Capilay Spring Park

CAPILAY SPRING PARK

Capilay’s Spring Park in the town of San Juan is a neat place to hang out or have a swim. This place is very clean (literally neat) and well-maintained. It has some nice looking cottages which are great for snack time and plenty of long stools where you can simply relax, play chess, paint, read, have an LQ with your best friend’s GF, etc.

This place is abundant with trees and plants so you’ll surely enjoy its fresh air and feel less heat. There’s an open space where kids can play classic pinoy games like luksong tinik, Chinese garter, luksong baka and other recreational activities.

A magical island known for its mystic beauty is situated in the Central part of the Philippines. Siquijor, a small island of Central Visayas yet it is bountifully blessed with undiscovered wonders. Ivory coasts surround this majestic isle with crystal blue sea waters that goes with it. Splendid waterfalls, cool springs, and caves are waiting invitingly for tourists to explore its breathtaking scenery.

Read More

Cabadbaran Ancestral Houses

CABADBARAN ANCESTRAL HOUSES

An old Spanish architecture houses. The most prominent among them is the Atega Ancestral Home, the biggest and most beautifully preserved house, located at Caraga.

Built in 1904, the Atega House was the home of the Atega family that originated from the Spanish Friar Father Pedro Garcia. It was built by a revolutionary leader named Don Andres Atega. Since the family does not divide properties, the house grew from one wing to many more. Today, it has grown to 36 rooms and a garden.

The house's garden was once a swampy area were deer were found. Lucky for the Ategas however, a flood covered the swampy area and eventually became suitable for a garden.

The interior is a mixture of Filipino, Chinese and European style. The doors of the rooms are well blended with the walls so an outsider will not notice it immediately (perfect during the war). Once the doors are opened, you will be amazed at how big the rooms really are. Although this house doesn't look that big on the outside, it is definitely huge once you get inside.

Although a lot of "old" and "antique" stuff are found here, modern furniture and decorations are also present because there are Ategas still living in this house. It is also used to accommodate friends and family members who visit Cabadbaran City every now and then.

Read More

Pig - ot Hide Away Resort

 PIG-OT HIDE AWAY RESORT

A cluster of islets that look like broken emeralds slapped on the aquamarine surface of the water. The islets are connected with a wooden bridge. As one strolls, he/she will witness the different aquatic species gliding and hiding behind coral reefs. This hideaway is indeed heavenly specially for the adventurous, leisure seekers, and nature lovers. 

Read More

Magpupungko Rock Formation.

MAGPUPUNGKO ROCK FORMATION

This attraction in Pilar is a group of limestone and granite sculptures that face the Pacific Ocean. Other than the rock formation, there is also a beach with an ample stretch of white sand. There is also a natural pool that is really clear. 

This was named as Magpupungko because of a rock formation wherein a huge rock is seated perfectly into a smaller rock. This is surrounded by limestone and granite sculptures and is facing the Pacific Ocean.

When we did our research for Siargao, one place that was overly-raped and mentioned on articles was the Magpupungko Beach and Natural Pool. Looking at pictures alone, we were right away sold to the idea that we must drop by Magpupungko.

Read More

Dinagat Islands

DINAGAT ISLANDS

Dinagat Islands is an island province that was formerly part of Surigao del Norte Province. It is a newly-created province. Last March 2011, the island completed its requirements as a separate province. It is dubbed as a “Mystical Island Province of Love”. People usually call the islands as the place of unexplored and unspoiled natural wonders.

One of the best attractions in the province is the “Bonsai Forest” which can be found at Mt. Redondo in the town of Loreto. It is a distinctive forest where uncommon bonsai plants grow abundantly. It is renowned as the province's major tourism icon.

The island province is also a host to the Bat Sanctuary located at the town of Tubajon, the Kisses Islets of Libjo, and the Rock Formations of Basilisa which are among the amazing the wonders of the islands.

Visit the newly created province, Dinagat Islands, and explore the hidden wonders and attractions of the province that will surely amaze tourists.

Read More

Laksoy

LAKSOY

Laksoy is a nipa palm wine that is distilled in a crudely-made tanks. To get an authentic taste of this local wine, head over to Barangay Babag.

Laksoy is a liquor commonly found/made in Butuan and other Caraga areas. I happen to pass by a local store selling Butuanon pasalubongs ("presents") at Gaisano mall and saw these prettily packaged bottles of Laksoy. It was a good thing because I planned on making a post about this Butuanon drink and didn't realized there are flavored varieties available in the market. 

Laksoy is also known as Nipa wine, or palm liquor. These flavored ones are priced at 150 to 200 pesos. The middle one being the most expensive in the store. I wonder what these taste like. I've tried the pure laksoy and I liked it. Delish. But I better stop because I'll expand on this post tomorrow.

