Mindanao: Island of Terror or an Island of Beauty and Grandeur

The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of three large island groups. The biggest
island group is Luzon, the smallest is Visayas and the second largest is Mindanao located at the
eastern most part of the country with an area of 104,630 square kilometers. In terms of world
population Mindanao ranks eighth. The colorful people, rich culture and splendid nature make
Mindanao an attractive and interesting place to explore. Mindanao is the most culturally diverse
island in the Philippines where people of different languages, tribes and races meet.

Our family lives in the land of promise, Mindanao. It promises amazing adventures to
places not usually visited by tourists mostly because of fear about the peace and order in those
places. Mindanao is often depicted as a place of danger, insecurity, hate, and chaos, especially
now with the recent Mamasapano tragedy, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and heated debates on
the Basic Bangsamoro Law. Mindanao is in fact an island of beauty, an island full of magnificent
cities with so much to offer. The places we often visit are beaches, islands and waterfalls. Having
born, raised and lived my entire life here in Mindanao, I have so many stories to tell about the
many beautiful things about our Island – its people, scenic places, diverse culture, proud heritage
and other attributes said to be “Trademarks of Mindanao”.

The tropical rainforests are blessed with a diverse flora and fauna and the region’s
mountainous lands are ideal for jungle tracking. For nature lovers who like an adrenalin rush,
Mount Apo is a great attraction known as the crown jewel of the Philippine climbing experience.
Mount Apo is the habitat of over 272 bird species, 111 of which are endemic to the area. Nature
lovers can explore through the rain forest of the mountain and discover the country’s national
bird, the world’s largest and critically endangered Philippine Eagle. Mount Apo is the only
remaining habitat of the Philippine Eagle.

Mindanao is blessed with the bounty of the earth, being the country’s Food Basket. Its
fertile soil makes a bountiful harvest of a variety of fruits like the famous Durian and other farm
products that provides 40% of the country’s requirement. Mindanao is also blessed with the
bounty of marine life and marine resources. One of the country’s biggest producers of Philippine
Tuna comes from Mindanao. Aside from mountain resorts, Mindanao prides itself in a great
number of beautiful and refreshing beaches and waterfalls.

Mindanao is composed of a population with diverse ethnicities, cultures and religions.

Christians are dominant in the region, but it is also residence to most of the country’s muslim
population comprising various ethnic groups and the collective group of indigenous tribes known
as the Lumad. Each group has a distinct culture and language.

Mindanao is such a gigantic island. I agree there are conflicts occurring in some of parts
of the Island but to say Mindanao as a whole, a proud Mindanaoan like me will absolutely
disagree. Mindanao endows with heavenly bliss that has exceptionally captivated the hearts of
those who brave to come and enjoy the beauty and grandeur of the “Promised Land”.

Much has been said about Mindanao especially in television. This terrible generalization
threatens tourism progress and economic growth of the whole Island. Mindanao is such a gigantic
island. There is peace in Mindanao. There is harmony in diversity in our Island. Mindanao is an
island of blissful wonders to behold away from those generalized negative views about her. Ask
those who came, those who braved, and those who experienced Mindanao – they’ll all say; there
is “Mindanao Bliss”.