Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

Name any exotic fruit and Kidapawan City is most likely to have it: delectable durian, medicinal mangosteen, mouth-watering marang, scrumptious rambutan, flavorsome banana, vitamin C-laden pomelo, succulent mango, and luscious lanzones.

During the Fruit Galore of the Timpupu Festival, locals and visitors can “eat-all-they-can” those fruits to their stomach’s content.  Fruits are displayed on top of make-shift bamboo tables three-kilometer long along the stretch in the city plaza.

“At the sound of the siren, people can eat whatever fruits they want,” says Ms. Marie Fe Geronga-Pame, development management officer of the Investment Promotions Center.  “In just a matter of an hour or so, the fruits would be completely gone.”

Held in the month when fruits are plentiful (either July or August), Timpupu Festival (from the Manobo word which means “harvest”), the celebration signifies the people’s thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and richness of the exotic fruits that thrive in the area.  Fruit galore is just one of the many activities conducted during the seven-day celebration.  There are also street dancing competition, fruit show contest, fruit eating contest, agro trade fair, the pinaka fruit contest, best processed fruit products, and several other competitions. Read the rest of this entry »

Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio

“Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words,” Lydia M. Child once said.  “They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning.”

In Star Papers: A Discourse of Flowers, Henry Ward Beecher wrote: “Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock.”

“Flowers,” said Ralph Waldo Emerson, “are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities of the world.”  The Koran itself reminded, “Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.”

These observations, made by famous people, came to our mind when we were invited recently as one of the judges of the the Flower Festival in Kidapawan City recently.  Considered as the tourism hub of Central Mindanao, the city holds the distinction of being the only place in the country’s second largest island to enjoy very fine weather throughout the year as it is outside the typhoon belt.

Almost everyone know Kidapawan as home to tropical fruits like durian, mangosteen, marang, rambutan, banana, pomelo, lanzones and mango.  But only very few are aware that flowers and various ornamentals also abound in the city. Read the rest of this entry »

EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2010, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS

WHEREAS, initial reports showed that series of rainfalls have already occurred around the park since the start of the KMM temporary trail closure last March 23, 2010 which have reduced substantially the dryness of the park grounds;

WHEREAS, the Kidapawan-Magpet-Makilala (KMM) Eco-Triangle believes on responsible eco-tourism that promotes respect for local culture and appreciation of natural landscapes without compromising the need to preserve and protect the environment;     Read more …..

April 1, 2010, 7:45am group of IPC jump off Investment Promotion Center going to Jaguar of EDC at Barangay Ilomavis using Mt. Apo Foundation Incorporated pick up, courtesy of Atty. Ermelo Libre. Special thanks to Edgar of MAFI who drove us despite of his bad condition due to fever and cough.

8:45am we fetch the two porters from Sayaban, Barangay Ilomavis then proceed to Jaguar, EDC where the troops of TF NCotabato based in EDC were waiting for our arrival.

9:30am provisions were distributed to the troops of Philippine Army who will be joining the group to monitor at Lake Venado and Mandarangan, the jump off point of Kidapawan City trail.

Read more…

• If ever there is a violation refer to DAO 2010-03 (IRR of Mt. Apo Protected Area Act)
• Section 16: Prohibited Acts and Penalties.
• 16.3 (5) The following shall be the prohibitions within the MANP.
• A fine ranging from Php5,000.00 to Php100,000.00 or imprisonment ranging from one (1) year to six (6) years or both at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person who (5) enters any portion of MANP for purposes of mountain climbing, camping, splunking, study, research or recreational visit without the necessary permit or authorization.

WHEREAS, the El Niño phenomenon has caused a very alarming condition of the trails and converging areas (Lake Venado and the Peak) which are now characterized by extreme heat and coldness, dried up water sources and high vulnerability of forest fire;

WHEREAS, while climbers may have to defer their adventure treks for a few months, a single incident of forest fire at this critical point in time could inflict irreparable damage to the park as witnessed by the 1983 and 1998 Mt. Apo forest fires; Read the rest of this entry »