Over a hundred delegates from across the Philippines recently toured around the picturesque landscape of Soccsksargen for the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) 2024: Culture, Heritage, and Arts Caravan, Soccsksargen Leg.
The initiative, which is known for promoting the country’s tourism destinations and cultural heritage, marked one of the largest PEP caravans organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Soccsksargen, or “SOX,” an acronym for South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos, played host to the event.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco emphasized during the opening ceremony at the Center for Community Transformation (CCT)-Malungon Retreat Training Center in Sarangani Province on June 5 that PEP is one of DOT’s flagship programs to promote cultural tourism, boost regional economies, and celebrate the nation’s unique heritage.
“It is my great joy, pleasure, and privilege to join all of you at this 9th installment of the Philippine Experience, which has brought us all over the country and has taken us to the beautiful region of Soccsksargen,” Frasco said.
The secretary praised the region for its beautiful coastlines, pristine valleys, rolling hills, vast mountain ranges, and a legendary river system that nourishes the islands of Mindanao.
She also acknowledged Soccsksargen’s distinct characteristics because of the rich cultural diversity of the region, which is home to Tboli, Blaan, Tagakaolo, and Maguindanaon.
“Today we unite under the banner of the Philippine Experience Program, a flagship initiative of our President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., implemented by the Department of Tourism,” Frasco reiterated, citing the president’s vision for tourism as a driver of economic development.
Frasco then highlighted the series of immersive and experiential travel experiences under the Soccsksargen leg:
- An early morning experiential tour at the General Santos City Tuna Fishport Complex.
- A tour of the scenic coastline in Glan, Sarangani Province.
- A cultural immersions with the Blaan and Tagakaolo tribes in Malungon, Sarangani.
- A visit to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s mansion in General Santos City.
- An exploratory drive at the economic hub of Koronadal City.
- A personal experience of the Tboli people’s cultural heritage—T’nalak weaving and boating witnessing the lotus at Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
- A coffee cupping session at the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol and the groundbreaking of its Tourist Rest Area.
- Communing with the breathtaking nature in “Bansada,” an eco-adventure park in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.
- The sumptuous breakfast at the Sitio Maupot Family Resort in Magpet, Cotabato, featuring its Balinese-inspired architecture.
- Understanding the vibrant tri-people culture of Cotabato through the Museyo Kutawato living museum in Amas, Kidapawan City.
Indeed, the Philippine Experience Program seeks to provide both foreign and domestic travelers with a wider range of unique and immersive experiences in the country’s premier tourist destinations.
“The Philippine Experience seeks for our international and local tourists to get to know our destinations, apart from our well-known destinations as well as our emerging and lesser-known destinations, by way of visiting your sights, your beaches, your mountain ranges, meeting your indigenous communities, getting to know your local traditions and cultures, and getting to taste your food,” the secretary further explained.
The delegates included representatives from various government agencies, travel and tour operators, national and local media, and content creators, all eager to explore the region’s rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty.
Clare Inso, an influencer from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, and a former Miss Universe Philippines candidate, expressed her admiration for the cultural diversity showcased during the trip.
“It was such an interesting PEP experience. I was able to appreciate the cultural diversity that the Philippines has, and it’s really amazing that I get to see people of different backgrounds, tribes, and cultures. That’s what makes this trip really interesting. I think as a Filipino, my knowledge of my own country has really widened, and I can’t wait to see more of it,” said Inso.
Moe Cenzon, a travel content creator from Laguna behind the blog @thecenzons, shared how the trip changed her perception of Mindanao.
“Honest to goodness, ‘nung narinig ko ‘yung Soccsksargen, so syempre si Mindanao known siya talaga parang may stigma na unsafe. Pero nung nakarating ako dito sa Soccsksargen, it totally changed my perspective. Especially ‘nung nameet ko ‘yung mga tao, very warm, as in one of the warmest people in the world. Special mention ko talaga Bansada Eco-Adventure Park, as in goosebumps–Nat Geo level. Maganda talaga ‘yun, so that changed my perspective – maganda ang attractions and napakabait ng mga tao,” she shared.
(Honestly, when I first learned about Soccsksargen, I always assumed that Mindanao was associated with the stigma of being unsafe. But when I got here to Soccsksargen, it totally changed my perspective, especially when I met the people. The warmth of these people particularly struck me, as if they were among the world’s warmest people. A special mention goes to Bansada Eco-Adventure Park, which left me with goosebumps–a Nat Geo level. It’s really beautiful, so that changed my perspective—beautiful attractions and very kind people.)
Her travel partner and husband, AJ Cenzon, also emphasized the importance of people in making a place memorable.
“Yes, sabi ko nga rin na laging reason bakit ka bumabalik o pumupunta sa isang lugar is because of the people [I also said that the main reason why you keep coming back or visiting a place is because of the people],” he pointed out.
“So we believe that the people here in Mindanao are truly worth visiting,” Cenzon added.
Meanwhile, Antony McGregor, an Australian content creator behind “What’s Up Tony,” addressed common misconceptions about the safety of traveling to Mindanao.
“A lot of people, when they hear about the region of Mindanao, they always think of danger—you’re gonna get kidnapped. Don’t travel there. Especially foreigners, when they come to the Philippines, really avoid the Mindanao region. But coming here for the first time and experiencing it myself, there’s no danger here, and I feel safer here than walking around the streets of Manila. So if you are coming to the Philippines, definitely consider Mindanao,” he shared.
According to DOT, the delegates’ testimonies demonstrated the PEP’s effectiveness in promoting Soccsksargen’s rich cultural heritage, beautiful scenery, and the people’s hospitality—but most importantly, that visiting south-central Mindanao is safe.
As Frasco noted during the program’s closing ceremony at Museyo Kutawato on June 7, these immersive experiences not only broaden knowledge but also foster a deeper appreciation for the Philippines’ diverse and vibrant regions.
“To the Philippine Experience delegates, I truly hope that you have discovered wonderful experiences that will urge you to come back again and again and to deliver the good news to the rest of the world that Soccsksargen is a marvel of Philippine tourism, and all its provinces are ready to welcome you with a love and warmth that is uniquely Filipino. Daghang salamat kaninyong tanan (thank you so much to all of you), and love the Philippines!” she told the delegates. (HJPF – PIA SarGen)
