Let’s declare the start of summer ahead of the government weather bureau’s official announcement! We don’t need to wait for any declaration because we can already feel the summer heat! That confirms the arrival of our favorite season!
As the days get hotter and our suspicions that Marbel is the nearest to the sun of all the earth’s towns grow stronger, our longing to be at some place where we can cool down also gets more intense.
Yes, go somewhere damn cool!
We will make your lives easier by listing down here for you the top summer destinations where you can go to if you’re coming from Marbel or Koronadal City or somewhere near.
1. 7 FALLS Eco-park, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Things to do: Falls hopping, Ride the dual ziplines, enjoy the cool upland breeze of Lake Sebu.
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 40 minutes
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal and Surallah (YBL Terminal and Koronadal Integrated Terminal, Surallah Terminal)
How to get there: Ride YBL bus or van from Koronadal to Surallah. There are vans going directly to Lake Sebu. From the town terminal, habal-habals can be hired to 7 Falls Eco-park and around Lake Sebu.
- (c) Louie Pacardo
2. BLUE LAGOON, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
Things to do: Swimming with the locals, sightseeing
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 2 hours (destination could be added to trip to Asik-asik Falls in Alamada, North Cotabato)
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal, Tacurong, Isulan (Husky and Mindanao Star terminals, Van terminals, and all public terminals in Tacurong and Isulan)
How to get there: Ride a bus or van from Koronadal via Tacurong and Isulan. From Isulan ride a van or multi-stop bus to Cotabato City. Ask the conductor to drop you off at the corner near Margues Elementary School. On the right side of the road, trek for 2 minutes to the lagoon area.
- (c) Louie Pacardo
3. MARGUEZ HOT AND COLD SPRING, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat
Things to do: Sightseeing, swimming at the hot and cold swimming pools adjacent to each other
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 2 hours
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal, Tacurong, Isulan (YBL, Husky and Mindanao Star terminals, Van terminals, and all public terminals in Tacurong and Isulan)
How to get there: Ride a bus or van from Koronadal via Tacurong and Isulan. From Isulan ride a van or multicab to Esperanza. Hire a habal-habal to Marguez Hot and Cold Spring Pools.
4. TRAANKINI FALLS PARK, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
Things to do: Trekking, swimming, falls hopping (there are multiple mini falls around the area)
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 1.5 hour
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal, Surallah, (YBL, and public terminals)
How to get there: From Koronadal, ride a bus or van to Surallah. There are vans with routes direct to Lake Sebu. In Lake Sebu, ride a Habal-habal to Traankini falls.
- (c) Louie Pacardo
5. MAMBUCAL HOT SPRING RESORT, Barangay Mambucal, Koronadal City
Things to do: Swimming at the warm sulfuric pools, sightseeing
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 30 minutes
Gateways/Terminals: Town proper or Barangay Sta Cruz, Koronadal City
How to get there: Hire a tricycle from Koronadal proper to Barangay Mambucal. Ride a habal-habal going to the resort. The area is also accessible to 2×4 and 4×4 vehicles.
- (c) Louie Pacardo
6. LAKE HOLON, Tboli, South Cotabato
Things to do: Trekking, swimming, sightseeing
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 2 hours ride + 3 to 4 hours trek
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal, Surallah (YBL and Public terminals)
How to get there: Ride a bus or van to Surallah, then Tboli. There are vans with routes direct to Tboli. From Tboli proper, register at the Tourism Office. Request them to call for an accredited habal-habal driver for you. Tell the driver to take you to Salacafe if you want to take the easier Nabol Trail or Kule if you want to take the Kule Trail.
- (c) Louie Pacardo
For hassle free group tours to Lake Holon, contact Nomadik Adventours at 0921-3885455 or send them a message through their Facebook page.
7. GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani Province
Things to do: Swimming, beach bumming, sightseeing
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 2 hours
Gateways/Terminals: Gensan (YBL, Public terminals, KCC Terminal for vans going to Glan).
How to get there: Take a bus or van ride to Gensan. From Bulaong terminal in Gensan, ride a tricycle to KCC Mall. The van terminal going to Glan is on the left side of the mall compound. After reaching Glan town proper, you my ride a habal-habal to your beaches of choice.
Note: Mahin Festival in Glan will be this coming April 20 to 22, 2018. Celebrate nature, culture and tradition and party at the beach with the people of Glan and fellow travelers through the festival. Visit the Mahin Festival Facebook page for details on the schedule of activities.
Watch out for the opening of Kamari Resort and Hotel in Glan. The Tropical and Filipino-themed resort promises to set new tourism standards in accommodation and services in the beach town. Kamari Resort will be home to 17 villas with private outdoor Jacuzzis, 10 hotel rooms, activity hall and a cafe/resto bar by the beach! Exciting, ain’t it?
Visit Kamari Resort and Hotel Facebook page for more details.
8. ASIK-ASIK FALLS, Barangay Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato
Things to do: Trekking, swimming, sightseeing
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 4 hours
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal, Tacurong, Kabacan, Midsayap (Public terminals)
How to get there: From Koronadal, ride a van or Husky Bus to Tacurong City or direct to Kabacan. From Kabacan transfer to another van going to Midsayap. From Midsayap you may hire a habal-habal or ride a jeep going to Alamada. From the town proper, hire a habal-habal going to Asik-asik Falls in Dado. From the entrance area, you need to trek down to the falls for 15 minutes.
For hassle free group tours to Asik-asik Falls, contact Nomadik Adventours at 0921-3885455 or send a message to their Facebook page.
9. KALON BARAK SKYLINE RIDGE, Malungon, Sarangani Province
Things to do: Sightseeing , camping, enjoy the cool weather on top of the mountain ridge
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 3 hours
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal, Gensan City (Public terminals)
How to get there: From Koronadal, ride a bus or van to Gensan. From GenSan, ride a bus bound for Davao City or Digos City and ask to be dropped off at Malungon Terminal. From there, hire a habal-habal going to Kalon Barak Skyline Ridge.
The road to Kalon Barak is accessible to 4×4 and 4×2 vehicles. Upon arriving at Malungon proper, turn left to the street beside an elementary school adjacent to Petron gas station. The road leads straight to Kalon Barak. It’s around 30 minutes from the town proper to Kalon Barak, depending on the type of vehicle used.
10. PANIKI FALLS, Kidapawan City, North Cotabato
Things to do: Trekking, sightseeing , swimming, camping, enjoy lunch prepared by the women’s group
Estimated travel time from Marbel: 3 hours
Gateways/Terminals: Koronadal City, Tacurong City (Public terminals)
How to get there: Ride a van to Kidapawan City. Go to the tourism office within the municipal compound to confirm your trip (make sure you booked ahead for this trip. They don’t accept walk-in guests). Ask the tourism office to recommend a habal-habal that will take you to Barangay Balabag. From Balabag, everything will be managed by the community guides.
For hassle free group tours to Paniki Falls, contact Nomadik Adventours at 0921-3885455 or visit and send a message to their Facebook page.
Marbel Boy 