Read More

Tinuy-an Falls

TINUY -AN FALLS

The majestic Tinuy-an Falls of Barangay Borboanan, Bislig City is locally dubbed as the 'Niagara Falls of the Phillippines'. This three-tiered waterfall is considered the widest in the country, being 95 meters wide and towering 55 meters. It's probably one of the grandest falls in the country that's why its also considered as one of CARAGA's most popular tourist destination.

Seeing this huge waterfall made us feel insignificant and powerless against Mother Nature. Humans cannot control her, cannot go against her will. Whatever delusion we perceive or action we take to attempt to contain her can easily be crushed if she wants to. She can reclaim what is hers without a moment’s notice or through the passage of time.

Read More

Japanese Fort

JAPANESE FORT

 Now accommodates the Municipality’s Phil. Nat’l Police Headquarter. The barracks is self-sustaining with potable crystal-clear spring water where local residents flock for their drinking water, have their bath and wash their clothes.

In the Second World War, when the Japanese invaded the Philippines, the Japanese military built a big camp in Malabang, including a network of tunnels around it. It was considered a major camp of the Japanese forces. In 1942, the Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos was brought to this camp, after he was captured in Cebu while fleeing from Japanese forces. Chief Justice Abad Santos was executed in the camp and was buried in Barangay Curahab. The place was later named Barangay Jose Abad Santos.

Read More

Tombs of Sultan Kudarat and Datu Mastura

TOMBS OF SULTAN KUDARAT AND DATU MASTURA

The tomb of Sultan Kudarat, one of the most highly hailed Maguindanao heroes and from whom the name of the municipality derived, and is located in the heart of the municipality. His eminence manifested the strong will up the early Maguindanaon for self-determination devoid of any foreign influences and also the tomb of Datu Mastura, another Maguindanao figure who contributed much of the evolvement of the present Maguindanao.

Sultan Kudarat (formerly Nuling) is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of about 82,758 people in 27,550 households.

Read More

Lagbasan Cave

LAGBASAN CAVE

Lagbasan Cave is one of the famous caves in the municipality of Sen. Ninoy Aquino. It is frequented by local and international cave enthusiasts due to its majestic stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and unique rock formations. Ancient burial jars made from limestone had been discovered in Lagbasan Cave.

Lagbasan cave is the most beautiful cave in the world. Lagbasan cave fund in Barangay Kuden,Kulaman Senator Ninoy Aquino Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao, Philippines.

Barangay Kuden have many cave the must popular is the Lagbasan cave,Lagbasan have a very large place inside the cave, white stones and a nice form of stalagmite and stalactite,you will amaze of this Lagbasan cave. I could say that the people their is the nature lover, they taken care of the nature and the all the cave's that they have. I have been their last April 18-22, 2014. I was amaze in this cave. God is so grate He made this cave a very nice and beautiful..I want to see again the Lagbasan Cave and i want to share to others how beautiful it is. we are so bless to have a nice cave. let us help the people to take care of all the caves all around the world. if you want to experience the lagbasan cave just look for Barangay captain Ador L. Marzo, and i sure you will enjoy and you can share to your friends. that are you waiting for Lagbasan Cave is waiting for you to fund the beauty of this nature,. 

Read More

Houses on Stilts

HOUSES ON STILTS

Renting a boat to go island hopping, cluster of houses on stilts by the seashore is a typical sight. The predominantly Samal tribe/ethnic group of Tawi-tawi lives in these houses on stilts an affirmation of their culture that is closely linked to the sea.

Children playing by their houses bridge platforms and diving into the water is a common scene. A boat by the houses step ladder down to the sea is ready-to-go anytime just like the typical car in the garage.

Of course, Tawi-Tawi won't look the same without the houses on stilts built by the Tausugs and the Badjaos. Tawi-Tawi is also known to be an area for migrants from Malaysia and Indonesia, though I heard most of them are not happy that they are here. Nevertheless, they put up residence on bamboo stilts on the shallow white sand beaches along the coast.

Some of the areas we passed by were entire communities that looked like a village on stilts. Some houses were abandoned though. Some even had the flags of their tribes on poles. 

Read More

Plaza Heneral Santos

PLAZA HENERAL SANTOS

The General Paulino Santos Shrine can be found inside the Plaza Heneral Santos. The City got its name from this brave and talented General born on June 22, 1890 in Camiling, Tarlac and died on August 29, 1945 in Kiangan, Mt. Province. General Santos (the person) is the son of Remigio Santos and Rosa Torres. He graduated as a Valedictorian in the Military Academy of the Philippines in 1914. As a Governor, he improved the education, agriculture and communication in Lanao. He became a Jail Director and developed the Davao Penal Colony and responsively moved the New Bilibid Prison to Muntinlupa. He became the First Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and made six conferences in South Cotabato. For all of his achievements in the Mindanao Area, Buayan (formerly Dadiangas) changed its name to General Santos and later on it became a City. The remains of General Paulino Santos and his wife Elisa Santos, who died in October 25, 1975, were placed inside the monument.

