Koronadal

Koronadal City kolon datal Marbel
—  1st Class City  —
City of Koronadal
File:181647 200919919935029 100000510665241
Seal
Nickname(s): Marbel
Motto: "Kanami Koronadal, Kanami Guid"
Map of South Cotabato showing the location of Koronadal City.
Koronadal City Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 6°30′2″N 124°51′6″E
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	South Cotabato
District	2nd District of South Cotabato
Founded	August 18, 1947
Cityhood	2000
Barangays	27
Government
• Mayor	Peter B. Miguel, MD., FPSO-HNS (2010 Mayor-elect)
Area
• Total	277.00 km2 (106.95 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	149,622
• Density	540.2/km2 (1,399/sq mi)
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code	9506
Income class	3rd Class Component City
Website	Official website

Koronadal, also known as Marbel is a 1st class city in the Philippines. It is the capital of South Cotabato province and regional center of Region 12 SOCCSKSARGEN. According to the 2009 census, it had a population of 184,573.

Koronadal became a component city of South Cotabato in 2000, by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000. In 2003 and 2005 the city was recognized "Most Competitive City" in the small-city category, and also in 2005 and 2006, as the most business friendly city in Mindanao. Koronadal also hosted several national activities such as, the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 with GenSan and solo in 2008. Koronadal also hosted the Mindanao Business Forum, National Secondary Press Conference.

Koronadal is one of the cities in Mindanao which its native speakers are Ilonggos the other is Tacurong. 80% of the Population are Hiligaynon Speakers while 20% are Cebuanos, due to its proximity in GenSan and Davao City and Ilocanos. Koronadal, together with its big brother GenSan are not sectarian cities thus Christians and Muslims live harmoniously in the city. Today, Koronadal is small bustling city that moves to the progress of all people in South Cotabato

History

The settlement of Koronadal and its creation as a municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 82 dated August 18, 1947 was marked by a rapid initial development, so that when the province of South Cotabato was created under Republic Act No. 4849 on July 18, 1966, it easily became the capital town. In the past, the place was populated by B'laans and Maguindanaos. The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B'laan words- koron or kolon meaning cogon grass and nadal or datal meaning plain which aptly described the place to the natives. On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a B'laan term "Marb-El" which means "murky waters" referring to a river, now called Marbel River.

Koronadal used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'Boli to the southeast.

It was on August 18, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of South Cotabato, one of which was Koronadal. The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials.

The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000.00. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T'Boli, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan.

Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement.

Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato now known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000. At present, Koronadal is a fast developing growth center composed of twenty seven (27) barangays including the four (4) zones in the poblacion. Being the capital city of South Cotabato, it is the center of the province in terms of political, cultural and socio-economic activities,

Barangays

Koronadal City is politically subdivided into twenty-seven barangays.

Assumption (Bulol) Rural Avanceña (Bo. 3) Rural Cacub Rural Caloocan Rural Carpenter Hill Rural Concepcion (Bo. 6) Rural Esperanza Rural General Paulino Santos (Bo. 1) Urban Mabini Rural Magsaysay Rural Mambucal Rural Morales Urban Namnama Rural New Pangasinan (Bo. 4) Rural

Paraiso Rural Zone I (Pob.) Zone II (Pob.) Zone III (Pob.) Zone IV (Pob.) Rotonda Rural San Isidro Rural San Jose (Bo. 5) Rural San Roque Rural Santa Cruz Urban Santo Niño (Bo. 2) Urban Sarabia (Bo. 8) Rural Zulueta (Bo. 7) Rural

Shopping Malls

KCC Mall of Marbel

Koronadal Commercial Corporation KCC is the first Mall in the city.located in General Santos Drive beside Casa Gemma Hotel. KCC gives a wide variety of choices to all Koronadal Citizens, such as in food, retail and others.Although KCC is complete and probably the best mall in Marbel, Many Koronadalenios complain about KCC's small building and space, especially while Christmas Season, shoppers has no comfort while shopping.

KCC MALL OF MARBEL

Gaisano Grand Korondal

Gaisano Grand Korondal also known as GG Marbel is the Third Shopping mall in the city and the largest in terms of area. located in Km 2 beside NDMU-IBED. Gaisano Grand Korondal was owned by Gaisano Grand inc. . Gaisano Grand Koronadal had its soft opening last December 13, 2011. the building of the mall today was in fact owned by the now defunct Fit Mart Mall of Marbel.

Ace Centerpoint

Formerly known as Ace Commercial Plaza. Located in Osmenia St. beside Old City Hall. Ace is the second shopping plaza after the Datu Complex which is know KCC Mall. Ace Centerpoint offers cheap prices on their retail and grocery. Ace Centerpoint is famous to the locals because of their dancing staff inside the mall.

Marbel Fit Mart (Osmeña Street Branch)

Marbel Fitmart is own by FM group of companies. it is a small Fitmart.located in Osmenia St. behind Ace Centerpoint, the first Fit Mart in SOCCSKSARGEN.

