Wonders of T’boli

December 06, 2025 | 11:00 AM | PHT

BY: Orange Blossom

T’boli—a stunning region defined by the sacred Lake Holon, beautiful preserved waterfalls, and unique subterranean rivers, all interwoven with the deep cultural and spiritual traditions of the local T’boli tribe.

Lake Holon: A Beautiful Disaster

A stunning and serene crater lake in South Cotabato, Mindanao, known as the “Crown Jewel of the South”. And was formed after an eruption of the dormant stratovolcano on January 4, 1641. It is surrounded by lush mountains, offers stunning views, and is a sacred place for the local T’boli tribe.

Hidak Falls: A Preserved Nature

In T’boli language—translates to “slippery stones”. A beautiful nature preserve in T’boli, South Cotabato, known for its cascading waterfalls surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, making it ideal for hiking, swimming, and photography. It is also primarily tied to its cultural and linguistic significance.

Bakngeb River Cave: A Crystal Gem

A Subterranean river cave with crystal-clear—naturally cold water a subterranean river known for its clear, naturally cold waters and stunning limestone formations. It is a popular spot for outdoor activities like hiking and photography, surrounded by lush hills and a rich diversity of wildlife.

Mount Melibengoy: Sacred Crater Lake

It is also known as Mount Parker. Its history is marked by a major eruption on January 4, 1641, which created the crater lake, and its English name honors American General Frank Parker, who is said to have discovered the mountain in 1934. The volcano is considered sacred by the local Tboli people and is a source of cultural and spiritual significance.

Taste of History 

December 06, 2025 | 11:00 AM | PHT

BY: Leandro Leviste

T’boli has a wide variety of foods in their place, cooked with love, care and with a hint of history. Their foods are not only delicious, but also special, it is said that their foods have a really unique flavor. Their foods are not only for show, but also a part of their history and a part of their story.

Hengasan, a salad made from radish and ampalaya and is often seasoned with local ingredients. This dish is notable for its fresh flavors and is part of the diverse and unique culinary tradition of the T’boli people, who primarily reside around Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Philippines.

Onuk Nelut is a celebratory dish of the T’boli people in the Philippines, which involves native chicken slow-cooked inside a bamboo tube over a fire. The dish uses a whole native chicken, along with ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, sweet basil, and salt, and is cooked without water, relying on the chicken’s natural juices and the bamboo’s flavor. 

Uton can refer to fish or vegetables in different contexts. In the local Tboli language, it means fish, while in other Filipino contexts, “utan” is a term for vegetable soup. Therefore, “uton food” likely refers to either a fish dish or a vegetable soup dish.

Heklafak, often spelled as Onuk Heklafak, is the T’boli name for a traditional dish of grilled chicken, which is prepared by salting the free-range chicken and grilling it over a woodfire that rests on three rocks. It is a simple yet culturally significant dish from the Soccsksargen region of the Philippines, known for its roasted chicken.