Its your typical city landmark. Each major city in the Philippines has this what we call " Plaza", the towns main public area or is an open urban public space, such as a city square. Here you can see the monument of General Santos which has given birth to the city's Name General Santos City. 

If you are planning to see and visit this place, a good 5-10 minute stop is good enough to get a glimpse of Plaza Heneral Santos.

The park is my type of place during my heyday high school days. At night, there are many people mostly students seating by all over. Chain of restaurants is just around the corner, or there are lots of street foods stall if you are on the budget. The music is like chants of religious songs and I would have imagined what a beautiful place this would be in Yuletide season. If you were native in GenSan, definitely this is the place of your teenager memories.

The plaza is clean and tidy , you cannot smoke there , basic but pleasing to the eyes , better at night as in the day there is few shade options due to lack of trees , i would say worth taking a look , oh and there is a statue of the general which should be bigger in my opinion.

Read More

Pearl Farm at Marungas Island

PEARL FARM 

One of the Marungas Island’s prides is its pearl farm that is home to some of the country’s precious cultured pearls. This sanctuary can be reached by a 30-minute boat from the island of Jolo.

Sulu is an island province of the Philippines belonging in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is located in the southernmost part of the country and consists of over 157 scattered and almost isolated islands, some of them still unnamed, stretching from the tip of Zamboanga southward towards Borneo. These islands and islets are divided into four groups: Jolo group, Pangutaran group, Tongkil-Banguingui (Samales) group and Siasi-Tupal group.

The island, located in Sulu Sea, is dotted with coral reefs and can provide probably some of the world's best dive spots for those seeking the ultimate in underwater beauty and adventure.

Read More

The Grand Mosque in Cotabato City

GRAND MOSQUE

I only learned of this place from fellow travelers blogsites and I got curious. According to the people around it, the Grand Mosques was a gift from Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam. No wonder It resembled the great mosques I saw in Brunei.

To get to this place, find your way to the highway fronting the Husky Terminal. Hire a habal-habal (motorbike). For two people, cost would be around 80 pesos (2$) while in my case I paid 150 pesos (3.5$) for a round trip. The trip would be along a 5km well-paved road. If your driver is conversant, you can ask many questions and even ask him to be your photographer.

Upon reaching the Grand Mosque, take time to not only have photos by the front but actually go around the periphery. Do wear decent long pants when in here. Be courageous enough to talk to the people in the mosque. I was lucky to have a conversation with the caretaker who took me around the mosque and told me stories about it. He says the best time to visit here and a photo is around 4 in the afternoon.

A good place to visit when in Cotabato City, well maintained and you can feel how the people love their city. the sad part is that it is far from the hi-way thats why you need to have a vehicle or hire motorcycle to be able to go there.

Read More

Lami-Lamihan Festival

LAMI- LAMIHAN FESTIVAL

Highlights the preservation of Yakan cultural heritage, historical customs, traditions, and showcases the unique and colorful Yakan clothes and presentations.

The legendary figure Pedro Javier Cuevas known as Datu kalun to the Yakans, escapee from the San Ramon Penal Farm who through bravery and leadership subjugated Yakan chieftains and consolidated their forces into one, way back in 1878 and continued his reign up to 1899, founded Lamitan in 1886.

Lami-Lamihan was born out of his reign. The meeting of Yakan chieftains – a blend of conference and merry – making was termed Paglami-Lamihan. Incidentally, Lamitan is derived from this term.

Witness the famous Yakan war dance (Tumahik) performed by the natives, an event reminiscent of a glorious past when differences were oftentimes settled by personal combat; observe the graceful movements of the local beauties dancing to the pulsating beat through the accompaniment of the primitive agaong, kulintangan, gabbang and kuliang; enjoy the sight of an annual ethnic games; hear the unique blend of beatings of different musical instruments played by the natives; watch the graceful Yakan dance ensemble; witness the authentic Yakan wedding and see other interesting visual scenes.

The consistent observance of the foundation of Lamitan jibes with the national policy on upholding the rich cultural heritage of our people has already earned the recognition of the Department of Tourism and has been included in the list of Philippines Festivals and Events Calendar.

Read More

Gumasa Beach Shores

GUMASA BEACH SHORES

I visited here in January 2014 with the wife and her family members and kids , it was a sunny day and our group enjoyed the day , the kids loved the beach . we had a air condition cottage to use for our stay , it did the job but I would not want to stay here overnight as there was no wifi and no telly , but if you are fine with that and just want the peace and quiet then this is for you , we brought our own food for our stay from 9 am till 6 pm .there was a charcoal grill at the back . The beach at our end had rocks and coral so it was not easy to wade around but further down at the non air cond cottages the beach was more sandy , its a lovely spot to spend a family day bonding , anymore then a day would be too much I say , 1 night stay be fine and for couples wanting to just enjoy each others company and late night walks along the beach in the moon light , this is also for you , note the restaurant closes at 10 pm so you on your own after that.

