Skip to content

Mindanao Smile

Part 1: Going to a Maitum wild adventure

    Maitum is not only anthropomorphic burial jars, bangsi, pawikans and rubber plantations. At its hinterlands remain one of Mindanao’s remaining stand of virgin forests that is in danger of falling under man’s greed. We embarked on an adventure to visit a poorly known and yet unnamed waterfall. This is a series.

    Beautiful native bead work in Kaamulan Festival

      One thing that really captured my attention during Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival were the native handicrafts that the tribespeople were wearing: Beads, bags and even brass belts and bells.

      Why you should witness the Kaamulan Festival

        Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival is way beyond colors, steps and costumes. Its all about encountering and learning about these indigenous people that have contributed to what Bukidnon is today.

        Traipsing the north and west of Mindanao

          A whirlwind of bus trips, as much as 10-12 hours on the road, amazing sceneries and cities, great places and food that only Mindanao can offer. This, through my northern and western Mindanao sojourn.

          A visit at Maitum’s Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary

            The baby turtles were just at the holding pen, about three inches long, 15-20 individuals. Some were sleeping with their front flappers conveniently resting atop the carapace while some biting on a blanched but definitely dead fish floating on the surface.

            Wild water tubing at Maitum’s Pangi River

              From a distance, the river looks calm except for a few patches of white, water foam as it hits submerged rocks and boulders. A closer look, however, reveals a fast flowing river, even turbulent at some parts and ripe for a wild and wet adventure that is water tubing in Maitum’s Pangi River system.