Education in Koronadal

Education is Koronadal is widely distributed to all Korons, there are 2 universities in the city, the Marist Brothers established the first marist university in SOCCSKSARGEN, Notre Dame of Marbel University in 1992. the University of the Philippines Manila has a satellite campus in Koronadal named as the UP Manila - School of Health Sciences Koronadal Campus, while other colleges are also vibrant in the education business. the list below shows the tertiary level schools present in the city.

Koronadal is also home to numerous private colleges and schools such as the St. Alexius College owned by the Pingoys, Green Valley College Foundation,Notre Dame of Siena School of Marbel owned and managed by the Dominican Sisters, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial College, Holy Child College of Information Technology, Inc., Regency Polytechnic College, AMA Computer Learning College,King's College of Marbel which is the only protestant college in Koronadal, SITE Dizon, STI College Marbel, Goldenstate College Marbel, Marbel Institute of Technology College, Southern Philippines Technical Institute Inc.

Koronadal is home to one seminary, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seminary or locally known as OLPHS. Koronadal is home to many public schools run by the Division of South Cotabato. KCES 1 & 2 are the main public elementary schools in Koronadal and KNCHS is the main public highschool in Koronadal.

Medical facilities

Health Facilities in Koronadal are also widely distributed to all Korons, there are 3 tertiary hospitals in the city namely, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital located behind the Provincial Capitol, Allah Valley Medical Specialist Center located southern part of the city specifically in National Highway adjacent to the New City Hall of Koronadal, Marbel Doctors Clinic and Hospital (Locally known as "Pingoy") located in the northern part of the city in Brgy. Morales. there are two secondary hospitals in the city namely the Isaar Rama Memorial Hospital located in Arellano and the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Koronadal has its own Health Center but it was ravaged by terrible fire. each of the 4 zones has its own health centers. Pharmacies in the city is not a problem, they are very around in the city.

Hotels and Lodging Houses

• RC Pension House
• The Farm@Carpenter Hill
• Ramona Plaza Hotel
• Greenstate Suites
• Casa Gemma Hotel
• Agua Frio Resort Suites
• LAX Citi Galleria Inc. pension house
• Isidro Lodge -
• EMR Suites
• Blue Gate Lodge
• Danielle's Pension House

Restaurants and dining centers

• Mang Inasal (Ace Centerpoint)
• Food Harbor
• Calda Pizza
• Anbee's Burger
• Paparonni's BBQ
• Terraza Español BBQ and Lechon
• Nadies BBQ
• Celema's Place
• McDonald's Koronadal(proposed)(plan)
• Nenita's Hotdog
• Arpochi Seafoods
• Jollibee (KCC Mall and General Santos Drive)
• Shakey's
• Chowking
• Farmers Bread
• Mang Inasal (Fitmart mall)
• Mandarin Tea Garden
• KFC (Ace Centerpoint)
• Sugbahan sa Hardin
• Mang Gorio Restaurant
• Mac Gregor Coffee Shop
• McGrille in Galaxy
• Pandeciosa Bread
• Perlyn's Bread
• The Farm @ Carpenter Hill
• Tia Nina- Gensan Drive
• Tia Maria - South Cotabato Gym and Cultural Center
• Anbee's burger
• Trisha's Burger
• Tiana's Restaurant
• U3 Alamig Cafe
• Paparonni's
• B-Walk - the B-walk (Barbeque Walk) is a street that houses almost 25 BBQ stands every night. it show the Pure Filipino culture on how to eat street foods.
• Sa Balai Bistro
• Ted's Lapaz Batchoy
• Popoy's Batchoy
• Lambat sa Ciudad
• Dunkin Donuts
• Lantaw Marbel Grill & Resto (overlooking Metro Marbel)
• Viewfront Grills & Resto (overlooking Metro Marbel)
• Figeroa Highlands Resto & Grill (overlooking Metro Marbel)
• Samahang Nayon Eatery
• Alex Pata
• BJ's Lechon Manok (Alunan Ave and GenSan Drive)
• Disyang Lechon Manok
• EMR Center
• Barney's Baby Bop Place
• MAMMA MARIA'S PIZZERIA (So. Cot Gym and Cultural Center)
• Bigmac 22 ( Alunan Avenue)

Resorts, historical landmarks, natural and manmade tourist spots

• The Farm @ Carpenter Hill
• Paraiso Verde And Water Park (Mindanao Biggest Water park) (opening mid of May 2011)
• Agua Frio Resort & Hotel
• Del Rio Splash Resort
• Bedrock Gardens Resort & Convention Hall
• El Gawel Zoo & Resort
• Rem Ching Resort
• Sarabia Falls
• Mambucal Hot Spring
• Supon Falls
• South Cotabato Community Museum & Tantoco Memorial Showcase
• Filipino - Japanese Memorial Shrine
• Rizal Park
• Jose Rizal Monument (located in Rizal Park)
• South Cotabato Sports Complex
• South Cotabato Gymnasium & Cultural Center
• South Cotabato Productivity Center (ProTech Center)
• Notre Dame of Marbel University Library & Museum (largest Library in Mindanao)
• St. Anthony Parish (Christ the King Cathedral)

