Koronadal, Philippines
Region: South Cotabato
Geographic Coordinates: 6.500000, 124.850000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with two seasons: wet and dry. Average temperature is around 27°C.
Population: 195398
Language: Filipino
Koronadal, Also known as Marbel, Is a first-class city located in the province of South Cotabato in the Philippines. It is situated at the southern part of Mindanao and serves as the regional center for commerce, Education, And health services in Region XII or SOCCSKSARGEN. The city has a fascinating history that dates back to pre-colonial times when it was inhabited by indigenous tribes such as B’laan and Tboli. The name Koronadal was derived from two B’laan words – koron meaning cogon grass and nadhal meaning plain – which describes its vast grasslands.
Koronadal’s economy is mainly based on agriculture with rice, Corn, Coconut, Banana, Pineapple and rubber being its major crops. The city also has a thriving livestock industry with cattle raising being one of its main sources of income. In recent years, Koronadal has seen significant growth in tourism with natural attractions like Lake Sebu and Seven Falls becoming popular destinations for visitors. One of Koronadal’s most notable landmarks is the Provincial Capitol Building which serves as the seat of government for South Cotabato province.
Another landmark worth visiting is Our Lady of Peace Grotto which stands atop a hill overlooking the city. For adventure seekers who love trekking or zip-lining can visit Lake Sebu where they can experience breathtaking views while enjoying outdoor activities like kayaking or fishing. Visitors can also witness traditional T’boli dances performed by locals wearing colorful costumes made from hand-woven fabrics. Koronadal celebrates several festivals throughout the year including Hinugyaw Festival held every January to commemorate the city’s founding anniversary. In terms of education, Koronadal has several universities and colleges offering quality education to students from all over the country.
Overall, Koronadal is a vibrant city with rich history & culture along with natural beauty that makes it an ideal destination for tourists.
- Provincial Capitol Complex – This is the administrative center of South Cotabato province.
- Lake Sebu – A picturesque lake surrounded by verdant forests and mountains.
- Mt. Matutum – An active volcano that offers hiking trails and scenic vistas.
- T’boli Weaving Center – A cultural center that displays the traditional weaving techniques of the T’boli people.
- Seven Falls Zipline Adventure – An exhilarating zipline experience that takes you over seven waterfalls in Lake Sebu.
- Sultan Kudarat Monument – A monument dedicated to Sultan Kudarat, a legendary Muslim leader who fought against Spanish colonization in Mindanao.
- Koronadal City Hall Park – A public park with a playground, jogging path, and outdoor gym equipment for visitors to enjoy.
- South Cotabato Sports Complex and Cultural Center- A versatile complex that hosts various sports events, concerts, and cultural shows throughout the year.
- B’laan Tribal Village- This is a cultural village that showcases the traditional way of life of B’laan people, one of Mindanao’s indigenous tribes.
- Koronadal City Museum- The museum exhibits showcase the rich history and culture of Koronadal City through its indigenous peoples’ exhibits as well as local industries such as mining and agriculture along with its political history.
- Agriculture
- Livestock and poultry farming
- Mining
- Retail trade
- Services
The city is known for its abundant production of:
- Rice
- Corn
- Mangoes
- Bananas
- Coconut products
- Other agricultural products
It also has several small-scale mining operations that produce:
- Gold
- Copper
Retail trade is a thriving industry in Koronadal with numerous markets and shopping centers catering to the needs of the local population. The city also has a growing service sector with:
- Banks
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Other establishments providing employment opportunities for its residents
- The Marist Brothers established the first Christian mission in Mindanao in 1883, which later became Koronadal.
- American forces arrived during the Philippine-American War in 1900 and established civil government and modernization efforts in Koronadal.
- In 1936, the construction of the National Highway connected Koronadal to other parts of Mindanao, facilitating economic growth.
- During World War II, Japanese occupation resulted in widespread destruction and displacement for residents of Koronadal.
- South Cotabato was declared a separate province from Cotabato in 1967 with Koronadal as its capital city.
- Notable people associated with Koronadal include former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal who worked as a lawyer and politician there; Filipino singer-songwriter Joey Ayala whose mother is from Koronadal; and Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao who has trained at a gym located within the city limits.
