Original Pinoy Music
Philippines is not just famous by its stupendous natural beauty; Filipino talents is quite popular around the globe, especially in the field of music. TJ Monterde is a Filipino singer known for his album Ikaw At Ako and self-title EP, both of which were released through PolyEast Records. One of his songs is “Dating Tayo”. I’m very proud to present to you, TJ Monterde’s song.
SARANGANI PROVINCE
SARANGANI PROVINCESarangani is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Alabel and borders South Cotabato to the north and Davao del Sur to the east. To the south lies the Celebes Sea, while it sandwiches at the center the highly urbanized city of General Santos. The province is divided into two parts, separated by the Sarangani Bay, and it used to be part of South Cotabato until it was made an independent province in 1992.Sarangani is surrounded by the Celebes Sea, Sarangani Bay, and the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur. The province is also the coastal zone of SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City), one of the country’s fast growing development clusters. It has seven municipalities (Alabel, Malapatan, Glan, Malungon, Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum) with 140 barangays. Alabel, the provincial capital, is only 16 kilometers from General Santos City. Sarangani has a total land area of 4,100.42 square kilometers. Among the municipalities comprising the province, Malungon is the biggest with 896.63 sq. km. followed by Glan. Maitum is the smallest with only 324.35 sq. km. With the province’s strategic geographical location, it has great potential of becoming an industrial zone in Region 12. |
MAITUM
Nature. Adventure. Culture. History and Heritage. Maitum is Sarangani’s cradle of civilization. Its rich history as well as astounding archeological finds, blended with some of the Philippines’ best beaches, waterfalls, distinct biodiversity, mountain ranges, crystal clear rivers make Maitum truly a gem of the Celebes.
Maitum is home to the unique 2,000-year old anthropomorphic jars, an archaeological finding unparalled throughout Southeast Asia. These find were used as burial jars believed to be utilized during the Metal Age in the Philippines around 5 B.C. to A.D. 225. The original jars are now housed at the National Musuem although there are replicas which can be viewed at the town hall.
Legend has it that a when a local princess fell in love with a neighboring Tboli warrior, the father of the princess violently opposed the relationship. The couple subsequently eloped and was not seen ever since. However, at the time of the couple’s disappearance, the rivers stones in the place turned to black thus the place earned the moniker “Maitum” (black).
Maitum has a lot of caves that waiting to be explored. The waterfalls and pristine rivers offer an amazing respite from the tolls of urban life. Its thick and dense rainforests are ideal for trekking and backpacking. Hikers could take a glimpse of Maitum’s varied wildlife which includes deers, wild boars, and tarsiers. After a day’s adventure, visitors can cap it off with the White Water Tubing Adventure. A 1.6 km adventure around the refreshing waters of Pangi River.
The Celebes coastline of the town is a sanctuary of a wide range of turtle species. Tourists can observe hatchlings of Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles on several turtle sanctuaries on the villages fronting the Celebes Sea.
Maitum also offer a delicacy that is unique to their place. Women’s organization as well as enterprising individual has been producing “marinated bangsi”, flying fish which were half-dried on the sun and marinated with local spices. Rice coffee as well as other nutritious and healthy products are also offered by Cresings of Maitum, a thriving family business which endeavors to help indigents by providing employment as well as showcase the traditional delicacies of Maitum.
ALABEL
The seat of government of the Province of Sarangani, Alabel features many investment opportunities as well as featuring some of the best beaches in the Philippines. Having an area of more than 52,000 hectares, Alabel is also home to Alson’s Aquaculture Corporation, producer of the world-renowned Sarangani Bay Prime Bangus (milkfish). The long stretch of coastline makes it ideal for aquaculture venture while its vast plains and rolling hills are suited for housing, eco–tourism and agri-industrial opportunities.
The capital town’s proximity to General Santos City makes it an ideal escape from the hectic and frenzied urban activities as well as the jump-off point to explore Sarangani. A quick tour around the Provincial Capitol complex will show tourists exactly how good governance is practiced in Sarangani Province.
There are several resorts, notably A Montana Resort, which boasts of world-class amenities and delectable cuisine.
Alabel has vast lands available suited for both the upscale and mass housing industries.
The first-ever PPP (Public-Private Partnership) initiated housing project in Sarangani opened its doors to the first batch of occupants in January 2012. Called as “The Capitol Residences”, it is the housing project of the provincial government, in joint venture with Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Sarangani Land and Development Corporation, which translates the commitment of provincial leaders to provide better shelter through medium grade but affordable housing facility for its employees.
Merely a 10-minute drive from General Santos City, more and more people are opting to settle in Alabel in order to enjoy the idyllic and serene ambiance the town has to offer, devoid of the stress that urban living typically provides. And finally, some of the best beaches in the Philippines are just a few minutes’ drive from the town center.
