The Islander: Sultan Kudarat

Friday, August 1, 2008

Sultan Kudarat

This was another trip courtesy of my job.

The Province of Sultan Kudarat is located in South West of Mindanao, bounded by the province of Cotabato and Maguindanao on the north, South Cotabato and Sarangani Pronvinces on the south, Davao del Sur on the east, and Celebes Sea on the west. It is composed of one component city, Tacurong, and 11 municipalities with Isulan as capital. The province was named after the great Muslim ruler Sultan Muhammed Dipatuan Kudarat, who reigned from 1619-1671 A.D.

Isulan rotonda

Based on the mileage recorded in the car we used, the travel took us approximately 591 kilometers in 10 hours from Surigao City via Agusan-Davao route. I have passed by the place before when we took the Cotabato-Bukidnon route back home after the attended seminar in GenSan sometime in 2006.

In contrast to the negative image created by media to the area as war zone and conflicted, I feel at home with the place. Maybe because even if it is situated in a Muslim area, the province is a predominantly Christian community speaking an Ilonggo dialect. For that, I spoke Tagalog most of the time to the hospitable people around.

We arrived in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat at 4 in the afternoon from the 6 a.m. departure in Surigao. We took rest for a while at our reserved hotel, Isla Adelina Resort, which has this serene man-made islets along the pond.

Isla Adelina Resort

These islets are installed with a cottage equipped with videoke machine which is very much a treat for relaxation or picnic.

Isla Adelina Resort

At 6:00 in the evening we then proceeded to the fellowship dinner hosted by Cong. Pax Mangudadatu. The venue was no less than the multi-million funded provincial capitol dubbed as the Taj Mahal of the South.This 4-storey capitol building equipped with an elevator is arched by oil palm plantations on the backdrop.

Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol

The party held on the rooftop was extravagant --lots of foods, bonggacious (cant find the word) fireworks lightened up the sky, expensive wines we toast... we have it all that night. I was told, this capitol which gains tourist's attraction was funded through a Muslim brotherhood with the Datus of Malaysia.

The fellowship dinner also showcased the local talents and designers in a cultural presentation and fashion show. I forgot the name of the male singer who sung native compositions. He really did it great.

After the dinner, we headed to the Notre Dame of Tacurong Gym for the Ms. Mindanao Tourism 2008 pageant where we sponsored a candidate to represent Surigao City. All the candidates are titleholders so it was a really close fight. But Davao City’s Clarice Escala who also holds the title as Mutya ng Davao 2007 bagged some minor and major awards and emerged as the first holder of the crown.

The beautiful Clarice Ann Escala

Equally beautiful to these ladies are the marvelous tourist spots the province is trying to promote to the world. Unfortunately I haven't gone to any of these places because of time constraints, especially that i was with my boss. But I visited the no less than celebrated and newest pride of the province.. its provincial capitol. The other boasted tourist spots includes: