A bird''s-eye view of the Sulu capital, a blending of two cultures, the old and the new, the Western and the Oriental. The dome and the Cross of the Catholic church in the town and the minarets of the mosques, each race towards the sky and enrich Jolo as the island of contrasts. When Manila and Cebu were just clusters of nipa houses, Jolo was already a thriving community trading with the Borneans, the Chinese, and the Indians. Mohammedanism was established in 1375 by Makdum, an Arab scholar. He was followed by Eajah Baginda and Abu Bakr. The latter became the Sultan of Sulu and under his rule the islands became well-known as a center of learning and commerce in south Asia. Surrounded by one of the richest fishing grounds in this part of the world, fishing is the most extensive industry of Sulu. However coconuts are also grown. Turtles and trepang (sea cucumber) are valuable exports. Because of its proximity to Borneo and the impossibility of guarding each miles of open sea between Sulu and points south, there is rampant smuggling going on through Sulu, and as a result foreign goods are sold cheaply there by the governance.