Exploring the Fortress of Stone

March 26, 2017

Cotabato City

“Ako’y Isinilang sa isang Bayan ng Cotabato”
“Kasing gulo ng tao, kasing gulo ng mundo”


Are these phrases familiar to you? Yes it is the famous song of Asin about Cotabato way way back when the City is still at its worst, but if you look into it now, that song no longer defines the place because things changed drastically over the years and those changes are reflected on the city itself, on its development and the government’s, together with the people, strenuous effort on trying to uplift the city and permanently erase the negative thoughts about it. But words are just words; it is still the best if you see for yourself. Try to explore the city and fall in love with its rich cultural heritage and everything it has to offer.


How to get there:
Via Airplane;

Manila to Awang Airport- 1 hr 30 min.
Cebu City to Awang Airport- 45 min
Zamboanga to Awang Aiport- 25 min

Land Travel;

By Van:
From Davao City (located along SM Ecoland) to Cotabato City-4-5 hrs fair; php 350
From General Santos City (A.G.P Van) to Cotabato City –3-4 hrs fair; php 280
By bus:
From General Santos City (Husky Bus) to Cotabato City -4-5 hrs fair; php 300
From Davao to Cotabato City-6-7 hrs
From Cagayan de Oro to Iligan-2 hrs 30 mins fair; php 100
From Iligan to Marawi (by van )- 45  mins fair; php 70
From Marawi to Cotabato City (by Innova) - 4 hrs fair; php 400

The Mosque

The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid or popularly known as Grand mosque is the biggest and grandest mosque ever built in the Phillipines. It is named after the Sultan of Brunie who financed the up building of the mosque. It can accommodate 800 male and 400 female worshippers. It lies at the far end of the main highway of Barangay Kalanganan Dos, Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines.








How to get there:

From Cotabato City, ride a jeepney or a town ace (larger version of multicab) via Highway-Awang route for only 12 php or if you’re from Awang Airport, ride a tricycle to take you on the highway then ride a jeepney via “super”, “town” or “orc” route and tell the driver to drop you off along the motorcycle terminal going to the grand mosque. The round trip fare for the motorcycle is around 100-150 php good for persons.


Tamontaka Church

Just a few blocks away from the terminal going to the grand mosque, lays another historical worship site for the Christians.  It was the Tamontaka Church which was the first church built in the city in 1872.



How to get there:

From Cotabato City, ride a jeepney or multicab via Highway-Awang route for 12 php or if you’re from Awang Airport, ride a tricycle to take you on the highway then ride a jeepney via “super”, “town” or “orc” route and tell the driver to drop you off on Tamontaka Church. Then from there it wouldn’t be hard for you to look for the church for it lies at the heart of the end of the road standing humbly still, as if waiting for your arrival.

Kutang Bato Cave

Its name was derived from the Malay-Bruneian word Kota meaning city or fort and Bato meaning stone, hence, the name of the City, Cotabato. It is the only cave in the Philippines found in the middle of the city.  The most common point of access is that in Barangay Bagua, though it has some constraints on tourists caving due to the preservation of the cave. It is most advisable to go there in groups so you can get formal approval from the city hall.




People’s Palace

The new city hall called the “People’s Palace” is located in Malagapas, Barangay Rosary Heights 10. It has a majestic structure using the modern designs whilst preserving the Moro architecture present on the concept of the roof, hence symbolizing the existence of Christianity in the City.


How to get there:
From Cotabato City, ride a jeepney or multicab via Highway-Awang route for 12 php or if you’re from Awang Airport, ride a tricycle to take you on the highway then ride a jeepney via “super”, “town” or “orc” route and tell the driver to drop you off People’s Palace.

