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MUNICIPALITY OF BONGAO, TAWI-TAWI

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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

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