Dolefil’s Surgical Mission 2013

Just recently, I have been lucky to be invited along with the Sox Bloggers to experience first-hand Dolefil’s Surgical Mission 2013. I have been in Polomolok for more than a decade now. I know for a fact that there are a number of impoverished communities  in the municipality, so the Surgical Mission is a welcome relief to the people of Polomolok and other communities in and around region 12.

A True Blue South Cotabateño

Its been more than a decade since I’ve moved here in South Cotabato. So the question of whether I am now eligible to be called a true South Cotabateño still remains to be answered. To most of you who are from this beautiful province, but are scattered all across the globe in search of greener pastures, let me tell you what I loved about your province, this often misunderstood part of Mindanao and why I came to love living here. Then maybe you can decide for yourselves whether or not I am worthy of being called a true blue South Cotabatenean.

Pictures courtesy of our official lensman: Mr. Omar S. Gallinero :) Taken from his collection of photos. 

1. The T’boli Tribe. What I love about this tribe is their adeptness in preserving their culture despite the modern times. Their culture has been shared to tourists and guests all around South Cotabato. I think the region should thank them for sharing their culture with us and hoping that they get to preserve it for years to come so our children can also enjoy the richness of their way of life. To get a taste of their culture, you can read about some of them in this post here.

2. T’nalak fabric. Although most would not classify it as a fabric or cloth, due to its course texture, the T’nalak fabric is highly revered in the T’boli tribe. This cloth is part of every T’boli’s culture and way of life. You can say that it is similar to the importance the Scottish people give to their kilts. The T’bolis consider the T’nalak part and parcel of every significant event in their life such as in birth, marriage or even in death. And it is in this deep veneration for the T’nalak that South Cotabato adapted it to symbolize the richness of the region’s culture.

3. T’nalak Festival. Aptly called since it holds the T’nalak fabric in high esteem. This festival is a tribute to the T’boli tribes, the first settlers in South Cotabato. I love that this festival showcases T’nalak in a variety of forms, there even has a fashion show using the fabric in modern, hip designs. The street dancing alone is a fun-filled event celebrating the South Cotabatenean’s veneration for the T’nalak and the T’bolis of South Cotabato. 

4. Lake Sebu. Oftentimes referred to as the summer capital of the southern Philippines. What I love about Lake Sebu besides its cool climate is the tranquil view of the lake. We always bring guests from Manila here.

5. Seven falls. Needless to say, the 7 falls is a true gem. I mean, who ever comes across not one or two but seven (!) falls in one place, right? At first, even before I set my eyes on them it sounded crazy… I mean seven falls? :) But then I know most of first time tourists will be in awe of the beauty of these falls. It is nature’s hand at its finest. I do recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes for first time guests. Read more about the seven falls here.

6. The Majestic Mt. Matutum. Of course I couldn’t fail to mention this resplendent mountain towering over all of us in South Cotabato. Despite the qualms that this is a dormant volcano… Mt. Matutum gives the people of South Cotabato a reason for its fertile lands. I don’t know maybe once upon a time it erupted, but the fertile soil surrounding it continues to give farmers a bountiful harvest all year. During the summer months, I was told that it is also an exhilarating feeling to climb the summits of this revered mountain, but I have yet to see this for myself. :) In plane rides over the region, you just know you are in South Cotabato once Mt. Matutum comes into view in your airplane windows. 

7. Kape Alamid. or otherwise known as Civet Coffee. I've been a coffee lover for how many years now, and I just can't find another coffee to equal the robustness of the civet coffee harvested from the coffee trees in Mt. Matutum. Let's just not discuss where the coffee bean actually passes through that gives it that delectable taste. But this makes it to my list of  top 15. :)

photo courtesy of  http://www.telegraph.co.uk

 


8. Pineapples. This is the fruit of life for the South Cotabatenean. Many of the people here breathe (as in literally :) ) and have livelihood thanks to this fruit. I vouch for the truth that the South Cotabatenean - grown pineapple is the sweetest in all the world. 

