Tuna Festival

TUNA FESTIVAL

General Santos City

September 3-5

About the festival

A celebration of the city’s charter anniversary. Fishing which is 60% of the city’s economy is the essential theme of the festival. Its highlights anchor on the tuna industry being the prime fishing product. Tuna float and street dancing parade are awesome event to watch and also sumptuous tuna to taste during the culinary contest.

How to get there

BY AIR

The city’s international airport can be reached direct from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo or via Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Davao through Mindanao based flights.

BY SEA

Negros Navigation, Aboitiz Superferry and Sulpicio Lines provide the route networking the city to Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Zamboanga and Davao while Indonesian shipping lines contribute their General Santos-Indonesia route for passenger and cargo traffic.

BY LAND

The city is accessible by land from andy point in Mindanao and the rest of the country.

Kalaja Cave, Nopol Hills, Sansapan Cave Falls and Fish Port Complexes

Have fun at Dole Philippines Inc. owned Kalsangi Gold Course where you can have a breathtaking view of Mt. Matutum, the landmark of SOCKSARGEN Area.

Where to Stay

East Asia Royale Hotel @ (083) 553-4119 / 302-4119

Sydney Hotel @ (083) 552-5479-81

Phela Grande Hotel @ (083) 552-4925 / 4230

Anchor Hotel @ (083) 552-4575 / 301-4660

Hotel Dolores @ (083) 552-4139 / 301-5792

Family Country Hotel and Restaurants @ (083) 552-8895 to 8897

Where to Dine

An array of dine restaurants conveniently located offers a spectacular variety of cuisine from continental to local. The succulent taste of Tuna prepared in a hundred and different ways awaits visitors.

For more information, you may call:

CITY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Tel. # (083) 552-7321 / 552-4212

Fax # (083) 554-4212

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

Email:

HALAD SA STO. NINO FESTIVAL

Midsayap, North Cotabato

Every 3rd Saturday of January

About the festival

An annual event honoring Sr. Sto Nino, the patron saint of Midsayap, North Cotabato. Highlilghts of the festival include street dancing competition, carnival and cultural shows, religious processions, agro-trade fair, motocross/ cycling competition and civic parade.

Halad has carved a name of its own as it won several national competition as Champion, namely: Sinanto Nino Festival, Manila in 1997, Aliwan Best of Festivals, Manila in April 2003 and Aliwan Christmas Festival, Manila, December 2003.

How to get there

Weena Bus, Van and jeepneys go daily from Cotabato to Midsayap with traveling time of approximately forty-five minutes.

Where to stay

HILL PARK INN @ (064) 299-6088, other tourist inns & lodging houses are also available.

Where to Dine

HILL PARK INN @ (064) 299-6088, other tourism related establishment is also available.

For more information, you may call:

MUNICIPALITY OF MIDSAYAP

Tel. # (+63+64) 229-8018

Fax # (+63+64) 229-8450

HALAD SA STO. NINO FOUNDATION, INC.

Tel. # (+63+64) 229-9237

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net

TALAKUDONG FESTIVAL

Tacurong City

September 18

About the Festival

“Talakudong” is a neo-ethnic festival of head covering that blends Maguindanaon Muslims and Ilongo Chistian culture into a colorful and exotic exhibition of headgears indigenously made out of local materials. A cultural spectacle show in hilarious street dancing that mainly feature exhibition of headgears accompanied by exotic sounds of gongs, kulintang, bamboo drums and other indigenous percussion instruments.

The festival starts with a float parade and agro-industrial products.

How to get there

By Air

No direct flights to Tacurong City, however flights services the Manila route from two entry points- Cotabato City and General Santos City.

By Land

Buses, air-conditioned vans and jeepneys primarily constitute the means of transportation in going to Tacurong City. Cotabato City is 1- hour and 20 minute drive away while Gen Santos City is 1 hour and 40 minutes drives to Tacurong City.

Stay overnight at Tacurong City and see for yourself

Baras Bird Sanctuary (a natural habitat to thousands of black crowned nighy Heron and cattle Egrets)

African Oil Palm Plantations (vast plantation of palm oil, the city’s major product)

Southern Philippines Grains Complex (the biggest grains facility in Asia)

Where to stay

BELDENT STAR HOTEL @ (064) 200-3698, and other affordably-priced hotels, tourist inns and lodging houses.

Where to dine

BELDENT STAR HOTEL @ (064) 200-3698, other tourism related establishments are also available.

