The town of Glan in Sarangani Province, the Philippines, is a paradise by the sea. It is blessed with soft white sands, crystal-clear waters and a range of tropical pleasures. The town serves as the seat of the provincial government and is regarded as a first-class municipality. Its economy is based largely on agriculture, with aquaculture as the second-highest source of revenue.
Tourism also offers a huge economic potential for Glan because of its mesmerising beauty. Glan is situated at Sarangani’s farthest end, creating the mystical illusion of a lost paradise.
Work at pleasure
When I went to Glan for a video documentary of the boxer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, who is the representative of the lone district of Sarangani in Congress, I was captivated by the beauty of the place. For a while, I forgot I was visiting the town for work — I was overwhelmed by the enchanting allure of the place.
Glan is an idyllic town whose sleepiness will remind you of scenes from romantic Filipino movies. Its relaxing atmosphere is complemented by the landscape and the friendly townsfolk.
The population of Glan is a mixture of people from various regions. Cebuano is widely spoken in the region, followed by Tagalog.
Tourists and locals alike flock to the town in summer for the Lubi-Lubi Festival. And one of the best things about Glan is that typhoons virtually snub the place, making it a seaside paradise all the year round .
The waters surrounding Glan, particularly in Gumasa, Baliton and Margus, are teeming with marine life. There are about 2,400 species of fish in the bay, including yellowfin tuna, skipjack and mackerel.
An early morning stroll in Glan will lead to a few pleasant surprises. One can catch a fleeting glimpse of the sunrise, when the colours of the spectrum are splashed across the sky, ushering in a new day as fishermen leave the shores in their boats to seek the treasures of the sea.
Divers’ paradise
Those who love the sight of fragile beds of multicoloured corals and rich, diverse marine life can go scuba-diving and snorkelling.
Glan also has mountain ranges bordering on the jurisdictions of Sarangani Province and Davao del Sur. The lush vegetation is home to endemic and migratory birds. Serpent eagles and Philippine hawks have also been sighted in Mt Gulo, Kaltuad.
Those looking for idyllic comfort and a truly refreshing holiday should certainly visit Glan.
