The Department of Tourism (DOT) highlights the country’s food traditions through different programs that encourage new dining discoveries such as the Halal Culinary Heritage Series. Launched in July 2021, the initiative showcases unique food finds in Mindanao through a video series posted on the Department’s social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

The Mindanao Halal Culinary Tourism is a project of the DOT with the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Aside from promoting the heritage of Mindanao and familiarity with its culture, the project also aims to document the culinary practices of the area through food mapping. With this initiative, there will be more knowledge and a better understanding of Filipino Halal cuisines and cooking traditions. The Philippines is creating new experiences and attractions in its different regions, so there is always more to explore.

Halal food trip

Halal food takes on many forms throughout the Philippines. In Manila, there are restaurants and eateries that offer Halal-certified food, ranging from the stalls located in the area known as Muslim Town near the Golden Mosque in Quiapo that offer culinary delights such as Bakas or Bamboo-smoked tuna and a glutinous rice cake called Dodol. For Halal-certified Filipino fare in the Makati district, the El Prado dining outlet of the Berjaya Hotel Makati offers dishes such as Tinolang Manok (chicken in ginger broth with vegetables), a Halal Nilagang Baka (boiled beef with vegetables), and Sinigang na Baka (Beef simmered in a clear sour soup with vegetables).   

In the CARAGA region, visitors can have fruits and vegetables served with Guinamos or salt fermented fish as their starter. In Cagayan de Oro, one can have a dry curry Beef Rendang or its fusion version as a Beef Rendang Penne at a restaurant called Torogan Kape. Diners can also try Piaparan a Manok or chicken stewed in coconut milk, turmeric, and a special paste called ‘Palapa’ which is made with scallions, ginger, and turmeric along with local pastry snacks called Tyatag, Lokatis, Apang a Margas, Browa, Dodol, Tapay asa Torogan (Fermented Cassava dessert).

When in Cotabato, travelers can try the Sinina Kambing or goat meat stewed in spices and served with Crab Rice from Hashy’s Cuisine, which is one of the pioneering Halal restaurants in the region.  From the Maguindanaoan kitchens comes Linigid na Manok, a curry-like dish of chicken stewed in ginger, fresh coconut milk, and turmeric. Palapa is added to the dish to give it depth of flavor. Visitors can try this Halal dish at a restaurant called Mama Ping, a fixture in Cotabato’s dining scene. 

In General Santos City, where tuna is abundant, their Halal fish dish is Buntot ng Tuna in Curry sauce and Palapa by Tambilawan Kamayan Restaurant. The Al Kuwait eatery in Iligan offers Pater or Pastil, a dish made with shredded chicken, beef, or fish that is wrapped with steamed rice in a banana leaf for convenient eating.  

In the Zamboanga Peninsula, composed of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, there are culinary delights that await. Warm-up with a bowl of Tiyula, which is the Tausug word for soup. Its most popular iteration is the Tiyula Itum, distinctive because of its dark-colored broth that comes from the addition of charred coconut. It is usually made with beef but sometimes goat meat is used. It is one of the anticipated dishes at Tausug gatherings. There is Satti as well which is a breakfast staple in Zamboanga and can be bought from Satti houses like Jimmy’s, Morning Sun, Andy’s, Dennis, and Baytal Mal serving these skewers of beef, chicken, or liver cubes with their own version of the spice-laden sauce as part of their morning offerings.  

In the Davao Region, the food culture of the indigenous Kaagans can be tasted through their Amik, a confection that is made by frying a thin sweetened ground rice batter that is swirled dexterously in hot oil by practiced hands. Chili is a favorite ingredient and condiment in Mindanao cuisine and there are many varieties of chili sauce that are available, with innovations such as the Mango Pineapple Hot Sauce from the SpiChef in Davao that serves up sweet-spicy-tangy goodness.  

Eat like a local

It is not an understatement that Filipinos love to eat. Get a Filipino picnic feel by packing a coffee break in a handcrafted rattan box that is filled with Filipino mementos. 

Set the mood with an Inabel table rug, handwoven from the communities of the Cordillera Mountains using weaving traditions that have been passed down through generations. The Philippines is also home to artisan woodcarvers who craft wood pieces into home decorations and utilitarian items such as an Acacia wooden cup. 

