Lake Sebu

For anyone who seeks peace of mind, the tranquility of the countryside and the fresh mountain air in Lake Sebu, some 45 minutes away from Koronadal, South Cotabato is the answer.

Lake Sebu irrigates the fertile Allah Valley and is home to two peoples: the T'boli, a highland tribe famous for their colorful costumes, woven work, intricate beadwork, and brass ornaments, and the Tasadays, a cave-dwelling people.

Situated almost 3000 feet above sea level, the mountain climate is cool and the air is fresh. It is surrounded on all sides by hills and forests.

Occasionally, one can still see T'boli women wearing their thickly woven traditional attire during ceremonies. The traditional weaving of the t'nalak (fabric made of abaca fiber) is still around. But what makes people go and visit Lake Sebu is the flavor of the fresh tilapia, caught from the lake to the grill, the taste is almost heavenly.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently chosen Lake Sebu town as among the focal areas for the country's ecotourism development program and as a world-class tourist destination over the next decade..

Lake Sebu watershed forest reserve, which covers the entire municipality, would be developed as among the country's major ecotourism destinations in Southeast Asia by the year 2012.

The 92,450-hectare town of Lake Sebu was recognized as one of the most important watershed areas in the country and was proclaimed as a Protected Landscape on September 24, 1985.(psdn)

Davao Crocodile Park

The park started from the fascination of the owner, Mr. Philip Dizon, to Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles.

He did not think of it as a lucrative business until he learned that crocodiles are raised in United States not just for public viewing but as well as for production of leather purposes.

It was in November 1995 when the government has given the owner the accreditation and permit to operate the 1st Davao Crocodile Park.

Ten years later , on August 18, 2006, the world-class Davao Crocodile Park was opened with the help of the consultant Dr. Gilbert Buenviaje.

The Davao Crocodile Park is an establishment that showcases a ‘state of the art’ crocodile farming system in the Philippines.

It has the most recent crocodile farm design equipped with modern facilities and equipments.

The presence of other exotic animal species like raptors, monkeys, bearcats, snakes, birds, and other reptiles makes it one of the most desired tourist destinations in Davao.

The purposes of this establishment are as follows:
1. tourism
2. public viewing and entertainment
3. venue for educational tours
4. promotion of public awareness through regular lectures
5. conservation of crocodiles and other wildlife animals and
6. acts as a field laboratory for students in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine as well as for wildlife animal enthusiasts.

The Davao Crocodile Park is at the Riverfront Development in Maa, Davao City. (davaocrocodilepark)

Pearl Farm Resort

The 11-hectare Pearl Farm Resort was once, literally, a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters, transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white, and gold pearls.

The resort lies in a secluded island off the coast of Davao City. It boasts Samal Houses patterned after the stilt houses of seafaring Samal tribes of the Sulu archipelago, with schools of tiny fish frolicking between the sturdy poles that support the houses.

All 73 Deluxe rooms, suites and cottages are set on stilts above the tropical blue water or perched on a hillside over looking the sea.

The resort is even able to offer even more luxurious villas in the utmost privacy, which are located on the nearby exclusive island of Malipano.

Guest facilities include airport and boat transfers, baby sitting, hairdryers, medical service, safe deposit boxes, postage, massage, manicure, room service, cable TV, email access, telephone and telefax.

Ample opportunities are available for delightful open-air dining on South-East Asian and Western cuisine at the Maranao restaurant, and guests can also enjoy serene evenings with cocktails at the Parola Bar.

Extensive water sports include windsurfing, speed-boating, scuba diving, water-skiing, hobbiecat sailing, water-cycling and rowing, as well as organised island-hopping tours.

Alternatively you can sunbathe at two outdoor swimming pools, relax in the Jacuzzi, on the two tennis courts or in the fully equipped games room. (wowphilippines)