Soccsksargen is a region located at the south central of Mindanao and it Stands for :

• South Cotabato(SOC)
• Cotabato (C)
•  Sultan Kudarat (SK)
• Sarangani (SAR)
• GENERAL SANTOS (GEN) 

The name of It is composed of four regions and two cities.

In this Soccsksargen travel Guide blog, i  listed helpful advice on how to get there, get around, fun activities,  and more.

WHAT I DO

ENTRY POINT TO EXIT POINT 

GENERAL SANTOS ➡️ SOUTH COTABATO ➡️ MAGUINDANAO ➡️ SULTAN KUDARAT ➡️ GENERAL SANTOS

1. GENERAL SANTOS 

General Santos City or "GenSan" is in the province of South Cotabato in the Philippines. It is a highly urbanized city located at the southern portion of South Cotabato, but perhaps its biggest claim to fame is that boxer Manny Pacquiao is a native. It is known as "The Tuna Capital of the Philippines". General Santos is also home to a lot of media practitioners and media companies.

THINGS TO DO

Pacman WildCard Gym

This is where Manny Pacquiao trains whenever he is in General Santos City.

Tuna Fish Port

How to go there :

From GenSan Town Proper, take a jeep going to Tambler and tell the driver to drop you off at the fish port. The fish port is 12 kms from the town proper, and trip usually takes less than 30 minutes.

Entrance – Free
Boots Rental – P20

Pacman Mansion

As this is the home of the famous boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, you might like to take a peek at where he stays, from the outside, at least. The Pacman 'mansion' looks simple on the outside but the compound has its own basketball court and a separate receiving hall.

Taste the famous buko halo-halo (Koronadal)

Don't miss out on tasting the famous Apareja's buko (coconut) halo-halo! A slightly different take on the traditional merienda (snack) that Filipinos love, this halo-halo is served in a fresh coconut topped with ube ice cream. Ensure that you also eat the coconut 'meat' to complete the experience.

GO SHOPPING 

The city has the best products from corn husk products to native doll, native decors, hats, bags, slippers, and orchid flowers. Visitors can also buy t-shirts, preserved fruits, juices, and vegetables. For visitors who are interested to buy tuna products, tuna tocino, embutido, nuggets, hotdogs, chicharon, etc. are available to buy in many stores. There are more products that General Santos City has to offer and visitors can find them in public markets.

2. SOUTH COTABATO

South Cotabato is a land of both relaxed and daring adventures. Cotabato is typically diverse, multicultural and generally peaceful. As the provincial capital of Maguindanao, it is a melting pot of religion and tradition, and a gateway to the best of the region.

THINGS TO DO

Tukiba, Surallah

It is the main landmark of the whole complex made of statues and structures that depict and celebrate Surallah from their agricultural wealth to its heritage from different cultures of T’boli, Muslims and Christians ( mostly Ilonggos).

LAKE SEBU

Lake Sebu is a far-flung town in South Cotabato that is oozing with raw appeal. It is fringed by forest-clad mountains interrupted by placid lakes that you will surely forget its lack of sand and sea. While most of the residents in Lake Sebu are T’boli, an indigenous group of South Cotabato, this laidback municipality is actually a melting pot of cultures.

How to get there

1. From General Santos Airport, go to Bulaong Terminal in General Santos city. You can go there by taxi for about PHP 250 . But the cheapest way to get to Bulaong Terminal from General Santos airport is by multicab. Take the white multicab parked outside the Arrival Area to Bulaong Terminal. Fare is about PHP 50. Alternatively, you may also take a tricycle for PHP 20 but you have to wait for other passengers or negotiate with the driver for a special trip (pay for entire seats), about PHP 100
2. At Bulaong Terminal in General Santos, there are now direct vans to Lake Sebu terminal. Yep, you no longer need to make several transfers. Fare is about PHP 150 and travel time is about 2 hours. *IMPORTANT: Last trip back to General Santos from Lake Sebu is 2:00 PM.
3. From Lake Sebu Terminal, you can rent a habal-habal (motorbike) to Lake Sebu for PHP 400 for half-day tour or PHP 600 or a whole day tour, good for 2 persons. That’s their standard rate. The habal-habal drivers/local tour guides here have an association, they are wearing uniforms with badges and logos and would approach you once you get off the van. Or you can catch a jeepney for PHP 50/USD 1 to Lake Sebu