Fuel up with a hot brew made from world-class coffee beans that are tended by Filipino farmers. Barako coffee from Batangas is known for its strong flavor and fragrance, which is why it is named after the Filipino word that describes a male wild boar. Benguet coffee comes from a single-origin Arabica varietal that grows in the highlands of the Cordilleras that is loved for its chocolate, fruity, and floral notes. The Robusta coffee harvested from the country’s lowlands in Cavite, Bulacan, and Mindoro has a high caffeine content and is the most commercialized varietal, used in local instant coffee products. 

Sweeten the deal with Muscovado sugar from the sugar plantations of Negros whose hacienderos like to pair their afternoon drinks with crisp bites of Paborita Biscuits. These are flaky discs made with wheat flour, sugar, and skim milk which originated from the Noceda Bakery that was established in Negros back in 1947.          

More dishes to discover

There are even more food discoveries to be found in the Philippines, with a culinary heritage that has been passed down from generations. While there are new dishes that have evolved from the basic recipes through the years, the flavors are just as rich and exciting.

Travel safely!

All these tourist destinations have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel, Apple Store, or Google Playstore.

The post Taste the Philippines through its Halal Food and Heritage Destinations appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.

Region 12, or SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX, colloquially), consists of four provinces: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, and the Highly Urbanized City of General Santos. The region is filled with natural wonders like Lake Sebu, the Pangi River, and the Bakngeb River Cave. 

SOX is also a place with rich cultural heritage; it is home to the T’boli Tribe, known for their T’nalak cloth that are made of woven abaca fibers. And there’s also the thousands-year-old burial jars in Maitum, as well as the old heritage buildings in Sarangani. 

Apart from the cultural destinations, there are also plenty of nature spots worthy of visiting in SOX. There are beaches in Sarangani and also bird sanctuaries, Pawikan nesting sites, and Mangrove forests.

Here’s a rundown of the most well-known tour destinations in the region:

Lake Sebu Tours – Budget: Less than Php1,000

This natural lake shares its name with the town it’s in. A valuable watershed, it provides important irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato. 

The Lake Sebu Tour takes one to two days to complete, depending on the pace of the group and the chosen stops. Popular tour destinations include the Seven Falls Zipline, the highest zipline in Southeast Asia, where guests zipline through two stations, all while getting a view of the four out of seven cascading waterfalls beneath. 

Nearby, there’s some DOT Accredited Resorts, which offer boat cruise around Lake Sebu. The Lake Sebu Tour also includes a stop at the Lang Dulay T’nalak Weaving Center, which gives guests a chance to appreciate a centuries-old tradition. Called T’nalak Dreamweaving, it is a form of dyed abaca lacework mastered by T’boli Dreamweavers such as the late Lang Dulay. 

For more information, visit the LGU Lake Sebu facebook page.

Lake Holon Tours – two to three days. Budget: Php1,500 to 2,000 per head 

This circuit tour focuses on the Great Lake Holon, which is found in Tboli, South Cotabato. Holon is a crater lake, and is noted for its beautiful, clear, turquoise water. The tour consists of a trek through Mount Melibengoy. This goes all the way down to the crater lake itself.

The hike employs native Tboli guides, and would take tourists through a choice of two trails, Sitio Kule or Salacafe. 

Sitio Kule is a more advanced trail, and takes three to five hours to complete. Salacafe, on the other hand, is easier, and would take about three hours. Both trails provide travelers with views of farmlands, clear bodies of water, and fresh mountain air.

After the trek down, tourists can then camp by the lakeside of Holon, which offers a wide view of the night sky.

Apart from the Lake Holon tour, the circuit offers packages to various nearby farms and parks. There’s the Tupi Fruit Park with its fresh fruits, vegetable produce, and panoramic views of Mt. Matutum and the Bakngeb River Cave tour.

For more information, call the Tboli Tourism Office at  083 237 1205.

River Tubing Tours – one to two days. Budget: Php200 for the 30-minute River tubing in Pangi River

The River Tubing tour offers a ride over the Pangi River in New La Union, Maitum, Sarangani Province.

The tour highlight is the white water tubing, which is similar to river rafting. It differs only with its tube-like raft as compared to a traditional raft’s oblong shape. The adventure brings tourists a 1.6 kilometer river ride filled with rapids, twists and turns, and great splashes of water.

While you will definitely get wet, and perhaps swallow some water, the ride is relatively safe. After the river ride, tourists can then learn about the country’s ancient history with an exploration of the Anthropomorphic Jars found in Maitum, Sarangani. 

The jars were used for burial ceremonies by the indigenous tribes in the area and were dated way back to the Iron Age about 5 BC. to 225 A.D. Replicas of the burial jars bearing effigies of a deceased person’s head are on display at the Maitum exhibition in the town’s municipal building. The original pieces are on display at the National Museum in Manila.

