New museum to boost Mindanao tourism

MANILA, Philippines - The newly-opened Subangan Provincial Museum in the capital town of Mati City, Davao Oriental is seen to help boost tourism in Mindanao.

The name of the museum is derived from the Bisayan term subang meaning “east” and showcases the rich cultural and historical heritage as well as the natural beauty and bounty of the province.

Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Art Boncato said Subangan Museum is a welcome development in the effort to improve tourism in the south.

Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon Malanyaon told The STAR the province is located in the eastern part of Mindanao and the sun rises first in the area.

“The museum shows the optimism and the resiliency of the people to rise up and move forward to face challenges and trying times,” Malanyaon said.

She stressed that her constituents are trying their best to rise above the devastation that Davao Oriental experienced in 2012 due to Typhoon Pablo.

The provincial museum puts on display treasured relics, photos, videos, interactive visuals, documents, fabrics and other products as “proofs and testaments of the province’s culture and history.”

“It allows one to experience the breath-taking beauty of its natural wonders – the glorious cascading waters of the Aliwagwag falls, the amazing pygmy forest and biodiversity sanctuary of Mount Hamiguitan Range, varied crystal waterfalls, pristine white sand beaches, verdant green islands, mysterious caves and tranquil rivers and lakes,” Malanyaon said.

The museum also displays the fossilized remains of  a 50-foot long sperm whale, believed to be the largest in the Philippines and the seventh largest in the world, that beached in Governor Generoso town in 2011.

“This display reminds us of our inherent duty to take care of the environment and natural resources – from the mountains to the seas...from ridges to reefs,” she said.