WHERE TO STAY

Pesion Rafael
San Isidro Street, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-2941

Fiesta Cotabato
Dr. Rabago Street, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-5491

Hotel Filipino & Restaurant
Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421- 307/ (064) 421-3232

Hotel Cirilo
Sultan Makakua Street, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-3583

Vision Inn
Bonifacio Street, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421- 7289/ 421-1364

Citi Plaza
Makaku Street, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-9148

Pacific Heights Pension House
San Vicente Street, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421- 5832

Hotel Castro
Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-7523

Sardonyx Pension House
Gov. Guutierrez Street, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421- 1364

Azaleas Pension House
Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-8122

Diamond Hotel
Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-5118

El Manuel Hotel
Quezon Avenue, Cotabato City
Contact Info: (064) 421-9883

(all pictures are not mine)

Melting Pot of the South

March 26, 2017

Mindanao State University- Main Campus







MSU- MAIN is not just famous for providing quality education to unprivileged students of the region but also for its scenic views and picturesque landscapes. It was built in 1961 and is the largest campus of the Mindanao State University System. It is located in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, elevated 2,800 feet above sea level giving it chilly atmosphere, hence it is sometimes being called as “mini Baguio”.

How to get there:
If you’re from Cagayan de Oro, you can ride a bus going to Iligan for 2-3 hrs fair is 100 php then from Iligan, ride a jeepney going to MSU-Marawi for 1 hour, fair is php 50. From there,  you can either ride a motorcycle or take a walk to go to these beautiful places:

Aga Khan Museum
This museum houses the historical artifacts all over the south of the Philippines such as indigenous arts, native tools and weapons used by the Muslims, Okir, artistic houses and native folk dances as well as Maranao culture gems.



Golf Course
This wide stretch of land is one of the things that made MSU-Main so popular due to its situation facing the majestic view of the lake and the famous “sleeping lady” mountain.



If you wish to have an overnight stay in MSU, the best place to rest is the Marawi Ayala Resort Hotel that offers standard cottages for as low as php 1,500 per night.


(all photos are not mine) 

CBAA at 54

March 23, 2017

Every second day of March, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy would always celebrate its birthday. This year, it has celebrated its 54th year of providing quality education for the students of Mindanao State University. It is usually a week-long preparation for the whole-day celebration full of festivities and showing off of the amazing talents the students of the College got.

This year, just like the other years, the foundation anniversary was greatly prepared beforehand. Since it was accustomed that there will be a contest among the departments, then all the students of all four departments really made efforts and squeezed off their time to make allowance for the activities of the upcoming event. Others even practiced two or three weeks before, and others pulled all nighters almost every other night just to get the highly hoped-for “overall champion” award.

On day of the foundation, of course as expected, in the morning, we paraded from the college to the gymnasium. Then the entire faculty shocked the students, when they had their own “magpasikat” scene wherein they did a mini showdown of dancing to different songs. It was such a wonderful sight to see your instructors smiling from ear to ear and being all goofy. What a way to start the day! Then after that, the first activity was the sigaw kalye which unfortunately but somehow fortunately, had gotten the 1st runner up, since we had just practiced the night before. Next are the afternoon activities which were basically all about singing and dancing. Upon announcing the winners, the Marketing actually got tied with the Management by scores but the judges broke the tie by weighing as to who got more championships. The management department has more championships than us so they were considered as the overall champion but it was still okay at least we did our best and only had fun in doing so.

All in all, the foundation day was too exhausting but so so so fun. At least even for just a day, we got to experience being busy not by academics but by practicing for a performance, and at least just for a day, we can completely forget about all the paper works waiting for us at home.

Mindanao State University

March 03, 2017


          “So, where do you study?” “I study in MSU” “Woah! Really? You must be smart.  It must be hard studying there.” this is the common reaction I get if I talk about my school Mindanao State University. The mere mention of its name will drop the jaw of some people and even some professionals. The name entails such prestige and if you happen to study there, people usually think so highly of you.
Mindanao State University is such a prestigious name of a school for me back then. When I heard about it from my aunt and cousin when I was on my fourth year in high school, I already got motivated to study here, despite the distance, despite the people and despite the fact that I can’t basically live without my parents because I don’t know how to cook. I still got curious about the school so for almost half of fourth year, me and my mother we’re always arguing about the matter because she doesn’t want me to study from afar especially here in Marawi, she even joined force with my older brother who she knows I am very afraid of at the time. My father however is considering because he’s also a graduate here. He knows I can do it even when my mother and kuya don’t. He believed in me when the others didn’t. So because of my persistence, in the end I won.