Banking institutions

• Banco De Oro-Koronadal
• Bank of the Philippine Islands
• MetroBank
• Allied Bank
• Development Bank of the Philippines
• Land Bank of the Philippines-Regional Bank
• Land Bank of the Philippines-Koronadal
• Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
• Greenbank
• Peninsula Bank Inc.
• One Network Bank
• Merchant's Bank
• Samahang Nayon Bank
• Kor Bank (Rural Bank of Koronadal)
• Philippine Veterans Bank beside YAP MAbuhay
• Philippine National Bank- Morrow Street
• Philippine National Bank - Casa Gemma Bldg. GenSan Drive
• PB Com Bank-Gensan Drive
• Security Bank. (Gen. Santos Drive)
• Enterprise Bank
• China Bank (opening soon) (www.chinabank.com/ph)
• Banco De Oro (Gen santos Drive ) (planned)
• One Network Bank (Gensantos Drive) (planned)

Culture

Discovering City of Koronadal (and/or Marbel to many) is a very simple thing. Here, vivid tapestry of history are still alive, dating from the accupation of Islamic traders and indigenous peoples up to the settlement of Ilonggo, Ilocano and Tagalog people. Yet modern as it is today, old legends still continue to influence and inspire the existence of this young city. it is the diversity of this culture in the city that spawns a colorful extravaganza of cultural dances.

B'laan Culture

The B'laan tribe is one of the indigenous peoples of the Southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Another tribe called the Maguindanao also inhabits the same area. The two tribes consider themselves to be brothers and sisters. Long ago, an Arab male (ancestral brother) married a B'laan female (ancestral sister) and through this marriage union, Islam infiltrated Southern Mindanao so when the Spaniards arrived, their attempts to establish Catholicism were unsuccessful in the south. Eventually the B'laan and the Maguindanao became trade partners with the B'laan settling in the mountains and the Maguindanao settling along the coastal areas. From that time until now, B'laan have been producing rice, vegetables, livestock, and rainforest products. The original religion of the B'laan is Animist. Presently, only 5% of the 8,000 B'laan tribal people are considered to be evangelical.

Christian Culture

The Christian Filipinos make up the great majority (over 70%) of the Southern Philippine population. They are relative newcomers to the area; the first wave of Christian migrants came in the seventeenth century when the Spaniards sought to populate Zamboanga, Jolo, Dapitan and other areas by encouraging people from Luzon and the Visayas to settle there. In the nineteenth century Spanish policy found considerable success in encouraging migrations to Iligan and Cotabato. The Americans continued this pattern during their colonial administration. In 1913 the American colonial government provided resources for the establishment of agricultural colonies in Mindanao. By the time the Philippine Commonwealth was established, Mindanao had become a veritable frontier. Wave upon wave of migrants poured into the region, chief among them the Cebuanos, Hiligaynons, Ilokanos, Tagalogs, Warays (Leyte-Samar), Pampangos, Aklanons, and Bicolanos. These people did much to clear the virgin areas of Mindanao and open them to extensive agriculture and industry. In time, the economy of the region began to produce part of its promise.

Muslim Culture

The cultural diversity of the region is the result of a large influx of migrants from the north over a long period of the region's history. Found here are three main cultural groups: the early Filipinos who belong to various indigenous tribes living in the highlands and remote areas of Mindanao, the Muslim Filipinos who were early converts to Islam and who regard the region as their traditional homeland, and the Christian Filipinos who founded settlements and communities in the course of their migrations from other parts of the country.

Mr. Dwight De Leon who is a native of Koronadal and currently based in Manila, is the recognized chronicler of Koronadal's Cultural Events. He also promotes the city as a cultural and Eco-tourism destination. He contributes by giving artistic and cultural inputs to Koronadal's Cultural and Historical Society, whose main function is to preserve and promote the city's cherished artistic and cultural tradition since the time the pioneers established their settlements on the vast plain of the city which the locals affectionately call the Valley of Allah. Mr. De Leon took it upon himself to be Koronadal's repository of facts as regards to culture and tradition of this marvelous city in the south.

Festivals

• Hinugyaw Koronadal (January 10) - is the festival that marks the foundation anniversary of Koronadal as a municipality. it shows the festive spirit of the people of Koronadal with street dancing and night beer parties in the streets of Koronadal

• Cityhood Charter Anniversary (October 8) - is the city charter festival of Koronadal, the name of the festival cam from the other name of Koronadal which is marbel and with the street dancing in the streets mardgiras.

Sister City

Koronadal has sister pact with only one city.

• Valenzuela City, Philippines

External links

• Koronadal Software Solution
• KoronadalSite "Taga Koronadal Ako Ya"
• Official Website
• City Travel Guide
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• RMN Koronadal 639 khz