The town of Polomolok is located at the southern portion of South Cotabato and is about 300 meter above sea level at the base of the majestic Mt. Matutum.
The name Polomolok was derived from the B’laan term “FLOMLOK’ which means hunting grounds. In the early years, the place where the Poblacion is presently situated was known for its abundance of wild life. There were no roads and the lowlanders befriended the B’laan highlanders and utilized them as guides. Aside from a rich hunting ground, Polomolok had so many creeks with free flowing water coming from the hillsides. Those cool and clear flowing water encouraged foreigners to settle in this place. One of them was a Japanese trader Zenjiro Takahashi and his B’laan wife. He began clearing the area and planted agricultural crops. Not long after, some of the Christians came to settle and started to clear the area.
Polomolok is a 1st Class Agri-Industrial Municipality of South Cotabato, Philippines. Situated between General Santos City and Tupi, it has a population as of 2007 census of 131,436 people in 22,492 households. It is one of the Municipalities belongs to Metro Dadiangas. Polomolok is home to Dole Philippines, the biggest pineapple plantation in the world. Polomolok is also the fastest growing Municipality leading for applying it's Cityhood.
Barangay Landan is considered as one of the big barangays of Polomolok, South Cotabato. It has a land area of more or less ten thousand (10,000) hectares. It is 14.5 kilometers away from the Poblacion. It is a 40-minute ride from the heart of the municipality. It is bounded on the north by Malungon, Sarangani Province, on the south by the hilly portion of Mt. Matutum, on the west by Barangay Maligo and General Santos City on the east.
Deep in the highlands of Landan in Polomolok, South Cotabato lies a quaint monastery run by the Trappistine nuns. These nuns are under the Cistercian order which started in France around the year 1098. The Trappistine Monastery of the Our Lady of Mt. Matutum is a place of prayer, meditation and reflection. They open their doors to the public once a week during the offering of the Sunday mass.
Its refreshing to note that such a place exists in the middle of pineapple fields and rolling hills in faraway Landan. The steep drive up the monastery leads to their guest house (not one where you can book your vacations mind you). The guest house as it is aptly called houses the monasteries’ visitors who are on retreat or recollection. They find solace in prayer at the Trappistine Monastery since the place is so close to nature. The breathtaking view of the towering Mt. Matutum and the huge trees and foliage around it brings an atmosphere of peace and perfect commune with our Creator.
Since the Trappistine nuns live a life of solitude and prayer, they only ask their visitors to observe utmost silence within their grounds. Small children are not encouraged to be brought along especially inside the chapel during the offering of the Holy Mass. The nuns of the order follow a disciplined life of prayer and work. They support themselves by selling pastries, prayer books, posters and other religious artifacts. Their rum balls and mango tarts are personal favorites and they are a very good “pasalubongs”.
I personally love the simple but fine lined architecture of the monastery. Its red tiled roofings and modern feel of its edifice. It never fails to surprise our bakasyunistas whenever we have the chance to take them there. They are often astonished that such a place exists in remote but very accessible town of Landan. But oftentimes I have to remind them that it is a place of “worship” not a tourist spot so we have to be discreet in snapping photos and maintain the atmosphere of silence within its grounds.
To go to there, one can ride a motorcycle from Poblacion Polomolok or from Bgy. Cannery, Polomolok. A taxi from GenSan or a rented van would also work out fine since Landan is roughly about 13kms from Poblacion Polomolok. The Trappistine Monastery schedules its masses at 10AM every Sunday. For retreats or recollections or for orders of their yummy treats and souvenir items, you can reach them at this number: 63 920 4377367.
