My First visit to Lake Sebu

From General Santos City on the way to Lake Sebu, the first town that we passed by was Polomolok. One can tell that the climate in Polomolok is cool because of the pine trees along the roadside of the highway. It is an area where vast plantations of pineapple can be found. Dole, a company that manufactures pineapple products, has a canning factory in Polomolok. Many fruit stands can be seen along the highway between Polomolok and the next town, Tupi. These fruits stands sell a variety of fruits like pineapple, banana, mangosteen, durian, rambutan, lanzones, papaya and marang.

Next to Tupi is Koronadal City, formerly known as Marbel. It is a thriving commercial city. It is where the residence of the bishop of the Diocese of Marbel can be found. Before finally reaching Lake Sebu, we passed by two more towns, namely, Banga and Surallah. It was about two and a half hours of travel from General Santos City. Lake Sebu is located on a slightly higher altitude, about 25 kilometers from the highway in Surallah.

Little by little, we were going higher as we approached the lake. A few kilometers before reaching Lake Sebu proper, an arch with a big Tilapia on one side and a hegalong (a guitar-like instrument with two strings) on the other side, welcomes travelers to this enchanting destination. There were many native roadside huts with sign boards that read “Live Tilapia for Sale”. There were also several huts selling native souvenir products. Before reaching the lake, there was a place that boasts of seven waterfalls.
We made a left turn off the road as soon as we saw the sign pointing to the “7 falls”. It was a few kilometers of rough and bumpy narrow road that led to a zip line resort. It claims to be the highest zip line in Southeast Asia, with a height of about 600 to 700 feet from the ground. It was my first time to try the zip line. A maximum of three persons can go on the zip line together. As soon as the staff fastened our individual harnesses, while on a position flat on my belly, there was no turning back.
Before I knew it, I was swiftly gliding on a cable with cool breeze brushing on my face. I had to shout at the top of my voice to release my fear and tension. The view below us was simply amazing and breathtaking, but the height was really scary. I saw two waterfalls and a river that flows from it, while traversing the zip line. In a little less than a minute, the first line was over.

We were not aware that there was a photographer at the end of the line who was taking our picture. The first zip line was just half of the experience, because there was another zip line going to the opposite direction. This time we knew what to do. As soon as the staff let go of us, that sent us gliding on another line, we struck poses, knowing that there was another photographer at the end of the line. Pictures can be printed for a fee, to take home the memory of an experience of a lifetime.
By lunchtime, we reached Punta Isla, a resort and restaurant by the side of the lake. We had lunch in one of the open cottages by the lake. They had assorted menu of tilapia – crispy tilapia, “kinilaw na tilapia”(raw tilapia fish fillet in vinegar and spices), “pinaputok na tilapia” (tilapia wrapped in banana leaves and deep fried), and “ginataang tilapia” (tilapia cooked in coconut milk).
While waiting for our food to be served, a group of T’boli men and women, natives of Lake Sebu, performed some of their songs and dances. Two women in their native dress danced to the beat of the drums and the sound of the flute. The cool breeze and the freshly caught fishes from this mountain lake are some of the reasons why visitors and tourists will keep coming back to Lake Sebu.