The first time I was asked to join for the Cotabato trip, I took first a pause in my need-to-decide brain, "Am I going? Really? In Cotabato?". It was a tough decision but I bravely said "Yes, I'm going." and the trip was proceeded.
I have to be honest, I am really reluctant in going to the trip because I'm scared. I just heard news about rebels in that place. I'm afraid of guns and military. And when I'm promoting the Philippines to my foreign friends, I usually advise them to limit their visits to Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao areas only due to security concerns but if they insist to go beyond Mindanao (where Cotabato is), I strongly advise them to be alert and vigilant. I know I'm already a fool at this part, and I do not want to generalize the Mindanao area. I just want to prioritize the safety after hearing lots of sad stories from the news. That's my ideology before landing my foot in Mindanao. Obviously, that thinking change when I got enchanted by Cotabato.
COTABATO:
My mates and I took a trip this year, 2014 from July 25 to 27. The trip was a short one and our main goal was to see the mystic waterfalls and the majestic mosque that everyone was talking about.
From Manila, take a flight to the Cotabato airport. We took the Cebu Pacific airline. The trip was a 1 and 1/2 hour trip.
Upon reaching the airport, we took a tricycle to reach the highway. The cost is 10 pesos (below $1.00) per head. Upon reaching the highway, we took a jeepney going to plaza where our hotel is located. Its a 15 to 20 minutes trip to the plaza and costs around 20 pesos per head.
By the way, $1 = 43.0 pesos.
We were booked in Hotel Filipino and Restaurant (+63(64)421-2307). The hotel is expected to be simple because of its inexpensive price. For a 2-night stay, we paid 2,100 pesos ($50.0). It has a good air conditioning, acceptable beds, television, hot shower and a breakfast. Its perfect for its location because of its accessibility in the town.
Our group just made a quick wash-up and off to our first day in Cotabato. By foot, we reached the Sultan Kudarat Statue in PC Hill.
Basically, the statue is the only attraction in the area. Around the park, you could see people offering massage. Don't worry, the massage is genuinely wholesome. Take a splurge into their massage to try. We made quick photo shots with the statue and went to see the People's Park.
From the PC Hill, jeepneys are again available en route to the People's Park. Its just a 10-minute ride and would cost you minimum charge. The People's Park is actually where the government offices are housed. It is described as a combined ethno-modern architectural. One thing that caught my attention was the Muslim-inspired roof and searching for an information, I arrived that it depicts royalty and the rich culture of the place.
We ended our first day in visiting the People's Park. We headed back to our hotel after.
Our second day started at 8:00 in the morning. We took our breakfast in the hotel and went to the Weena bus terminal downtown (Don Rufino Alonzo Street). We were bound to Libungan Public Terminal.
From the Libungan terminal, we took a motorbike going to the registration area of the Asik-Asik Falls. This one is a one and a half ride with some roads very rough that the tire of the motorbike has chains in it to prevent slipping. The motorbike costs $25.00. This includes the gas and driver's fee.
At 11:00 in the morning, we reached the registration area of the Asik-Asik Falls. After the registration, we bought our lunch (Chicken Pastel) and proceeded with a 15-minute hike to the falls.
I have to be honest, I am really reluctant in going to the trip because I'm scared. I just heard news about rebels in that place. I'm afraid of guns and military. And when I'm promoting the Philippines to my foreign friends, I usually advise them to limit their visits to Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao areas only due to security concerns but if they insist to go beyond Mindanao (where Cotabato is), I strongly advise them to be alert and vigilant. I know I'm already a fool at this part, and I do not want to generalize the Mindanao area. I just want to prioritize the safety after hearing lots of sad stories from the news. That's my ideology before landing my foot in Mindanao. Obviously, that thinking change when I got enchanted by Cotabato.
COTABATO:
My mates and I took a trip this year, 2014 from July 25 to 27. The trip was a short one and our main goal was to see the mystic waterfalls and the majestic mosque that everyone was talking about.
From Manila, take a flight to the Cotabato airport. We took the Cebu Pacific airline. The trip was a 1 and 1/2 hour trip.
Check their website here:
Upon reaching the airport, we took a tricycle to reach the highway. The cost is 10 pesos (below $1.00) per head. Upon reaching the highway, we took a jeepney going to plaza where our hotel is located. Its a 15 to 20 minutes trip to the plaza and costs around 20 pesos per head.
By the way, $1 = 43.0 pesos.
We were booked in Hotel Filipino and Restaurant (+63(64)421-2307). The hotel is expected to be simple because of its inexpensive price. For a 2-night stay, we paid 2,100 pesos ($50.0). It has a good air conditioning, acceptable beds, television, hot shower and a breakfast. Its perfect for its location because of its accessibility in the town.
Our group just made a quick wash-up and off to our first day in Cotabato. By foot, we reached the Sultan Kudarat Statue in PC Hill.
From the PC Hill, jeepneys are again available en route to the People's Park. Its just a 10-minute ride and would cost you minimum charge. The People's Park is actually where the government offices are housed. It is described as a combined ethno-modern architectural. One thing that caught my attention was the Muslim-inspired roof and searching for an information, I arrived that it depicts royalty and the rich culture of the place.
We ended our first day in visiting the People's Park. We headed back to our hotel after.
Our second day started at 8:00 in the morning. We took our breakfast in the hotel and went to the Weena bus terminal downtown (Don Rufino Alonzo Street). We were bound to Libungan Public Terminal.
From the Libungan terminal, we took a motorbike going to the registration area of the Asik-Asik Falls. This one is a one and a half ride with some roads very rough that the tire of the motorbike has chains in it to prevent slipping. The motorbike costs $25.00. This includes the gas and driver's fee.
The motorbike trip was really a pain in the ass. But along the way, you'll be able to appreciate more of nature because of the view. Just simply staring at the green fields, artistically crafted blue clouds and the warmth of the sun already gave me the much needed pause I need from stress.
Chicken Pastel is a local delicacy where the rice and chicken are combined and wrapped in banana leaves before being cooked. Its a must try, and comes best with egg. The cost is not that expensive, and already enough for lunch. Don't worry about your drinks, you can drink from the natural stream. Just remember, don't leave your garbage in the waterfalls area. Bring it back to the registration area for proper disposal.
We left the falls at 13:00 and headed back to the city of Cotabato to end the day.
On our last day, before taking our flight, we made a quick stop to the Grand Mosque or better known as Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid Mosque. A well-known mosque, funded by the Sultan of Brunei, that displays the grandeur of the Muslim tradition. The place can be reached by riding a motorbike in the highway. Motorbikes are available in front of the Husky Terminal and would cost $4.00 round trip. It is a 5 km trip. Just remember, this is a religious place and decent behaviour is expected.
After visiting the Grand Mosque, our group proceeded back to the airport for our flight back to Manila.
There are still a lot of things to discover in Cotabato. I would probably be back here to experience more of their culture, the food and the warmth of the people.