 WOODEN CANOE CRUISE 

    Ride a boat or kayak in Lake Sebu

Mariano's Blooming Agri-Tourism Park

Flowers is still the favorite of many to represent beauty and happiness in its simplest form. Much more if you are in the middle of the sunflower field of Blooming Petals Agri-Tourism Park, it could be one of the most wonderful things to happen in one’s life.

How to get there  :

If you are coming from Koronadal or General Santos. Just ride Yellow bus line going to Koronadal if you are coming from General Santos. (*They call Koronadal “Marbel” and that’s what it will say on the bus signage. Then just tell the bus conductor to drop you off at Tupi Yellow Bus Line Terminal and from there ride a tricycle going to the Park (tricycle fare is P30).

Entrance fee : 50 php

3. MAGUINDANAO

Maguindanao is known for a lot of bad news. All we ever seem to hear about from that region are stories about massacres, violence, and uprising. But Maguindanao and the surrounding provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and the other areas in the ARMM are bursting with diverse culture and beautiful cuisine.

THINGS TO DO 

Masjid Dimaukom

Masjid Dimaukom also known as Pink Mosque is situated at the heart of Datu Saudi Ampatuan town in Maguindanao. The pink color was intended to symbolize peace and love aside from being the favorite color of Mayor Samsodin Dimaukom wife who financed this construction.

How to get there :

From Cotabato City: Take the Husky Bus (P105) or a jeep (P50) and tell the driver to drop you off at the municipal hall of Datu Saudi Ampatuan. Travel time is about 1 hour. Proceed to the municipal hall and ask assistance from the staff.

From General Santos City: Take the Husky Bus (P200) and tell the conductor to drop you off at the municipal hall of Datu Saudi Ampatuan. Travel time is about 3 hours. 

4. SULTAN KUDARAT

Sultan Kudarat, with Isulan as its capital,  is located in in the western side of the region surrounded by the provinces of Maguindanao, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Sarangani Province, South Cotabato and the Celebes Sea in the west. The province got its name from the Muslim ruler, Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat who became the leader of the Sultanate of Maguindanao.

THINGS TO DO

SULTAN KUDARAT  PROVINCIAL CAPITOL

The Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol houses the different provincial government offices for the province of Sultan Kudarat including the office of the Provincial Governor and Vice Governor and the session hall for the provincial board.  But unlike other provincial capitol in other provinces in the country and aside from its fascinating architectural design, everything inside the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol were obviously expensive and luxurious

How to go there :

From GenSan, it will take a four hour bus ride to get to Isulan, the provincial capital of Sultan Kudarat. Take a bus from GenSan (P140.00) bound to Isulan or Catabato City. Tell the conductor to drop you off at the Isulan bus terminal. from the terminal, take a tricycle to the capitol.

ITINERARY

5:00 am ➡️ Start the tour

6:00 am ➡️ Arrived at Tukiba, Surallah

7:00 am ➡️ Lake Sebu , Wooden Canoe Cruise

9:00 am ➡️ Masjid Dimaukom

10:00 am ➡️ Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol

11:00 am ➡️ Lunch

1:00 pm ➡️ Mariano's Blooming Agri-Tourism Park

3:00 pm ➡️ Pacman WildCard Gym

3:30 pm ➡️ KCC Mall Gensan / SM Gensan Buy souveniers

4:00 pm ➡️ Back to Hotel

ESTIMATED EXPENSES

2000 Php  ONE DAY TOUR FEE

30 Php LAKE SEBU ENTRANCE FEE

100 Php Lunch

100 Php BUKO HALO HALO

50 Php MARIANO'S  PARK ENTRANCE FEE      _______

2280  Php  TOTAL EXPENSES

For more details, please contact:
Manong Driver ( +63 948 868 0728)

SHARING IS CARING !

Have a great day !

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