Famous Cultural Landmark in Surallah, South Cotabato

We went to Lake Sebu last Saturday to celebrate my brother's 16th birthday, and while on our way to witness the majestic falls, we were already planning to drop by Surallah to check out their most famous cultural landmark, the round ball. I do not really know how it was named the Round Ball since it seems so redundant to be called as such but to question it, honestly, won't give you much intelligent answer as we also have round balls in Koronadal City and General Gantos City. Actually a rotunda, but ever since has been called the Round Ball.

Unveiled last March 15, 2011, it’s towering, obelisk-like central piece of a 2-string lute points straight to heaven , silhouetted by the blue sky at more than 60 feet above the ground. Called he’galong by indigenous T’bolis, the slim lute seemingly grows from the core of a huge, endemic , bulb plant bohong, the elongated leaves of which spread out in radial fashion. (via)

I have heard about this new landmark that Surallah boasts of in the local news. Little did I know that the new structure could awe people not only because it was made by the famous Kublai Millan but because it boasts of Surallah's diversity, rich culture, and productivity, also depicting ethnic groups. Kublai Millan is also the famous creator of Davao City's People's Park.

Surallah is located in the Allah Valley; is an agro-industrial municipality that has once been branded as Cleanest Municipality. It has 17 barangays and Lake Sebu was also once a barangay member of this municipality until some changes in 1991.

There are many structures within the area where you can see gigantic structures of T'boli and B'laan, their musical instruments and their produce.

Another part of the rotunda is the waiting shed, where many bystanders can wait for buses or rest for a while after their transactions in the Municipal Hall which is just a few steps away from the structure. There is also a small park located just across the municipal hall where there are vendors and a cool grassfield to enjoy.

Surallah boasts of its clean municipality. I admire Surallah and its officials because they seem be conscious about the physical appearance of their municipality.

Surallah is also very much blessed with good tourism, there are areas where you can find small waterfalls, and some caves can also be found in the outskirts of the town.

Uswag Surallah! This is the tagline Surallah uses to inspire them for more progress, peace and order. I believe that Surallah, as it is a fast growing municipality is already prepared for its city hood. Although there are still a lot of things to consider when applying for one, it will not be long until Surallah joins the list of cities in the country.