Midsayap, Philippines
Region: North Cotabato
Geographic Coordinates: 7.191700, 124.533000
Temperature Range: 30.0°C to 35.0°C (86°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal climate and weather patterns in Midsayap, Philippines are influenced by the tropical monsoon climate, characterized by a wet season from June to November and a dry season from December to May.
Population: 165376
Language: Filipino
Midsayap is a first-class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. It is located in the heart of Mindanao and serves as a gateway to different provinces in the region. The town covers an area of 290 square kilometers and has more than 150, 000 residents. The name Midsayap originated from two Maguindanaon words: mid which means center and sayap which means mosquito net. According to local folklore, The town was named after a group of travelers who used their mosquito nets as shelter while waiting for heavy rains to clear up.
One of Midsayap’s main attractions is Lake Buluan, Covering an area of approximately 6, 303 hectares. The lake provides livelihood opportunities for many locals engaged in fishing activities. Visitors can also enjoy various water sports such as kayaking and boating while taking in scenic views surrounding them. Another noteworthy destination within Midsayap is Mount Apo Natural Park -a protected area covering over 72, 000 hectares with diverse flora and fauna species including rare birds such as Philippine eagle and Mindanao bleeding-heart dove.
Hiking enthusiasts can take on one of its trails leading up to Mount Apo’s summit -the highest peak in the Philippines at 2, 954 meters above sea level. Midsayap celebrates several festivals throughout the year that showcase its rich cultural heritage. One such event is Kalivungan Festival held every August that highlights indigenous groups’ customs through colorful street dancing competitions featuring traditional costumes adorned with beads and feathers. Aside from tourism attractions, Midsayap has a thriving agricultural industry with rice being its primary crop followed by corn production.
The town also produces fruits like mangoes and durian known for their distinctive taste that attracts buyers from different parts of the country. In terms of education, Midsayap has several schools and universities such as Notre Dame University and North Valley College Foundation that offer quality education to students from different backgrounds. The town also has a public hospital and several private clinics that cater to the healthcare needs of its residents. Midsayap offers a perfect blend of natural wonders, Cultural heritage, And economic opportunities making it an ideal destination for travelers looking for an authentic experience in Mindanao.
With its friendly locals, Rich history, And stunning landscapes – Midsayap is indeed a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
- Awang Airport – The main airport serving Midsayap and the surrounding areas.
- Notre Dame of Midsayap College – A well-known Catholic college in the region.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto – A religious shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
- Libungan Wildlife Sanctuary – A protected area home to various species of flora and fauna.
- Kuya Kim’s Eco Park – An eco-tourism park featuring a butterfly garden, bird sanctuary, and other attractions.
- Datu Odin Sinsuat Plaza – A public park where locals gather for events and social activities.
Aside from these landmarks, visitors can also explore the local markets to try out traditional Filipino dishes or shop for souvenirs like handmade crafts or textiles made by local artisans.
- Agriculture
- Livestock production
- Fishing
- Food processing
- Retail trade
- Construction
- Transportation services
- Banking
- Small-scale manufacturing enterprises such as:
- Furniture-making
- Handicrafts production
- Garment-making
- Tourism industry due to proximity to natural attractions like:
- Lake Buluan
- Mount Apo National Park
- The establishment of Midsayap as a town in 1947.
- The construction of the Notre Dame of Midsayap College in 1948, which has become one of the most prominent educational institutions in the region.
- The Moro conflict, which has affected Midsayap and surrounding areas since the 1970s.
- The kidnapping and murder of Italian priest Fr. Tullio Favali in 1985, which drew international attention to the conflict in Mindanao.
- The election-related violence that occurred during the 2007 local elections, resulting in several deaths and injuries.
- Notable people from Midsayap include former Philippine Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., who was born and raised there.
- Another notable figure is Datu Piang, a legendary warrior who fought against Spanish colonial forces during the late 19th century.
- Midsayap Municipal Hall is a historic building in the center of local government in Midsayap.
- Notre Dame of Midsayap College is a Catholic institution that offers undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Bulawan Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of Cotabato Province.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto is a religious site featuring a replica of the famous grotto in France where Saint Bernadette saw visions of the Virgin Mary.
