
Kalivungan Festival: A Gathering of Unity in Cotabato
In the Cotabato Province, there is traditionally a week-long festival called the Kalivungan Festival, which celebrates the rich heritage and culture of the province. The
Sarangani Province is a stretch of land where mountains, rivers, and sea converge, each shaping the rhythm of life in subtle ways. Traveling through its towns, you quickly notice that geography is more than backdrop — it guides routines, frames settlements, and influences culture. The province feels alive, but in a measured, steady way.
In Alabel, the provincial capital, streets hum with quiet activity. Markets open early, and the municipal port links communities with neighboring islands. Life here is grounded: people move with purpose, vendors arrange fresh produce and seafood, and the nearby coastline constantly reminds you of the sea’s role in daily life.
Heading north, Glan and Maasim reveal coastal landscapes and agricultural plains. Fishing boats move along the shore, and small fields of corn, rice, and coconut stretch inland. The light changes dramatically during sunrise and sunset, perfect for capturing contrasts between human activity and natural scenery. Every curve of road offers a fresh perspective of how life and land coexist.
Inland towns like Kiamba and Maitum show a blend of mountains and valleys. Communities adapt to the terrain, building homes along gentle slopes or riverbanks. Local rituals, small festivals, and daily practices continue uninterrupted, reflecting culture deeply rooted in the province’s history and geography.

In the Cotabato Province, there is traditionally a week-long festival called the Kalivungan Festival, which celebrates the rich heritage and culture of the province. The

The Timpuyog Festival in Kiamba was a truly awe-inspiring event. As I joined the locals in the celebration, I was amazed by the strong sense
The coastlines of Maasim and Glan are also quiet havens. Fishing remains both work and routine, and the rhythm of the waves seems synchronized with daily life. Photography here captures subtle movements — nets being cast, children playing along the sand, or the soft glow of evening reflecting on calm waters.
Food in Sarangani is closely tied to land and sea. Fresh fish, coconut, and local produce dominate markets and home kitchens alike. Meals are shared simply, often outdoors, echoing the province’s openness and connection to environment and community.
As a traveler and photographer, Sarangani Province rewards observation and patience. The province doesn’t demand attention with grandeur; instead, it offers layered stories in every coastline, field, and settlement. Mountains, rivers, and communities move together in a quiet rhythm that’s best captured by watching closely and moving slowly.
Leaving Sarangani, what remains is the sense of continuity — a province where natural landscapes and human life are woven together seamlessly, presenting moments of calm, insight, and quiet beauty at every turn.
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