The Basilan Adventure
Basilan - is an island province of the Philippines in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Basilan Island is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago. It is just off the southern coast of the geographic Zamboanga Peninsula.
Isabela City, the former capital, is a component city under the provincial government of Basilan but is administered as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region and is listed statistically independent. Its capital has been transferred to Lamitan City.
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Several waves of Negrito and ancient Chinese migration populated the Philippines. The Yakan people arrived in the area of the Sulu Archipelago, of which Basilan is a part, around 300 BCE to 200 BCE. Little is known of them before the era of Spanish colonization, but they still make up the largest ethnic group on the main island of Basilan. It is believed that the Yakan people of Basilan made contact with the Kingdom of Champa in present-day Vietnam, and many of them have ancestries from Champa settlers, who later integrated with the Yakan.In 1973, Basilan officially became a province. It joined the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2001, the last province to do so. Its former capital, Isabela City, opted out and remains a part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region (formerly Western Mindanao, Region 9).
The Yakan people is considered as one of the 13 Moro groups in the Philippines. Originally from the island of Basilan, the tribe has spread to the nearby islands of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Zamboanga City. Colorful and vibrant, the tribe is known for their intricate weaves, culinary treasures, and rich culture.
The 4th class Municipality of Maluso is home to a diverse culture of Tausugs, Yakans, and Christians who live peacefully within its 20 barangays. Mayor Hanie A. Bud was approached by the locals of Barangay Taberlongan who asked for support to promote the Yakan culture of their barangay. I was invited to witness a showcase of the lively Yakan Culture last weekend and I was pleasantly surprised with their presentation.
Made of rice powder, the face paint is used in wedding rituals to adorn the faces of the bride and groom it called “tanyak-tanyak”.
The crowd gathered as local musicians started playing gongs of different sizes called “agong” and “kulintangan”. A male dancer carrying a spear and a female dancer with long false fingernails danced the “Tumahik”, a ward dance that is performed during weddings and important ceremonies.
There are also famous food or delicacies in basilan...likeeee
Batter made of rice flour passes these tiny holes and drops into the oil giving it a vermicelli-like shape. It is then rolled or shaped into different forms before it turns to golden brown. The Yakan Tribe calls it “Jaa” while other tribes in Mindanao calls it Lokot-lokot. Another delicacy is the “Panyalam” which is made of rice flour and brown sugar batter. Deep frying the batter in oil gives it a pancake like shape with scalloped trimmings on the side and a soft-chewy center. Other delicacies like the hantak, kitut, and putli mandi were served in trays lined with banana leaves.
Food were served in trays called “Dulang” containing servings of different heirloom recipes. Adorned with colorful eggs (locally called pugad benela), the center of the tray is native rice shaped in a pyramid and surrounded with fish and chicken dishes. Fried fish (kenna pritu), ginataang nangka, grilled squid (tinape kanu-us), and cooked stingray (sinagel). Native chicken cooked in burnt coconut and a special blend of spices called the chicken “pianggang” and the curacha or “kagang sambew” were also served in the center. The best way to eat the “Dulang” is by hand. Food is like a universal language for us and sharing meals seated on the floor in woven mats allowed us to share stories with the locals.
There are also famous food or delicacies in basilan...likeeee
Batter made of rice flour passes these tiny holes and drops into the oil giving it a vermicelli-like shape. It is then rolled or shaped into different forms before it turns to golden brown. The Yakan Tribe calls it “Jaa” while other tribes in Mindanao calls it Lokot-lokot. Another delicacy is the “Panyalam” which is made of rice flour and brown sugar batter. Deep frying the batter in oil gives it a pancake like shape with scalloped trimmings on the side and a soft-chewy center. Other delicacies like the hantak, kitut, and putli mandi were served in trays lined with banana leaves.
Food were served in trays called “Dulang” containing servings of different heirloom recipes. Adorned with colorful eggs (locally called pugad benela), the center of the tray is native rice shaped in a pyramid and surrounded with fish and chicken dishes. Fried fish (kenna pritu), ginataang nangka, grilled squid (tinape kanu-us), and cooked stingray (sinagel). Native chicken cooked in burnt coconut and a special blend of spices called the chicken “pianggang” and the curacha or “kagang sambew” were also served in the center. The best way to eat the “Dulang” is by hand. Food is like a universal language for us and sharing meals seated on the floor in woven mats allowed us to share stories with the locals.
In Basilan there so many places to go.... likeeeeee
Malamawi beach is a beautiful pure white sand beach in Basilan. It is just 15 minutes away from Isabela City which is the capital city of the province. This beach is one of the secret gems of Basilan. It is clean and it is not so very popular among tourists. it also called "The Hidden Paradise of Basilan"
Bulingan Falls is one of Lamitan City's prime tourist attractions. This 21-feet high falls boasts of its unusual block rock formations with a clear stream of water cascading into a rock pool surrounded by colorful flora and fauna.
Bulingan Falls is located about 11 kms southwest of Lamitan City and bounded by Barangays Boheyakan and Lo-ok.
Tenusa island is located in the municipality of Sumisip, Basilan. It has a white powdery sand surrounded by coconut trees, and barely five minutes away by pump boat from Sumisip town. Despite the previous violent incidents that smeared the island province in the past, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) started to develop the Tenusa Island off Basilan, which is envisioned to become one of the top tourist destinations in the country.
Chapel of Peace Calvario Peak, Isabela City, perched 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level and 15 minutes from the town proper.Calvario Peak is an excellent site for photo enthusiasts.
Santa Isabel Cathedral Isabela City, an art deco cathedral with a mosaic altar reminiscent of Roman-Byzantine cathedrals, named in honor of the patron saint of Isabela.
Basilan Provincial Capitol , site of Fort Isabela II. The original fort was bombed and destroyed towards the end of World War II, having been used by the occupying Japanese forces as a munitions dump. A newer Capitol Building was built on the spot where the old Basilan City Hall stood after it was burned in the early 1990s. The new building is a celebration of Muslim and Christian influences which shaped modern-day Basilan, and still occupies the highest point of the city proper.
Then if you want to stay there are some hotel's that you can stay in and this is the list...
- The Farmland Resort - Lanote, Isabela City, Basilan
- Anson's Hotel - Sumagdang, Isabela City, Basilan
- Hotel Royal Issra - Marketsite, Isabela City, Basilan
- Casa Rosario - Port Area, Isabela City, Basilan
- Basilan Hostel - Eastside, Isabela City, Basilan
- Buwalan Beach Resort - Sumagdang, Isabela City, Basilan
- ISAWAD Pool Resort - Cabunbata, Isabela City, Basilan
- Basilan Hotel - Isabela Proper, Isabela City, Basilan
- Grino House - Menzi, Isabela City, Basilan.
To get their from Zamboanga City is the main gateway to Basilan Island which lies 17 nautical miles (narrowest point of the Basilan Strait) due north. If you’re from Manila or Cebu, take a flight to Zamboanga City then take a jeepney bound for Canelar and walk towards the port.
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