            Fast forward to April 2014, actually, my preferred course isn’t really marketing or business course for the matter, it was actually social work, but I arrived so late and the only department that still allowed first year enrollees is marketing and that is the reason why I ended up in the department. The reason why I’m still here though? It’s that I’m so lazy to shift because I know that shifting is so complicated, but I also asked God for a sign if I should shift or not and the sign said not so nah I didn’t.

            Let us go back to first year first semester. I was really really homesick, and I really wanted to just go back home and hug my mother and tell her that she’s right, that it’s really hard to be away but the stubborn side of me said no, I shouldn’t, that I should stand for what I started. That I shouldn’t let anyone think that I’m easily defeated so even when I really really really wanted to cry on the phone call, I always stop my tears from falling and tell them I’m okay and when my voice already starts to crack, I’ll tell them I have to hang up. That was my routine for six months, and when it was my first ever time going home, I was so excited like I’ve never felt that excitement before. I was so happy to see everyone for the first time after how many months. By that time, I never wanted to go back here again and when they accompanied me to the terminal going back here, I really fought so hard for my tears to not show up. I just don’t know what was wrong with me, I felt like it was in my system. I don’t want anyone thinking of me as a quitter.

            A couple of years past and I don’t already feel that feeling anymore. I have made friends and sisters by the personae of my roommates which shares the same experiences with me. We’ve talked about how we feel about leaving home to study and not being able to see your family for a long time. We just comforted each other and made family out of one another. I am just so thankful they came into my life, at least through them I don’t feel alone.

            Other than emotional challenges, there will always be the intellectual challenges, where I have to face different instructors every day and cope up with their personalities and different styles in teaching plus the fact that I have to study 3 courses in one night (I know, cramming is not good but it is the only study habit that works for me), one of which contains hundred pages or so for my major exams so that I will be able to pass the semester but I have been depressed when I failed not only one but two math subjects. I have also experienced a test of my physical fitness when I have to run from annex to CBAA and vice versa or annex to SPEAR and vice versa or the most exasperating which is I have to walk from my boarding house in fourth street to CBAA using my  very uncomfortable school uniform and heels. There are and will always be that “adrenaline rush” kind of stress wherein I’ll be forgetting that I have to pass a lot of requirements for the other day so I have to pull an unexpected all nighter just to be able to pass the requirements.

            Even so, these were just challenges given to us so that we will no longer get shocked in the real world after college because we were always reminded that time then will be more critical and should be used efficiently. These challenges are also a reminder of that roll of paper every one of us desperately wants to grab hold of, but that role of paper is not just any other roll of paper used for the purpose of wiping your dirt. It is a role of paper that will guide you and lead you to the path of your dreams.
         



Photos not mine. 

Reaction Paper on Young Entrepreneurs

March 03, 2017


Among all of the inspiring stories of those successful people, I was most inspired by the story of Sara Blakely on how she failed her way to her first $1 billion.

She has been failed her entire life but she kept going. She did not for a moment considered quitting or even thought about it. She tried and tried everything even though what she did would usually end up embarrassing her. She became a personal seller, was rejected so many times but she still does what she’s supposed to do. Even after she has already made her own company, still, she experienced yet another failure for it did not go smoothly, but it still didn’t faze her and her sheer drive told her to keep going as what she said. She even joined a game show and for the last time, failed, but she didn’t give a damn about what other people think. She just does her thing and then look at her now, branded as the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire.

