Lakwatsarah

Location: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato I've already created countless of  Lake Sebu travel videos in the past. I couldn't help, I always find myself visiting the place over and over again. Obviously, it's my favorite place on earth. The lake, the serenity of the place, its cold breeze and my dear relatives. Because there, I always feel I'm home.    So, without further ado, let me share my enchanting Lake Sebu trip video (watch it in HD) :) Check out my other Lake Sebu Videos: 2 Part TourismVideo , Mystical Fog Exhibition , Mountain hiking and T'boli dance .

I am a proud Mindanaoan by birth, born in a sleepy town in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat. But I left my birthplace even before I turned 1, when both parents decided to start a family life in the bustling city of Manila. As our family members increase and plane fares became steeper, the more difficult it has been for us to travel back to province for week long visits. But when those trips happen, we make sure it would be one unforgettable travel experience. view you'll see before landing at General Santos Airport South Cotabato is Home. South Cotabato, a neighboring province of Sultan Kudarat has been our second home in Mindanao where many of my relatives live. Long before the province became famous for Seven Falls, T'boli tribe and for sheltering the most scenic zipline in the Philippines, South Cotabato, specifically the highlands of Lake Sebu has been our family's secret hideaway. A place of retreat, healing and of many happy reunions where fogs, lilies, fireflies, sw...

Undoubtedly one of Lake Sebu's main attractions is its zipline ride. I have always anticipated the day I will experience how it feels to fly above Lake Sebu's scenic Seven Falls . I'm getting more excited as the big day comes closer. I have been building the courage to brave the zipline ever since my aunts told me about it. Also, I will need some shots for my Lake Sebu Tourism Video project. Unfortunately, at that very day, I opted to delay my longing to try this adventure as my health at that time is not on its perfect condition. So I satisfied myself on cheering for my other companions and made sure to just capture the best shots possible.

Getting around Lake Sebu is a total breeze (I mean literally!). You see, the province's local transportation itself known as skylab aka habal-habal is an exciting road trip experience that's definitely worth a try. Unlike other provinces, the place serves no tricycles or public utility jeeps. It's either you bring your own car or hop on the skylab experience! lake house at Lake Sebu

Every nature lover would surely love to visit Lake Sebu again and again. I have visited the place since 1996 and it never fails to surprise me every time I go back, the place has always something new to offer - new activity, newly discovered spot or the many developments of the province. So let me share with you some of my favorite photos captured using my Canon IXUS 80IS. view as seen from Balben Family Cove check out Balben's Family Cove's official website here

Being a self confessed fan of my beloved Lake Sebu province, I tried to creatively produce this video for tourists and travelers alike who wanted to go to Lake Sebu but is unclear of what to expect from this southern part of the region. Well if pictures tell a thousand words, then the next videos can surely inspire you to pack your bags and plan your first or next Lake Sebu trip!

Ending my 2 month long vacation at South Cotabato, I decided to take my last few days and spend some few hours with my relatives in Lake Sebu. As we are nearing Balben Family Cove, we were amazed at a surprising welcome sight as thick mists of fog enveloped our road path some few meters from the family property. This is our first extreme fog experience here at Lake Sebu!

Braving the roughest and rockiest mountain path up the steep highways on the way to Pulang Lupa in Lake Sebu via the habal-habal, my fearless soul (or trying to be one, at least) definitely went up high! amazing mountain views on the way I was ecstatic when my dear Aunt Malen invited me to come with her to visit her T’boli friend last summer. She then animatedly pointed out a particular mountain just in front of Balben Family Cove, candidly telling me, “Sa kabila ng bundok nyan tayo aakyat”. I just smiled, thinking she was practically joking around. Next thing I know, I was going through the most exhilarating road trip experience of my lifetime!

Armed with a Lake Sebu brochure, me and cousins Marianne and Charlen went resort hopping last June. From our start off point at Balben Family Cove , our first stop for the day is Lake Sebu's Tourism Lodge. Tourism Lodge Lemobung Lodge and Restaurant also known as Tourism Lodge is owned by the Local Government Unit. The site brings back old memories - flashback 1996, that was the first building we visited for a very short stop over. Anyway, we tried to get their brochure but were informed that their office is open only during Mondays to Thursdays, that day was a Friday. So off to our next stop, the Monte Cielo Resort .

