Serene Lake Sebu, untouched Britania Islands, crystal clear Enchanted River, and more
Looking for vacation options? Baguio, Boracay, Sagada are popular destinations. But in recent years, many Filipinos have discovered a wealth of beautiful locations in Mindanao.
All photos by Henrylito D. Tacio/Rappler
1. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
The Department of Tourism promotes this municipality as one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in Mindanao. It is named after the biggest (354 hectares) of the 3 lakes of the town. (The other two lakes are named Seloton, 48 hectares, and Lahit, 24 hectares.)
Lake Sebu is often called the “Summer Capital of Southern Philippines” as its climate is pleasantly cool (due to an elevation of 1,000 meters high from sea level). By night, the temperature gets even cooler and feels great for those who seek the feel of the fresh mountain air.
The bestselling Lonely Planet described Lake Sebu as a place located in a “bowl of forests and mountains.” The 42,450-hectare landscape is recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a cultural landscape in Mindanao.