Digging into Davao Del Sur’s Rich Culture and Nature Sights
Davao del Sur was one of the first provinces in Mindanao I visited. In 2009, I flew to Davao City with my then-girlfriend, Marianne. From there, we made our way to Camp Sabros, an outdoor retreat in Kapatagan, Digos City, known at the time for having one of the longest zip lines in the country, an 800-meter ride above the treetops.
On this return trip, nostalgia is inevitable—not about a failed relationship, but about my early years of travel. This time, however, the focus was different. Instead of simply taking in the landscapes, we explored the province’s cultural heritage. Doing so, I learned about traditional crafts, music, and dance, traditions that have been passed down through generations and that today remain a vital part of the region’s identity.
Discovering Heritage in the Communities
Not wasting any time, we first set out on a community where cultural bearers are in play to preserve the culture of the Bagobo-Tagabawa community.
We had lunch in their community of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, where history, tradition, and a deep reverence for Apo Sandawa, their original name for Mount Apo, shape daily life. As one of the three dialectical groups of the Bagobo people, the Bagobo-Tagabawa of Davao del Sur are a proud indigenous group known for their rich traditions, intricate weaving, and deep spiritual connection to nature. Living in the foothills of Mount Apo, they keep age-old rituals, colorful beadwork, and rhythmic music. They have long called these foothills home, where they persevere to preserve their customs within their ancestral domain.
The chieftain’s wife welcomed us warmly, sharing that the community takes pride in hosting visitors. To mark the occasion, they performed traditional dances which acts out expressions of gratitude for a bountiful harvest. The meal that followed was just as memorable: chicken, tenderized inside bamboo, accompanied by taro cooked in coconut milk, steamed sayote tops, and grilled fish.
At Humbled by Nature Farm in Matanao, the B’laan people welcomed us with graceful traditional dances and hauntingly beautiful chants—expressions of an olden culture still very much alive.
The B’laan, neighbors to the T’boli, inhabit the rugged landscapes near Lake Sebu and the T’boli municipalities of South Cotabato, stretching through Sarangani, General Santos, southeastern Davao, and the shores of Lake Buluan in North Cotabato.
Known for their masterful brasswork, intricate beadwork, and the revered tabih weave, their artistry reflects a deep cultural lineage. Their attire is usually adorned with embroidered garments decorated with elaborate beads. The women, in particular, wear heavy brass belts, their dangling tassels tipped with tiny bells, announcing their presence long before they arrive.
Further into Davao del Sur, in the town of Bansalan, we visited the home of the late Salinta Monon (1920–2009), a revered Bagobo-Tagabawa master weaver and a 1998 recipient of the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), or National Living Treasure Award. For most of her 89 years, Monon devoted herself to the meticulous art of weaving Inabal, the traditional Bagobo-Tagabawa textile, ensuring that her knowledge was passed down to younger generations.
Today, her legacy endures. Near her old home, the community is establishing a weaving center, where artisans like Estela Barra, Monon’s first student, continue the intricate process of crafting Inabal from abaca fibers. They also demonstrate the traditional way of wearing the Tangkulo, a scarf that serves as both an adornment and a symbol of leadership among the Bagobo-Tagabawa.
Through dedication and collective effort, the weavers of Bansalan are keeping Monon’s artistry alive, ensuring that the vibrant threads of their culture remain unbroken, woven into the future just as they have been for generations.
Relishing the Cold Setting of the Kapatagan Highlands
Beyond the culture-rich experiences that defined our journey, we found ourselves drawn to the lush farmlands that fuel the local flavors of this region. Strawberries, coffee, and an array of fruits and vegetables flourished in abundance.
But first, coffee. Or coffee farm I must say. After our community visits, we hurried off to Balutakay Coffee Farmers Association (BACOFA) in Bansalan. Over a rich, aromatic brew, we uncovered the transformative power of coffee, how these farmers are shaping lives and elevating coffee experiences worldwide with their distinctive blends.
At Lao Integrated Farm, I was reminded once again that random discoveries fuels every journey, and this time, it came in the form of an unexpected delicacy: the Peanut Butter fruit. True to its name, its taste was strikingly reminiscent of peanut butter. This farm, a sustainable organic demo site in Bansalan, Digos City, stands as a testament to innovation. Its founder, Benjamin Lao, recognized as a "scientist-farmer" by the Department of Science and Technology, has turned barren land into a thriving paradise. The farm's workforce is largely composed of members of the Bagobo community, with many of their children benefiting as scholars of the farm, ensuring that sustainability extends beyond agriculture into education and opportunity.
The caffeine trail continued to Sir Ped’s Coffee, a perfectly perched coffee shop that pairs its brews with breathtaking views of the province’s mountain ranges. Every sip here enriches the flavor of the coffee with the cool climate of the place.
Our planned ascent to Mt. Apo was thwarted by erratic weather, but the foothills of Apo Sandawa in Bansalan had no shortage of scenic alternatives. A stop at Erry Cactus Farm and Adenium introduced us to a stunning collection of cacti and adeniums in a riot of colors. While my botanical expertise extends only as far as knowing that a cactus plant have thorny spines, I could easily see plant enthusiasts going crazy in this cacti dreamland.
At The Berries Farm Cabin & Restaurant in Bansalan, the cool mist added a touch of magic to our berry-picking experience. Strawberries, mulberries, and raspberries ripened under the foggy embrace of the highlands, making every handful of fruit feel like coveted pickings.
As we climbed higher into Kapatagan in Digos City, a brief pause at the fog-laden Lake Mirror, also called Lake Cometa, offered a moment of stillness, and a chance to fly my drone camera. The lake’s glassy surface mirrored the shifting skies and the elusive silhouette of Mt. Apo’s cloud-veiled summit.
Further along, Jardin de Señorita and Haven’s Dew provided Instagrammable backdrops with bursts of floral beauty and iconic landmarks—the Eiffel Tower, the Merlion, a windmill, an old Volkswagen car and a telephone booth—all waiting to be framed into picture-perfect memories.
For our stay in the highlands, we split our time between two mountain resorts. At Camp Sabros, adventure reigned supreme as we soared over the landscape on a dual zipline and rumbled through rugged terrain in a 4x4, all while keeping our eyes locked on the imposing peak of Mt. Apo. Meanwhile, Montefrio Garden Resort welcomed us with mist-kissed mornings and a pace of life that encouraged just chilling in the cold. Between buffet feasts and bottomless cups of coffee, the mountain air carried an undeniable charm, one that made the idea of ever leaving feel like a distant thought.
Overall, my return trip to Davao Del Sur not only evoked memories of Camp Sabros and the green countryside and mountain ranges I vividly recall. It also given me a chance to unearth the rich local culture that thrives beneath the province’s stunning natural landscapes, culture that, to this day, shapes the identity of its people in ways both insightful and profound.