With a very cheap entrance fee of P5 for adults and P2 for students and children, one could already explore about Lake Sebu's famous t'boli community here at their simple but charming Tiboli Museum . Visit this T'boli Museum and see a collection of antiques and artifacts in a building patterned into a traditional t'boli house. Try playing their eye-catching kulintang or try on some of their native costumes. Here, you'll learn about T'boli Tribe's arts and culture by checking on their tinalak dresses, brass sculptures, colorful accessories, native musical instruments and a number of photos. Watch the video below to see the interiors of this humble museum and learn more about the T'boli Tribe This video is just a part of Lake Sebu Tourism Video . To see more of Lake Sebu, check this out .

I first heard of habal-habal during my past visits to Lake Sebu but didn't had the chance to actually experience it. This summer of 2010, I made sure to not only experience it but most importantly enjoy it. the third motorcycle from right could sit up to 5 passengers Habal-habal or in Lake Sebu's local term ' skylab ' is the province's primary mode of public transportation. A  modified motorcycle that could sit of up to 5 medium built passengers.

Standing majestically at 70 ft. high, Lake Sebu's Falls 2  of the series of Seven Falls is definitely one of the province's tourist pride. a splash of rainbow adds charm to Lake Sebu's 2nd of the 7 Falls

I have gone back and forth many times at Lake Sebu. It is my family's favorite vacation spot. For the past recent years,  my relatives have been raving about the many falls they've been to, including Lake Sebu's 7 Falls . This 2010, these series of  falls top my summer list of my "Destination Must-See".   Falls 1

It's one thing being close to the lake, but it's also another thing seeing the complete picture of the lake from afar... I have always been fascinated about how Lake Sebu looks from afar, and boy was I so lucky to have seen it. I was grateful and more than satisfied! Lake Sebu view from the mountain top

I had the chance to catch a quick look up on the forested mountains of Lake Sebu during our family’s Gift Giving Mission to the Tiboli Tribe . This summer of 2010, I came back along with new found friends as well as adventure seeking relatives for the much awaited hiking activity. Giant tree of Lake Sebu

Want to know the story behind this T'boli dance? Read our day of sharing with the T'boli Tribe 

Here are the first set of pictures taken way back early 1990s. The site then (which is now named Balben Family Cove ) is very much bare! No huts, no warm water, no concrete roads and no electricity.The place is so peaceful.

Why most extensive? Because this 2 week long vacation to our province in Mindanao is special. We've waited 10 long years for something like this to happen again. You see, it IS EXPENSIVE to travel and ride a plane especially if you have a big family, like us (9 members you might ask)!   Anyway, my family's version of a "holiday getaway" i s somewhat fresh this time. Because a lot of new things happened. But I guess what makes this trip extra special is that we were able to get in touch with as many relatives as we can, celebrated the season with parties here and there, reunions, farm visits plus our unforgettable eco-tourism activities in Lake Sebu. We have a big clan (from both sides) so were able to really take advantage of this trip, touring Tacurong City, Koronadal, Lake Sebu, Polomolok and General Santos City.  

A day of Sharing with the T'boli Tribe "Seeing the world from a different angle is a revelatory experience that adds depth and wisdom to our lives."  tribe members of Barrio Siete, Lake Sebu Spending the holiday season of 2008 with my family and relatives from the province of Mindanao left me nothing but good memories. The highlight of our Lake Sebu trip was the scheduled Gift Giving and Medical Mission to the natives from Palo Siete. It has been a yearly family tradition spearheaded by Uncle Nonoy and wife Auntie Malen who've both been actively involved in community service in Lake Sebu. But year 2008 was different, because I was there, and that was one amazing journey!

From my favorite sanctuary, the Suedad Garden in Lake Sebu, here are some of the most bizaare stories compiled during my interview with Aunt Malen. I decided to post these short stories for readers to somehow understand that mystical stories do happen, that mystical creatures do exist...and they should be given due respect as they play a huge part in the balance of nature.