MARAWIR PEAK

Marawir peak is located at sitio marawir, under the municipality of Esperanza, province of Sultan Kudarat. This forum have organized an event establishing connections to the mountaineers and locals including natives of the area Manobo and tedoray. Opening the portal of its new world for the outdoor enthusiasts have gain supports from sponsors, Local government and mountaineers all over Philippines. The existence of Marawir is situated in the middle of the valley, locals have their own urban legends on how this hill have evolved. Regardless, its true beauty of nature must have to uncover.

STARRY STARRY NIGHT

While everybody is still asleep, gaining strength for another exasperating activities the following day, I was able to sneak some shots of Marawir peak under the starry night and moon lit. Displaying the Cygnus milkyway on the upper right side and a cluster of tents in the foreground.

Clear sky as if there's nothing happened earlier that night. While sudden heavy drenching rains, Mountaineers were about to lose hope to complete the event including ascending the peak of Marawir. Some of mountaineers took refuge inside classrooms (Including me), the ground was heavily inundated.

ATOP OF MARAWIR

It is advantageous if you start early morning, you can perceive the sea of clouds over the plains. It is beneficial to go there as early as 5am until 8am. Scorching heat can make you unsuitable to appreciate the nature, trail ascending have no tress for a chance to have a rest.

THE COMMUNITY

Locals are composed of Visaya, Ilonggo and a Lumad Manobo and Tedoray. Their major source of income are root crops, corn and vegetables, their hospitality are very welcoming and warm. They still embraces and preserved old culture in a modern time.

MET THE HOSPITABLE NATIVES OF MARAWIR

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog 
• Can do speak and understand
• Cebuano
• Good Morning - Maayong Buntag
• Good Afternoon - Maayong Udto
• Good Evening - Maayong Gabi-i
• Let's eat - Mangaon ta
• How much? - Tag-pila?
• Hilonggo
• Good Morning - Maayo nga Aga
• Good Afternoon - Maayo nga Udto
• Good Evening - Maayo nga Gab-i
• Let's eat - Kaon ta
• How Much? - Pila?
• Manobo
• Good Morning - Mefion Nekebugsang
• Good Afternoon - Mefion Mafun
• Good Evening - Mefion Sigef
• Let's eat - Kemaen Ki
• How much? - Fila Ine?
• Tedoray
• Good Morning - Fiyo Gefuwen
• Good Afternoon - Fiyo Temegen
• Good Evening - Fiyo Kelongonon
• Let's eat - Mama tom
• How much? - Firoy Keni
• Transportation
• Air
• From Manila to Davao vise versa
• From Manila to Gensan vise versa
• From Manila to Cotabato vise versa
• Land 
• Jeep/Multicab (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Tricycle (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Van (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Bus (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Motorcycle (Habal-habal) (Esperanza-Marawir)
• Foods
• Well known fast food chain can be found in Isulan, Tacurong and Koronadal City.
• Ihaw-ihaw (Grill house) and other fast foods can be found at Esperanza.
• Where to stay
• You can either stay at Esperanza proper or Isulan.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks are available in the nearby town.
• Remittances can be found in the town proper.

Thanks to Mr. Renato Sambrano for helping to provide Lumad translations... More climb to come...

More about Esperanza Here >>>

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Mindanao Mountaineering Foundation (MMF) in coordination with the Local Tourism Office of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat and with the effort of local community of Sitio Marawir, who were able to organized an invitational Climb for all mountaineering enthusiasts in the country. These activities served with a purpose of helping the local and outreach program for the Lumad community of Sitio Marawir, Municipality of Esperanza, Province of Sultan Kudarat. This out skirt community is a secluded sitio and can be accessed by riding a Habal-Habal or a single motorcycle as their mode of transportation, with estimated travel time of two and half hours from Esperanza proper.

REGISTRATION

Various Mountaineers all over the Philippines flocked to join this event to support the 3^rd MMF Invitational Climb and Community out reach program.

ORGANIZERS

I was able to chat with Sir Renato Sambrano an outdoor enthusiast Government employee working at assessor's office at the same time tourism officer working as his past time. Untiringly, sharing his thoughts and ideas as part of these organizers on how they able to promote and organize this event for the benefits of his constituents both Lumads and local residents of Sitio Marawir. Programs and more developments are coming soon to give good access for both locals and tourists to this secluded community with the effort of Local Government of Esperanza Municipality.

