This July, I manage to escape work for a while and have a week of vacation while visiting my girlfriend at the same time in Koronadal City ("City of Marbel", old name) at South Cotabato. I remember my friends keep teasing me of my plan of going to Mindanao, but my mind is set, my course is plot, my bags are packed and off I go.
Gensan Airport, the nearest airport to Koronadal
My travel started from Gensan airport, its the nearest airport to Koronadal its an hour travel by bus. On the way, I was able to see the vast plains of Gensan, it is planted w/ pineapples or corns unlike other provinces where you'll usually see coconut trees on the roadside. I was not able to take a shot at it since Im inside the bus and the picture might just appear like grass from a distance.
Round Ball (Rotonda) - located at the heart of Koronadal
KCC Mall - one of the two malls in Koronadal the other one is Fit Mart
basic means of public trasportation in Koronadal is tricycle, this tricycle can carry 6 people including the driver, the 4 passenger can sit at the side cab the 2 facing front while the other facing rear the remaining one can sit at the back of the driver. I took this shot onboard a tricycle at the rear cab. The good thing w/ these tricycles is that they dont have a permanent station or "paradahan", whether your from the market or a mall all you gotta do is tell them your destination anywhere in the city and he'll deliver you at right at your doorsteps for just 6 pesos per head. (hmmm.. sounds like an advertisement, hehe!).
Koronadal Church
church altar
blessed sacrament
T'NALAK FESTIVAL
I was very lucky the time I visit Koronadal coz it happened that they are celebrating their T'nalak Festival which is held yearly by the month of July. This time it was from July 10-18. The picture above was taken during the street parade.
busy crowd checking plant exhibits
alunan avenue - this street is closed for public transportation especially during nights of the festival. Many people gather here to see events that are currently taking place or to shop from "baratillo's" on the sidewalks. Another thing that is interesting in this street is during "sayawan sa kalye" event, this whole street is jumppacked w/ people and sound systems is everywhere to provide the crowd w/ party music. Never in my life have seen a crowd party this way, its cool!
Search for Miss South Cotabato - picture was taken during the search. The event was hosted by Jericho Rosales, Franco Laurel and a former Miss South Cotabato I think. I was able to watch this event for free no ticket needed at all same thing for other events that are held here during the festival.
some of pictures of "bahay kubo's" for every municipality that joined the contest, where anyone can actually go inside and check the interior.
busy crowd during the festival
Koronadal City by night -view of the city at lantaw, a restaurant uphill where you can enjoy the view of whole city.
Koronadal is simple yet great city, people here are warm and very hospitable. I've learned to love not only the places on it, but also the people. I've also learned that this city has 96% literarcy rate which i think is the reason why people here are disciplined and very organized. I'll definitely go back here. For me it is indeed a great place to be.