 If I am to put myself in her shoes, with all the failures she has experienced, I would probably just quit and cry myself out. But she did not, she may have cried but she never quitted. Though like her, I am also a strong willed person, unlike her, I sometimes resort to quitting if all else fail, that is why her indomitable spirit really moved me, like, she doesn’t stop, and she kept going and does everything to get what she wanted. She motivated me to become like her, to have a determination in whatever I do. Just like what she said, “Failure is not the outcome, failure is not trying. Don’t be afraid to fail”.

Her story also motivated me to become rich not for myself alone but for the people so that I will finally be able to do what I dreamt of since I was young. That is to help other people and make their lives better by donating to charities and providing employment or even business ventures.

That is the effect Sara Blakely’s story had on me.

Sigay Ka, Cotabato City!!

March 03, 2017


Cotabato City, the first district in the province of Maguindanao, is composed of 299,438 people according to 2015 census. The name was derived from the maguindanao word kuta wato and the Malay Bruneian word of Kota Batu, or City of Stone, Kota  means city or fortress, and batu mean rock or stone. (wikipedia)

When mentioned on people from Luzon and Visayas, Cotabato is a cringe worthy word for them. The city is always being seen on the television with lots of news about bombing, war and terrorism. These news has brought unfair treatment not just only for the place but also for the people inhabiting there. Often times when you tell someone from the two regions above that you’re from Cotabato, they would automatically avert their eyes and judge you deep down thinking either you’re a suicide bomber or a terrorist and contemplating whether to trust you or not. But if they would just give it a shot and visit this place, their perspective would completely change. Cotabato is no longer the Cotabato you hear from that famous song of Ka. Freddie. It has changed a lot over the past years. It tries to become the friendliest place for tourists in Mindanao and it would be bad if this place will never be acknowledged because it has a lot of wonderful tourists spots to show off;

The Grand Mosque
The grand mosque was named after the Sultan of Brunei who reportedly funded part of its construction. It is one of the most striking landmarks in the city with its attractive yellow domes, beautiful minarets and white and cream walls. It is a gigantic structure that can hold over a thousand worshippers. (triptheislands.com)
Photo credits to google


Tamontaka Church
This is the oldest Christian church in Cotabato City. It was built in 1872 by Spanish friars as can be easily seen in its architecture and design. Inside, you will find relics of the living past, which together with the church housing them stands in testimony that both the Muslim and Christian religion can co-exist harmoniously. One of the most interesting features of tamontaka church is its underground passageway leading to a catacomb which is a part of the network caves for which Cotabato is named for. (triptheisland.com)
Photo credits to google

Kutang Bato
Found right at the heart of the city, is the one-of-its-kind Kutang Bato Cave. It was used by the Filipino soldiers during the Second World War to outsmart and fight the Japanese invaders. It has also provided natives a sanctuary when the Spaniards tried to convert them to Christians. The cave has several entrances scattered around the city, but only four are open to admit visitors. (triptheislands.com)
Photo credits to google

Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine
This monument was built in honor of Japan’s Provincial Commander Takumi Butai and Japanese soldiers who died in the city during WWII. It was Butai’s wish to have his ashes be buried in the city when he died. The shrine was put up to Kyoto’s Lion’s Club in cooperation with Cotabato’s City Government. (triptheislands.com)
Photo credits to google

PC Hill
PC Hill is a 90 feet stone fort by the natives as a watch tower to detect and repel enemy assaults during the war. It gives a panoramic view of the whole city as well as the Rio Grande de Mindanao. Today, it serves a as a headquarters to the Cotabato City Internal Defense Command. (triptheislands.com)
 Photo credits to google

Rio Grande de Mindanao
This is the longest river in Mindanao and second largest river in the Philippines. It is estimated to be 96 meters wide 182 kilometers long. Various water sports and boat racing activities are held along it, especially during the Feast of Penafrancia  and the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival. (triptheislands.com)
Photo credits to google

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