Gumasa is located in the western part of Sarangani Province. Gumasa Beach is found in Glan, Sarangani less than an hour drive from the province capital, ALABEL. This side of the province is gifted with powder like white sand that embeds the crystal clear blue waters. Recently the government is helping private resort owners to enhance their facilities to attract tourists. The beaches around SARANGANI Province are ideal for Scuba Diving and other water sports activities.Tuka Marine Sanctuary in Maasim is great for snorkeling and diving. On a sunny day, one can marvel from corals and coral fishes just around the water surface and as you go deeper you’ll be amazed by the clarity of many unfamiliar sea creatures. Tuka Marine Sanctuary has four coves of pinkish sand and naturally shaped rocks that add to the beauty of the seascape during low tide.

Read More

Sleeping Dinosaur

SLEEPING DINOSAUR

One of the key attactions in Davao Oriental is the the so-called "sleeping dinosaur" of Mati City. It is Located at along Badas Point in Barangay Dawan, Mati Davao Oriental. One can see this overlooking view of a land formation that somehow resembles a submerged dinosaur sleeping on its belly. 

This beautiful scenery is worth stopping by and shouldn't be missed when traveling to Mati, Davao Oriental.

Before heading straight to Mati’s heart of the town, you may drop by at the famous Sleeping Dinosaur and take souvenir photos of it as your background.

How to get there:

Ride a bus bound for Mati, Davao Oriental from Davao City’s Ecoland Terminal since it will pass by Badas Point in Baranggay Dawan. Inform the bus attendant or conductor to drop you off at the sleeping dinosaur. Bus far is about 250 pesos and travel times takes about 3.5-4 hours.

Most people see the Sleeping Dinosar Island on their way to Mati City. However, unless you’ve specifically mentioned it, most buses don’t do stopovers here. Take a look of the island on your way through the curving roads to Mati City. If you’re not satisfied with just a quick stopover, the island is also accessible through motorboat, which is only around thirty minutes’ travel time.

If you feel inclined to spend more of your time in the island, you can hike through the forests and reach the summit. And you can explore the rest of the island with a motorboat. Or just swim in the water and camp at the beach.

The island is regarded as one of the tourist attractions of Mati, and rightly so. If you want to enjoy the beach in Mati, you might consider going to the island and explore the sleeping dinosaur.

Read More

Lake Venado

LAKE VENADO

There is a lake at the foot of the said mountain which they called the Lake Venado. The name came from a Spanish word  which means deer. Locals call it   (clear) because of its crystal-clear water that reflects the mountain. Many people would say that the lake is enchanted, that an  (fairy) or some kind of entity was living there.

This simple small lake not only gives a breath-taking picture scene to mountain climbers but was also believed to take lives of these innocent hikers. Well, it is true that almost every year people die there for some reason. The lake is the favorite camping site by people who come there. Some of them dare to take a deep on it.

The vicinity of the lake is a popular camping site for Filipino mountaineers en route to and coming down from the peak of Mount Apo, the Philippines' highest mountain. In 2007, a Filipino mountaineer coming down from the peak of Mount Apo, drowned in the lake.

Read More

Mount Apo

MOUNT APO

Looming over all Davao, Mount Apo (2954m) is the highest mountain in the country: the name Apo means “grandfather of all mountains”. Apo is actually a volcano, but is certified inactive and has no recorded eruptions. What it does have is enough flora and fauna to make your head spin – thundering waterfalls, rapids, lakes, geysers, sulphur pillars, primeval trees, endangered plant and animal species and a steaming blue lake. Then there are exotic ferns, carnivorous pitcher plants and the queen of Philippine orchids, the waling-waling. The local tribes, the Bagobos, believe the gods Apo and Mandaragan inhabit Apo’s upper slopes; they revere it as a sacred mountain, calling it Sandawa or “Mountain of Sulphur”.

Climbing Mount Apo is not as hard as it sounds. The summit can be approached via two main routes: the Kidapawan Trail on the Cotabato side features hot springs, river crossings and a steep forested trail that leads to the peak via swampy Lake Venado, while the Kapatagan Trail on the Davao side is tougher but cuts through more stereotypically volcanic terrain, culminating in a boulder-strewn slope up to the crater.

In both cases you’ll need to buy a permit and to hire a guide from one of the local tourist offices in charge of each route. They’ll also do a required equipment check and arrange an orientation laying out all the usual rules (no rubbish, no swimming, stick to the trail, no picking anything etc). These offices will recommend a three- to four-day expedition, but experienced climbers could tackle the hike in two days with early starts. Climbing is generally permitted November through May only (dry season), but even so, you’ll need rainproof clothes and a small tent as rain is possible anytime and it gets cold at night. It’s a tough trek, but well worth it: the trail is lined with flowers and the views are mesmerizing, with the whole of Mindanao spread out before you.

