The Most Aesthetic Tourist Spot in Isulan Sultan Kudarat

SULTAN KUDARAT PROVINCIAL CAPITOL BUILDING

Welcome to the Land of Flowing Water, The Taj Mahal of the Philippines and The Palm oil Capital of the Philippines. Welcome to the Province of Sultan Kudarat. SK! Sikat Ka!

Sultan Kudarat is a province in Mindanao located in SOCCSKSARGEN. Geographically, it is bordered by the Provinces of North Cotabato and Maguindanao on the North, Sarangani and South Cotabato on the South, Davao Del Sur to the East, and the Celebes Sea to the West. Isulan is its Capital, Tacurong is its only City and it has Eleven Municipalities. The Province was named in honor of a powerful Muslim ruler, Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat who reign the Sultanate of Maguindanao and hailed as a National Hero and the most powerful Sultan in Mindanao during his time.


The provincial building is adorned with a huge gold dome at the center, which is the prayer room for the Muslims. Inside, there are specialized rooms used by the sultans of Mindanao. The Hall of Sultans was reserved for times when Muslim Sultans would gather in Isulan for meetings. Hall of Kings was reserved for meetings of important Christian visitors of the Province.

Sultan Kudarat was once a part of the former empire province of Cotabato. It was created as a separate province along with Maguindanao and North Cotabato on November 22, l973 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 341 signed by former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos.

The province is known to produce rice, corn, coconut, African palm, and coffee as its major crops.The province has its potential in fishing still in the offing. Three (3) of its coastal municipalities have been found to be tuna sanctuaries along the shores and it has also 820.365 hectares of brackish water and fresh water fish ponds.

Unlike other provinces in the country, Sultan Kudarat is typhoon-free. It is blessed with a rich and vast track of agricultural land suitable for rice,corn, coffee, African palm and fruit trees production. It has a rich fishing ground,a large potential for fishing industry and potential area for increased trading and commercial activities.

By air, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines flies from Manila to Cotabato City and Gen. Santos City daily. From there island transportation services connect Cotabato & Gen. Santos City to Isulan, the capital town of Sultan Kudarat province.
Traveling by land is the only mode of travel from Sultan Kudarat to any accessible point in Mindanao by road.

Isulan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. It is the provincial capital of the Province of Sultan Kudarat. Isulan  derived its name from “ISU-SILAN “ which means “Progress”. Every month of September, the municipality of Isulan is conducting the Haungaya Festival to celebrate its Foundation Anniversary. Isulanons believe that the wealth of arts and culture is expressed in many forms and in so many kinds. The Hamungaya Festival showcases the skills and talents in literary, musical and cultural aspects of the constituents both the young and the old. It is not only unique but is reflective of a special talent in the person as well.

The Hamungaya also depicts the thanksgiving festival of its residents who are mostly engaged in agriculture. This includes rice and corn farming, vegetables and crops production including the famous African palm which has contributed a lot to the utilization of its by-products as construction materials – the uniquely woven ”kalakat” known all over Mindanao. The festival is divided into two parts: the first part shows the different activities being done in the farm. After which a thanksgiving is performed for their good harvest. The second part shows the merrymaking in the form of dance using different properties and materials that make it very festive. 

The Sultans golden rule was once more relived as the Province recently celebrated the  Kalimudan Festival to mark its 29th founding anniversary. Now on its 14th staging Kalimudan is coined from th Maguindanaoan word "Limud" which means "to gather, to meet and collect" or "Limu" which means blessing. 

The whole term therefore denotes a celebration of blessings and harmony to put to the fore the bounty of Mindanao as the "Land of Promise" and gather the tri-people of the Province-- the Christians, the Muslim tribes and the Indigenous tribes of  T'bolis and B'laans-- in one grand convergence.

https://suroysuanoy.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/cultural-fest-relives-memory-of-sultan-kudarat/


Kalimudan Festival


Place: Isulan, Sultan Kudarat
Date: November 21
It is an annual gathering of different tribal groups in the province and celebrate for a bountiful harvest. Activities include dancing parade, horsefight, trade fair and sports competition. The festival highlights the foundation anniversary of Sultan Kudarat Province.

http://www.kasal.com/wedding-destination/sultankudarat-weddings.php

References:

Lorenzo, May 23, 2019. “Kalimudan Festival is a Delightful Tribal Fiesta Celebrated Annually on November 21 in Isulan, a Beautiful Location Nestled in Sultan Kudarat.”

Banwa sang Isulan,

The Restless Pinoy Traveler, October 7, 2010. “Sultan Kudarat a Side Trip  To a Daring Travel Destination.”

The Islander, August 1,2008. “Sultan Kudarat” 

Mervz Pinoy Adventurista, March 2014. “Sultan Kudarat Journey. Witness The Hidden Beauty of Its Place”

So what are you waiting for? Come and visit Sultan Kudarat. SK! Sikat Ka!