South Cotabato: Punta Isla, Lake Sebu!

I've never imagined that I'll be able to set foot in this part of the Philippines ever. Why? I guess it's because of fear brought about ignorance and yes, unfair bias. Our group's (with my favorite travel mates, Sharon, Tok) one-week stay in Mindanao has opened our minds and shattered whatever unfounded fear we used to have.

And to think, aksidented lang kaya kami napunta sa South Cotabato. On our second day, we met someone who promised an "adventure" OUTSIDE of General Santos City.  Against better judgement, we said yes and planned everything including our itinerary for the next two days.

The adventure started with us the riding the weird-looking tricycle, the bus and the super-packed jeepney to Lake Sebu. We spent the night in a P400-a-night inn (Nadine Lake Resort, where they served really salty and saucy Garlic Chicken) then proceeded to Punta Isla Lake Resort the following morning riding a motorcycle on dirt road! I repeat... motorcycle on dirt road! First time!

Anyway, Punta Isla Lake Resort was one of the better resorts in the area, if not the best. They are two restaurants here: one located at the lobby where you can see a panoramic view of the lake and the other one which can only be reached by negotiating a long and steep downhill trip (not friendly to PWD's).

Once you reach the second restaurant, you will be greeted by the Tilapia cages (remember that South Cotabato is the "Tilapia Capital" in Mindanao) and little boys in bancas ("outrigger boats") who dive for coins and left-over food. 

Then, there were the T'Boli natives who charmed us with their music, dance and colorful outfits and accessories! We were so in love with this young lady who did a few minutes of interpretative dance on the art of seduction.

For food, we had Grilled Tilapia and Fried Tilapia. What I really enjoyed was the Tinola. They used Native Chicken na talaga namang malinamnam! The meat was tough, as expected, pero iba talaga ang sarap ng sabaw! Kitchen threw in a few chili fingers (siling pan-sigang) which gave the broth a lightly spicy taste! Panalo! 

Dessert was Banana Split, that's what they call it. I call it Ube Ice Cream with Sliced Banana topped with cereal and a pink parasol. Oh well... naubos ko rin.

Sugba Tilapia  P190
Nilasing na Tilapia  P190
Tinolang Manok  P300
Banana Split  P50
Coke in Can  P20

And so, we left Punta Isla Lake Resort riding two motorcycle... we were a total of five passengers and two drivers! Go figure. Added to that dangerous set-up... we didn't have any helmets on, a few kilometers of (dangerous) dirt road (we were en route to the 600-feet-plus-zipline, said to be the highest in South East Asia!) to negotiate and approximately seven (dangerous and wet) kilometers of trip back to Suralla Integrated Public Terminal. 

And yes, the rain poured... hard. We had to take cover in some abandoned hut. We were drenched to the bone but no one was complaining. We were too busy having fun!  

One thing I can say... our new friend didn't lie at all. It was an adventure.