Sie sind auf Seite 1von 4

EXOTIC SIMUNUL, SO FAR, YET SO NEAR

(Jaw di Mata, Dekkat di Hati)


SIMUNUL PROFILE FROM TOURISM PERSPECTIVE
BY: ABDILLA H. SUMBING AL-HAJ

Yonder south of the Seven Thousand and One Hundred Seven Islands,
likened to a rare and radiant pearl, Simunul transcends the untrammelled dream
of wayfarers to journey close to the enchantment and tender touch of mother
nature: The charisma of the summer sun; the balmy zephyr from dusk to dawn;
the pristine white sandy beaches and crystal waters; the virgin and verdant forest;
the shell-laden coast with rich flora and fauna at the ocean bed;the refreshing
spring wells in the hinterland; sanctuary of sea gulls, friendly herons and other
migratory birds the like of Dandunays (native for shiny plumage bird) and other
aviary species like Tabon, common only in mainland Borneo; growing Sand Dunes
and the vast expanse of the open sea; the scenic and panoramic views of the
island fringes as they succumbed to the magnificence of the setting sun; and
notably the once citadel of Islamic civilization and other historical landmarks. All
these and many more distinctly compliment the fidelity of our oriental
countenance and culture making Simunul a paramount tropical paradise under
the sun.

Yes, Exotic Simunul is distant from the metropolis. A seven-hour ride by


speed craft from Zamboanga City or forty-five minutes air travel by Cebu Pacific
Airline. We may not have multi-coloured fountains and neon lights, yet by the
precise measure and scale of the heart pulsating vibrantly to the rhythmic beat
and irresistible urge to feel the essence of sacrosanct privacy, Simunul is indeed
near! Here the air is always bay-fresh. And as you recline to watch the glory and
splendour of a starry night, you will certainly feel the essential ambiance of the
countryside, and the memory then of your sojourn would forever kindle a fire of
excitement, passion of belongingness, and the inevitable desire to come back and
ultimately consider Simunul your second home by the sea.
Yes, Simunul is so far, yet so near. Here there is always time to go places.
You do not have to beat the red light to hop from one tourist spot to another. A
package of farm tour is relatively less expensive. From the premiere town of
Bongao, you can choose to take a speed craft that will take you to the Island of
Simunul in less than an hour without the rigor and pressure of time. The Island
municipality is said to be below the wind, and is typhoon free. The climate is
virtually excellent by oriental standards. The strategic geographical position of
this municipality vis a vis BIMP-EAGA placed Simunul as an economic gateway of
the country. Bordering Sabah Malaysia and Indonesia, it is certainly the FRONT
and not the BACKDOOR by the current twist of the East Asia economic
phenomenon.

Simunul is indeed endowed with rich cultural heritage. Our religious


affiliation is dominating most of the countries in Asia. Our brown Asia neighbours
would certainly feel at home with the savouring taste of our native cuisines and
delicacies. Our sophisticated costumes are blended with the fabrics and
intricacies of the Malay and Indo-China fashion. The infrastructure of our culture
is interwoven with the fibre of oriental pride and conservatism.

Our people are so much inclined to Islam that their ways of life are strictly
governed by religious prescription. This would account for the Sama to be so
peace loving. After all Simunul was citadel of Islamic civilization following the
introduction of Islam to the country in 1380 by Sheikh Karimul Makhdum the first
among the earlier Arabian Missionaries that came to propagate the Islamic faith
in this part of the World.

Latest statistics indicate that Simunul has a population of more than 30


thousand, distributed among fifteen barangays, broken down into the following
ethnic denomination and social groups: 95% Sama, 4% Tausugs and 1% other
ethnic group.
The Sama are famous seafarers as their love for the sea dawned back to the
early parts of our history, when they immigrated from the coastal part of the
Malay peninsula to escape the persecutions perpetuated by the royal rulers then
and then. Their adoration for the sea is reflected in the intimacy of the young
toddlers to dive and swim since most of the residential houses are built on stilts
along the shore. By and large, being a born swimmer is a distinctive mark of a
bona fide native.

In Simunul, you find the pasts conservatively preserved not in stone walls
like you see in the famous tombs of Tutankhamen of Egypt but in the live rituals in
some part of the Island, where amidst the melodious dissonance of crude an
antiquated native instruments, you witness the spiritual incantations of the pag-
Jinn where a group at trance would call upon spirits or Jinn to heal an ailing
patient. You certainly find the past in the same LEPA, a wooden hull with keel
likened to a shark jaw, believed to have been the same kind of boat used by our
seafaring ancestors as they crossed the vast expanse of SULU SEA to settle along
our frontiers. You will have a grasp of yesterdays showcased in the colourful
rituals of our weddings, folkdances, and the pageantry of our songs, the distinctly
oriental yet amazingly impressive in the language of the performing arts. The
Feats of our legendary heroes like BALLA BATU, and many others could humble
the Gods of Olympus in mystical powers and strength. Our unwritten Tarsillas
relate down memory lane of Dayang Mora Nafsa whose beauty compelled a
Sultan to launch a royal expedition to abduct her subduing the impeccable odds
of traditional restriction. The Arabian blood progeny in us have blended the
physical feature profile and countenance of our women to distinctly look very
adorable.
The subduing pages contain the following:

Detailed description of the 21 Wonders of Island Simunul and


pictures;

Some related features as may induce great enthusiasm to visit


Simunul;

What the Local Government Unit of Simunul and Sheikh Karimul


Makhdum Foundation can offer the First 100 Domestic and Foreign Tourists from
November 2017 to January 1, 2018;

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen