Quick Trip to Polomolok and General Santos City

A day after the kids convocation/recognition programs, my son started his 10-day swimming lessons. Two days after his basic swimming lessons graduation we went to Panabo City to spend two weeks with their dad which includes a plan to check out the much-talked about beaches of Mati, Davao del Norte specifically Dahican.

But for the second time, our Mati plan for the weekend was again cancelled as we got an invite from my father-in-law to go to Polomolok for a relative's burial. I've been to General Santos twice but never to South Cotabato. So the invite was very welcome. It's the kids first time to go south so I was excited to note that it's our first time as a family to see not only Davao del Sur but also Polomolok and Pacman's country.

We didn't have enough time to tour both places. We first went to Mt. Matutum Memorial Park of Polomolok and after the service and lunch dropped by SM City GenSan for some kids fun rides. Here are some quick snaps from our quick trip. 

 Pacman Wildcard Gym

After we got out of the car in SM City, I looked around and to my surprise and sudden excitement saw the Pacman Wildcard Gym behind us. We had no idea that it's located across SM City. I'm not even sure if I know that Pacman has a gym hehehe... Earlier, as we entered GenSan proper I asked my husband, "Aha kaha diri ang balay ni Pacquiao ba?" (Where could Pacquiao's house be?) It was two weeks before the May 3, 2015 Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

Mt. Matutum

The first time I saw Mt. Matutum ten years prior, it immediately made me pay attention. My husband and I--newly married that time--were on our way to GenSan when I saw it from afar rising majestically with its cone-shaped summit. I almost couldn't take my eyes of it the whole time it displayed its beauty. I didn't have dSLR then so I was not able to take a photo. But I know that I will see it again and again.

So during our April 19, 2015 trip, I was looking forward to see it again. I was already telling my kids about it before we can even see it. When it finally appeared before us I started to scan for the perfect location where I can take a good picture of it alone and with my family. Unfortunately, it was covered in clouds the whole time. It was already mid-afternoon when it finally made a total show. We were about to exit GenSan when it appeared vividly and beautifully. And the best part? It was capped with a big lenticular cloud! I excitedly got out of the car to take photos and then...BAM! My camera battery died! Yup! My phone battery died first while still in the car. Waaaaahhhh!!! LOL!

So, I sadly got back to the car and just watched it the whole time until the lenticular clouds dissipated and the volcano finally disappeared from our view.

About Mt. Matutum
It is an active stratovolcano (cone-shaped) rising proudly in Tupi, South Cotabato at 2,286 meters asl with a base diameter of 25 km. The summit has a 320 meter wide well-preserved crater. Like Musuan Peak, it is part of the 452 chain of volcanoes worldwide called the circum-Pacific belt more commonly known as Ring of Fire.

Camera Used:
Fujifilm Finepix S5200