- Lake Sebu, located about an hour’s drive from Midsayap, is known for its beautiful waterfalls, traditional T’boli villages, and eco-tourism activities such as ziplining and kayaking.
- Mount Apo National Park is home to Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines at 2,954 meters above sea level. The park is also known for its rich biodiversity and natural beauty.
- Kidapawan City Plaza, located just outside Midsayap, features statues honoring local heroes and historical events in this public park.
- Maguindanao Provincial Capitol Complex showcases traditional architecture and serves as an important center for local governance in Maguindanao province.
- Mindanao State University (MSU) Main Campus is one of the largest universities with several campuses across different parts of Southern Philippines.
- Tamontaka Church- A church built by Spanish friars during their colonization period which still stands today as one example among many others depicting Philippine history under Spanish rule.
- Kalivungan Festival is the most famous festival in Midsayap that honors the indigenous peoples of Cotabato and their rich culture and traditions.
- The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is a religious event celebrated on February 11 to honor Our Lady of Lourdes, who is the patroness of Midsayap.
- Araw ng Midsayap commemorates the town’s founding anniversary every September 8 with various cultural activities and competitions.
- Kawayan Festival highlights Midsayap’s bamboo industry through a street dance competition featuring colorful costumes made from bamboo materials.
- Paskuhan sa Midsayap welcomes the holiday season with a grand parade, fireworks display, and other festive activities during Christmas time.
- Sinulog sa Barangays is a religious event held in different barangays (villages) where devotees offer prayers to Sto. Niño de Cebu through street dancing and processions.
- Sagayan Festival is an annual cultural festival that features traditional dances performed by male warriors wearing colorful costumes, carrying shields and swords as they reenact battles between Christians and Moros during ancient times.
- Sinina – a traditional Maguindanaoan dish made with beef or chicken cooked in coconut milk, turmeric, and ginger.
- Satti – a popular grilled meat dish served with peanut sauce and rice cakes.
- Balbacua – a hearty stew made with beef skin, tendons, and other meats.
- Adobo – a classic Filipino dish of meat marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and other spices.
- Lutong Bahay ni Nanay Nene – a restaurant that serves home-style Filipino dishes such as sinigang na baboy (pork sour soup), adobong kangkong (stir-fried water spinach), and lechon kawali (crispy pork belly).
- Jollibee Midsayap – one of the most popular fast-food chains in the Philippines known for its fried chicken and spaghetti.
- Kuya J Restaurant – a casual dining restaurant that offers Filipino comfort food such as crispy pata (deep-fried pork leg) and kare-kare (oxtail stew).
- Mang Inasal Midsayap- another fast-food chain that specializes in grilled chicken served with unlimited rice.
- Chooks-to-Go Midsayap- another fast-food chain that offers roasted chicken with various side dishes such as mashed potatoes or coleslaw.
- Lola’s Kitchenette- A family-owned restaurant serving Filipino favorites like pancit bihon guisado(fried noodles), lumpiang shanghai( spring rolls), caldereta(beef stew) among others
- Midsayap Municipal Park is a public park that offers various amenities like a playground, basketball court, and jogging path.
- Lake Sebu is a picturesque lake that attracts visitors who enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Libungan Hilltop Adventure is an adventure park that provides thrilling experiences with zipline rides and other outdoor activities.
- Mount Apo Natural Park is a protected area that caters to nature enthusiasts with hiking trails and camping sites.
- Awang Beach Resort is a beachfront resort where guests can indulge in water sports activities such as snorkeling, diving, and jet skiing.
- Maguindanao Cultural Village serves as an educational center where visitors can learn about the culture of the Maguindanaons through exhibits and workshops.
- Cotabato Provincial Capitol Complex comprises landscaped gardens and open spaces perfect for picnics or relaxation within its government complex.
- Liguasan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary acts as a wetland reserve that houses various bird species such as Philippine duck (Anas luzonica), Philippine mallard (Anas luzonica), little egret (Egretta garzetta), great egret (Ardea alba) among others.
