Lake Holon: Hidden Jewel of the South

People outside Mindanao assume that South Cotabato is a land of war and chaos but what they do not know is the peaceful living and hidden jewels of the province. It is a province unfrequented by the tourists. South Cotabato has many wonders unknown to most and yet to be discovered. Since today's generation is usually into travelling, adventures and whatnot, this affiliates to more discoveries of unexplored beautiful places.

Located in the province of the south, the Municipality of T'boli is known for its recently famous Lake Holon/Lake Maughan. Below it is an active volcano named Mt. Parker, from the name of an American General Frank Parker who first discovered it and is locally known as Mt. Melibengoy. It is said that Melibengoy is the T'boli term for volcano while Holon is from a local legend which means "portal to heaven".

You just only have to know how to get to T'boli tourism office, afterwhich they will guide you to your ride (habal-habal) to your chosen starting point and things will follow accordingly.

We commuted all the way from Koronadal City to T'boli via a 16-seater van. We paid the usual fare of (estimatedly) P50/each and since there were 16 of us, we occupied all the seats of the van so it still felt like we rented it but much cheaper. Estimated time of travel is 45 minutes to 1 hour. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the tourism office.



Few days before the planned trip, we first made a call to the T'boli Tourism since they much prefer reservations rather than walk ins. The office made all the preparations that's why we didnt have to wait for long. Also, they were welcoming and very organized.

There are two trails to Lake Holon: Salacafe Trail is for beginners, 3-4 hours of trekking

                                                   Kule Trail is midtrail aka Hunter's trail, 4-5 hours of trekking

Our group chose the Kule trail (I am so dead). Rates (tour guides, habal-habal rates) for Kule trail is more expensive than in Salacafe, but the difference is not so significant since we were a big group.

Outside the office were the habal-habal drivers waiting. Everything in there is well monitored by the tourism office, so it everything's safe. A habal-habal can occupy 2-3 passengers, depending on how big the passengers are. The passengers just have to divide the payment among themselves.

It was raining hard, so our itinerary was not followed all through out since we had a lot of stop overs and had to wait for the rain to subside. We also had to buy garbage bags in substitute for raincoats so as not to get wet.

The drive to the Kule trekking site is different and more challenging than the Salacafe. Since our group chose the former, it was more difficult (plus the rain) so it was not comforting at all but nonetheless fun. 

Although we arrived at the site around 1PM, we weren't able to trek until 2PM since it was raining. While waiting, we ate lunch by the kubo. It was my first legit-mountain trekking so it was hard for almost all of us, considering also that we chose the harder trail and I have been sedentary for a very long time. 

This is the peak point where there is an overlooking of the lake. The lake is usually very very clear but sadly for us it was foggy because of the weather This is one of the advantages of Kule trail since Salacafe is not as high, there is no overlooking of the lake as good as this view.

Another advantage of the Kule trail is that you have to cross the lake in order to get to the camping site (disavantage is another payment but totally worth it). A kayak costs P50/head.

 

It was around 6PM when we reached the camping site. So it was getting real dark and there were no lights since there is no electricity, no signal, only 2 bathrooms (not clean due to many campers), and the only water source you have is from the lake (which is very clean).

Only the 4 of us took a dip in the lake. It was kinda scary considering the depth of the water is unknown, it was dark, it was really really cold, and there might be unknown species lurking but I really needed the dip. I needed the bath. We weren't there for long, tho.

Lake Holon is very very pretty especially at night (this photo doesn't give even the slightest justice). With its peaceful surroundings (we were the only group who was very noisy so the person in charge kept on giving us warnings until he gave us the final warning letting us know that the management wants to see us the next day, turned out he was just lying because other campers had been complaining about our noise), bright moon shining upon its clear water, it was a place you would never want to leave.

We only stayed for a night, so early in the morning we had to pack up. We started preparing at 8AM and started moving at 10AM

Hipster of the day (lol got no clothes anymore)

Salacafe trail is the way back (that's how it is) so it was easier plus it was not raining so less the hassle. Although there were stairs that made it harder and more tiring. But since we're from the bottom, the stairs was leading up which made it five times harder than it's supposed to be.

There were habal-habal drivers waiting when we got to the Salacafe camping site, and we were told that it would be nice to take a side trip at (also) the recently famous Bakngeb River Cave since it would be cheaper compared to if we visit T'boli again for the sole purpose of visiting the river.

We did river rafting inside the cave and it was really fun. Although it was short, the waiting and the money was worth it. We didn't have any photos inside though.

The 2-day adventure felt like a trip for a week since my body told me so. My shoes didn't survive (some of my friends' shoes didnt survive either) huhu that adidas used to be my favorite.

