Discovering Lake Sebu with Culture Shock PH

I admit the reality of Lake Sebu does not fit the image I had in my mind. I have never seen a photo (not even 2018 Ms. Universe Catriona Gray's promotional pictures, sorry) but I have heard about how incredibly beautiful it is. So, I kind of expected it to be a placid lake with blue waters and boats docked on its shores. I imagined myself taking a dip in its waters and a selfie with the sunset in the background.

Oh boy, was I wrong? It was nothing like I expected at all! Totally...but wait, I got something right! It is very beautiful and worth a visit. If you travel for the gram, as one major news network says of most millennials, then the lake is just for you! Go canoeing in the early morning and you would get wonderful photos worth posting on your social networks. Or, if your aim is to be with yourself and commune with nature, the smooth glide of the canoe, the splash of the paddle as it hits the water and the lily pads everywhere transport you to a different realm. It is like being in a fairy tale. Personally, I kept peering at the lily pads hoping to see a frog. I wasn't fortunate enough for that sight but I bet if I was persistent and patient,  I would have seen one.

Early morning canoeing at Lake Sebu.

So, what did I get wrong?

First, the lake is not a place for swimming. It is a major source of income for the people in its surrounds so it has got fish pens everywhere. I heard the nearby Lake Lahit is more ideal for swimming but I am not really sure.

So, what else did I get wrong? Oh ya, here is another. Sorry, but the lake is not for sunset viewing. Not even sunrise. It is Lake Seloton that has got the sunrise view, As for Lake Sebu, it is in some sort of a valley with low-lying hills which impedes the view.

Third, Lake Sebu does not refer to the lake alone but is actually refers to a whole municipality with three lakes-- Lake Sebu, Lake Lahit, and Lake Seloton. I did not get the chance to check out Lahit and Seloton so it must mean I am going back there for another visit.

So, was I disappointed that it did not meet my expectations? Kind of. A dip in the cool waters would have had a cooling effect as we visited the place at the peak of the hot season. On the other hand, the disappointment was offset by the adrenaline rush after ziplining at the Seven Falls near Lake Seloton. The view is just A-MAZING. You get to see not just one but two of the seven waterfalls. Added to the view is the height. This particular zip line is considered to be the highest in Southeast Asia.

Thinking it through, I realized that one does not visit the place for its lakes and waterfalls alone. There are more beautiful lakes, ones with sunset views! There are other falls out there with a greater volume of water. What I consider to be the greatest attraction of Lake Sebu is the unique culture of its people deeply rooted in traditions and living in harmony with nature. This affinity with nature is reflected in their local songs and their dance which often mimics the birds and the monkeys.

The T'boli people who inhabit the place are one of the many ethnic communities in the Philippines. Just like any other ethnic group around the globe, they are not immune to globalization where the younger generation is slowly integrating with the values of a world being shrunk by technology and cheap air travel. Neither are they spared from the evils of capitalism. If nothing is done to entice the younger generation to learn the skills, their art of t'nalak weaving will soon be endangered like the tattooing skills of Whang-od, the "mambabatok" or tattoo artist from the north of the country. T'nalak is a special tapestry woven by the dream weavers of the T'bolis. They use abaca fiber which is naturally dyed using the tie-dye method. Unlike synthetic fibers, the abaca easily breaks so it takes patience and a particular time of the day to weave it using a backstrap loom. It is a process requiring expertise, tranquility of the spirit and a dream (hence dream weavers) inspired by Fu Dalo, the spirit of the abaca. No wonder it costs more than commercially processed fabrics; and here lies another challenge brought about by capitalism, an incentive for younger people to learn the art is monetary returns. However, to be able to make money selling it to a bigger market, there are two ways to go-mass produce or go upscale with couture fashion. With the former, the art is compromised. With the latter, demand has to be created.

The master dream weaver Tita Barbara with Tita Sima working on the loom.

Aside from the dream weavers, the T'bolis are also known for their brass casters. The art of brass casting is usually a family business handed from one generation to the other. They make everything from trinkets to bells and the local dagger known as kris.

Ms. Blunto demonstrating the first stage of brass casting which is putting the design in wax.

Luckily for me, I got to witness the dream weavers and the brass casters in action. I even had the chance to design my own brass bracelet. I would have wanted to learn the art of weaving the t'nalak but it really is a complicated process involving the stripping the abaca fibers to dyeing, knotting and so on. Tita Barbara,one of the oldest dream weavers in the community says that it is a process learned for years.

Maria Todi playing the kulintang during the cultural night of our trip.

Anyway, I really have to give it to Culture Shockph, the travel company which arranged for our cultural immersion. The activities included in the trip gave me an opportunity to interact with the locals which gave me a deep appreciation of the T'boli culture and what the locals are doing to make sure it is handed down to the next generation. Its partner, the School of Living Traditions (SLT) which took care of our accommodation and meals including most of the activities, is primarily a school and a homestay managed by Maria Todi, a local who is championing the preservation of the T'boli culture. Income generated from the homestay is used to run art, music, and dance classes for the children of the community who report to the school every Saturday. Meanwhile, homestay guests get to interact with the teachers and the students on a cultural night which is part of the immersion. It is a brilliant and sustainable concept. One that I hope gets replicated in my own community up North. One of these days, I would be returning to the place again. Most likely, still with Culture Shockph. The three days immersion was just an introduction. There is still a lot to know. I was thinking, next time would be a good time to start learning their language.