Rising 2956m above sea level, Mt. Apo stands tall as the highest mountain in the Philippines. Also considered the grandfather of Philippine mountains, and a sacred place in local mythology, Mt. Apo is an important climb, especially for local mountaineers, who seek to experience its trails and the rich culture of the people living at the foot of the mountain before exploring those of other lands.

 

With its panoramic views and diverse scenery, Mt. Apo offers an adventure of a lifetime. The area features an array of landscapes, virgin forests, crags, rivers, lakes, mossy swamps, volcanic structures, and crater of sulphuric deposits, not to mention abundant flora, fauna, and rocks. Being one of the many dormant volcanoes of the Philippines, Mt. Apo is the habitat of some of the rarest kinds of animals in the country. If you are lucky, you may even get a close encounter with the Philippine Eagle.

 

Climbing the country’s summit is not to be considered a joke. The trail to the mountaintop is not advisable for beginners. It takes about three to four days for a hiker to reach the summit and get back to the plains. Yet, the sunrise at the highest point of the Philippines is truly a marvelous sight to behold.

Read More

Kadayawan Festival

KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL

It is a celebration of Good Harvest! This globally famous festival is a weeklong celebration and thanksgiving for nature’s bountiful harvest. Kadayawan Festival is being celebrated every 3rd Week of August. A celebration of the plentiful harvests of fruits and orchids during the season. Kadayawan is derived from the prehistoric word “madayaw,” a warm and friendly greeting also used to explain a thing that is valuable, superior, beautiful, good, or profitable, “Kadayawan” in Mandaya means anything that brings fortune, a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living. Ethnic tribes around Mt. Apo usually gathered during the harvest-time when they had a bountiful harvest to give thanks to their gods particularly the all-powerful Bathala (supreme God). According to legend, the occasion is noticeable by happiness, singing, and dancing, as well as offerings to their divine protectors. 

The festival is celebrated in the month of August with floats of fresh flowers and fruits, and indak-indak sa kadalanan or street dancing in colorful costumes. A variety of tribes parade the streets with their tribal costumes and jewelry. The city of Davao comes alive every year in August when it holds it yearly harvest festival. The streets are adorned with local fruit & vegetables while people hold street dances with abandon for four days. The harbour is the venue for native & power boat races.

Everybody fights for seats to watch the Horse Fighting wherein stallions fight each other over the rights to mate with a mare. The crowd is sometimes tracked by the horses if they get too close. The last day the street is full of costumed dancers dancing to the local beat & decorated floats with glamorous Mindanao girls as eye candy. It's a time of fun & abandon. The festivity is not complete without the Bya'Neng ng Kadayawan or the Miss Kadayawan beauty contest. There is also the horsefight, a tribal animal show similar to the bullfight in Spain.

Today, Kadayawan has transformed into a festival of festivals, with a number of spin-off festivals in the region. The festival honors Davao’s artistic, cultural and historical heritage, its past personified by the ancestral Lumad people, its people as they celebrate on the streets, and its floral industry as its representatives parade in full regalia in thanksgiving for the blessings granted on the city. A celebration that interfaces the three aspects: tribal; industrial and; arts and entertainment. The festivities are highlighted with floral floats, street-dancing competitions and exhibits that showcases the island's tourism products and services.

Read More

Rafflesia Mira

RAFFLESIA MIA

One of its most famous natural sights is the Rafflesia mira, a parasitic plant that is the world’s largest flower, also notorious for its rotting odor. The Rafflesia mira is endemic to Southeast Asia, and more than 10 species have been recorded throughout the province, including in the foothills of Mt. Candalaga.

The province, Compostela Valley, is proud of its people and cultural heritage - a varied mixture of ethnicity and dominance. To be in Compostela Valley is to experience a blend of sight and sound that defines a place and a people pulsing with life yet reserved in spirit.

The provincial government believes in marketing tourism responsibly. ComValeños want to explore and revel on nature’s finest without destroying the environment.

Choices within the province are almost limitless. ComValeños believe that they have something that caters to everyone’s enthusiasm, all waiting for the adventurous spirit in you. They see their province as an eco-adventure tourism destination, and once experienced, so will you.

Read More

El Salvador

EL SALVADOR

El Salvador is a city in the province of Misamis Oriental on the Mindanao island, southern part of the Philippines. According to the 2010 Philippine census, it has a population of 44,848 people.[3] The city serves as a pilgrimage site for the Divine Mercy devotees, that is why it is also called "The City of Mercy" or "City of The Saviour".

The Divine Mercy Statue is located at the top of the Divine Mercy Hills in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental (-+ 15 minutes drive from CDO) Words is not enough to describe, what you see and how you feel, as you see the beauty of the surrounding area leading to the Divine Mercy Shrine. On either side of the pathway, the gardens has beautiful red, yellow, green and white flowers, all arranged in a lovely pattern. There is also healing waters from the water spring near the pathway on the right hand side. I used my time to pray and appreciate all the blessings that God gives. It is peaceful there. We attended mass afterwards, what stood out to me was the thorned roof of the church, the interior and exterior was designed so well. I went with my wife and in laws. They also supply you with a cloth to cover youself, my wife took one, as there is a dress code. There is gift shops and you can also get yourself something refreshing to drink. It's a must visit when you are in town.

