Text by RENE VALENZUELA
Photos by COCOY SEXCION
KIAMBA, Sarangani Province (February 20, 2007) - A small town in Sarangani has hundreds of couples walking the streets every Valentine's Day.
A festive mood breathes over Kiamba every year during the heart's day where one could find kiosks, carnival, tribal shows and a myriad of exciting activities in their short, narrow old roads.
But they are not only celebrating Valentine's Day. The reason why they go to the streets every 14th of February is because of the fact that it is also the town's foundation anniversary and day for the "Timpuyog" festival.
"Timpuyog" is an Ilocano word for unity. Very apt in a town whose populace is a mixture of Ilocanos, Cebuanos, Maguindanaos, B'laans and T'bolis.
During the festival, guests could witness tribal shows as T'boli families make their way to the town proper from far-flung barangays.
Such is the day that residents of Kiamba show their unity for the peace and development of their town.
Created municipality in 1947, Kiamba is an idyllic town whose sleepiness will remind you of scenes from Tagalog romantic movies.
But its relaxed atmosphere is complemented by its exciting landscape and friendly townsfolk.
In a town bordered by the Celebes Sea and rainforests, visitors have a wide array of adventures to choose from.
A short trek from the highway will lead you to majestic waterfalls where the water is so clear it may just quench your thirst.
And a quick walk along its famed short, narrow roads littered with Japanese-time houses will lead guests to a wonderful view of the Celebes sunset.
If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the people's champ Manny Pacquaio whose wife grew up in Kiamba. Pacquiao frequents Kiamba to visit friends and relatives and watch cockfights.
Walking up early in Kiamba will lead to some pleasant surprises. One could catch a glimpse of the famed Kiamba sunrise where colors of the spectrum explodes in the sky to usher a brand new day as fishermen leave for their boats.
A short boat ride will take you to Tuka Marine Park which is a protected area where fishing is banned.
It has four protected coves and only one (Tuka 2) is open to the public.
It has awesome coral formations and you will be literally swimming with schools of fish once you decide to snorkel.
When you hit the beach, you have it for yourself and your friends. It does not have the bothersome vendors and hawkers.
Declared once as the cleanest and greenest municipality in the Philippines, Kiamba, 98 kilometers west of General Santos City , is also in the forefront of the child-friendly movement together with its neighboring town Maitum.
Photos by COCOY SEXCION
KIAMBA, Sarangani Province (February 20, 2007) - A small town in Sarangani has hundreds of couples walking the streets every Valentine's Day.
A festive mood breathes over Kiamba every year during the heart's day where one could find kiosks, carnival, tribal shows and a myriad of exciting activities in their short, narrow old roads.
But they are not only celebrating Valentine's Day. The reason why they go to the streets every 14th of February is because of the fact that it is also the town's foundation anniversary and day for the "Timpuyog" festival.
"Timpuyog" is an Ilocano word for unity. Very apt in a town whose populace is a mixture of Ilocanos, Cebuanos, Maguindanaos, B'laans and T'bolis.
During the festival, guests could witness tribal shows as T'boli families make their way to the town proper from far-flung barangays.
Such is the day that residents of Kiamba show their unity for the peace and development of their town.
Created municipality in 1947, Kiamba is an idyllic town whose sleepiness will remind you of scenes from Tagalog romantic movies.
But its relaxed atmosphere is complemented by its exciting landscape and friendly townsfolk.
In a town bordered by the Celebes Sea and rainforests, visitors have a wide array of adventures to choose from.
A short trek from the highway will lead you to majestic waterfalls where the water is so clear it may just quench your thirst.
And a quick walk along its famed short, narrow roads littered with Japanese-time houses will lead guests to a wonderful view of the Celebes sunset.
If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the people's champ Manny Pacquaio whose wife grew up in Kiamba. Pacquiao frequents Kiamba to visit friends and relatives and watch cockfights.
Walking up early in Kiamba will lead to some pleasant surprises. One could catch a glimpse of the famed Kiamba sunrise where colors of the spectrum explodes in the sky to usher a brand new day as fishermen leave for their boats.
A short boat ride will take you to Tuka Marine Park which is a protected area where fishing is banned.
It has four protected coves and only one (Tuka 2) is open to the public.
It has awesome coral formations and you will be literally swimming with schools of fish once you decide to snorkel.
When you hit the beach, you have it for yourself and your friends. It does not have the bothersome vendors and hawkers.
Declared once as the cleanest and greenest municipality in the Philippines, Kiamba, 98 kilometers west of General Santos City , is also in the forefront of the child-friendly movement together with its neighboring town Maitum.
Both municipalities have won several national awards for their child-friendly program and are primed by the provincial government to be two of the tourist destinations in Region XII. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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