Its Kasadyaan Festival during the month of September showcases the fresh produce of Alabel as well as the diligence and discipline its residents are known for.
GLAN
GLAN- Celebes Paradise
Located at the southernmost tip of the Philippines, Glan boasts of pristine shorelines dotted with strips of powdery white-sand beach resorts facing the Celebes Sea which, hands down, is among the Philippines’ best beaches. Among the earliest Christian towns in Mindanao, Glan has heaps to offer both for tourists and investors. Colonial-era structures make Glan even more alluring to visitors.
Visitors can take a quick walk around the quaint town center and experience idyllic life which has not really changed through the years in terms of its calmness. Tourists can also sample several interesting local treats as well as the fresh catch from the local market.
Glan is a leading producer of copra in the region and has survived the ups and downs of the coconut industry. However, as the burgeoning industry of coconut by-products continues to expand plus the demand for coconut surging in the world market, the people of Glan enjoy the benefits as investors are setting up shop throughout the town.
Glan’s geographical location has made the town an ideal spot to do business in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). In fact, it has prepared for international trade by establishing the Jose Abad Santos-Glan-Sarangani Cooperation Triangle (JAGS-CT) along with two other adjacent towns several years ago. Current trading partners include the North Sulawesi province and nearby territories of Indonesia.
During the month of May, Glan hosts the Sarangani Bay Festival, the biggest beach festival in the country. Tourists come and enjoy the calm waters of Sarangani Bay as well as indulge in the fun the Bay Festival has to offer. Glan also has Mahin Festival each April. Mahin Festival features indigenous games to highlight the town’s rich cultural heritage.
Every October, Glan showcases the Lubi-Lubi Festival. There is more to the costumes, choreography and musicality in this yearly competition. The colors and faces of Lubi-Lubi Festival every 8th of October reflect Glan’s industry and tradition altogether. Almost 90 percent of the town’s total land area is planted with coconuts; town folks have both the old and new ways to make a living out of it, from the tree’s roots to its leaves; beverages to handicrafts to manufactured products. Street-dancing groups compete in musicality, choreography and costume using indigenous materials from the coconut. Lubi-Lubi Festival reflects an old tradition of Glan, the province’s oldest town. Each competing group showcases a particularly old religious belief of the people about the coconut tree; animistic beliefs are brought to life in choreography by rituals of reverence to the tree as a source of blessings such as wind, water and rain, fire, good health, and even life. The Lubi-Lubi Festival celebrates coconut being the major product of Glan which is also one of the oldest town’s of Mindanao at 97 on October 8, 2011. Lubi-Lubi performers wearing costumes made of coconut materials dance in the streets where Hispanic houses still stand today. Glan, also known as the “Coco Queen of the South” and the oldest town in Southern and Central Mindanao, is Sarangani’s top producer of coconut.
MALAPATAN
Malapatan- Gateway of Sarangani Bay
Do not let the looks of this sleepy town fool you. Life may be simple and quaint but this town has a rich history and a proud tradition. Inhabited by Christians, Muslims as well the indigenous people of Sarangani, Malapatan is a great illustration of how different religious beliefs can harmoniously co-exist. It is also the home of the famous Blaan “dreamweavers” who crafts sleeping mats using the designs they have dreamt about.
Malapatan has coconut plantations, rice and corn fields, and many people are also fishermen. The Blaans named the place for “mala” (pepper) and “fatan” (place). Pepper abound the place during the 15th century. Malapatan’s coastline is fortified with Mangrove forests and several sites have been declared as marine sanctuaries. Aquaculture is also a leading industry of the town.
With its proximity to the capital town of Alabel and Gen. Santos City, Malapatan is the ideal suburb for those who want to experience a serene but exciting life. Visitors can explore the town center and sample the delicious “tinagtag” (rice crispy) as well as choose from the array of expertly woven colorful “Malongs” (Sarong in other parts of Southeast Asia ). Guest also has the chance to purchase the unique “Banig”, hand-made by the “dreamweavers” of the village of Upper Lasang.
The hinterland villages offer captivating landscape which is ideal for those who want to go trekking or even trail biking. Guests will marvel at the majestic rivers and natural cliffs which abound the interior part of Malapatan.
Another interesting point to consider when going to Malapatan is the rich history of the villages of Sapu Masla and Sapu Padidu. One can find Arabic tombstones as well as burial sites which locals’ claims were as early as the 15th century containing skeletal remains that may have belonged to early European explorers. Archeologist are presently investigating this claim.
http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/7-towns/
HIDDEN PARADISE 