COTABATO TRAVEL INFORMATION Where to Stay in Cotabato | Brief History | Cotabato Descriptions Cotabato Tourist Attractions | Festivals BRIEF

HISTORY Cotabato had been inhabited by various ethnic groups, the Manobos, the Bagobos, and the Muslims, sometime in 1500 BC. These various tribes are believed to be descendants of Indonesian immigrants owing to their similarity in physical structure and language. The coming of the Christian migrants from Luzon and the Visayas swelled and accelerated the growth of settlements and subsequently gave rise to bustling municipalities. The area covered by the original province of Cotabato is the territory presently occupied by the province of Cotabato (the mother province), South Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat, including the areas now covered by General Santos and Cotabato cities. The word ""Cotabato"" is derived from the Maguindanaon dialect equivalent for ""stone fort"" which is ""kuta wato."" Its capital then was Cotabato (now a city, a town along the Rio Grande some five kilometers from where said river empties into the sea on the west). The total land area of the original Cotabato before its division was 2,296.791 hectares or about one thirteenth of the whole country, which has an area of about 30 million hectares. So big was the original province that its area was about the size of the central plain of Luzon and bigger than six states in the United States, including the states of Massachussetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The total land area of the Hawaiian island is only about three-fourths that of Cotabato. Before the passage of BP 660 by the Philippine Commission, Cotabato was never called a province. It was categorized as a mere district of the Moro province, which was composed of all the political subdivision of Mindanao and Sulu, excluding the two Misamis provinces and Surigao. The huge Moro province was created by the Philippine Commission on July 15, 1903 through Act no.787. And probably because no Filipino had any knowledge on surveying at the time, the territorial jurisdiction of the Cotabato district was roughly described, wanting in definities and usually giving rise to boundary conflict with neighboring provinces. Shariff Kabunsuan and his descendants ruled Cotabato until the coming of the Americans in the early part of the twentieth century. One important feature established by the reign of Shariff was the introduction of a system of government which until today is still being practiced by some Mohammedans who revered the datu as the dispenser and law giver of death. This system developed Muslim cultures and kept the Muslims united in their struggles with foreigners.

Though Islam was the first religion, Christianity also was introduced later in 1596. The first Christian settlers in Cotabato from outside of Mindanao, mostly coming from the province of Cebu, arrived in Pikit on June 17, 1913 at the behest and as a result of the efforts of the late President Sergio Osmea, who was then the Speaker of the Philippine Commission. Expenses of their transfer to the ""Land of Promise"" were subsidized by the government. The administrator of the colonies given to the settlers at that time was a superintendent by the name of Maximo Abad, a government appointed official, who took care of the settlers needs like food and farm implements. There were six more batches of colonies that arrived thereafter. From Pikit, the children and kin of these settlers later moved westward to Midsayap and eastward to Kidapawan. Since the original Cotabato was formally created as a province on September 1, 1914, its district governors were American military governors, all belonging to the Philippine Constabulary, and all with the ranks of major, except Don Ramon Vilo who ruled the area in 1898. As a province, Cotabato had its first civil governor in 1914. COTABATO DESCRIPTIONS The original Cotabato Province known as the Empire Province of Cotabato used to be the largest in the country in terms of land area. On November 22, 1973, Presidential Decree 341 created the new provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao. South Cotabato was segregated and what used to be north Cotabato was renamed Cotabato under Batas Pambansa 660 on December 19, 1983. The word ""Cotabato"" is derived from the Maguindanaon ""Kutawato"" or ""Stone Fort."" Cotabato province lies on the eastern part of Region XII and is strategically located in the central part of Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, on the east by Davao City, on the southeast by Davao del Sur, on the west by Maguindanao province, and on the southwest by Sultan Kudarat. Geography The province is bounded on the north by Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur on the east, Davao and Maguindanao on the west and Sultan Kudarat on the southwest. Political Subdivision It has two Congressional Districts with 17 Municipalities, one component city, and 544 Barangays. Population The total population of the province is 958,643 as of 2000 Census. Language/Dialect Dialects mostly spoken are Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Maguindanao, Ilocano, Tagalog, and the ethnic tribe dialects of the province.