- Provincial Capitol Complex is a group of buildings that houses the provincial government offices and a museum showcasing South Cotabato’s history and culture.
- The South Cotabato Sports Complex is a sports facility that hosted the 2019 Palarong Pambansa.
- Paraiso Verde Resort and Water Park is a popular water park with various pools, slides, and attractions.
- Lake Sebu is a scenic lake surrounded by mountains where visitors can go boating, fishing or visit the T’boli tribe’s cultural village.
- Hinugyaw Festival Center is an art center that hosts cultural events and exhibits in celebration of Koronadal City’s founding anniversary.
- Our Lady of Peace Grotto is a Catholic pilgrimage site with a towering statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking the city.
- Mambucal Hot Spring Resort is an eco-tourism destination featuring hot springs, waterfalls, hiking trails, picnic areas and more.
- Bunga Falls – A beautiful waterfall located in Barangay Miasong.
- Koronadal City Museum – A museum showcasing artifacts from different periods in Koronadal City’s history.
- T’nalak Weaving Center – A place where visitors can watch traditional T’boli weaving techniques being practiced by local weavers.
- Hinugyaw Festival is a week-long event that takes place every January to honor the city’s patron saint, Santo Niño.
- T’nalak Festival is an annual celebration held every July that showcases the rich culture and traditions of the indigenous people of South Cotabato, particularly the T’boli tribe.
- Kalimudan Festival is a week-long event held every November to highlight various cultural and historical aspects of Koronadal City and its neighboring towns.
- Lubi-Lubi Festival is a colorful street dance festival held every September to pay tribute to the coconut tree, which serves as one of the primary sources of livelihood in Koronadal City.
- The Feast Day of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces occurs on May 8th each year and features processions, novenas, and other religious activities honoring Mary as Mediatrix between God and humanity.
- Bulalo – a beef soup dish made with bone marrow, vegetables, and spices. It is best enjoyed at Bulalo Republic.
- Sinuglaw – a combination of grilled pork belly and ceviche made from raw fish marinated in vinegar and spices. It is served at Kusina sa Plaza.
- Tuna Kinilaw – a raw tuna salad mixed with vinegar, onions, ginger, chili peppers, and coconut milk. It can be found at Kusina sa Plaza or Cafe Laguna.
- Lechon Kawali – deep-fried pork belly served with rice and dipping sauce. The best place to try it is at Mang Inasal.
- Sisig – a sizzling dish made from chopped pig’s head meat seasoned with calamansi juice, onions, chili peppers, and other spices. You can find it at Big Ben’s Kitchen or Cafe Laguna.
- Durian Ice Cream – a creamy dessert made from the infamous durian fruit that has a unique taste and smell loved by locals but not always appreciated by foreigners! You can try it at D’ Bistro Cafe or Jollibee.
- Halo-Halo – literally meaning mix-mix; this refreshing dessert consists of shaved ice topped with sweet beans, fruits like banana or jackfruit pieces along with evaporated milk poured over the top! Try it out for yourself at Chowking or Mang Inasal!
- South Cotabato Sports Complex is a versatile sports facility that offers amenities for basketball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming.
- Provincial Capitol Park and Cultural Center is a park that features a large fountain, landscaped gardens, and various sculptures.
- Koronadal City Plaza is a public park located in the heart of the city that features a playground area for children and benches for relaxation.
- Rotary Park is another public park in Koronadal that offers picnic areas, jogging paths, and playground equipment.
- Lake Sebu Zipline Adventure provides an outdoor recreational activity where visitors can experience ziplining over scenic views of Lake Sebu.
- Seven Falls Zipline Adventure located near Lake Sebu offers seven different ziplines to choose from.
- T’boli Museum showcases the culture and traditions of the T’boli tribe through exhibits of their artifacts and handicrafts.
- Mount Matutum Trekking Trail – A popular hiking trail in Koronadal known for its scenic views of nature along with some challenging terrains to trek on.
- Falls Trekking – There are several waterfalls around Koronadal like Hikong Bente falls which offer trekking trails with beautiful sceneries along the way.
- Lake Holon – A serene lake situated at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level surrounded by lush green mountains is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Koronadal where visitors can enjoy boating or camping activities as well as trekking trails leading to its location.
