UtMj'S PORTAL: 2016

I didn't expect that I could gaze and marvel at the cleanest lake of SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City) region, the great Lake Holon of T'boli, South Cotabato.

Taken at the viewing deck of Lacafe trail before descent to the lake.

My 10-year old daughter and our lady boss in PAO at the viewing deck of Lacafe trail overlooking the great Lake Holon.

Lake Holon is formerly known as Lake Maughan that is nestled within the bosom of Mt. Parker (now Mt. Melibengoy) Range. The water (according to the locals) is potable and is a home of wild and organic tilapia so to speak. The locals just use the traditional spear in catching tilapia which is sold at the cheapest price I have known (only ten pesos for a piece of a regular sized tilapia).

The great Lake Holon at the crater of the Mt. Parker Range as seen at the viewing deck of Lacafe trail.

April 2, 2016

It was the day when we would be able to witness one of the wonderful creations of our Creator. We departed here in General Santos City around 4:30 o'clock in the morning. We sped off normally and after almost 2 hours and 30 minutes, we reached the beautiful municipality of T'boli.

Our team from the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) after our orientation at the Municipality of T'boli, South Cotabato. Only 4 of us took the Lacafe trail while the rest opted the treacherous trail of Kule.

The Orientation

Before any person is allowed to trek Lake Holon, an orientation is done at the office of T'boli's Tourism Office. Each of the climber is registered so as to account their number ascending and descending the trail. A fee of Twenty Pesos is collected after the registration.

Accordingly, the trail is closed from January to March every year to let the lake breathe.

After the briefing at the Lacafe trail, we took this souvenir before our ascent.

The Trails

There are two trails going up the lake; Lacafe and Kule trails.

Lacafe trail is recommended for beginners. It is an easy trail and it would just take one more or less 3 hours to trek.

Kule, on the other hand, is a difficult trail. Some would describe it is a treacherous trail. More climbing than hiking in this trail but one would reach the lake more or less at the same time with Lacafe trail.

Considering that I was with my 10-year old daughter and a host daughter from Dominican Republic, we opted to take Lacafe trail. Our boss in the Public Attorney's Office also joined us.

Giant fern species would usually accompany any trekker to Lake Holon.

The Habal-Habal Ride

From the Municipal Hall of T'boli, the climbers are ferried via habal-habal motorcycle (extended motorcycle that could carry 5 passengers) to the chosen trail (300 pesos for every motorcycle going to Lacafe and 450 pesos to Kule trail).

One is advised to wear protective mask because the road is so powdery dusty.

In our trip, we left T'boli around 7:30 in the morning and we reached the base camp of Lacafe trail around 9:30 already.

Yes, we were definitely trekking under this scorching heat of the sun.

Lacafe Trail Base Camp

Hyu Lafu, is Good Morning in T'boli. It was the greeting we received at the base camp. We were again reoriented anew for the do's and don't's while ascending the lake.

For the five of us, we paid another 280 pesos (including the environmental fee and the bond of 200 pesos for the bond of the trashes). So, one has to gather and bring back all his trashes from the lake to the base camo to get the bond.

Aside from the 280 pesos we paid, we needed to hire the services of a tour guide. In a group of 10 or a fraction thereof, one tour guide is a must.

The tour guide is a native of the place. According to Joey, our tour guide, they need to undergo training and accreditation annually. Without them, they cannot be hired.

The fee for the tour guide is just 300 pesos excluding the extra services (acting as a porter, a runner for an errand, a cook, etc.) he may extend.

Each climber is lent with a supporting stick.

Our guide Joey and our Dominican host daughter Lisbeth at one of the substations ascending Lake Holon. Each of the substation is named with a prefix Bulul which is a T'boli term for a mountain.

The Trail

For physically challenged climber, he may take a horse for a fee of 300 pesos per person. Horse back riding is only available in Lacafe trail. But the horse will just carry you until the station called "Kusina sa Aswang" or the Witch's Kitchen. Here, one can taste the icing of the cake already or he may have the first glance of Lake Holon.

In our case, our lady boss and my 10-year old daughter rode the horses. Only me and our Dominican host daughter took the challenge.

For the first hour of hiking, we were almost dehydrated. Imagine, we started hiking around 10:00 under the scorching hear of the sun. We almost gave up because the scenery was not that very inviting. Left and right, you could witness the traces of kaingin farming or the slash and burn cultivation.

But our sheer determination of seeing the great lake holon kept us through.

The usual view upon final descent to the great Lake Holon.

Lake Holon Cafe

After an hour, we reached Lake Holon Cafe. One can savor the native coffee (pound and prepared traditionally) for 10 pesos a cup. It also seves as the first camp for resting and refreshing. There is available comfort room also for emergency.

From the Lake Holon Cafe camp, there are 14 stations called 'Bulul' before reaching the viewing deck at the 'Kusina sa Aswang'.

Ascending to 'Kusina sa Aswang' camp, the scenery would change. You would be exposed to different species of trees ranging from dipterocaprs, pine and molave forests. There are also a variety of fern species including the highly prized pitogo and tree ferns that would delight the climbers.

One can also see a group of wild abaca, wild flowers and trees covered and blanketed with mosses.

The Mountain Range of Parker that nestled the Great Lake Holon. It can be viewed while trekking uphill to the Kusina sa Aswang camp.

Kusina sa Aswang

Kusina sa Aswang is a final ascent of the trail. The horses are only up to this place. The climbers can have a peek of the great Lake Holon below. There is a viewing deck for everyone to have a selfie of course.

As what I have mentioned, our lady boss and my 10- year old daughter rode the horses. They just waited us in Kusina sa Aswang for almost 30 minutes.

This is the Kusian sa Aswang camp. It is not creepy as what you think after all.

The Great Lake Holon

From the camp of Kusina sa Aswang, we took a descent of almost 30 minutes to reach the great lake holon.

The thought that we almost see the lake had kept us going through. We did not mind anymore where we would catch our breath. The fact that we could almost feel the breeze of the lake made us so excited.

It is the sunset that entertains us on our way back to Lacafe base camp.

When the final curtain leading us to see the great lake holon was finally unfurled, we were greeted with the tents seemingly pasted on a beautiful post card. The vibrant hues of tent contrasting the lush surrounding of the lake is an added attraction to look at.

Enjoying the unlimited spa at the crystal water of Lake Holon.

The water is teeming with fishes with no traces of man made garbage relatively.

We reached finally the lake around 12:30 noon already. After a short break, we had our lunch while the other campers prepared their tents. We did not bring any tent because we did not intend to stay overnight.

Kayaking or canoeing is also available in the lake. Life jackets are also available for safety.

We then dipped our sore feet in the cool water of the lake and enjoyed the unlimited fish spa. Yes, fish spa just like the one you paid in the mall. The fishes are so friendly and that they would readily clean and massage your feet.

Instead of thinking how hard the trail is, the kids have better way of keeping entertaining it.

Aside from the fish spa, one can enjoy kayaking or canoeing along the lake. The climber may also try his luck catching some organic tilapia.

My kid is enjoying her first horse back ride uphill the Lacafe trail.

At around 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon, we started our descent back to the base camp of Lacafe.

Indeed the lake is so beautifully natural. Only a makeshift of a store of some sort that deviates it from its original form. No one owns the lake in particular. It is owned by everyone. One can truly have his "commune" with nature state and leave his other person behind for a moment.