SULU PROVINCE

Background

The Province of SULU, the haven of natural wonders, is a 2^nd Class Province and a home to a total population of 1,000,108 (source: PSA census 2020). Sulu has two (2) congressional districts, nineteen (19) municipalities and 410 barangays. Eleven (11) municipalities are in mainland Jolo while eight (8) are island-municipalities. These make Sulu beautifully archipelagic by nature.

Currently, the provincial government is ruled by a strong-willed political leader famously known as the “Father of Bangsa Sug”, Hon. ABDUSAKUR M. TAN, Provincial Governor, whose term of office is up to 2025. Supported by other provincial elective officials, Governor Tan is pushing the tourism industry as the primary direction for development in the province not only to create job opportunities for the locals but also to showcase the rich image of Sulu in terms of her natural attractions and cultural heritage.

The province’s seat of power and governance is located at Barangay Bangkal, Patikul. The Sulu Provincial Capitol Building, a Muslim-inspired architecture painted to white and misty gold, has become one of the major attractions in Sulu and a favorite frame to every visiting tourist for its grandeur and fascinating design. Sulu is a Muslim Province.

Sulu is one of the five (5) provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It is situated in the southern part of the Philippines and lies approximately between latitudes 5^o25’ and 6^o30’ North and between longitudes 119^o 35’ and 122^o 0’ East, bounded by the Sulu Sea on the North and Celebes Sea on the East. It has a total land area of 167,376 hectares or 1,673.76 square kilometers, which accounts for about 13 percent of the total land area of BARMM. Among the municipalities, Pangutaran has the biggest land area with around 25,810 hectares or 258.10 sq km, which is 15.4 percent of the total land area of Sulu. Jolo is the smallest at 16.60 sq km, or 1.0 percent of the total land area of the province.

The municipalities that composed the first district of Sulu are Jolo, Parang, Indanan, Pangutaran, Maimbung, Panglima Tahil, Patikul and Talipao while the second district is composed of the municipalities of Luuk, Siasi, Kalingalan Caluang, Panglima Estino, Tapul, Panamao, Lugus, Pata, Pandami, Baguingui and Omar.

History

The Province of Sulu traces its rich historical origin to the coming of Islam to the Philippines. Its history is shaped by the arrival of Muslim missionaries, traders, scholars, and travelers foremost of which was Karim-ul Makhdum, an Arab missionary and learned judge who established a strong Islamic foundation for governance and life in what once was the principality of Buansa Sumatra and the reign of Rajah Baguinda.

The marriage of Rajah Baginda’s daughter Paramisuli to the Arabian scholar Sayid Abubakar saw the birth of the Sultanate of Sulu. In the years that were the golden year era of the Sultanate of Sulu, Abubakar the first Sultan, brought Sulu, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Palawan, and Basilan under the Sultanate. Sabah followed in 1704 in recognition of the Sultan’s help in ending the long-running Brunei civil war.

The coming of Spanish colonization, Christianity, and a neo-political system sparked fierce resistance in Sulu and started the Moro wars of 1578-1899. The ceding of the Philippines to the United States by Spain ended the 23 years (1876-1899) of Spanish occupation and ushered in the American era. The Bates Agreements signed by Sultan Jamalul Kiram II and Brigadier General John Bates marked the start of the decline of the Sultanate. In March 1915, the Sultan gave his temporal powers in the Carpenter Agreement. This Agreement ended all opposition to the American government of Gov. Frank W. Carpenter.

With the enactment by the US Congress of the Jones Law (Philippine Autonomy Law) in 1916, ultimate Philippine independence was guaranteed and the Filipinization of public administration began. Sulu became a province on March 10, 1917 through Commonwealth Act No. 27-11. The province had an appointed American Governor until 1935 and the Governor General in Manila had a say in Sulu affairs. Sulu celebrates a special day—the foundation of Local Governance and Public Administration every September 18, per Provincial Ordinance No. 01 series of 1993.

The word Sulu was derived and written before as Suluk or Soolook. The Malayos (Malays, Malaysians) have always been using the term “Orang Suluk” to refer to the people of the area, which corresponds to the present term Tausug. Suluk was transformed into Sug. By derivation, therefore, Suluk and Suk (Sug) should assume the same meaning, and finally landed to the word Sulu.