A 5 minutes drive from the main highway of El Salvador city proper. A parking lot for private cars and stairs for people wants to walk going up to the shrine. The garden is well maintained and the view from the top is very relaxing. A catholic mass and religious routine of praying into the top of the shrine where the sacred religious relic is place happened daily. 

Be aware of wearing short shorts but there are robes available for every visitors. 

Heres the catch. 5 minutes drive from the shrine is where the dairy processing facility is located. They sale different milk bar flavors, choco milk is the most popular and other milk products. Twice I have been there now and the views are breath taking. When it comes to the facilities it does lack a little but, like no resturant, there are shops down bellow. It depends on what you are looking for.... Its a religious spot so you dont want it too commercialized. It is disappointing the hike to the heart isnt available at all times, or atleast available on demand.

Read More

Camsur Water Sports Complex

CAMSUR WATER SPORTS COMPLEX

This would probably be one of the biggest reasons why Camsur became a very popular destination in the Philippines. The park is located in the Provincial Capitol Complex of Cadlan, Camarines Sur and Pili. This is design for wakeboarding and water skiing. If you enjoy this kind of water sports then this is the first place you should visit in Camsur. They also have a BMX trail, motor cross and skateboards.

The Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC) is a world-class 6-hectare watersports park located in Pili, the capital of Camarines Sur in the Bicol region of the Philippines. The park offers facilities for various water sports, especially for wakeboarding, wakeskating, kneeboarding, and waterskiing, day and night. Various types of accommodations, a restaurant, a spa, a swimming pool, and different entertainment and sports facilities are also found within the complex. The park is run by the provincial government of Camarines Sur.

There is a wide range of accommodations in and near the complex, including huts, cabanas, containers, and first class hotel rooms.

Read More

Maria Cristina Falls

MARIA CRISTINA FALLS

Maria Cristina Falls is a waterfall in Mindanao island and a landmark of Iligan City, also known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls because of its majestic waterfalls. It is located 8.5 kilometers away southwest of the city proper. Well-known for its natural beauty and grandeur, the 320-feet high waterfalls is also the primary source of power for the city's industries and the whole Mindanao region. NPC has established its Maria Christina Power Plant at outer foot of the falls.

Also known as the “twin falls” because of a large rock at its brink that seems to split the falls into two, Maria Cristina Falls is truly a marvel of nature. Its water comes from Agus River, the only outlet of an ancient lake (the Great Lake Lanao). The waterfall continues down through the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant operated by the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR). This power plant was commissioned on May 31, 1953 and has provided power to Mindanao to this day.

What’s so amazing about the falls is that its water power is able to provide electricity to a major part of Iligan City, a city known for its large industries and manufacturing plants, as well as many parts of Mindanao!

The NPC Nature Park in Iligan City was created to allow people to marvel at the beauty and power of the Maria Cristina Falls. Certainly a must-visit to tourists visiting Iligan City, the nature park features a view deck that directly looks out to the falls. The view deck is not very close to the falls but it is the closest point you’ll ever be able to reach. Raging waters prevent treks close to the actual falls. Still, you can easily admire the beauty of the falls even at a distance.

Once at the area, you will be greeted with a ‘welcome’ banner at the entrance of the NPC Nature’s Park. It is customary to register at the gate, fill-up some forms and leave an ID. In exchange, you shall be given an ID Pass, which you are required to wear while in the vicinity.

Indeed, Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan is the highlight of many surprises when visiting the city. This is more than a park; it is nature at its best!

Read More

Mt. Bulusan

MT. BULUSAN

Mt. Bulusan, or Bulusan Volcano, in Sorsogon, rises to 1565 MASL and is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines. Recent eruptions in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011 intermittently closed the mountain for several years, until it reopened in June 2012. In that same month, PinoyMountaineer.com and team visited the volcano, and the stunning beauty of Mt. Bulusan was revealed to us.

These features and views make Bulusan Volcano easily one of the most beautiful climbs in the Philippines, not to mention that biodiversity that has the potential to attract birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Considering that it is also one of the most active volcanoes in the country, hikers interested on this mountain should climb it soon, before it erupts again! The impressive local organization of trained and very friendly guides, caretakers, and even an EMT officer gives me no hesitation to recommend Bulusan as a must-try hiking destination in the Philippines!

Bulusan volcanic complex is located at the southern extremity of the Bicol arc in the south-east of Luzon. It consists of the active cone of Mt. Bulusan, 11 km wide Irosin caldera, and older dissected volcanic centres that include the Gate Mountains at the

southern tip of the peninsula and Mt. Bintacan to the west.

