Skip to main content

MUNICIPALITY OF BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI

By
Tawi-Tawi is an island province in the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The capital of Tawi-Tawi is Bongao.
It is the southern most province of the country, sharing sea borders with the Malaysian state of Sabah and the Indonesian North Kalimantan province, both on the island of Borneo to the west. Influences of neighboring countries are evident in their food.
Mee Bandung
Mee Goreng
Nasih Pataya
Tausug Breakfast
Tiyula Itum - spicy beef based soup with burnt coconut giving its blackish color. This may be visually odd but it is surely gastronomically satisfying.

 The Municipality of Bongao, is a second class municipality and capital of the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 100,527 people.
Bongao is a minuscule cosmopolitan site that is becoming a model of multicultural society. In downtown Bongao, there are mosques for majority Muslim population, a Catholic church, a church for Protestant inhibitants and a Chinese temple.
Indigenous people like Bajaus and Tausug are the last tribes that exist in Tawi-Tawi.
The Bajaus are refugees forbidden to set foot on land - so they built a village on stilts and live their whole lives relying solely on the ocean to survive... and now they get "ground sickness."
Bajau have little opportunity to leave the ocean community as they do not receive a proper education.
Tausug tribe can be found mainly in coastal area communities. The word Tausug is taken from the word 'Tau' meaning 'Man' and 'Sug' meaning 'Current'.
Traditionally, they are sailors, pearl divers and traders, their ancestral homelands in the Sulu Archipelago have vigorous tidal current that flows from the Sulu and China Sea to the Celebes Sea. This literally translates, People of the Current.

This native tribe was the first group in the archipelago to be converted to Islam. They possess a courage and bravery is beyond doubt, therefore the Tausug are often named Tau Maisug or Brave People.

They are proud muslims engaged in a continuous warfare against spanish conquerors for 300 years until the spaniards left the Philippines. Tausug regards themselves superior to other Philippine Muslims and still live a combative way of life.
HOW I GOT THERE:

I was in Zamboanga when I was invited by my friends from Cagayan De Oro to travel to Tawi-Tawi.


We took Aleson Shipping from Zamboanga to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi for 1000php.
Upon arrival in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, we were greeted by Wads, our contacted tour guide from Department of Tourism (DOT). Mobile number: 09268752346.

Guided tour (Php3000/pax) itinerary includes:

  • Tawi-Tawi Capitol
  • Baloboc Cave
  • Simunul Island: Sheik Makhdun - Oldest Mosque
  • Sanguip Siapo Island
  • Panampangan Island
  • Bud Bongao
  • Chinese Pier
  • 3 Days Accommodation in Beachside Inn
  • Tour Guide
  • Service Vehicle
  • Boat with Boat Man
  • Bottled Water


Location: Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LANG DULAY WEAVING CENTER

By
SOCCKSARGEN - SOUTH COTABATO Lang Dulay is a dream weaver who was recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for promoting and preserving the traditional T'nalak Weaving. She was able to pass down the tradition and is being kept alive by the new T'boli generations before she died last 30Apr15. Dream Weavers are T'boli women who learned T'nalak weaving taught by goddess Fu Dalu in their dreams. T'nalak, the T'boli sacred cloth, made from abaca is the tribe's traditional textiles used as cover during births and exchanged during marriages. Lang Dulay Weaving Center is open for all. No entrance fee but donation is highly appreciated. HOW I GOT THERE: From Cebu, I took a flight to General Santos. Upon arrival GenSan airport, take the white multicab to Bulaong Terminal. In Bulaong Terminal, take a van or bus to Surallah. In Surallah Terminal, take a habal-habal to Punta Isla, Lake Sebu In Punta ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum

By
In 1979, Sto. Nino Shrine is one of the 29 Presidential rest houses. Late President Ferdinand Marcos has built this mansion for his wife, First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos who was born in Tacloban City. An entrance fee of 230php is collected for the maintenance of the museum. The Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. For inquiries, call (53) 321-9775 or (53) 401-8172. A private chapel dominates the ground floor with the image of Sto. Nino as its focal point. The red carpet in the center isle was removed due severe damage caused by Yolanda. Elevated 2-3 steps from the presidential chapel are 13 guest rooms representing the 13 regions of the Philippines.                               Bamboo Room                                    ...
Post a Comment
Read more

BALOBOC CAVE, TAWI-TAWI

By
Baloboc Cave is located in Brgy. Lakit-Lakit which is an hour away from Bongao proper. Barangay Lakit-lakit derived its name from the word  "lakit"  which means "sharp." Referring to its sharp rocks. Baloboc rock shelter cave archaeological site was declared as an important cultural treasure by the government in 2017. Evidence of human presence in Bongao was carbon-dated to be 8,810 to 5,190 years before the birth of Christ. Shell tools, bones, jars, and other artifacts and fossils were found in Baloboc Cave. This signifies one of the earliest known evidence of human existence in Southeast Asia. HOW I GOT THERE: I was in Zamboanga when I was invited by my friends from Cagayan De Oro to travel to Tawi-Tawi. We took Aleson Shipping from Zamboanga to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi for 1000php. Upon arrival in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, we were greeted by Wads, our contacted tour guide from Department of Tourism (DOT...
Post a Comment
Read more