✈️ Davao City • Davao Oriental (Mati City, Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, San Isidro) • South Cotabato (Lake Sebu) • Sarangani (Glan, Sarangani) • General Santos City
#MySofiaJourney #ProPrimeAdventures #ProPrimeInMindanao2025
Who says business can’t mix with a little lakwatsa, learning, and hugot sa tanawin?
This trip wasn't just a vacation — it was an immersion into the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and soulful heritage of Mindanao. Together with our ProPrime Admin Team (with little Sofia in tow), we ventured south to represent our company at the 12th National Tour Guides Convention and General Assembly and extended the trip into a once-in-a-lifetime expedition.
📍 June 15: Davao to Mati City
Fresh from our Manila flight, we drove straight to Mati City, Davao Oriental and checked in at YKG Hotel. This was just the calm before the real adventure. Little did we know what magic Day 2 would bring.
🌊 June 16: Cultural Surprises in Cateel
We woke up before sunrise (3:00 AM!) and began our journey to Aliwagwag Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the Philippines. As we arrived, we were greeted by cultural performances and warm smiles from Cateel's tourism team — they even prepared breakfast for us!
From there, we headed to Langoyon Beach Resort & Mangrove Park for lunch, before visiting the historic San Salvador del Mundo Church, one of the oldest churches in Mindanao.
Then came Pusan Point — known as the easternmost point of the Philippines, it's where the first sunrise touches the country each day. 🌅 Symbolic? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. There, we received the warmest welcome with 3 kilometers of students waving white flags! This place is filled with energy and stories — a true gem!
But the most unforgettable part? I met National Living Treasure Samporonia Madanlo — yes, I had a selfie with her! She's a Mandaya master weaver who preserves her people's textile traditions. Meeting her was humbling, like brushing hands with history.
We capped off the day with a boodle fight dinner and more Mandaya dances. What a welcome!
🦕 June 17: Heritage Trails
The next day, we stopped by the Sleeping Dinosaur viewpoint (yes, it really looks like a dinosaur!), then made our way to Mount Hamiguitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its pygmy forest and rare endemic species. The team served us hot tsokolate and puto — what a treat!
After a delicious buffet lunch in Mati, we visited Subangan Museum, then headed to Dahican Beach to release baby pawikans (sea turtles) — Sofia was thrilled! We also donated school supplies to nearby students. This day was all about connection — to nature and to community.
At night, we glammed up in Hawaiian outfits for the convention's closing dinner. A busy day, but our hearts were full.
🏞 June 18: From Mountains to Lakes
We left Mati at 3:00 AM and journeyed to Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Tired but excited, we arrived at Punta Isla Resort and were welcomed by our T’boli and DOT-accredited guide, Ms. Amie. We boarded a cruise on the lake while enjoying local T’boli cuisine and cultural performances onboard — what a dreamy lunch!
Next stop: the Lang Dulay Weaving Center, where we met the legacy of another GAMABA awardee, the late Lang Dulay. Her great-grandchildren performed traditional dances while her grandson passionately explained the sacred art of T’nalak weaving.
We ended the day at Dolores Lake Resort, where Sofia swam in the pool (which I could watch safely from our balcony!) while I unpacked our bags.
💐 June 19: Of Lotuses and Leap of Faith
After an early breakfast, we returned to Punta Isla Resort’s Lotus Garden, dressed in colorful T’boli attire for a morning photoshoot. Imagine blooming lotuses, lake reflections, and cultural elegance — perfect for the 'gram!
Then came one of the highlights: 7 Falls Zipline — the highest zipline in Southeast Asia! It was Sofia’s first time! 😂 The rush, the view, the scream — it was sulit!
Later, we drove to Coco Beach Resort in Glan, Sarangani. Peaceful waves, a glowing sunset, and bonding over seafood by the beach — it felt like our souls took a deep breath.
🍤 June 20: Last Hurrah in GenSan
We spent the morning soaking up the beach one last time before heading to General Santos City. We visited a Tuna Pasalubong Center and had a hearty lunch at Sarangani Highlands — fresh shrimps for Sofia (her fave!) and sashimi-grade tuna for us all.
And just like that… our flight called us home. Bitin? Oo. Fulfilled? Sobra!
💭 Final Thoughts
This trip was more than a travel itinerary. It was a cultural immersion, a bonding time for the ProPrime family, and a personal journey for me and Sofia. Every stop had a story, every tribe a lesson, and every meal a shared memory. 💖
To Mindanao — your beauty, culture, and people are truly unforgettable. Thank you for the warmest welcome. Balik kami, promise! Salamatay!
🔖 Don’t forget to bookmark this if you're planning a Mindanao trip with your team or family.
✅ TIP: Hire local DOT-accredited guides — they enrich every experience.
💡 Hugot of the Trip: “Hindi lang puso ang bumabagsak sa zipline… pati takot mo.” 😂
#ProPrimeInMindanao2025 #MySofiaJourney #MindanaoDiaries #LakeSebu #TnalakWeaving #PusanPoint #MountHamiguitan #DOTConvention2025 #TravelWithPros