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Summer road trip
entered a realm that has changed
very little over the centuries. Perhaps
it’s the long and winding drive up
the mountain or the large sign by an
archway shaped like the T’boli comb
(a traditional headpiece for women)
that reads, in big, bold letters, “The
Ancestral Domain of the T’boli”.
In truth, much has changed around
here. There are newly built concrete
houses, a few lakeside resorts and,
surprisingly, a rather impressive
zipline park. At the Lake Sebu Seven
Falls Zipline, touted as South-East
Asia’s highest, there are two lines, one
740m long and the other 460m. Both
are 180m high. It’s an exhilarating rush
as we zoom, face down and strapped
onto cables, over the lush landscape,
taking in picturesque views of three of
the seven waterfalls.
Still, some of Lake Sebu’s ancient
mystique remains. It’s most evident
in the early morning, when a thick fog
settles on the lake and enshrouds the
surrounding hills.
It helps that the T’boli are fiercely
proud of their heritage. At the School
of Living Traditions, founder Maria
Todi, her fellow instructors and their
students keep the traditional arts alive.
Here, children learn to play the drums
and
kulintang
(gongs), dance the tahaw
and weave
t’nalak
(T’boli tapestries),
on top of learning the community’s
long-held values.
A sporting life in
Maasim, Sarangani
Back inMaasim, Sarangani, we settle
Super fly sites
LAKE SEBU
SEVEN FALLS ZIPLINE
For PHP250, you get a hawk’s eye
view of the forest and waterfalls
— three of them — in Lake Sebu.
Fork over an additional PHP200 to
get a CD filled with photos of your
thrilling ride.
Tel: +63 923 695 0971
SARANGANI PARAGLIDING
AND 4X4 ADVENTURE
There are only three fly sites in
the country and one of them is
in Maasim, Sarangani. A tandem
flight costs PHP3,000 per person
(for a minimum of three to four)
and includes the pilot fee, gear
and the bumpy 4x4 ride up to the
fly site. Bring your SD card if you
want video proof of your flight.
Tel: +63 917 327 0113
Kids at the School of Living
Traditions give an impromptu
drum-and-dance performance
EARRINGS FROM T'BOLI; TOP AND SHORTS BY FOREVER 21