For more information, call the Sarangani Tourism Office at (083) 508-5253, or Email stipc@yahoo.com.

Sarangani Beach Tours – Day Tour – Budget: Php1,500 to 2,000

This tour offers travelers an alternative to Boracay or Bohol—Glan, Sarangani. To reach the town, travelers take an hour and a half flight from Manila going to General Santos City, followed by a land trip to Sarangani.

According to locals and tourists alike, the beaches and clear waters of Glan can rival the sands and waves of the most sought after beach destinations in the country. The most popular one is Gumasa Beach, which features a coastline made up of powdery white sand beaches and lined with coconut trees. 

In nearby Kapatan, there is the Lago Dive Spot. It is beside an aquaculture farm for the unique sergeant fish, with its neon-like, bright blue and yellow colors.

Glan also has a black-sand beach. The sparkly quality of the sand is due to the silica rich content of the sand in the coastline. There’s also a Heritage Tour in the town of Glan; the old town center is filled with ancestral houses mixed with commercial buildings that go back centuries.

For more information, call the Sarangani Tourism Office at (083) 508-5253.

Mt. Apo Food and Climb Tours – three day, 2 nights, budget Php2,000 

Mt. Apo is the highest peak in the Philippines, with an elevation of 2,954 meters, or 9,692 feet. It is known as one of the best ecotourism destinations in the country. Kidapawan’s Mandangan trail and Magpet’s Bongolanon trail include forest views and an enduring adventure-hike experience to the mountain’s peak. 

Mt. Apo is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the country, with its massive boulders, technical terrains, and sulfur craters. The mountain is also home to the endangered Philippine Monkey-eating Eagle, as well as other endemic species like the Scops Owl, Philippine Brown Deer, and the Mindanao Lorikeet. 

Travel safely!

All tourist destinations in Soccksargen have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.

To check up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

For the latest advice, information and resources, you may check and visit each LGU’s website or Facebook pages:

General Santos City – https://www.facebook.com/LguGensan 

Lake Sebu – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069254107931 

Midsayap – https://www.facebook.com/midsayaptourismofficial 

Koronadal City – https://www.facebook.com/CityGovernmentofKoronada 

Magpet – https://www.facebook.com/municipalityofmagpet 

Kidapawan – https://www.facebook.com/kidapawancitytourismoffice 

Lake Holon, Tboli – https://www.facebook.com/LakeHolonOfficialPage 

The post Culture and Nature Tours that Show the Best of SOCCSKSARGEN appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.

Region 12 is best known for its waterfalls, rolling hills, and hidden cultural treasures – but it’s time that we also explore, and experience, their booming agri-tourism industry.

The region, called Soccsksargen and locally known as SOX (an acronym for the four provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) is filled with incomparable natural wonders like Lake Sebu, Sarangani Bay, and the highest peak in the Philippines, Mt. Apo.

There is also the Philippine cultural treasure that is the T’nalak cloth, woven from abaca fibers, and designed by masters from the T’boli tribe in South Cotabato. There are beaches in Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat, and bird sanctuaries, Pawikan nesting sites, and Mangrove forests.

Perhaps most notable and overlooked of all, is the booming farm tourism in Soccsksargen. Before the pandemic, farm tourism had become a major attraction in plenty of provinces here in the Philippines. There is booming farm tourism in Cavite, with their botanical gardens and gourmet farms, and in Laguna, where dairy farms in Los Baños and agricultural parks in Cavinti attract city folks to experience nature firsthand. Region 12, SOX, has all of these, and more. Apart from giving increased awareness about the environment and its conservation, farm tourism provides more revenue streams for farmers, which is why travelers should give Soccsksargen a try. Furthermore, agritourism affords people a chance to meditate and relieve stress and anxiety by breathing in fresh air and communing with nature.

Farm tourism also helps to preserve native lifestyles and maintain cultural traditions, as agriculture has a deep rooted synergy with the rural way of life.

For the avid traveler, there are a number of SOX Farm Tours to choose from. Here’s a list of the most notable tours in the region.

SOX FUN FARM TOURS – 2-3 days. Budget: Varies, Php 1,000 to Php 3,000

The highlight of the farm tourism theme of the SOX circuit, Region 12 is home to a lot of exceptional Farm Tourism destinations.

Most notable is the Felicidad Orchard and Garden Organics, which pioneered vermiculture (worm composting) in Mindanao. The farm is now being developed as an educational destination for students, teachers, and organic/natural farming enthusiasts.