Climate Cotabato climate has a slightly pronounced cycle of dry and rainy seasons. Rains may fall anytime during the year but normally from May to October. The rest of the year is a relatively dry season. Major Industries With the Investment Incentives Act or RA 5186, the growth of Cotabato Industry was greatly boosted. A number of processing plants sprouted: feeds manufacturing and rubber processing in Kidapawan City and the municipalities of Makilala and M'lang; the Aleosan and the Natural Essence Processing in Kamarahan President Roxas. At present Cotabato is a prime focus of the rubber industry, with its 27 processing plants producing pale creep, brown, crumb, air dried sheets. Fruit production leading to fruit processing complements these advancements. The province leads in the production of exotic fruits such as Durian, Lanzones, Rambutan, Marang, and Jackfruit. Ramie plantations in President Roxas and Kidapawan can cause a future boom of the local textile industry that has yet to be established in the province. Go to Top TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS Historical Attractions Pikit Fort An old Spanish fort in Mindanao located in the Municipality of Pikit. Cultural Attractions Kalibongan Festival Kalibongan is the Manobo term for "Grand Festival." The Manobos, Bagobos, and other highland tribes from the different parts of Cotabato and nearby provinces go down to Kidapawan to proudly display their tradition and cultural heritage during this festival celebrated yearly in Cotabato. Pak'kaat Kal'lo An annual feast of the indigenous tribes in Maget, Cotabato. It is held as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest especially during the Holy Week. Halad sa Sto. Nio (third Sunday of January). The annual fiesta celebration of Midsayap, Cotabato in honor

of its patron, Seor Sto. Nio. Highlights are street dancing and the theater parade contest. Natural Attractions Mount Apo The tallest and mightiest mountain in the Philippines, with a height of 10,311 feet above sea level and a total area of 14.6 sq. kilometers. New Israel Eco Park Located at Barangay Makilala, this mountain village is home to a religious sect called the "Moncadista." The place is famous for tamed monkeys. Batasan-Biangan Hotspring Resort A major tourist attraction dubbed as the "Fountain of Youth" because it is believed to have healing powers and, thus, has become a medical haven for old folks who have arthritis and rheumatism. Pisan Cave A cave in Kabacan which is full of bats and snakes. It is recommended for snake and bat hunters. Religious Attractions Halad sa Sto. Nio (third Sunday of January). The annual fiesta celebration of Midsayap, Cotabato in honor of its patron, Seor Sto. Nio. Highlights are street dancing and the theater parade contest. Man-Made Attractions Le Re've Swimming Resort An inland resort equipped with cottages, restaurant, and three swimming pools with free flowing cold spring water from the foot of Mt. Apo. Skyline Heritage Resort A resort located in the municipality of President Roxas. Enjoy the tranquil, rustic setting and cool water of the pools coming right from the headwater of the mountain streams. Beauville Resort Lust over the wonders of cool water, indulge in the luxury of soaking in the pool covered by sun rays. Located in the municipality of Makilala. Go to Top

FESTIVALS Halad sa Sto. Nio (third Sunday of January). The annual fiesta celebration of Midsayap, Cotabato in honor of its patron, Seor Sto. Nio. Highlights are street dancing and the theater parade contest. Pak'kaat Kal'lo An annual feast of the indigenous tribes in Maget, Cotabato. It is held as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest especially during the Holy Week. Mt. Apo Climbing Treks on the country's highest peak are held during the Holy Week and semestral breaks. Mostly students participate in the treks. Hinugyaw Festival (September 1). Annual celebration of the provinces Foundation Day. It involves merrymaking in colorful costumes and rhythmic-ethnic street dancing to rejoice a good harvest of fruits and food crops. Ting'Udo Festival (October 10). Celebration for a bountiful fruit harvest which coincides with the foundation anniversary of Makilala. Highlight is a fruit festival.