Economy

Major source of economy in Sulu is the Agri-fishery sector. This is attributed to the relatively large area of agricultural land of the province mostly planted to coconut, coffee, abaca and cassava. The vastness of fishing ground of the province is certain and these are located in Duay Bullud (Bud) of Banguingui, Teomabal of Hadji Panglima Tahil, Sulari of Parang and Sirum of Pandami.

Aside from the four (4) major crops mentioned above, the province is also a producer of other agricultural crops, such as banana, vegetables and native mango. Sulu is also endowed with exotic fruits, such as durian, mangosteen, marang and lanzones.

Culture and Tradition

Sulu’s culture and tradition are seen in the customs that have been handed down through generations. Notably important in the province are the traditional instruments such as Kulintangan, Gandang, Gabbang and Agong which perfectly match the Tausug Dance popularly known as Pangalay.

Pangalay is a traditional Tausug dance characterized by body postures, graceful arm and hand movement of the dancer. It is usually performed by a female dancer wearing extended nail known as Janggay.

Traditional culinary arts are also distinct in this part of the region whose taste and textures are uniquely Tausug. These Tausug delicacies and pastries are commonly served during special occasions such as weddings and other religious events. Well-known Tausug delicacies are Tiyula’ Itum, Piyanggang, Kurma, Kiyaliya’ and other Tausug specialties. With the rampancy of café and restaurants opening in Sulu, one can easily try out these delicacies as regular meals available anytime of the business hour of the establishments.

Moreover, the Tausug pastries known as “Bang Bang Sug” are commonly served at any of the coffeeshops in town coupled with the native coffee known as “Kahawa Sug”.

Another equally significant cultural heritage that has been in existence in Sulu for centuries is the fabrication of crafts such as the handweaving of Siyabit (or Pis Siyabit), the hand embroidery of Habul Tiyahi-an and the weaving of pandan mat and nito. Finest products of these crafts are found in Parang and Maimbung for the Siyabit and Habul Tiyahi-an, Kalingalan Caluang and Pata for nito products and Siasi for the pandan mats. Sword making is also a living traditional craft which can be found in Talipao, Indanan, Maimbung and Patikul municipality.

Though bound by one province, the different municipalities of Sulu slightly vary in the art works, food, dances, and cultural practices. These existing issues are very common among the locals of Sulu yet they manage to deal with it harmoniously.

Spoken Languages and Local Dialects

In Sulu, the dominant dialect among the locals is Tausug or Bahasa Sinug. Sinug is widely spoken in the Sulu Archipelago, the Zamboanga Peninsula, southern Palawan and Malaysia. Other languages spoken in Sulu include Sama, Bisaya, Tagalog, English and Sabah Malay.

How To Get Here?

Jolo is the gateway to visit the wonderful province of Sulu. Serves as the capital town, Jolo is the center of trade and commerce where basic infrastructure facilities and services are commonly situated such as Airport, Seaport, Hotels and Inns, Banks and other money remittance centers and couriers.

Airport

Jolo has one domestic airport that caters aircrafts whose take off were usually from Zamboanga City. Jolo Airport is the main airport in the province with classification as a class 2 principal airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Jolo Airport is consisting a runway of 1,625 meters or 5,331 feet, and is located approximately one kilometer away from the Jolo town proper. With light traffic, one can reach the airport from the town center in 5 minutes. The airport is located at Barangay Bus Bus, Jolo.

Presently, Jolo airport is serving a SKY PASADA Airlines plying Zamboanga-Jolo and vice versa routes. For flight schedules inquiry and bookings, we suggest a visit to Sky Pasada Facebook account.

Luuk municipality has also an airport located at Barangay Tanduh Batu and presently caters the same airlines plying Zamboanga – Luuk and vice versa.

Seaport

Although there are several ports in Jolo and other island municipalities, the Jolo Seaport, locally known as “Jambatan” is the main port in the province located at Walled City, Jolo. The said port is one of the earliest centers for trade and commerce and one of the busiest ports in the region. It serves to Roro and passenger vessels to and from Zamboanga City as well as small boats to and from island municipalities in the province.

Jolo Seaport is adjacently located to the town center with just about 500-meter distance away or approximately 3 minutes ride from the town proper.

Regularly, there are three commercial shipping lines that ply Zamboanga-Jolo and vice versa during night time. These passenger vessels usually depart at around 8:00 o’clock in the evening then arrive the following day at around 5:00 o’clock in the morning.

Basically, the travel time via ferryboats usually takes 8 to 9 hours in average. These commercial vessels are from Montenegro Shipping Lines, Aleson Shipping Lines and Ibnirizam Shipping Lines.

