THE
WONDERS & BEAUTY OF MINDANAO, THE PHILIPPINES
Mindanao is composed of a population with diverse ethnicities, cultures and religions. Christians are dominant in the region, but it is also an abode to most of the country’s Muslim population comprising various ethnic groups and the collective group of indigenous tribes known as the Lumad.
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By:
Gen V. Caracena
Philippines is an archipelago consisting of
three large island groups.
The biggest island group is Luzon, the
smallest is Visayas and the second largest is Mindanao located at the eastern
most part of the country with an area of 94,630 square kilometers.
In terms of world population Mindanao ranks
eighth.
The colorful people, rich culture and splendid nature make Mindanao an attractive and interesting place to explore.
Mindanao:
Flora, Fauna and Mountain Resorts
The tropical rainforests are blessed with a
diverse flora and fauna and the region’s mountainous terrains are ideal for
jungle tracking.
For nature lovers who like an adrenalin
rush, Mount Apo is a great attraction.
Located between Davao City and Davao del
Sur province in Region XI and Cotabato province in Region XII of the island,
Mount Apo is the country’s highest mountain measuring 3,144 meters above sea
level.
On average, the summit can be reached in two
days. The mountain is volcanic in nature, but history has no verified record of
eruption.
Mount Apo is the habitat of over 272 bird
species, 111 of which are endemic to the area.
Nature lovers can explore through the rain
forest of the mountain and discover the country’s national bird, the world’s
largest and critically endangered Philippine Eagle.
Mount Apo is the only remaining habitat of
the Philippine Eagle.
It is in the mountains of Mindanao,
especially at the foot of Mount Apo where you can find the original source of
the most beautiful varieties of flowering plants like the captivating
Philippine Orchids, among which is the rarest Queen of Orchids, Vanda
Sanderiana known as Waling-Waling.
Davao City, the largest city and most
important economic center in Mindanao is named as the ‘City of Blooms’ for its
wide plantations and garden resorts that grow rare and exotic orchids and other
plants.
The city is known in the world specifically
for its famous Waling-Waling.
Mount Apo is the ancestral domain and home
to six indigenous peoples (Manobos, Bagobo, Ubos, Atas, K’lagans and the
Tagacaolo.
For them the mountain is a sacred ground
because it is their place of worship and burial ground of their great
forefather Apo Sandawa where the mountain’s name came from.
Culturally and spiritually it is their life
and their source of food and medicine.
The Department of Tourism in Davao City
organizes guided trips for you to personally marvel at the wonders of Mount
Apo.
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| Durian, the smelly king of fruits |
A simple walk through the forest and alongside the mountain slopes fascinates and makes you feel part of nature.
Mindanao is blessed with the bounty of the
earth, being the country’s Food Basket.
Its fertile soil makes a bountiful harvest
of a variety of fruits and other farm products that provides 40% of the
country’s requirement.
Durian, the smelly king of fruits grows
abundantly in Mount Apo and other parts of the region.
It comes in different varieties. Davao City
is also named ‘The Durian Capital’ of the Philippines.
The fruit is unique for its huge size that
grows 12 inches long and 6 inches in diameter, distinct odor, and thorn-covered
husk.
Durian’s odor is overpowering for some
people, but others consider it as fragrant.
Despite the distinct odor, many love Durian
for its creamy and mouth-watering taste.
The durian flesh can be consumed when ripe,
but it is also used to flavor a variety of sweet savoury cuisines.
When you come to Davao or Cotabato
provinces do not miss to try Durian and you’ll surely fell in love with its
delightful taste.
Mindanao is also blessed with the bounty of
marine life and marine resources.
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| Mindanao's enchanting landscape |
One of the country’s biggest producers of
Philippine Tuna comes from Mindanao in General Santos City, which lies at the
southern part of the country.
Tagged as the Tuna Capital of the country, General Santos City also records for one of the largest daily total catch of fish in the country.
Mindanao
Beaches and Waterfalls
Aside from mountain resorts, Mindanao
prides itself in a great number of beautiful and refreshing waterfalls.
Iligan is known as the City of Waterfalls
because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls in the city.
One of the most resplendent is the famous
Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan’s greatest heritage.
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| Tinago (hidden) falls |
Standing 320 feet high, Maria Cristina
Falls is not just a landmark of Iligan, it is also the source of industrial
power in the region.
Iligan is a highly urbanized industrial city in the province of Lanao del Norte located at the northern Mindanao region.
The highest water fall in the country is
the 388-meter-high Aliwagwag Falls in Davao Oriental province in Mindanao.
Considered one of the most beautiful
waterfalls in the country, Aliwagwag Falls is nestled in the middle of the
forest and is a series of 84 cascading waterfalls.
The second highest to Aliwagwag Falls is
the two-tiered Limunsudan Falls that
stands 870 feet also found in Iligan.
It’s lower cascade is higher than the entire height of Maria Cristina
Falls.
Most of the finest and immaculate white
beach resorts and facilities in the country are found in Mindanao.
The Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS)
located two kilometers away from Davao City is named by the Department of
Tourism as one of the best visiting islands in Mindanao because of its
beautiful beach resorts that include the Kaputian Resort, Pearl Farm, Paradise
Island and a lot more.
For an underwater world adventure, Dakak in
Western Mindanao is an ideal destination where the famous Dakak Park and Beach
Resort stands.
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| Davao beach life in blue |
The powdery white sand, blue waters, great
dive sites with numerous coral reefs and beautiful sunset best describe this
God’s work of art.
IGACOS and Dakak are only two of the best leading destinations in Mindanao for your adventure and leisure experience.
The
People and Culture of Mindanao
Mindanao is composed of a population with
diverse ethnicities, cultures and religions.
Christians are dominant in the region, but
it is also an abode to most of the country’s Muslim population comprising
various ethnic groups and the collective group of indigenous tribes known as
the Lumad.
Each group has a distinct culture and
language.
Cebuano dialect is the most widely spoken
language in the region, except in Muslim areas on the west coast and some hill
tribes.
In Zamboanga City the primary language is
Chavacano.
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| See you in Mindanao |
The dialect Zamboangueno Chavacano is one of the six dialects of Chavacano whose native speakers are known as the Zamboangueno latino.
The citizens of Mindanao are a people of
diversity but co-exist in a peaceful, harmonious and loving community because
they have grown in respect and appreciation of the culture, beliefs and
religion by numerous ethnic groups.
Often attached to the word Mindanao is an
impression of a deteriorating peace and order situation.
However, besides some parts of the region
where there are conflicts due to political rivalries, Mindanao is generally a
safe and peaceful destination.
These are just few of the wonders and
spectacles of Mindanao. A great number awaits you to uncover.
For nature, culture and adventure loving people, Mindano the ‘Land of Promise’, is truly a fun-filled place to visit.
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