Lake Sebu: Homeland of the T’boli Dreamweavers

Lake Sebu in the province of South Cotabato has always been on my wishlist. I really find it so mysterious, that I have been itching to go to this part of the Philippines and see for my self what’s really in there.

So when Cebu Pacific offered a Piso fare last year, I immediately booked a ticket bound for General Santos City. Nine months after I booked the ticket, I finally flew to Tambler Airport in General City with Lake Sebu as one of my itinerary.

Sinjin and I took an early morning bus from Gensan to Koronadal for 45 minutes, then changed bus from Koronadal to Surallah. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes. From Surallah, we were now bound for Lake Sebu. while in surallah bus terminal, there are 3 options to choose from. Comfort, you may opt for the L300 van, for cheap fares, you can get a jeepney ride, but if you want to be in Lake Sebu as quick as you can, you may opt for the habal habal (single motorcycles).

Sinj and I decided to take the van. Fare is PHP30 from Surallah up to Lake Sebu bus terminal. From there we got a habal habal where it would bring us to Punta Isla Lake Resort.

While driving along the zigzag roads of Lake Sebu, I just can’t help but wander at its natural beauty. The lake has bordered with fishpens where the locals would grow tilapia and other fishes.

The long stretch of mountains serves as a backdrop for a postcard-perfect landscape. The temperature is pleasantly cool. It’s really a great way to escape the dizzying ubran life.

Sinj and I arrived at Punta Isla around noon time. so upon check in, we just decided to have lunch at the resort’s in-house restaurant. Nothing beats a delicious meal with a breathtaking view of the lake.

The view of the lake from our dining table

Lake Sebu is always known for its tilapia, so a meal will never be complete without this fish, freshly caught from the lake.

Aside from the fresh tilapia, Lake Sebu is also known as the home of the T’Boli Tribe. The tribe is known for producing the highly-prized T’nalak fabric.

T’nalak is usually made of abaca fibers, dyed in traditional colors like black and red, then dried before the weaving process would begin. The red colors of the T’nalak symbolizes bravery, commitment, and love, while the black stands for their struggles, hardships and perseverance.

There are no definite or fixed designs for the T’nalak fabric. The designs are actually interpreted from the dreams of the T’Boli Tribe. The weaving would sometimes take more than a month to finish; from gathering the abaca, to dyeing, down to the actual weaving itself.

There is also a tradition among the T’boli women that they can’t sleep with their husbands when the T’nalak fabric that they are weaving is not yet finished. The women have to be “pure” during the entire weaving stage. Thre is also a tradition that dictates that the T’nalak fabric should never be washed or cut as it is considered by the tribe as sacred.

This is also why many Pasalubong shops would sell the fabric by the roll, , usually it is just measured and multpied by the price pf the fabric per meter or yard.

Aside from the T’nalak Fabric, The T’boli Tribe is also known for thei excellent bead work and brass-making skills. Most of the traditional dresses of the tribe are sewn with colorful beads and brass chimes, which would make a pleasant sound every time they move.

They also create colorful bracelets, necklace, belts and other accessories made of beads and brass.

Since time immemorial, the members of the T’Boli Tribe have been considered as the custodians of the Lake Sebu. They guard it from the possible deforestation. It is them who owns this land. We are only guests in their beautiful homeland.

**Lake Sebu is only a 2 hour (or even less) drive from general Santos City. Daily flights are available from Manila and Cebu to General Santos City.