LOOK: 37 Photos That Will Change Your Impression on Tawi-Tawi

It takes a dauntless soul to brave going to the south of the Philippine archipelago. Tawi-Tawi spreads like a pearl of islands down the farthest south sharing sea borders with Malaysia and Indonesia. To describe the proximity to our Asian neighbors, locals will tell you that Borneo is only a stone’s throw away.

Tawi Tawi is home to peaceful Sama natives. Theirs is a culture that reflects simple living yet, rich and lively and vibrant with colors and music. Trade is a flourishing industry with easy and quick access to Malaysian merchandise. The wealth of the sea puts food on the table every day and supports all other basic needs of a family with simple desires in life – to love, to laugh, to give, to share. The beautiful people from the south thrive where they choose to share their skills and gift of knowledge. They are generous people who are always ready to help. By nature, they are calm and strive for the best they can give. So, when you pack your bags this summer, escape to Tawi-Tawi and experience the hidden wonders of nature, the dazzling brightly-coloured royal culture, the richness of the sea, the calm waves, fresh food, and of course beautiful people.

So, here you go... your journey to the pearl of the south begins here…

view of the Bongao Peak from Pasiagan-SowangKagang

view of the Bongao Peak from Sitio Lomboy Barangay Nalil

The mystic mountain known to locals as Bud Bongao [bud means mountain or peak] which gives it the translated name of Bongao Peak, is the first attraction when you travel by air that will land you on Sanga-Sanga airport. If you remember your gradeschool books in the 90's, the story of white monkey from Bud Bongao was printed in one of its pages. Locals believe in the mystical creature described to be white monkeys, whose teeth are gold and they are said to appear only to selected few travelers waving goodbye for good luck upon descend from the mountain.

 

Stilt houses

Stilt houses in Tawi-Tawi are homes to many local Sama natives. These are the stilt houses you find in history books and in these times of modern architecture, they still stand firm in the middle of the sea, just a few meters away from shore.

seaweed farmer during bounty harvest from the seaweeds farm.

Perhaps, you will understand better the functional purpose of stilt houses in Tawi-Tawi when you find out that locals feed for their daily subsistence from the wealth of the sea -- seafoods and seaweeds.

FRESH SEAFOODS HARVEST 

a typical Bajao vendor selling their fresh harvest for the day.

the wet market and Bajao vendors

local favorite: kamon [sea mantis]

special catch: lobster

Oh, how sweet must life be in the island where food is served fresh from the sea and everyday's a new catch but there's always plenty of harvest for everyone!

MOSQUES in Tawi-Tawi

this ritual house was built by the bare hands of local natives without using any nails. Yes, it's possible with the traditional carpenters. You will find this in Tabawan.

This is an old mosque in Tabawan, South Ubian.

The oldest mosque in the Philippines still stands firm in Simunul Tubig-Indangan, Tawi-Tawi: Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Mosque

Shrine of Sheik Makhdum in Tandubanak, Sibutu

ever seen a pink mosque? You will find this in Tandubanak, Sibutu

Tawi-Tawi has a rich Islamic history. In your history class, you probably learned that the Arab trader, Sheik Karimul Makhdum came to the Philippines in 1380 and built the first mosque in the country. It was in Tubig-Indangan, Simunul, Tawi-Tawi where you will still find the original pillars of the old mosque inside the modern building in the efforts to keep the building functional and preserve history. It is declared a National Historical Landmark and National Cultural Treasure.

Needless to say, that Islam is the practiced religion among locals. Yet, they hold a big heart to welcome migrants with respect coming from different regions of the country with Christian faith. Many Christians have settled in Tawi-Tawi and remain there as they built their families, professional careers and friendships in this peaceful land. Some have inter-married with Muslims and converted into the Islamic faith.



ANNUAL KAMAHARDIKAAN TAWI-TAWI
A yearly festival celebration of the founding anniversary of Tawi-Tawi, which is a time for a cultural show demonstrating ethnic culture in colourful hues.

Fluvial floats at the annual celebration of the Kamahardikaan

Featuring a participant at the street parade in full creative costume inspired by the province's livelihood -- agal-agal farming. This street dancer wears a head dress made of agal-agal. Her face is generously masked with borak, the traditional beauty recipe among local natives.

Pangalay is the traditional fingernail dance that requires good dexterity and flexibility with grace of the shoulders, wrists and waist. This dance is performed typically on special occasions like weddings and festivities. For the local Bajao natives of Tawi-Tawi, this dance is known as Igal using bamboo castanets to substitute for long fingernails. It has an interesting historic origin from the pre-Islamic Buddhist concept of male and female celestial angels.

the Royal Tableau on the fluvial float.

Dulang is a variety of native foods served in one big platter during special events shared among families and friends attending the occassion.

Local barter trade that you can easily find at the market.

Barter remains popular in Tawi-Tawi, and a thriving commerce. Here, you will find imported Malaysian merchandise from clothing, accessories, food supply, and a lot of souvenir and gift items like batik, malong, etc.

mat weaver

Traditional woven mats are the common household bedding among locals. Woven by hand, it is a specialised art and skill that has been passed on for generations of women in the islands. Be sure to buy your souvenir mat when you visit Tawi-Tawi. Contact us for your special requests.

Your Tawi-Tawi visit  is not complete if you do not get to try the local dishes and special delicacies that you can quickly find along sidewalks and in the market. Puto [pyoo-tu] and sianglag are made of cassava to substitute for rice that locals prefer because it is heavier in the stomach and cheaper, too. 

floating gas seller

Where can you find a floating gas seller? Only in Tawi-Tawi. Oh, don't be surprised! Among the local mode of transports are lansas, jungkong, pumpboat -- all sea transports that fuels on gas to hop from one island community to another for varied purposes like trade, commerce, education or simply just visiting family and friends.

The public sea transport taking passengers from one island to another.

The Lepa Sandbar Resort and Grill

When you need a place to stay in Tawi-Tawi, there is a good place to find peace and comfort at The Lepa Sandbar Resort and Grill. If you need our other recommendations, just send us an email and would happily share our list with you. But you can also check out the local tourism office.

the rare crab specie: tatus crab found where coconut trees abundantly stand tall.

the tree of life. Coconuts are everywhere in the islands.

lovely ducks and their quacks in the mornings make lovely music

While you are in Tawi-Tawi, catch every sunrise and sunset you can. It's a beautiful sight reminding you to slow down your life if you are running on the fast lane.



Photo Contributors:
Johnny R. Lee
Shehada Hamad-Diza
Sheryll Dais-Mohadali

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