If you happen to have Instagram you should have noticed that I’m in Mindanao again and exploring some places here in South Cotabato.
Here’s a short dispatch from the land of the T’bolis, particularly in Lake Holon (formerly Maughan Lake), T’boli, South Cotabato.
The placid Lake Holon in three photos:
A T’boli and his wooden canoe
A T’boli, his wooden canoe and the reflection of Mt. Parker on Lake Holon. How serene a lake can be? Clean that you can get water and drink straight from it.
Fresh Tilapia anyone?
A T’boli kid prides his catch- fresh Tilapia from the lake. The locals cooked it pinaksiw and sinugba. Notice the ripples, the wooden canoe and the bamboo paddle on the photo- this one will be forever etched in the back of my mind.
Holon Lake before dawn
Because it was freezing cold, I got up from my sleep at least thrice. When I looked at my watch it was almost 5 o’clock so I tried to snug out of my sleeping bag and was rewarded with this dreamy view. I timed my shutter at 15 seconds and this was the outcome- complete with stars and a silhouette canoe.
Coordinates: 6°06’05.67″N, 124°53’30.28″E
Date: July 15-16, 2013
Quickie Section is my shortest blog feature where I just post 3 photos with a short caption or a snippet. Made especially for those who don’t want to read.
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I already blogged about this Lake complete with photos and itinerary, you can check it out here: Lake Holon Trek and Camping. If you are planning to see this too, the nearest airport to T’boli, South Cotabato is Gen. Santos Airport.
Cebu Pacific flies daily to General Santos City. For bookings and inquiries, go to www.cebupacificair.com or call (02)7020-888. The latest seat sales and promos can be found on Cebu Pacific Air’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook pages (/cebupacificair).

It looks so clean, looking at the photos alone!
it is really clean. the cleanest lake in the country last 2003 and 2004
Love the photos! 🙂
thanks laiza! punta kana sa lake holon, malapit ka lang dyan
Good catch! I wonder what he used for bait.
net fishing po. some use spear-fishing.
Ang ganda! Is it difficult to reach the lake, James? How can we go here?
yep, its kinda difficult. will blog about this soon
men, those are beautiful captures…lake holon is still in my wish list. we were suppose to go there last january but we had to cancel because i got sick. sayang…but it’s still waiting for me, i know.
thanks po ms. judy. sir louie told me about your plans nga. sayang, well its another reason to go back in south cotabato
I super love the 3rd photo.
that’s my fave too AZ. i want it printed really really big
Love the photo of T’boli kid…
😉 thanks marj! buti nahabol ko bago ibenta yung tilapia
Great photos bai! 🙂
thanks bai ephraim! travel soon!
I am just wondering why is it this beautiful lake has never made a noice before? Is your trip and the rest of the travel bloggers are an effort of a private group or the local government?
its organized by the local government because they are trying to promote local tourism. but its already open to the public
Soo glad you came to visit our Lake Holon James! 😀
panalo tlga mga dawn shots mu parekoy! glad to have traveled again with you. this is by far one of the most beautiful lakes in the country that i’ve visited!
diba? super ganda nya. hindi lang talga ako handa sa camping equipments. next time!