At the summit, however, with favorable weather conditions, the view is absolutely breathtaking. The crater, traditionally known as the "Blackbird Lake" is a gaping void surrounded by fragile rocky ridges where sulfuric steam continues to emanate from; and on the other side, Lake Aguingay looks very tranquil under the shadow of Sharp Peak. Beyond Bulusan's realm, the towns of Sorsogon can be seen and on a blessed day, the distant perfect cone of Mayon Volcano can be spotted.

Read More

Basilica of the Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia

BASILICA OF THE NUESTRA SENORA DE PENAFRANCIA

The Basilica Minore del Peñafrancia is located at the outskirts of Naga City. The “Our Lady of Peñafrancia” is the Patroness of the entire Bicol Region and because the number of devotees continues to grow and multiply, a new and bigger church was built to house the Lady.

The concept for the building came from Archbishop Pedro P. Santos in 1960. Construction began on April 18, 1976, but was delayed for a number of years due to finance problems and was not completed until September 1981.

The Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de Peña de Francia serves as the home of the revered Our Lady of Peñafrancia, and is one of the important landmarks of one of Bicol's foremost cities.

This beautiful church in Naga City is steeped in a beautiful story and a rich history. The Peñafrancia Basilica Minore houses an image of the Virgin Mary that was sculpted in 1710. It was commissioned by Dominican priest Miguel Robles de Covarrubias who, as stories have it, was personally blessed by the Virgin and was witness to some of her miracles.

Read More

Sunken Cemetery

SUNKEN CEMETERY

Located in Bonbon, Catarman a huge cross marker has been installed by the Provincial government to mark the community cemetery that sunk during the 1871 volcanic holocaust. Years ago, gravestones were visible during low tide. Today, it is an interesting diving site.

From a distance, one can see how lonely and solemn the place is. Entombed below the Cross are the lives lost to the history the people had been through, and place in itself already gave birth to the residents’ culture, history and tourism.

Today, all that remains of old Catarman are the ruins of an ancient Spanish San Roque church, a convent and a bell tower. 

Remnants of the structures and gravestones of the cemetery were still seen during low tide until 1948 when Mount Vulcan erupted for the fourth time, which buried the area deeper by 20 feet. In 1982, a large cross was built on the solidified lava to mark this old gravesite.

It's a cross, but believe me the main attraction for me was our guide. :)

There was a cemetery underneath and it sank because of an earthquake brought about by the explosion of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. It would have been better if we were able to go scuba diving to appreciate the sunken cemetery better. 

The new cross was just built for attraction/marker purposes (I believe it was built late 1990s). It is a great opportunity for picture-taking. Especially with the great expertise of our boatman/camera man/creative director. He knows a lot of photo tricks and great expressions that will surely put a smile on your face. 

We came around noon. They say it would have been better to come around sunset for a more magnificent picture. Anyways, it was nice.

Read More

White Water Rafting

WHITE WATER RAFTING

It is the gateway of the northern Mindanao. This Philippine city resembled something close to a picturesque, rural town just a few years back. In recent days though, Cagayan de Oro – or CDO, as most of the other Pinoys are wont to call it – has experienced a rather startling makeover, pushing the bar between a rural-urban hybrids, where downtown certainly looks the part while the suburbs are the most secluded gated subdivisions one could ever try trekking to.

KAGAY is Cagayan de Oro’s premiere whitewater rafting outfitter. They use State Of The Art Rafts (SOTAR) and equipment and offer rafting trips ranging from the beginner’s course – which covers class 1-2 rapids – to advance courses, which cover the more difficult class 3-4 rapids. And these trips are offered throughout the year. 

It’s guaranteed to be safe, no matter what the time of year: with our experienced and able river guides that had been trained both by the prestigious International Rafting Federation (IRF) in rafting techniques and safety, and by the Philippine National Red Cross in first-aid and CPR, rest assured that your experience will be so safe and enjoyable that you’ll want to keep on coming back for more!

Whitewater rafting has never been this good.  With KAGAY, you will always have the best whitewater rafting experiences this side of the globe. So make your reservations now!

Read More

Mt. Kitanglad

MT. KITANGLAD

The name “kitanglad” is a combination of Visayan words “kita” (to see) and “tanglad” (lemon grass), taken from a legend, which says that lemon grass was the only thing visible on top of the mountain as a great flood once submerged Bukidnon.

MKRNP was declared a protected area through Republic Act 8978, known as the Mt. Kitanglad Range Protected Area Act of 2000. It is also acknowledged not only as one of the country’s Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) but also an Important Bird Area (IBA) as it is a known nesting place of the majestic and threatened Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). 

The MKRNP has about a dozen peaks, with the main ones being Mt. Imbayao, Mt. Kaatoan, Mt. Nangkabulos, Mt. Dulang-Dulang and Mt. Kitanglad. Five of its highest peaks (Mts. Kitanglad, Lumuluyaw, Maagnaw, Tuminungan, and Dulang-Dulang) have an average elevation of 2,718.2 meters. 

