Â鶹APP

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Lake Sebu

T’daan Kini Falls, Lake Sebu by Unknown Arthur/Wikipedia Commons

Lake Sebu is one of the Philippines’ most important watersheds and a major provider of irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

The villages around the lake have been turned into an independent municipality called Lake Sebu after being a former village of Surallah.

It is located in the ancestral domain of the T’boli and Ubo tribes Lake Sebu offers bounteous and ravishing landscapes that are all sights to behold

Lake Sebu is a natural lake located in the municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato within the Alah Valley region.

The Philippine government has recognized it as one of the country’s most important watersheds.

Lake Sebu is one of the many bodies of water supplying important irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

1. The fascinating way to get to the lake is renting a car makes the travel  peaceful

This is a place worthy to be added to your bucket list of its lush, virgin forests, abundant biodiversity, and rich and diverse culture of its native tribes.

The kindness of its people also makes Lake Sebu a fairytale-like experience. It offers its peace and beauty and the thrill that will satisfy our adventurous self.

Car Rental Davao will make everything seamless for you as you can get there by renting a vehicle from them.

They offer everything from sedans to SUVs to vans, all high-quality but cheap rental cars. Now, to get to Lake Sebu, you have to drive for an estimated time of 4 hours.

Four hours from Davao city proper to the municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, worry not because while on the road, you will be passing beautiful sceneries

One will experience peaceful travel away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Once you enter the municipality of Surallah, South Cotabato, you will be greeted by the Tri-People Monument, Surallah’s cultural landmark.

2. The amazing T’boil indigenous friendly people famous for their weaving

T’nalak weaver at Lake Sebu, South Cotabato by Unknown Arthur/Wikimedia Commons

 The T’boli people are one of the indigenous peoples of South Cotabato in southern Mindanao. In former times, the Tbolis also inhabited the upper floor of the Alah Valley.

After World War II and the arrival of settlers from other parts of the Philippines, they have been gradually pushed to the mountain slopes.

The T’bolis are noted for their t’nalak, a sacred cloth made from abaca which is exchanged during marriages and used as a cover during births

The Tboli have a musical heritage consisting of various types of agung ensembles they have a highly complex and unique religion composed of lifeways and belief systems.

One of the famous Dreamweaver, T’boli weavers are known since the tribal designs are derived from a dream.

3. The famous lake Sebu is a beautiful inland sea that got its name from the biggest of the three lakes

Lake Sebu got its name from the biggest of the three lakes the hectare landscape was proclaimed by the Philippine government as a protected area

The lake is a beautiful inland sea on the island of Mindanao and is nested into the southern highlands at an altitude of almost three hundred meters.

Lake Sebu is surrounded by rolling hills and forested mountains and is home to the T’boli, a highland tribe famous for their colorful costumes, intricate beadwork, woven work, and brass ornaments.

The astonishing lake is also home to the Tasadays, the cave-dwelling and primitive, stone-age tribe that lived in isolation in high caves of the primary rainforest area.

4. The remarkable watershed area of Lake Sebu is known for its bird communities and rare species

Mindanao Pygmy-Babbler by Chetatata/

Recognized as one of the most critical watershed areas in the country, the purpose of the proclamation was primarily to protect the area from further degradation.

The entire protected area consists of many small streams, creeks, rivers, and springs Despite the human presence, wildlife is still commonly observed.

Communities of birds such as Philippine cockatoos, swallows, kingfishers, kites, herons, and egrets have made their permanent homes in the area.

Philippine deer and wild pig are still seen but are extremely rare and considered endangered. A bamboo plantation was also established in the southeastern portion of the watershed.

5. One of the popular places to stay when visiting Lake Sebu is the Punta Isla Lake resort

Lake Sebu is fast becoming one of the most visited tourist destinations in South Cotabato, it’s a top choice among tourists.

If you are considering visiting lake Sebu and you are wondering where to stay one of the popular places in Punta Isla Lake Resort.

The resort is located at the tip of Sitio Toku Ful with its nice location it offers guests a perfect view of the lake.

The hotel is filled with different kinds of flora which add to the serene and quiet ambiance it offers basic accommodation and T’boil houses good for large groups.

6. An interesting activity at the Lake is Zip lining enjoying the view of the falls

Zipline River by Unknown Arthur/

When visiting Lake Sebu zip lining is one of the activities which are organized by the Tourism Department of South Cotabato.

One of the most exciting activities to do when visiting South Cotabato is to experience Lake Sebu’s seven falls and try the highest zip line in Southeast Asia.

The majestic seven cascading falls are located at Barangay Lake Seloton. At the first Falls is a small stall selling some souvenir stuff and renting T’boil traditional costumes for PHP50.

7. The amazing seven falls also known as the Dongon 7 falls is an enchanting attraction in Lake Sebu

The Seven Falls site also known as the Dongon 7 Falls is an enchanting attraction in Lake Sebu. It’s a series of majestic falls that were uniquely cascaded together by Mother Nature.

All seven of them form a charming and breathtaking sight. Their majestic beauty got even more magnified by the vivid colors of the lush green plants and trees surrounding them.

These wonderful plants only make up a small portion of the flourishing forests in the area which are abundant in the whole region.

It’s great to escape in this paradise that is well preserved by its people. The second waterfall is the highest called Hiking Bente which means immeasurable.

8. The Mayor Floro Gandam pushed the development of an interesting water park at Lake Sebu

The Lake Sebu tourism office conducted the initial inspection and testing of the site’s water sports facilities in March last year but its opening was delayed due to the pandemic.

The local government, through Mayor Floro Gandam, pushed for the site’s development to open additional attractions including a water park.

The municipal government of Lake Sebu, Asaria says the water park and recreation spot will mainly offer various water sports and adventure activities.

9. The department of Tourism has promoted the amazing Lake Sebu as one of the prime eco-tourism

Boating at Lake Sebu by Unknown Arthur

The Department of Tourism and the local government unit of Lake Sebu have promoted the lake as one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in the municipality.

The Mindanao Development Authority is closely coordinating with the DOT in the development and enhancement of Lake Sebu.

10. The interesting myth behind how the magnificent lake Sebu came to be

There’s a local myth about how Lake Sebu came to be. A time ago, a local princess had a dream of coming to the mountain lands of Sebu.

The princess saw a big leaf. When she opened it up a white frog leaped out along with a gush of water which flooded the land and became the lake.

From the heavens, she threw her pythons to the earth which formed the islands at the lake. And for the princess to pass by the lake, her brother parted the islands.

Although there are eleven islands within the lakes, only three are inhabited while others are privately owned, the largest among the islands is named Isla Grande.