9. Dolefil. Call me biased or what, but living in Polomolok, South Cotabato, Dolefil has always been an integral part of my everyday existence. My prejudice comes from the fact that most of the people here have a dependable livelihood (well probably me included) because of the existence of this multinational fruit company. And… Polomolok will not be world famous for it’s sweet tasting pineapples if not for Dole Phils. So excuse my being blunt in including them in my top 15 list of favorites. :)

 

10. Kalsangi. Of course Dolefil’s Club Kalsangi also made the cut to my list. Where else can you find a top of the class residential area comparable to Baguio’s Camp John Hay or Clark field’s loghouses other than at Kalsangi? It Is worth mentioning since our country’s leaders such as President Ramos, President Erap, even the late President Marcos and President Cory have all spent the day or night within its boundaries. Its streets are all lined with big acacia and macademia trees. It even boasts of a 9-hole golf course which is one of the best and well maintained in Mindanao. To read more about Club Kalsangi, click here. 

11. Polomolok Sunsets. Living in Polomolok, I’ve come to love my Polomolok sunsets. It’s a rare treat for someone like me from the Metro waking up to a glorious sunrise and ending the day with a breathtaking sunsets. It is only in these parts of Mindanao where we rarely experience monsoon rains or typhoons for days at a row so the sun gets to shine its rays all throughout the region. More pictures on my Polomolok sunsets here.

12.Ukay – ukay. South Cotabato of course is also famous for its “ukay-ukay” or to literally “dig” hordes of used clothes and what have yous for a bargain. I wouldn’t forget the bargaining prowess I picked up in these flea markets. 

13. Fresh food. The standard of living here is not high compared to highly urbanized regions. There is an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits, plentiful seafood, poultry and meat. It is an adage here that when you live in South Cotabato, you will never go hungry since most of the country’s food come from here. The biggest piggery can be found at Koronadal city. There are also a number of cattle raisers and poultry farms. Not to mention vegetables and fruit farms dotting the entire region. So if you are from Manila, some of your food comes from here. We can literally have steak and vegetable sidings each day here if we wish without burning a hole in our pockets. 

14. South Cotabatenean Charm and Hospitality. Part of the wealth of any place comes from its people. Guests can be prepared to be welcomed warmly in this parts of the island. South Cotabateneans know how to treat guests amiably. 

15. Peaceful living. These parts of the island, I am proud to note that people here live peacefully. There are no Muslim-Christian conflicts here. Nor are there an abundance of street thugs or pickpockets for that matter. Maybe it is one of the reasons why many people have come to relocate in South Cotabato (well me included :)).

“This is my submission for the T'nalak Festival 2012 Blog Writing Contest, which is made possible with the support of sponsors such as Hon. Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr and the province of South Cotabato, Sun Cellular - get two days of unlimited text to all networks for only ₱15 with SUN TEXTALL15, Dole Philippines, Representative Teddy Casiño & Bayan Muna Party-List,  KCC Malls, SouthCotabato.Org and South Cotabato News.”

The Elusive Dolefil Club Kalsangi

On the foot of the majestic Mt. Matutum lies a secret village that are known only to the locals of Polomolok and GenSan. First timers will have a hard time finding it since it is not plotted on tourist maps. It is situated in the middle of Dole Philippines' 10,000 hectares of pineapple plantation. I'm not even sure I'm allowed to blog about it.hehe. It just makes me  feel proud in knowing that there is such a place in faraway Mindanao.

Of course there are reasons for its elusiveness. Dole Kalsangi is home to the multinational company’s ex-pats and top management. I could understand since some management positions in top companies as big as Dolefil hold sensitive positions. So let us not wonder why it is one of the safest places down south. Security there can be quite stiff mind you so if you’re planning to visit the place, I suggest you befriend one of the residents living there so they can vouch for you when you suddenly appear at the gate since the security guards won’t let you in not unless you have a sponsor from the company.