Itinerary: 
FIRST DAY
9 AM - Call time
10 AM - Otw to T'boli (45 minutes - 1hr travel time)
11 AM - Otw to Kule trail trekking site (~1hour habal-habal travel)
1 PM - Arrival at the trekking site
2 PM - Otw to Lake Holon (4-5 hours trekking time)
6:30 PM - Arrival at the camping site

SECOND DAY
7 AM - Morning start
8 AM - Packing up
10 AM - Otw to Salacafe
12 PM - Arrival at Salacafe
1 PM - Arrival at Bakngeb
2 PM - River rafting
3:30 PM - Packing up
4 PM - Departure
5 PM - Home

Budget Breakdown (estimation):
P 50 - Fare Koronadal to T'boli
P 100 - Entrance fee
P 50 - Environmental fee
P 600 (divided by 16) - Tour guides for Kule trail
P 450 (divided by 3) - Habal habal from tourism office to Kule trekking site
P 50 - Kayak fro Kule to camping site
P 200 (divided by 3) - Habal habal from Salacafe to Bakngeb
P 20 - Entrance to Bakngeb
P 100 - River rafting
P 60 - Habal habal from Bakngeb to van transport terminal
P 50 - Fare T'boli to Koronadal

*Note: 
Entrance: 100.00
Environmental Fee: 50.00

Habal-Habal Rates
A.) Tourism Office to Salacafe PHP 300.00/Habalhabal 2-3 passengers
B.) Tourism Office to Kule PHP 450.00/Habalhabal 2-3 passengers

Porter: PHP. 20.00/ Kilo (One Way) 

Tour guide: 

A.) Salacafe Trail - PHP 300.00 Max of 10Pax 

B.) Kule Trail - PHP 600.00 Max of 10Pax

T'boli Tourism Office for Reservation: 0912-473-1515 or 0912-720-4151

P.S Most of the photos are from my friends so I dont take credit for most of it. + I went there around May 2016, so rates or whatever may probably have changed without prior notice. 

Binondo Chinatown: Cheap China

If anybody here who takes interest in Chinese culture and cuisine, well well there is a place in Manila where you could experience China. Like legit authentic everything-Chinese, Binondo Chinatown is the place for you! Established in 1594, making it the oldest in the world.

 I was with my cousin and my friend helloteni (go check her out) so there were three of us. Helloteni made the itinerary and some of the photos are from her.

From Legarda, we took a jeep and dropped off at Quiapo wherein we started walking to Escolta (since taking a tour around Escolta is part of our itinerary). Mostly we ate. So this article is mostly about the most talked about chinese cuisines of Binondo. 

*Fast forward to Binondo* 

Between Escolta Street and the chinatown, we bought a box of hopia for P45 and shared an empanada which costs P25 at a branch of Ho-Land. 

Inside the town, the first stop we had was at a daiso shop (but very very expensive) probably for collectors of Hello Kitty and other stuff. 

Along 531 Quintin Paredes Street, we tried the famous Fresh Lumpia from New Po-Heng Lumpia House. You might get confused finding the store so take note that you have to enter an alley before you find it. It's like hidden but not really.

Their fresh lumpia, with a touch of sweet & spicy sauce, crushed peanuts, vegetables, tofu, and sugar was really good. Not only it is good but it's also cheap for a big roll. My friend and I shared a roll together so we spent only P25/each since a roll costs P50. 

After the Quintin Paredes Street, we then took a detour at Caravajal Street, a market alley (it looked really pretty in my eyes!!!!). It was a street where students, employees, and commoners pass by. It was a plethora of stalls from restaurants & fruit stalls to clothing stores selling wide varieties of stuff.

We didnt try anything within the street, although my friend looked inside a merchandising store while my cousin & I bought a kilo of Pomelos where we bargained the price from P150 to P130.

    

After a number of times trying, we finally took a perfect picture lol

The alley ends at Yuchengco Street wherein Sincerity Cafe & Restaurant is along the street. It has a simple interior and affordable menu (you'll never feel out of place nor intimidated). It was packed with people when we visited the place but I guess it has always been like that.

Since it opened in 1956, its fried chicken has been the bestseller. AND I AM TELLING YOU THEIR FRIED CHICKEN IS THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN I HAVE EVER TASTED!!!!!

We also tried their kikiam usually paired with the brown sauce (but I personally prefer the ketchup & hot sauce) and wintermelon iced tea since they are also known for that. It was three of us so we divided the payment and we only paid around 80 pesos each. 

Fried Chicken - P160 (half) ; 200 (whole)

Kikiam - P55

Wintermelon Iced Tea - P40

We then stroll around the area. We passed by Wilson Street where my friend bought a Chicken Pie at Diao Eng Chay for P40 (I regretted not buying afterwards).

This part of the town was not really full of restaurants. Most of which are Chinese merchandising stores.

