General Santos - Sarangani - South Cotabato: A ‘Biyahe ni Drew’ itinerary

“Anong gagawin natin ngayon? I have no idea, and that’s the best thing,” says Drew Arellano.

Drew and the crew of “Biyahe ni Drew” have been to General Santos City before — for Drew’s trip to Sarangani, they took a side trip to General Santos for paragliding — but there’s always something new to see.

Here’s the itinerary used for the crew’s General Santos City-Sarangani-South Cotabato adventure.

Quick facts
Region 12, of which General Santos is part, is surrounded by the sea. This means lots of fresh, juicy seafood! Their specialty here is tuna, so make sure you try a lot of that during your trip. Geographically, General Santos is also part of South Cotabato but has a separate government. It is also very close to Sarangani, making side trips to either Sarangani and South Cotabato easy.

How to get there
Drew and the crew booked flights with Cebu Pacific Air, our official biyahe partner for this episode. Check them out on Facebook and Twitter for updates on their latest seat sales.

Where to eat
Meal with a view: Sarangani High Lands
Purok Wal, General Santos City
This restaurant keeps it simple. Their best-sellers are grilled tuna and durian shake, which you can enjoy on a balcony overlooking the forest. Price range is P150 to P350 per person.

Comfort food: Road Haus
Aparente Street cor. Block 0
Dadiangas City Heights, General Santos City
Boxing fans might want to stay in Road Haus, also known as the “Manny Pacquiao Hotel.” Owned by the famous boxer, this hotel also sells memorabilia of Manny’s boxing victories. But even if you aren’t a boxing fan, you might enjoy their food. Try the seared tuna salad with mango salsa, bangsi (marinated flying fish), tuna teriyaki, and grilled tuna with mediterranean sauce. “Kahit anong gawin niyo, masarap dahil fresh ang tuna,” says Drew.

Snacks: Tupig from New La Union
When people from La Union settled in General Santos, they brought with them the Ilocano dialect and northern food. Proof? Drew and the crew found some tupig at a roadside stall just like what they found in Pangasinan and other places up north.

Open-air seafood party: Tiongson Arcade
Tiongson Street
Lagao, General Santos City
“Puno ng tao at amoy sariwa ang lahat. Tuloy-tuloy ang pagpili ng seafood, at hindi rin tumitigil sa pagtawad sa pagpapaluto ng pinamili,” says Drew. Some of the things the crew ate: calamares from one medium-sized squid (P160), tuna belly (P180), pinaputok na lapu-lapu (P200), sinuglaw (P200). Overall, food ranges from P150 to P250, so don’t be afraid to bargain.

Boodle fight: Lantaw Marbel
Brgy. Paraiso, Matulas, 9506 Koronadal Proper, South Cotabato, Philippines
This hotel’s Fisherman’s Catch (P600) is a table full of seafood. We’re talking giant prawns, rice, stuffed squid, grilled tanigue. Yum! Other specialties: fish burger and lechon kawali sisig.

High quality turo-turo: Mang Gorio Bahay Kainan
Confessor corner Abad Santos St., Koronadal City, South Cotabato
Grilled chicken, grilled tuna, bulalo, and more. For special orders like crabs and prawns, you can call in advance. Each dish costs P59 to P125 per plate.

Where to stay
General Santos: Road Haus
Aparente Street cor. Block 0
Dadiangas City Heights, General Santos City
The standard room, which costs P2,200 a night, has twin beds. The superior room is also good for two, but has one queen-sized bed for P2,400 a night. There’s a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, bathroom with shower and a welcome snack of spicy tuna skin. The only downside is that there isn’t much of a view since Road Haus faces, well, the road. If you want simple accommodations, this is a good place to start.

South Cotabato: FB Hotel
Alunan Avenue, 9506 Koronadal, South Cotabato
This hotel just opened in January 2014, and has rooms for two at P2,500 a night. Their rooms are more spacious than Road Haus’ and you can add an extra mattress for an additional P1,000 per night.

What to do

White water tubing
Maitum, Sarangani
Water tubing is like white water rafting for crazy people. Instead of a boat, you have a “tube” or raft for one! Don’t worry, though. The tourist’s tube is attached to the tube of a guide who’ll be with you all the way. A life vest and helmet are also required.

White water tubing costs P150 per person and takes you down a 1.6 kilometer-long stretch of the Pangi River. Bonus: The Pangi River was the 2013 runner-up for the cleanest river in the Philippines.

What to see
Treasures of Maitum: An archaeological and ethnographic exhibit
2/F Municipal hall, Sarangani
Learn more about Maitum’s history in this small but info-packed museum. The highlight of this exhibit is the ornate diorama depicting the inhabitants of Mayum Cave over 2000 years ago during the Metal Age. You can also see burial jars which offer a glimpse into the early people’s life and belief system.

Maitum Pawikan Conservation and Protection Center
Maitum, Sarangani
Want to be one with nature? The center collects eggs from the sand nests and takes care of them until they hatch. The baby pawikans are then returned to the ocean -- at least 3,000 every year since 2011. If you’re lucky, you can even help release the cute sea creatures by the beach!

Akbe de Mahin Resort
Maasim, Sarangani
Want a resort all to yourself? Groups of 10 to 20 people can rent Akbe de Mahin for P8,000. It’s perfect for big barkadas, families, and even corporate team building events. The best part? “One to sawa ang snorkeling at swimming sa malinaw na tubig,” says Drew.

What to buy for pasalubong
Bangsi
The “One Town, One Product” export of General Santos is the bangsi (flying fish) served dried and deep-fried.

Chocolate by Kablon Farms
Spicy chocolate? This popular souvenir item is made with dark chocolate but has a kick of chili as you chew it. Get a bar at the many souvenir stores in South Cotabato.

Durian and mangosteen products
South Cotabato’s main fruits, durian and mangosteen, can be bought fresh, candied, or as jams. Drew and the crew got the jams for P150 to P250 per bottle. You’ll also find an organic blend of calamansi and guyabano juice in souvenir stores. This was so good that Drew asked for seconds!

–Cristina Tantengco/PF, GMA News