Lake Sebu

A Blend of Life and Nature

Known as the Summer Capital of the South, the 1st class town of Lake Sebu is in a place where life blends with nature. Known as the Land of Dream Weavers, this famous and stunning lake for which the town is named after is found on the high mountains. The lake itself is approximately 20 kilometers off the main highway between Cotabato and General Santos cities. Located at the southwestern part of the province of South Cotabato, Lake Sebu can be reached after a 45-minute van ride from Koronadal City and, approximately after 6 hours by bus from Cotabato City. But if you’re travelling by bus from Koronadal, go straight to Surallah Municipality and take the jeep to Poblacion Lake Sebu. Lake Sebu Municipality has 3 vast lakes but majority of the resorts are concentrated around Lake Sebu itself. It’s here where you can have a dose of delectable tilapia cuisine – deep fried and crispy, stewed with coconut milk, sushi-type, charcoal-broiled and the list goes on. Boat rides for reasonable fees are common and in an hour, you get to see the magnificent view of islets scattered around the lake. Furthermore, you can even enjoy your tilapia meal while on a lake cruise! As there are lakes, the place also takes pride in its 7 grandiose waterfalls. The second one, called “Hikong Bente”, the T’boli word for “immeasurable falls” is at least 70m high, and is the highest among the 7. Enjoy being enveloped by its cool fine mist as you take a dip in the clean waters. But the most wonderful thing about holidaying in Lake Sebu is shopping for souvenir items which are not available elsewhere in the world. From colorful bead necklaces, brass wares, wooden items to T’boli dolls, T’boli musical instruments or the intricately woven T’nalak fabrics, bracelets, ID holders, etc. you can indulge in endless shopping at various shops in the vicinity of the resort area. An indigenous fabric from abaca plant, T’nalak is woven by T’boli women with methods which have been utilized for centuries. The province has chosen T’nalak as its ultimate cultural emblem. You can choose any of these woven items to buy as presents: bags, modified T’boli attires, coin purses, T’nalak fabric and other T’nalak inspired items. Apart from weaving, the T’boli women are the ones making the bead work, a traditional art passed down from mothers to daughters, and which has long become one of their means of livelihood. T’boli men also have their share that is, brass wares and wood carvings. Anyone who goes to Lake Sebu is in for great sightseeing and exciting adventures as the place offers several cultural and natural attractions. This makes for a worthwhile destination for tourists, both foreign and local, who long for more than the usual destination. The harmonious interaction of nature, tourism, business and local culture best represented in Lake Sebu guarantees visitors great memories.