For more information, you may call:

CITY GOVERNMENT OF TACURONG

Tel. # (+63+64) 384-2139

Fax # (+63+64) 384-2302

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net

T’AULAK FESTIVAL

South Cotabato Koronadal City

July 16-19

About the Festival

The Foundation Anniversary celebration of the province of South Cotabato which demonstrates the importance and significance of T’nalak cloth as the cultural image of South Cotabato.

Highlights of the festival include T’ nalak Parade (Madal Be’lan) & Kasadyahan sa Kapatagan, Agri-Industrial Trade Fair, Technology and Tourism Expo, National Motocross and Flat Track Competition, Practical Shooting Competition, Modern Dance Competition, National Indigenous People Convention.

How to get there

By air

Accessible via General Santos City or Cotabato City then land trip to Koronadal City.

By Sea

Regular ships from Manila to General Santos City and vice versa by Aboitiz Superferry, Sulpicio Lines and Negros Navigation

By Land

General Santos City to Koronaldal is 45 minute buses and van ride while Cotabato City to Koronadal is 2 hour bus or van ride.

Stay overnight at Koronadal City and find time to visit nearby municipalities that offer breathtaking attractions for nature lovers not to mention cultural destinations like..

Mt. Matutum (boundaries of the municipalities of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok), Mt Parker Ranges and Lake Manghan (T’boli), Lake Sebu and its Seven Falls (Lake Sebu), T’boli Cultural Community (West of Lake Sebu) and Sta. Cruz Mission School (Lake Sebu).

Affordably-priced tourist inns and pension houses are available and conveniently located in every municipality you wish to visit.. Any array of restaurants serve seafoods and other native, Chinese and continental dishes.

For more information, you may call:

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH COTABATO

Tel #. (+63+83) 228-3754 / 228-2431 / 228-2432

Fax # (+63+83) 228-2620

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net

KALIMUDAN FESTIVAL

Sultan Kudarat

November 21

About the festival

Annual gathering of different tribal groups of the province and celebrate for a bountiful harvest. Activities include street dancing parade, horse fight, trade fair and sports competition. The festival highlights the foundation anniversary of Sultan Kudarat Province

How to get there

By Air

Accessible via Cotabato City and General Santos City airports.

By Land

Buses, jeeps and air-conditioned vans primarily constiture the means of transportation in the province. Cotabato City to Isulan is 1 hour drive while General Santos to Isulan is

By Sea

M/V Amerlyn plies the route Cotabato City to Kalamansing and vice-versa for 3 hrs. Launches and other motorized bancas are used in ferrying commuters and goods from the coastal towns of Lebak and Kalamansig to Cotabato Ctiy and vice-versa and from Palambang to Kiamba, South Cotabato.

The Province offers attractions like….Historical sites, man made and natural attractions that include rivers, mountains, lakes, beaches and falls. Among these are…

Pilot Cave and Bamban Falls (Bagumbayan), Tal Blao Cave (Columbio), Mambucal Hot Spring (Esperanza), Nuling Hot Spring and Makan Falls (Lebak), Burial Urns (Kalamansig and Sen. Ninoy Aquino) and Lake Buluan (Lutayan)

Affordably-priced tourist inns and pension houses are available and conveniently located in every municipality you wish to visit…Any array of restaurants serve seafood and other native, Chinese and continental dishes.

For more information, you may call:

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF SULTAN KUDARAT

Tel.# (+63+64) 201-4662

Fax # (+63+64) 201-4262

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net

MUNATO FESTIVAL

Sarangani

November 26-28

About the Festival

A thanksgiving festival and a grand celebration in commemoration of Sarangani’s progressive evolution. It is also the province’s foundation anniversary.

Major Highlights:

Sayaw Di Dalon (Street Dancing)

Bancarera

Agri-Trade Fair

Water Tubing Challenge

Motocross

Cultural Presentations

How to get there

By air

Accessible via General Santos City then land trip to Alabel, the province’s captain town.

By sea

Accessible via General Santos City seaport.

By land

It takes 15 minute ride from General Santos City to Alabel.

Stay overnight at ISLA PARILLA RESORT, the province’s premier resort hotel that responds to the changing demands of guests for quality resort, restaurant and hotel services.

Other attractions in the province include…

Gumasa Beach (Glan), Pinol Cave & Bat Sanctuary (Brgy. Pinol, Maitum), South Point Dive Spots (Maasim), Kapatan-Lago Dive Spots (Glan), Nalus Falls (Kiamba), Tampat Shrine (Maasim), Sarangani Gold Country Club ( Malungon), Century Old Houses (Glan) and Kalon Barak Skyline (Malungon)

For more information, you may call:

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF SARANGANI

Tel # (+63+83) 508-5231

Fax # (+63+83) 508-2258

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net

HUNUGYAW FESTIVAL

Koronadal City

January 10

About the festival

A showcase of merry-making activities with its weeklong events of beer and food festivals, celebrity concert, beauty pageant, trade and fun fare, bargain shops and street parties.