After passing through this welcome sign, rain poured down so we had to stop at a hotel where there was a boutique on the second floor which sells very very very expensive branded clothes (Gucci, Chanel, LV, etc). And since there were Chinese people shopping, it felt like I was in a Kevin Kwan book.

Along Benavidez Street, we ate at Wai Ying Fastfood where I ordered Soy Chicken enriched with chinese flavoring which by the way, has a plentiful serving and is worth it for P150. It's so soy-i and very Chinese. 

After which, we tried the fried siopao at Shanghai Fried Siopao in Sabino Padilla Street for only P20!!!!!! Filled with ground meat and mixed veggies, I must say it is one of the best siopaos ever!!! Highly recommended. 

It was pouring so hard while we walked in the famous Ongpin Street. That part of the street mostly sells gold and (chinese) jewelries and so my friend was able to canvass gold for her to sell. Our journey ended at Carriedo Fountain & Sta. Cruz Church. I'm not sure if we're allowed to throw coins in the fountain, but still we did. (Baka wishing fountain eh, sayang ang chance)

Another good thing about authentic-chinese restaurants is that they give you free house tea (O diba, sulit).

My favorite parts of the trip were Sincerity's fried chicken, the fried siopao and the Caravajal Street. The best part was that out of all the food we ate and places we were able to go (including Escolta & museum fees), we only spent at around P400/each. 


P.S. Along Escolta Street is an artisan ice cream shop!!!!!! We bought a pint of Pistachio flavored ice cream for only P75. Can you imagine how happy I was?????? It was cheap but very very good. Although it is a bit pricey when you buy in scoops since it costs P30/scoop. I think a pint would be very good choice.

Pinto Art Museum: Art on a Hill

There's this place. And this place is a happy place, where people have the luxury to be worry free and appreciate art in its utmost being. Surrounded with white walls, big bells, cozy beds and chairs, stairs, aged doorways and windows, more stairs, you've surely found yourself a safe haven. A safe haven that is found on the slopes of Sierra Madre Mountain Range, Antipolo Rizal.

Approximately an hour- drive from the city, Pinto Art Museum, also known as Silangan Gardens, is a home of modern contemporary art collection owned by Dr. Joven Cuanang, which features the works of the young artists. Pinto in tagalog as in "doors" wherein Dr. Cuanang quoted "since art, after all, is a doorway, a window.".

I have found myself in awe when i first walked past the gate of this 1.3 hectare property. The garden has a swimming pool but it has dried up and lacks maintenance. You can also find yourself unwinding at the roofdeck wherein you can see the city lights at twilight, or maybe you want to meditate, there they have a chapel. Dont worry if you ever get hungry or thirsty since there is a cafe to cater your needs. And if you want to buy souvenirs (mostly are art supplies), you can also find it there. Pinto Art Museum has everything a stressed person could ever want.

The concrete walls painted with white, accented with wooden artisans was heaven for my eyes.

There are six(6) galleries within the place. Sadly, I dont remember which art belongs to which gallery huhu (with a very few exceptions).

Gallery 1 tells stories about the traditional daily lives of Filipinos.

Gallery 1

   

Gallery 2 on the other hand, is composed of random mixed pieces. It's like a mixture of cool and weird. 

Gallery 3 features very cool wire sculptures. Of all the pieces, my favorite is the "Hollow Man". It was funny how I instantly hugged him the moment i saw him (well hindi naman, pretend hug lang) kasi feel ko nafi-feel nya.

   

Hollow Man

Here are paintings from another gallery (not sure if it is 4 or 5) and they still tell stories about Filipinos, only in a very weird sense.


   

 

This is my favorite wing. It's so millenial-y, like this is where the cool kids would actually hang out. (I totally forgot which part of the gallery this is huhuhu)

There is also a room full of erotic sculptures. Ages below 18 (or 16 maybe, not sure) are discouraged to go inside.

Another surprise of the museum is the "Forest".The title (of the room) justifies itself, really. With all the background noise, the lighting, the water, the bamboos, everything in here is perfect.

 

The artworks I have posted are only some of the works that I find interesting and are just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to see and know more, you really have to see everything for yourself.

Schedule: Tuesday - Sunday (closed during Mondays) 9 - 6 PM

Admission Fee: Adult - P200
                           Senior Citiizen/PWD - P180
                           Student (w/valid ID) - P100
                           3yo below - FREE


How to get here: 
From Metro Manila

- take an LRT (P15-P25) get dropped at Santolan station

- Hop on a jeep(P20) or FX(P40) (I prefer jeepneys because they are much cheaper) that says Antipolo, Rizal (usually they will say shopwise, so dont be confused)

- Just tell the driver to drop you off at Ynares center

- Look for a tricycle and tell the driver to drop you off at Pinto or Grand Heights Subdvision (P50-60/ride not per pax that's why it's much cheaper when you travel with a group)