WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT there was a spectacularly blue crater lake with a spiritual significance to an equally beautiful tribe in South Mindanao? Spectacular enough that I throw every superlative in existence at the title?

It exists, and it's called LAKE HOLON.

THE YEAR WAS 2016. I was in Davao, and I saw a shot of this place from a plane, with the land around it. It dominates the landscape with its beauty, and deep blue water. I said that I had to go there. And so I did.

But then, the morning of the climb, disaster struck. I was sick. I had low back pain, I was vomiting, my body was weak. But I swore that I would go there.

And I made it.

And so began my love affair with this place. It has become my healing place. It's a spiritual place, with 15 Guardians protecting it, and everyone travelling here should respect the traditions and culture of the tribe. It's a 3-4 hour trek, gruelling in places, but it is absolutely worth it once your eyes catch a glimpse of this beautiful lake.

Speaking of the Tboli tribe - I wanted to give this video a tribal element, because this is their sacred place. And the living legend of the lake, Ma Sinam Muan, gave a very, very exclusive interview to me (he does not speak to many people on camera, and I have to thank my friend and guide, David Suanzon, so much for bridging this gap).

I love this place. It is incredibly special.

(This is Episode 2 of 5 of my Tboli series)

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DAVID SUANZON is the hands down best tour guide to Lake Holon and indeed in the whole Tboli area. He knows the stories, he understands and appreciates the tribe, and really loves what he does. He does packages for 2000 pesos per head (overnight, including all fees and food) and you can contact him on 09516582101.

Otherwise, go through the Tboli Municipal Tourism Office, who can also be very helpful, but there are lots of little fees here and there to pay if you do it that way.

But honestly, go with David. The personality, the stories, the tribal learning, it's all worth it.

Porters are available for 30 pesos per KG each way.

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00:00 Intro
00:29 Kule - Jump-Off Point
02:12 Starting The Trek
04:43 Station 1 - Going Into The Forest
07:06 Kini Hot Spring
09:55 The Final Ascent
10:54 The Viewpoint
11:42 Going Down To The Lake
13:00 Lakeside
14:09 Story Of The Lake with Ma Sinam Muan (VERY SPECIAL)
18:54 Back On The Lake
19:31 Bamboo Chicken
21:52 Outro (David's Contact Details Are In The Description!)