Other choice for a sea transport is Weesam Express, a fastcraft that travels Zambo-Jolo and vice versa for 4-5 hours in average. This fastcraft leaves during noontime and arrives at the destination from 4-5pm of the same day.

It is advised that one hour before the departure time, passengers must have already boarded to avoid any inconvenience.

Transportation (Inland and Island Hopping)

Once in Jolo, a variety of means of transportation can be enjoyed upon by the visiting tourists. For an exciting Jolo town tour, one can ride a pedaled tricycle known as “Kuway-Kuway” or take a motor tricycle to tour you around this small town for a much better speed. For security purposes, it is advised that you take it along with your assigned tour guide.

For tour itineraries that need to go out of Jolo, there are also vehicles that can be rented for a day-tour or two subjects to prior arrangement with your contact tourism offices in the province. Car rates varies from the type of vehicle of your choice such as Van, SUV, Pick-up, FX or Tamaraw jeepney.

Should Island hopping experience is what you are looking for, private boats and bangkeros are readily available to take you around to the beautiful sceneries across islands and islets of Hadji Panglima Tahil, Luuk, Omar, Banguingui, Pata, Pandami and many more.

Prior coordination with tourism offices for this arrangement is needed for hassle-free island tour experience.

Where to Stay?

Accommodation facilities such as hotels and Inns are mostly found in Jolo. Most of the rooms of these hotels are fully air-conditioned which are comfortable to the visiting guests.

Known hotels and Inns in town are Sulu Peacekeepers, Big Bites Traveller’s Inn, Bay Natuh, ANR Hotel, Demazenod Center, Cooperative Inn, ND Review Center and Helen’s Lodge.

Hotels are also available in the island municipalities of Siasi and Pangutaran. Walk-in guests can personally check-in or may contact tourism offices for prior room reservation.

Banks and ATM Kiosks

In Jolo, there are 5 Jolo Branch Banking institutions that operate within the town proper. Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services are available with Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Metrobank and Philippine National Bank (PNB). Amanah Bank doesn’t have ATM kiosk in Jolo.

Except for Landbank ATM which is open until 10:00pm, other ATM services in Jolo are only up to 6:00 o’clock in the afternoon.

Telecommunications and Internet Connectivity

Sulu has two commercial telecommunications firms in the area, such as SMART and Globe Telecom (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G). When in Sulu, there are areas where internet connectivity is fairly good while there are spots where internet data is not available at all. However, most of the areas in Jolo have access to SMART and Globe connectivity. Other municipalities that have good internet access include Maimbung, Talipao, Indanan Poblacion, Panamao, Luuk, Omar, Hadji Panglima Tahil, Tapul, Siasi, Pandami, some areas in Patikul and Poblacion Parang.

A. Sandy Beaches

Sulu being an island province, the most prominent natural attractions the place can offer are her beaches. Due to scattered geological settings and other physical factors, diverse types of beaches exist in Sulu. Sandy beaches are common to all coastlines which make it high potential for tourism. When in Sulu, you can enjoy the most attractive beaches such as the following:

Tanduh Beach in Parang

The Pristine water of Silungan Beach Resort of Hadji Panglima Tahil

The long stretch of white sandbar of Quezon Beach in Patikul

The serene place of Sionogan Beach Resort in Indanan

The Sirum Beach of Pandami

Bermuda Beach of Pangutaran

Buhangin Mahaba Beach of Banguingui

Gusong Island of Kalingalan Caluang

Man's Beach of Luuk

B. The Wonders of Nature

Sulu is generally mountainous with volcanic origin. Some of the crater lakes in Sulu are believed to be caused by volcanic eruptions hundreds of years ago. The province is very rich in water reserved; thus several waterfalls can be found in its interior. Meanwhile rock formations are commonly found in some islets and island municipalities. Below are some of the natural landscapes turned tourist attractions in Sulu:

The Heart-Shaped Seit Lake of Panamao

Tandang Mairan Rock Formation (TMRF) of Omar

Tambuang Falls of Maimbung

Panglima Estino Lake of Panglima Estino

Rock Formation of Patian, Pata

C. Religious Monuments

Since the early times of 13th century, the people of Sulu have had already been embracing Islam as their religion – the kind of faith introduced by several Muslim Arab Missionaries including the Makhdumins. The presence of mosques is a common site in any places in Sulu. These two turned tourists’ favorite places to remind them of the province’s faith.