Archive for November, 2007

NO LESS than?Sec. Jesus Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process graced the Kapayapaan Atin ‘To Peace Forum as part of the 5th MunaTo Festival, November 26 at the Capitol Gymnasium.

Gov. Migz Dominguez explains to Sec. Dureza (left)
and to a Dole Executive the Peace Programs
that are implemented in Sarangani Province.

The Peace Forum also marks the start of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

Highlighted in the event were the Kalinaw Sarangani and From Arms to Farms programs.

The latter caught the interest of the participants as former members of insurgent groups share their stories on how their lives changed after they decided to surrender to the government and avail of the amnesty program.

Like a comic relief during the activity, a certain Norbing animatedly?described?how he fought in the battlefield before he decided to put down his rifle.

The activity bannered the idea that peace and development are inseperable as Vice-Governor Steve Solon stressed the equation, “Peace equals development, which equals freedom.”

As an axample, he mentioned the Dole plnatation in Maasim, which would not have been possible if the locol government of the sad municipality had been weak in implementing its From Arms to Farms program.

Sec. Dureza himself shared his own inspiring story to encourage the students who also attended the event.

The Peace Forum ended with a covenant signing and symbolic lighting of candles.

Earlier, a flag-hoisting program was held at the Capitol grounds, which was participated in by Alabel?National Science High School?students and provincial government employees.

The govenrment employees and ANSHS students
released white baloons after the flag-raising ceremony.

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AKIN TO the popular white water rafting, adventure-seekers would surely find the white water tubing in New La Union Maitum, Sarangani equally enjoyable.

Photo from Mindanao.com

You can’t imagine the adrenaline rush you could get from riding an inflated tire interior tube, popularly named salbabida, on a rapidly-flowing river that is occasionaly studded with rocks and boulders.

The 1.6 km rapids of Pangi River is slowly gaining popularity because it is one of the few spots in the country that offer adventure on top of ecological, cultural, and historical features. The beaches fronting the Celebes Sea may also be a good place for surfboarding. If you are a bit into learning about the people of Sarangani, you can go trekking and spelunking to discover the rich ecoloical and cultural heritage of the province at the Ayub caves. Or, you can observe the T’bolis weaving the famous T’nalak. And as you go home, you can take with you marinated dried fish (daing).

The child-friendly municipality of Maitum is about an hour and a half from General Santos City.

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I AM inviting everyone to come and visit the interesting sights to behold in Sarangani. So, I’m starting this series of posts to introduce the beautiful places in my province.

Taken during my birthday (March 22)

First up is Gumasa. Likened to the white sand beaches of Boracay minus the nightly rave parties, Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani Province is a haven of pristine white sand beaches that are perfect for nature lovers.

There are plenty of resorts there now. I hope I can come up with prices here, but I’m sure, they are well within your budget.

It only takes about 45 minutes to reach the Poblacion, where old Spanish houses can be found, and another 15 minutes to paradise. There are several resorts in the area that offer affordable accomodations.

Here is a picture taken at Crystal Island Resort:

If you have plenty of time you can visit the local community and drink some bahalina and lambanog (coconut wine).

After enjoying the beauty of the place you can take home souvenirs, and fish, or other seafood freshly harvested from the towns unpolluted waters.

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THE CELEBRATION of Sarangani’s 15th Foundation Anniversary will begin tomorrow as the 5th MunaTo Festival kicks off tomorrow, November 23.

MunaTo, originally spelled as Munah ‘To, is the B’laan (a cultural tribe in Sarangani) term for first people, with reference to the artifacts dating as far back to 3000 years ago?unearthed by anthropologist Eusebio Dizon in 1992.

The Sarangani Chamber of Commerce heads this year’s celebration. The organizers have set various activities that will promote the natural and cultural wealth of Sarangani Province to boost tourism.

For those of you who do not know Sarangani yet, here are some facts about my province:

Sarangani Facts and Figures

Land Area : 3,957.54 sq. km.
Population 471,400 (NSO 2006 Projection)
Towns?: Glan, Malapatan, Alabel (capital and my hometown), Malungon, Maasim,? Kiamba, Maitum
Weather :Even rainfall year round
Agricultural Products: Mango, Banana, Coconut, Cassava, Pineapple, Papaya
Industrial Products: Rubber, Palm Oil, Abaca, Sugarcane
Livestock/Poultry Cattle, Hogs, Goat, Poultry
Aquaculture: Bangus (milkfish), Grouper, Pompano, Prawn/Shrimp, Trevally
Port : General Santos City Wharf
Airport: General Santos City Airport
Communications PLDT, Smart Communication, Globe Telecommunication, Sun Cellular? Network, available internet access
Places to go to Gumasa white sand beaches, Tuka Point, La Union River water tubing, Pinol Cave, South Point diving spot, Sarangani Bay whale watching, Lamlifew Tribal village
Place to dine at: Isla Parilla in Alabel and restaurants in nearby General Santos City
Places to stay at: Isla Parilla in Alabel. Hotels and Inns are also available in General Santos City, a 15-minute ride from the Provincial Capitol in Alabel, Sarangani
Accessibility Three-hour drive from Davao City. One hour forty-five minute plane ride from Manila via General Santos City Airport.? All Sarangani towns are within one-hour ride from General Santos City

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