The park also serves as a natural habitat for several endemic mammals such as the endangered golden crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) and Mindanao moon rat (Podogymnura truei); the vulnerable Philippine brown deer (Cervus mariannus), Philippine tailless roundleaf bat (Coelops hirsutus), Philippine flying lemur (Cynocephalus volans), Philippine pygmy fruit bat (Haplonycteris fischeri), Phil. warty pig (Sus philippinensis) and Mindanao tree shrew (Urogale everetti); and the conservation-dependent Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta).

Aside from the Philippine Eagle, other endemic birds that find shelter in the MKRNP are the threatened Blue-capped kingfisher (Actenoides hombroni), Mindanao bleeding heart pigeon (Gallicolumba criniger), and Red-eared parrot finch (Erythrura coloria). Others are the Philippine hanging parakeet (Loriculus philippinensis); Philippine pygmy woodpecker (Dendrocops maculates); Grey-hooded sunbird (Aethopygia primigenius); mountain shrike (Lanius validostris). 

The range straddles parts of Malaybalay City and the municipalities of Baungon, Talakag, Lantapan, Impasugong, Sumilao, Libona, and Manolo Fortich. It is the ancestral domain of the Talaandig, Higaonon and Bukidnon ethnolinguistic groups. It also provides irrigation, power generation and domestic water for Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental, as well as a catchment area for Cagayan, Tagoloan and Pulangui.

Tourism sites within the MKRNP include the Cinchona Forest Reserve, which allows the observation of the Philippine Eagle; the Lalawan, Lungobon and Lusok Falls; and Mt. Kitanglad itself, the country’s fourth highest peak that is also an inactive volcano which accounts for several hot springs in the area.

Human activities such as high value crop plantations; kaingin (slash-and-burn farming); small-scale logging; establishment of buildings and roads for telecommunications; gathering of non-timber forest products; tourism; hunting; fishing; and grazing threaten the conservation of MKRNP.

Read More

Rodeo Filipino Festival

RODEO FILIPINO FESTIVAL

Try and plan your visit to coincide with one of Masbate’s captivating festivities. Rodeo Filipino (every April) is second to none and features young cowboys proving their prowess riding wild steers and wrestling with fearsome bulls. It has a real ‘wild west’ atmosphere complete with open air barbecue feasting and lots of lively traditional music. Even more of an eye opener is the annual Corn Festival at San Ramon. This is a wild celebration best remembered for dance displays on glowing embers and fearless visitors are encouraged to take part.

The festival has stamped Masbate’s identity as the cattle center of the Philippines, and Masbate City’s fame as the rodeo capital. The province’s expanses of gently rolling hills are perfect for cattle ranching, and Masbateños have been honed by the decades to be exceptional riders and herders.

A typical Rodeo Masbateño festival kicks off with a grand horse parade, the longest of its kind staged in the country and probably in the whole of Asia. Such a parade would see hundreds of horses ridden by professionals and students alike strut down the city streets.

When we say professional, we mean world-class: homegrown talents have participated in international rodeo festivals such as in Las Vegas.

Read More

Mayon Volcano

MAYON VOLCANO, ALBAY

Mayon Volcano (Tagalog: Bulkang Mayon, Central Bikol: Bulkan Mayon), also known as Mount Mayon, is an active volcano in the province of Albay, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Renowned as the "perfect cone" because of its almost symmetric conical shape, the mountain was declared a national park and a protected landscape on July 20, 1938, the first in the country. It was reclassified a Natural Park and renamed Mayon Volcano Natural Park in the year 2000. 

Classified as a stratovolcano (a volcano made up of layers of lava alternating with cinder and ash) Mount Mayon or Mayon Volcano is very much active and is located in the in the Bicol Region, in the province of Albay, on Luzon Island, Philippines.

Located just fifteen kilometers from Albay’s busy city of Legazpi, Mount Mayon is famous for it perfect inverted cone shaped appearance which is instantly recognizable because it is probably the most photographed volcano in the country.

Mount Mayon’s most devastating eruption happened on the 1st of February 1814. Though lava flowed, it did not flow as much as it did in 1766. The volcano instead belched black ash and ultimately bombarded the town of Cagsawa with tephra (dust and ashes) and eventually buried it. Only the town church’s belfry tower was left on the surface. All vegetation in the area was burned and waterways were predictably damaged. 

Areas nearby were also damaged by the eruption as ash accumulated to a depth of 9 meters.

Over two thousand residents of Albay locals died in what is believed to be the most deadly eruption in the history of Mount Mayon.

The longest recorded uninterrupted eruption of Mayon Volcano happened on June 23, 1897 and it lasted for 7 continuous days of fire raining, seemingly, from the heavens. The village of Bacacay was buried under tons of lava which flowed and buried the town and rose to height of nearly fifty feet.

Read More