The owner, retired pilot Captain James Reamon, inherited the three-hectare banana farm from his father. After which, the pilot converted the area into a more holistic operation by planting both endemic and non-endemic plant species.

Today, the farm has 16 varieties of bananas and various fruits and vegetables like papaya, pomelo, langka, arugula, romaine lettuce, and cucumber.

In nearby Tupi Fruit Park, located along the National Highway, one can see why Tupi is called the “Fruit Basket ” of South Cotabato. Here, fresh produce is available straight from the farm. The stalls of Tupi Fruit Park are filled to the brim with bananas, pineapples, dragon fruits, mangoes, guavas, avocados, and more. There’s also lanzones, rambutan, jackfruits, santol, and durian.

After shopping, guests would often take pictures of Mt. Matutum, which is just behind the fruit stalls. Matutum is a volcano that stands at more than 7,000 ft., and is a popular hiking spot for tourists and locals alike.

Sebul Organic Farm is the brainchild of William and Mayette Sy, two ardent promoters of organic agriculture in Lake Sebu. Their farm is ATI (Agricultural Training Institute) accredited, which means they help in teaching local farmers new methodologies and technologies.

Since it is located in the highland of Lake Sebu, it has both clean, fresh air and wide mountain views in abundance.

Apart from being a teaching institute, Sebul Farms also offers cottages (at Php 3000, a day) where guests can stay and experience true farm living. Hearty home-cooked meals are served daily, like fried tulay fish, nilagang baboy, fresh shrimp, and their famous signature drink, made with pandan extract, lemongrass or tanglad, and ginger.

SCC Nature Farm takes guests to a more resort-like surrounding, compared to the nature-infused vibes of the previous destinations. Located at Midsayap, North Cotabato, SCC Nature farm features air-conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, and venues for weddings and corporate outings. There are also life-size animal statues and parks decorated with trees and wildflowers.

Organikian Urban Farm and Cafe in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, focuses more on hydroponics, which is the art of gardening or farming without soil. The property is strewn with tents, and inside, various herbs and vegetables are grown, like lettuce, celery, bok choy, capsicum, and arugula.

Organikian is also well-known for their cafe, which serves Protein Bowls made with black rice, scrambled eggs, nori flakes, beans, avocado and mushrooms. There’s also the Jarjir Salad, made of arugula, singkamas, flaxseed, and cocoa vinegar. Almost all the ingredients used in their restaurant are, of course, sourced from their farm.

Gabay-Bayawanon Integrated School in Magpet, Cotabato, is a newly accredited DOT farm school, and was conceptualized by LTC Rey T. Alvarado INF, PA, Commanding Officer, 72IB and Ms. Donabelle S. Cabaya, school administrator of Green Kings Technical Institute Corporation (GKTIC).

The establishment offers Technical-Vocational Education Trainings for local farmers and is an ATI learning site; it is also TESDA accredited. Like the other educational and tourism centered farms in our list, Gabay-Bayawanon Integrated School offers a plethora of activities for students and tourists like:

• Goat petting
• Vegetable picking
• Turkey petting
• Farm tours

Apart from the tour and activities, guests can also request organic dishes straight, with ingredients derived from the farm itself. Guests can also buy organic native chickens, rabbits, vegetables, and fruits.

For inquiries, you may contact DOT Accredited Tour Operators at the Department of Tourism website.

Travel safely!

All tourist destinations in Eastern Samar have health and safety protocols in place to protect locals and visitors alike. Everyone is expected to comply by wearing face masks, regularly washing their hands, and practicing physical distancing.
To check out up-to-date information regarding local destinations that are open and the safety protocols and requirements needed for each location, you may visit www.philippines.travel/safetrip or download the Travel Philippines app at app.philippines.travel or the Google Playstore.

All passengers entering General Santos City will need to get a QR Code from the City Contact Tracing Website or from the COVID-19 Contact Tracing System (CCTS) which shall be scanned by authorized persons.

For the latest advice, information and resources, you may check and visit each LGU’s website or Facebook pages:

• General Santos City – https://www.facebook.com/LguGensan
• Lake Sebu – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069254107931
• Midsayap – https://www.facebook.com/midsayaptourismofficial
• Koronadal City – https://www.facebook.com/CityGovernmentofKoronadal
• Magpet – https://www.facebook.com/municipalityofmagpet

The post Soccsksargen’s Emerging Tourism Gem: Farming Tour appeared first on 7641 Islands of the Philippines.