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Along the shores of Maitum, villagers
haul buckets of the town’s prime
product:
bangsi
or flying fish. Over
230km of coastline hug Sarangani
Bay, which is home to a diversity of
marine life that includes much larger
animals like pygmy sperm whales,
dugongs
, whale sharks and turtles.
Maitum’s beaches are actually nesting
grounds for four of the five marine turtle
species found in Philippine waters,
and the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary in
Barangay Old Poblacion helps release
baby
pawikan
. According to warden
Danilo Dequiña, the sanctuary has
released over 3,000 hatchlings and
freed 21 adult turtles since 2003, giving
these endangered animals a fighting
chance at survival.
East of the sun
On the other hand, easygoing travelers
can enjoy laid-back pursuits in eastern
Sarangani. The municipality of Glan,
only 45 minutes away from General
Santos, boasts the best beaches in
mainland Mindanao. Gumasa Beach,
for one, has 7km of white sand. It
is surrounded by hills carpeted with
coconut plantations, a local industry
which has sustained the town —
nicknamed “Coconut Queen of the
South” — since its establishment.
Meanwhile, White Haven Beach Resort
has affordable accommodations and
rents out small
bangkas
(outrigger
canoes) so you can snorkel and visit
neighboring beaches.
Antiques salvaged from the Ruiz ancestral house
in Glan. At left:
Bangsi
(flying fish), one of
Maitum’s most popular products; a turtle hatchling
is released at the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary.
Below: A B’laan elder weaving
tabih
(an abaca
textile) at the Lamlifew Tribal Museum.
06CA Smile
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