Blog#2

February 9, 2022

One of a kind adventure at Lake Holon.

Another day and another story to make. Our blog for today is about my challenging adventure. (samahan niyo ako at sabay natin tuklasin ang magical lake). Let's go!

Are you familiar with “LAKE HOLON of South Cotabato? Yes, This lake holon is another active volcano located at T’boli SOCCSKSARGEN in Mindanao Region XII, also called Mt. Parker, because Mr Parker was the one who discovered the lake while flying on his plane in 1939. Despite its active volcano tourists keep coming here because of it's magical beauty.

So our journey begins here. My friends & I are traveling from Davao City to Cotabato City but we do stopover at Gensan to pick up my friend Khael and sleepover. Morning we rode again heading to T'boli and of course this was our first time in this place. We do ask people around the road we pass by, if the drop-off at the T'boli Tourism office is nearby. Take note guys, You need to check with the tourism office of T’boli for registration and briefing and if you have a private vehicle with you, you need to left in the proper spot at the tourism office. After registration was done the challenging adventure began.

To reach the jump off site we need to ride a motorcycle or (habal-habal) because of the 27km distance going to sitio KULE tribal village. this area was the starting point for our trekking journey and also guys be ready for the ride because its a little bit challenging ride (rough road).

After an hour of riding motorcycles, we're here at sitio KULE yeheyyy.

So let's go guys… Sitio Kule is the starting point for trekking and it might be 5-6 hours hiking for beginners like me. Also, If you want to carry your baggage on your own or the tour guide will carry it for you... but of course you need to pay for it isn't free hehe. We need to weigh our baggage at P60 pesos per kilo.

For those interested to go and visit lake holon make sure that you have a waterproof bag cover, tent, some water don't worry they have fresh water at the mountains, foods & of course vitamins since the weather in lake holon is unpredictable. and wait there’s more… A payment of 350 is required to take care of your garbage which is refundable at the registration site when you get back and carry your garbage with you.

Lake Holon has two (2) trails sites, Salacafe & Kule. Salacafe is an easier trail that only takes 3-4 hours to reach the lake. Opposite Kule because Kule is the more difficult trail that takes about 5-6 hours (trekking) to reach Lake Holon. But for those who want the easy way choose to hike via SALACAFE, in this case you are required to be at the tourism office before 12NN as you will not be allowed to hike through Kule anytime after lunch. And of course for those who love adventures like me I choose the difficult way of trekking to reach the view at the top of the mountains so that I can witness the 360 degree view of lake Holon. At this time we were so excited to see the beauty of the famous lake in the Philippines “LAKE HOLON or the GOLDEN CAULDRON” of South Cotabato. Lake Holon is a T'boli word which means “Deepwater”, which has the highest point of 1,824m (5,984ft) active volcano, it is sanctified by the tribe as it was a stronghold protecting its amazing beauty.

You won't need to rush to reach the lake, just enjoy and feel the magical beauty of nature. A few moments if you are already on top of the mountains you oversee the view of the lake. This is the view deck of the lake, so amazing your hard time during trekking if you could reach this area your total sacrifices and struggle will be paid off. Such a nice and amazing place with breathable fresh air. You know what? If you take a deep look at the lake via view dick it seems that you are looking with Art/painting in the portrait.

And if you are thirsty don't worry mountains will give you a freshwater to drink. I thank God for  his beautiful Creation that all of us will surely benefited to it. 

I enjoy this journey because the climate is so cold that surely you will enjoy your hiking, they also have fresh water in some areas na madadaan natin. And since the lake is in an active volcano they have a hot spring that exits and you can see its boiling and the color of the rocks was turned into orange and you can still manage to touch the water if you want it's tolerable you can handle it. . Amazing right! Yes it is.

This is the view deck of the lake it's magical. your hard times during trekking after you reach this area your totally satisfied your sacrifice will be paid off. Very nice place you can breath fresh air. You know what? If you take a look at the lake via view deck it seems that you are looking an Art/painting in the portrait.

Try to visit this wonderful place here in Mindanao region 12. You will not regret it. I really enjoyed my trekking adventure here. So let’s go… let's continue hiking to reach the lake and swim. This time we were a little bit closer to the lake and I was excited though.

The big trees was creepy there’s a sounds like doors opened. Kunting push pa hehe. You can enjoy swim in vast lake with friends.

if you are on the water sometimes you think of something else… haha on my experience while we use the paddle boat at The Lake I felt there are other living things in this place it looks like an Enchanted place like there is a spirit, usually a lesser god or goddess, believed to guard natural features such as forests. ( yong sa subrang ganda feeling mo parang may mga DIWATA or FAIRY na taga pangalaga dito.)

Time check 5:35pm where here at the lake already the water is quite peaceful and beautiful like parang may mga enchanted creature na nakatira dito. Mahiya ka mag ingay kasi baka lamonin ka bigla ng lawa. Hahaha. So don’t make much noise. A day hike is possible but staying overnight at a campsite in Lake Holon is most recommended. Where here in the camp site

my both legs are cramping due to long hour's of trekking but happy ahaha. So yon guys we have our own tents. But if you don’t have any, They have tents available for rent at the tourism office but some of them are not in good condition and kind of smelly so it’s still best to bring your own. The Toilets and bathrooms situated near Lake are small and poorly maintained. So Girl Scout is a must no more OA or arte-arte hahaha. So...

The following day all of us busy pack up and fixing things before going back to the registration site and go home.

On our way back to registration site we pass through sitio Salacafe, the easy way which would only require 30 minutes to an hour of assault along a steep concrete ladder at first followed by a rugged and muddy earthen path. And you can also ride a horse if you’re tired of walking anymore you should pay 400 pesos. At yon ang ginawa ko sumakay ako ng kabayo kasi ang sakit na ng paa ako this time. I'm very proud of myself because I made it! I belong to those brave and adventurous. Thank you to our tour guide and also to all my friends who brought me here, stay humble God bless everyone till the next adventure.

HISTORY:

Lake Holon was said last erupted on Jan. 4, 1641. And have erupted only thrice within a span of 3800 years. At this time, the mountain was called Melibongoy. Centuries later, an American surveyor pilot named Frank Parker crashed in the mountain, and since then, the mountain has been named in his honor.

CONTACT NUMBER:

T'boli Tourism Office: Landline - 083 237 1205 Mobile - 09072832968

Thank you for your support & spending time reading my blogs. This is me @Tiger_best Kindly follow me on Noise.cash… @Tigerbest1106 looking forward seeing you there. I want to connect with people & enjoy reading different stories.

Date Published: February 8, 2022