Upon entering Kalsangi, it feels as though you are not in Mindanao. Its streets are lined with Norfolk pine trees, Macademia trees (yep they have that there!), and other big trees complete with big wild ferns you only see in high altitude places. The cabin log houses remind me of Subic or Camp John Hay in Baguio.

Dole Kalsangi boasts not only of the elite living quarters of Dolefil's top brass but also of the premiere 9-hole golf course that is a favorite of many golfers in these parts. Its golf course is lined with a number of Norfolk and Pine trees that make you feel that you are playing golf somewhere in Europe. It's clubhouse is comparable to those in high society villages in the metro. It has an Olympic sized pool, kiddie playground and a restaurant that serves yummy delicacies that make lunches and dinners a festive occasion that most celebrate birthdays, anniversary among others.

To get there, you must first ask for a sponsor from any Dole regular employee. Then ask to guide you to the roads going to Club Kalsangi. Its not open for everybody so make sure you find a sponsor first, since they are the only gate pass you will need. :) Hope you get the chance to see for your own eyes the beauty of Club Kalsangi in Polomolok, South Cotabato

Polomolok...land of pineapples, coffee and prayer

In the south-western tip of Mindanao between Gensan and Tupi lies Polomolok. A booming little town known as the home of multinational giant, Dole Philippines. Its pineapple plantation which spans around 12,000 hectares is the largest pineapple plantation in the world. You'll know you're flying over Polomolok when you see the landscaped hills looming below as you peek in your airplane window.

Polomolok is a 1st class municipality under the province of South Cotabato. It is situated on the base of the majestic Mt. Matutum, home of the musang or the civet cat. Now you might be wondering, what is so important about the so called "musang" that is worth mentioning. Well, if you are familiar with the coffee "Alamid" it is said that these wild cats eat only the finest coffee cherries..and the expensive and much coveted coffee beans is an outcome of their now precious poop..hehe. Bless the locals in Mt. Matutum for doing the gruesome job of searching for these beans in the civet cat's poop that we have the aromatic and robust coffee Alamid to serve to our guests.

One can catch the grandiose Mt. Matutum on the clubhouse of Dole Kalsangi, an exclusive residential village for the company's top brass. Its streets are lined with Norfolk pine trees, macademia nut trees and other greens and foliage which according to some are brought to Polomolok by Dole expats straight from Hawaii. The well paved roads and log houses in Kalsangi remind one of American establishments in Subic or in Baguio. First timers might be surprised to see a place such as Kalsangi in the midst of the pineapple plantations..but mind you, if you are not from here Kalsangi might be a bit tricky to find. It is afterall in a hidden and well secured area owing to the fact of course that its inhabitants belong to the company's top executives and expats. It is rumored that even the country's presidents and their staff going back to President Marcos' time all stayed in Kalsangi inconspicuously whenever they are in Mindanao.  Also in the area is a premiere 9-hole golf course and clubhouse serving the yummiest burger and steaks in Polomolok.

Also in the foot of Mt. Matutum in Landan is the Trappistine Monastery of Our Lady of  Matutum. It is home to the Cisterian Nuns more popularly called "Trappistines" which supports themselves selling religious artifacts, prayer books, postcards as well as pastries. (Try their rum balls--truly heavenly!) The monastery church is open to the public every Sundays for the 10AM mass.

Polomolok still has a lot to offer in terms of sights and places to visit. I know so because it has been my home for the past ten years (and still counting) now. It is also known as "Poland" or Polomolok-land to locals here who are now living in manila. So if you happen to meet someone who says they live in Poland in the southern part of mindanao, it is Polomolok nonetheless :) Hope you come visit my Polomolok one of these days..and you will come to know and appreciate for yourself what a beautiful town it truly is.