SNACK TIME

Locals have served a snacks for mountaineers prepared by Manobo and Tedoray tribe during program presentation at the school playground. They showed us their warm and heartfelt welcome to all the participants.

AGE DOES NOT MATTER

Hyacinth Opao, a 9 years old all the way from Pasig City, youngest girl mountaineer participant who successfully achieved to scale the peak of Marawir. At a very young age she has been traveled already in many places including climbing, river trekking and caving. It was in her early age discovered that one of her best interest is love of nature and outdoor activities.

SOX PH OUTDOORS

A community website that features the hidden Gem of Mindanao. I was able to met Ping Zerrudo and Nanardx Zee Navarro, admin of this group, sedulously sharing his experiences for love of nature. They are actively promoting various places of Mindanao.

I was one of those who signed in with interest to join this event, with the help of a friend Ms. Charie Llanto who was giving me an idea for this event. In connection with her sisters, who are also outdoor enthusiasts and were able to joined in the previous activities of this organization. Thanks to Cysil Joy Llanto and Cyndi Llanto, whom I met personally and with the effort of Kulot (El Quintayo) a new friend who untiringly brought his tent for my shelter.

Related Post

Panigan falls follow Here >>>
Marawir Peak Here >>>

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FLOAT PARADE

Yearly this carousal event allure the interest of tourist to witness the annual celebration, Every February is a month long celebration of Baguio City and cordillera region in commemoration and tribute to City's flowers. This event was created to rise up and regain from the devastation of Luzon earthquake in 1990 . Float parade always been part of this event, a display of float entirely concealed with flowers prepossessing the art of every participant.

CELEBRITIES

To make the float more engaging some float ostentatious comprises local celebrities as part of their entries be more attractive. Some of them were also just plainly a spectators only, it is once in a year and unique festival that every one must have to witness.

More on Panagbenga events follow >>> Here

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog 
• Can do speak and understand
• Ilokano
• Ibanag
• Transportation
• Air
• From manila you can do access by plane through Baguio City airport
• Land 
• Bus
• Victory Liner, Genesis and other bus companies
• P 425.00 
• Foods
• You can find restaurants, fast foods and other food services in a nearby Mall.
• Local delicacies also can be found along the street of session road and nearby market 
• Where to stay
• Maplandia
• Go Sarangani Travel
• Financial Establishments
• Remittances can be found anywhere
• Banks is also not an issue since most of the known banks are all here.

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NORTHERN BEAUTIES

Beauties always epitomizes of one place. This festivity is not only the display of their rich in flower production but also tells us that this place is also blooms with natural beauties, simplicity and rich in cultural diversity.

"THERE IS BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITY"

In every festival one of the highlights of its event is the flaunting of beauties. Whereas locals have their own participants to represents their sectors. Various clothing designs touched with ethnic products were ostentatious wore to demonstrate the artistic conceptualization of designers.

More on Panagbenga Events and related topics follow 

>>> Panagbenga 2015: Float Parade 

>>> Panagbenga 2015: Street Parade

>>> Baguio City

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PANAGBENGA

One of the astonishing festival in Philippines, visited by various spectators not only with in the nation, But also by several tourist from around the world flocked to witness the one of its kind festival.

"SEASON OF BLOOMING"

Panagbenga is referring to a flower festival "Season of Blooming" is an annual month long observance of their traditions to celebrate the abundant agricultural products conducive for the healthy growth of flowers. 

STREET PARADE

A demonstration of significant ethnic group and other representatives of nearby provinces array with flower inspired costumes, influenced by Bendian an Ibaloi dance is one of the main feature of Panagbenga's celebration. It also give the opportunity of the younger generations to cherish and perpetuate their culture old tradition. 

Annually 

More on Panagbenga's Event follow Panagbenga 2015: Beauties and Panagbenga 2015: Float parade

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BEAUTIES

"Simplicity is beauty" Local government and religious sectors have always organized competition activities such as parade and pandangohan (Street dancing), represents by various sector of the community from different level of government including elementary and high school within the district. Pandangohan were usually held in front of church's open field, were as the communities and spectators are freely to see the yearly competition for the best.

more of Pateros Festival >>> Follow here

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