How to get there

By air

Accessible via Cotabato City and General Santos City airports.

By sea

Accessible via General Santos seaport.

By land

Accessible by buses and air-conditioned vans, Cotabato City to Koronaldal is 2 hour drive while General Santos to Koronadal is 1 hour drive.

Stay overnight at Koronadal City and visit…

Cadidang Cave, Cabillon Falls

Siok Falls, Suppon Falls,

El Gawel Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary

Where to stay

Marvella Plaza @ (083) 228-2327 or 228-3784,

Ramona Plaza Hotel @ (083) 228-3390 or 228-3284 and other affordably-priced hotels, tourist inns and lodging houses.

Where to dine

An array of restaurants conveniently located in the city serve seafoods, and other native, Chinese and continental dishes.

For more information, you may call:

CITY GOVERNMENT OF KORONADAL

Tel # (+63+83) 228-2438

Fax # (+63+83) 228-4141

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net

SHARIFF KABUNSUAN FESTIVAL

Mindanao’s Grandest Festival

Cotabato City

December 15-19

About the festival

The grandest festival commemorating the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab-Malay missionary from Johore, Malay peninsula to propagate Islam in mainland Mindanao. Today, the celebration is marked by the happy and exciting beats of drums and gong as people celebrate on the streets and graceful flags sway with the gentle winds of the Pulangi as gaily decorated boats traces the route of Shariff Kabunsuan’s triumphant arrival. Colorful and intricate inaul malongs are queenly paraded in the Inaul Festival as everyone partake of the sumptuous dinner in the pagana Maguindanao.

How to get there

By air

From Manila is one hour forty-five minutes flight. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air service daily.

By sea

Aboitiz & Sulpicio ply routes from Manila, Iloilo, Zamboanga, General Santos City servicing areas of Cotabato City and Cotabato Province.

By land

Weena Buses go daily from Davao City via Kidapaawan City or taxis / vans go daily from Iligan City via Malabang, Lanao del Sur (ARMM).

Major Highlights:

Guinakit Festival

Qur’an Reading Contest

“KUYOG” Street Dancing & Showcase

Yamang Kutabato Trade Fair

INAUL FESTIVAL

Cultural Presentations

PAGANA Maguindanao

Battle of the Bands

Stay overnight at Cotabato City and visit….Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, ARMM Compound, and the Kutangbato Cave.

Where to stay

PACIFIC HEIGHTS HOTEL @ (064) 421-5832 o EL MANUEL HOTEL @ (064) 421-9883, o AZALEAS PENSION HOUSE @ (064) 421-8122 and other affordably-priced hotels, inns, and lodging houses.

Where to dine

I LOVE SUSHI @ (064) 421-8808, other tourism related establishments are also available.

For more information, you may call:

CITY GOVERNMENT OF COTABATO

Tel # (+63+64) 421-7803

Fax # (+63+64) 421-8969

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net

TIMPUPO FESTIVAL

Kidapawan City

Movable from July to August

About the festival

Kidapawan takes its fruits growing industry to the streets- literally as the city celebrates the annual fruit festival. These are cultural shows, a parade of local fruit products, exhibits, street dancing competition and selected lectures on the fruit presentation process.

How to get there

By air

1 hour and 45 minutes flight from Manila to Cotabato City and Davao City by Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific Air then land trip to Kidapawan City.

By land

Cotabato City to Kidapawan and vice versa is a 2 hour drive by air-conditioned buses and vans.

By sea

Regular ship from Manila to Polloc Port, Parang, Maguindanao, (ARMM) & vice versa by Aboitiz Superferry and Sulpicio Lines.

Stay overnight at KIDAPAWAN CITY and visit

Lake Agko, Marble Falls and Hotspring, Mawig Falls, Paniki Cave and Waterfalls, Mt. Apo Natural Park and Fruit Farm and Orhards.

Where to stay

NEW JBL LODGE @ (064) 288-5002, tourist’s inns and lodging houses dishes.

For more information, you may call:

CITY GOVERNMENT OF KIDAPAWAN CITY

Tel # (+63+64) 288-1604 / 278-3361

Fax # (+63+64) 288-1604

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM – XII

Tel. # (+63+64) 421-1110

Fax # (+63+64) 421-7868

E-mail: stddotr12pldtvide.net