Summer Solstice: Loving Lake Holon

Lake Holon from the view deck.

Officially off from my bucketlist is the spellbinding Lake Holon. Lake Holon, also known as Lake Maughan, is the crater lake created after the eruption in 1641 of Mt. Parker, locally known as Mt. Melibengoy. It is located in the Municipality of T'boli, Province of South Cotabato. Mt. Parker is one of the sacred places of the T'boli tribe and it is approximately 5,984 feet above sea level. Lake Holon stands at approximately 4,700 feet above sea level.

At 2:00AM on August 13, 2016 we left Digos City, Davao del Sur on a van via General Santos City and started our adventure to Lake Holon. We arrived at Surallah, South Cotabato at 4:30AM and rested for a while. Then we transferred on an Elf truck and proceeded to a two-hour travel to T'boli Municipal Hall to register and had our breakfast on a nearby carenderia. We started travelling at around 8:00AM to Sitio Kule, the jump off area.

The two-hour truck ride to Sitio Kule was an adventure in itself. We were jampacked at the back of the truck with our stuff, and it was a hot day. The road was rough, bumpy, dusty, uphill-downhill, energy-consuming and body-aching. We even jokingly yearned to alight and start the trek to end our agony. So when we alight from the truck, I felt my internal organs were in total disarray. But everyone enjoyed the experience.

After the orientation and a T'boli prayer for our safe trip, we started the trek. Going to Lake Holon is a 4-hour trek in a one-man trail. Mostly, we passed by forested areas where beautiful flora species like pitcher plants and colorful butterflies are found. In most areas the trail were steep and the soil loose. Thanks to our T'boli-made canes, big help to us.

The view deck was awesome as one could see the view of the spellbinding Lake Holon below. We stayed there for a while to enjoy the view and to breath fresh air before descending to the lake. Relaxing scenery of the lake, colorful tents and visitors kayaking are sights to behold at Lake Holon.

Sunrise at Lake Holon

Leaving Lake Holon the following day, we took another trail since we were going canyoneering at Bakngeb River Cave. The trail was wider but farther. One could choose to have a horse-back ride, but we choose to trek. At Sitio Bakngeb, we had our T'boli-inspired lunch and women tribe members rendered a few of their tribal dances to us. Well, the canyoneering was another amazing adventure.

How to get to Lake Holon.

If you're from Davao City, you have to leave as early as 1:00AM and travel via General Santos City. You will arrive at T'boli Municipal Hall at 7:00AM, register at the Municipal Tourism Office and have breakfast. Then you can hire a "habal-habal" for a two-hour ride going to Sitio Kule, register again, have your orientation and hire a guide. Hire a porter if you want to. Then your trek starts and have your lunch on the way. It's better to join in package tours since meals are free, although there are stores at Lake Holon where you can buy food.