A Van-ful of Tourists

DAY 4 of Our Trip to Koronadal


The PCCI Vice President for Mindanao had invited us to join the group in touring South Cotabato, particularly Lake Sebu (which was actually the main reason I came on this trip) but because of time constraints (if we wanted to get home by nightfall, we would have to start moving by 11am and the group was moving like they had all the time in the world) we declined. Instead, we decided to go there ourselves.

We checked out of the resort early and headed down the highway in the direction the map indicated. After a couple of false turns, we finally found the right road and were happily on our way. It was another beautiful Saturday morning for a drive through the countryside and there were not many cars. The drive took about an hour up the mountain.

Suffice it to say, Lake Sebu wasn't really all that spectacular, though it is indeed a very large body of water, but it has already been dotted with fishpens and bancas that it's difficult to appreciate the beauty it once must have had. What made Lake Sebu an attractive destination was actually the food.


Well, what do you expect to find when you read names in their menu like "Nilasing na Tilapia" or "Chicharon Tilapia" or "Chicken Buntis"? We ordered 4 dishes simply because they sounded intriguing, not knowing that the servings were huge! Can you imagine - we were 5 ladies and one driver - trying to consume one whole baked chicken (Chicken Buntis), 3 medium hito (Crispy Hito), 1 large tilapia (Tempura Tilapia), a tilapia-vegetable-in-egg (Tilapia Omelette) and 6 large cups of brown rice? Plus brewed coffee (coz this was our breakfast) and water. Whew!

We had the rest of it balot for our lunch. Then began our journey back to civilization. As before, on the drive over, once we'd entered the provinces of the ARMM, there were not many vehicles to be seen, mostly motorcycles and karitons... And no pigs! Hehe...

We entered Bukidnon at around 3pm and, by unanimous decision, drove the rest of the way to Maramag before stopping for lunch. (Believe me, it was a BIG breakfast at Lake Sebu.) The sky was getting dark with rainclouds as our driver killed the engine of the van at the parking lot of WAIG Spring Resort. This was the first time I ever set foot on this place and found it interesting.


Just then a girl flew over me (literally) - there was a zipline facility nearby. Also a cable car, a hanging bridge, 3-4 swimming pools, a man-made waterfalls, a restaurant, a fountain, several rooms, and so so much water. Even when the rain dropped from the sky, you could still hear the strong sound of water flowing through the resort.


Then, after "lunch" the rain stopped, enough to let us climb back into the van and proceed. We decided on one final stop before heading home. A new resort called RR Resort, with pools, fishponds and cottages, and a fantastic view of Lake Pulangui. I don't know, I liked Waig better but my companions preferred RR.


It was night when we finally arrived in Manolo Fortich, and brought my companions home one by one. We were all tired from the travel yet happy that we took the initiative to do it. Some of my companions were already asking me when the next trip would be and I couldn't help but feel excited in anticipation of arranging a new trip.

I do believe I am doing what I was meant to do all along. We are all exposed to the same circumstances and opportunities. What makes us different is which ones we find happiness in.

Here's to the next trip! May God Bless Us All!