in Lake Sebu

The bucolic town of Lake Sebu in the Province of South Cotabato exudes an enchanting charm. Lodged in the southern central part of Mindanao, this quaint town radiates with rustic bliss which sets it miles apart from other tourism destinations in Mindanao.

From General Santos City, one has to travel for a couple of hours to this amazing town. But this doesn’t mean a boring trip as the rural landscape filled your eyes with endless wonder: from rugged landscapes to the fields of corn and rice and the majestic view of Mt. Matutum. While it can be told that the journey is fun, nothing is more marvelous than stepping into Lake Sebu itself.

The cool and rustic clime of Lake Sebu is a pleasant escape from the tropics. The moment you alight from the bus at Punta Isla Lake Resort, you will feel the same aura felt by the visitors of Tagaytay. T’boli music welcomed us at Punta Isla Lake Resort where we are billeted for a night. From their viewdeck, one couldn’t help but be amazed by the panoramic vista that is uniquely Lake Sebu. From this point, one could affirm this place deserves the distinction as one of Mindanao’s prized tourism gems.

I listed some of the exciting things you can do while you are in Lake Sebu, to wit:

ZIP OVER SOUTHEAST ASIA’S HIGHEST ZIPLINE

This is undeniably Lake Sebu’s main attraction: the gravity-defying Zipline. But it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. Our initial descent was slow, but it began to pick up great speed in just a few seconds. It was a sensory overload: feeling the cool South Cotabato wind against our faces, watching the thick forest canopy and three waterfalls below us, and enjoying all of these while dangling approximately 200 meters off the ground. The first leg of the Seven Falls Zipline is 740 meters long and the second leg is 420 meters long. At a height of more than 180 meters, the exciting ride is the highest in Southeast Asia.

“FALL” IN LOVE

While some of the waterfalls can be viewed in seconds as you try the zipline, nothing compares to the feeling of watching it up close. It’s truly a great feeling to hear the sound of falling waters and to see the lush greeneries that are abound in the area. e 7 waterfalls have T’boli names that pretty much describe them:

Falls 1 is called Hikong Alu, meaning "passage falls."

Falls 2 is known as Hikong Bente or "immeasurable waterfalls." 

Falls 3 is Hikong B’lebed meaning "coil or zigzag falls"

Falls 4 earned the name Hikong Lowig meaning "booth"

Falls 5 is Hikong Kefo-i or "the wild flower"

Falls 6 is Hikong Ukol or "short falls"

Falls 7 was given the name Hikong Tonok, meaning "soil"

GO ON A BOAT TOUR

The lake, considered as the ancestral domain of the T’boli is composed of three magnificent mountain lakes – Lake Sebu, the largest; Lake Siluton, the deepest; and Lake Lahit, the smallest. The local tribesmen rely on the lake for their food, as evidenced by the many fish pensused to grow tilapia, hito and freshwater shrimps. As you take the tour for a minimal fee of 500 pesos/boat (maximum of 15 persons), you could see up close the activities around the lake.

Sir Edwin on the edge

Rustic Landscapes can be viewed as you go on a tour around the lake.

INDULGE ON A FOOD TRIP

Lake Sebu’s main product is the tilapia fish. In Punta Isla Lake Resort, one can choose from the more than 50 tilapia dishes on their menu. One could vouch to the freshness of the tilapia that is being cooked because you can see the resort’s staff getting them from the lake itself. You could indulge on a food trip in their respective cottages overlooking the lake. Better yet, try eating in their floating restaurant.

You could go on a feast and try the local delicacies in Punta Isla's famous floating restaurant which offers a nice view of the lake.

READ. WRITE. EMOTE.

Lake Sebu is definitely a pleasant escape from the tropics; a stark contrast to the busy atmosphere back in the city. The place offers a relaxing and a laid-back feel which is a perfect spot for reading a good book in one sitting, writing a note, to reminisce the good old times. Or better yet, to wander in your respective dreamlands. The next morning when you wake up, watch the beautiful sunrise over the lake and the activities abound in the area.

HOW TO GET TO LAKE SEBU

If you’re coming from Davao, Bukidnon or Cagayan de Oro, take a bus bound to General Santos City. From General Santos, ride a bus bound to Koronadal. From Koronadal bus station, take another bus bound to Surrallah. From Surrallah, there are jeeps or vans going to Lake Sebu. Once there, you'll find an abundance of resorts and hotels that cater to tourists.

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE SEBU

There are many resorts in Lake Sebu but one resort that stood out is the Punta Isla Lake Resort. The resort’s tagline sums it all: this place is “where life blends with nature.” You can have your reservation or inquiries through the following contact details:

Email Address: reservations.puntaisla@gmail.com
Mobile Number: 09194515015 or 09052895134

Punta Isla Lake Resort

Weird

First, there was the joint force of Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco on the set of GMA-7’s primetime newscast 24 Oras—the power duo confronting Pia Guanio after the latter walked out on the studio on live television. It was a well-staged confrontation made even more wonderful by the glare of studio lights and perfect camera angles.

The second was that aboard an airplane, with all people close to me having such a quiet time en route to Hong Kong. It was very silent, until I heard my name of the plane’s address system. The captain wanted me out of the plane without giving a valid reason. Without batting an eyelash, I was already on a free fall, after flight attendants literally dropped me on the air. The people inside roared in laughter, wishing me their cheerful adieus and good luck.

I was alone, briskly walking on a straight and narrow path on the third. I could not distinguish whether the trees alongside this road. At some point, it looked like the beautiful cherry blossoms of Japan, but most of the time it closely resembles that of a kalachuchi tree, like those I see growing in memorial parks.

The fourth is both puzzling and terrifying. I was standing on an edge, arms akimbo; enjoying the panoramic view of what I believe is the pacific sea. I could see the people from below—looking tiny from where I am (probably because of heights)—enjoying the sun. All of a sudden, the water is gone. Waves came moments after. Thinking it’s just pretty little waves, I enjoyed this rare phenomenon until I saw the people running from the shore.

It was a tsunami at its grandest.

I ran for my life, in bare feet through the floor made from coconut lumber. But it was too late. I was swept by the angry waters; its strong current bringing me up and below, sometimes punching my head in metal, concrete walls and trees. After quite some time, I was buried in deep rubble, alive and still kicking. I struggled to get myself out from this mess. I did. I already began to see the clear blue sky. To my surprise, I ended up in Apokon Road, in front of this bakeshoppe called Barangay Pan de Sal, right across the Central Warehouse Club Building.

I really have weird dreams these past days. Really weird.

Louie.

Labor Day, 3:45 AM