Settled at 1000 meters above sea level, and is sandwiched between two mountain ranges, the municipality of Lake Sebu is unsurprisingly temperate and abundantly vegetated. This Land of the Dreamweavers offers a unique taste of Filipino culture in its most colorful and exotic form. With its amazing vistas, beautiful people, a vibrant culture which is deeply rooted in its history and exciting adventures, Lake Sebu has claimed a famed spot as one of the must-see destination in the Philippines.
Lake Sebu, mainly used for aquaculture, covers over 354 hectares in South Cotabato. It is a paradise far from the maddening crowd. It sits at the edge of the country and is a quiet, peaceful respite for tired, weary souls. Here and there, white herons would glide over the waters and come to rest on the bamboo poles stretched out to mark the fish pens. A dugout canoe slowly glided along the placid waters, its skilled helmsman guiding the craft around patches of lotus plants. We could not have asked for a more ideal morning.
The T'boli people all around remind us how simple life should be.
Tranquil as it may, the lake itself and the nearby areas are host to numerous activities that easily cater to travelers of varying enthusiasm. The nearby falls—all seven of them, all varying in difficulty—are also perfect for waterfall chasers. Crystal clear water from the edges of the hills have, over the ages, carved these unique scenic masterpieces in a brilliant display of natural colours. The most sought-after adventure in town is trekking to the seven falls, or taking a zipline ride that hovers over the most breathtaking countryside scenery at a height that is incomprehensible to acrophobes.The seven falls zipline, if not the on top of the list, is one of Asia’s highest.
We got a feel of the Tboli’s royalty when we were allowed to wear their traditional attire. The colorful traditional Tboli attires are astonishingly elegant with their elaborate accessories. You would know that a T’boli woman is approaching by the tinkling of numerous little brass bells that adorn her belt, bracelets, and anklets. While Lake Sebu’s charm is primarily due to its temperate natural beauty, tourists will surely be fascinated by the ethnic vibe of the local T’boli Tribe.
With sweet serenity, one can get lost in an inner world filled with dance, hegalong music (traditional two-stringed, boat-shaped guitar; and intricate embroideries of the dreamweavers called t'nlak (traditional abaca fabric).T’nalak is a sacred cloth traditionally woven by women of royal blood. Thousands of patterns that reference folklore and stories are known to the T’boli women by memory. It is used for ritual purposes, as an offering to the spirits and during festival celebrations. I've only seen dreamweavers in Cinemalaya fetivals (click me to watch the trailer of K'na), but watching them make the t’nalak firsthand is without a doubt a pinnacle in this trip.
Despite the fact that it is somehow all set for the influx of tourists, the local government is commendable in maintaining Lake Sebu's serenity, natural beauty and delightful attractions. The scenery in this picturesque place, surrounded by serene waters, makes it a living museum, a great outdoor escape, and a photographer's paradise.
