CONSOCEP FALLS: Road and Nature Trip at Mount Isarog

MINALABAC: Discover the Pebble Beach of Bicol

When I was in Surigao City, I was really amazed with the peculiar beach I've found there, the Baragabon Beach Resort in Brgy Mabua. Instead of sand, the shoreline is covered with multi-colored, smooth pebbles varying in sizes. It was then my first time in my entire travel that i saw this kind of beach so I am very thankful I've gone to that place. Without knowing, there is also similar kind of beach in my home province that I newly discovered. Thanks to Rey Garing, my batch mate who gave me an idea to explore this beach. He was so persistent to schedule a reconnaissance on the place and eventually, an outing with our batch mates. Fortunately, our first plan has been realized but the second is still hanging. Actually, I already heard of this beach a long time ago, but hesitate to go on this part of Bicol because of the reports or hearsay that the place was infested. You know what I mean. Although many people including me has the desire to explore the undiscovered beach that time, we don't have guts to do because there were reports before that there were "nice people around" down there. Furthermore, the place was not that accessible before. Very rough roads and mountainous terrains are some of the hindrances you encounter you as you enter remote barangays of Minalabac. It needs an experienced driver, with uphill and downhill driving skills, to get to the place. That was long before. After a few years passed, Bagolatao beach is now very accessible to anyone. Roads were concreted, beaches were developed and most especially, peace order situation has been far good.

BAGUIO CITY: Back to Minesview After Five Long Years

Baguio City was my first destination for the year 2013. A place that was so relaxing and refreshing suited for the people who wants to find coolness and and a great place to unwind. Thermometers here read 9.5 degrees Celsius, the coldest so far this year. This may not be that cold compare to other countries' winter season which mmhg readings reached negative numbers, but for those who are in a tropical environment, like the Philippines, this level of coldness was too cold for them. Temperature here in Baguio drops the lowest during the months of January and February, which tourist from other parts of the country take this opportunity to experience the cold weather. Cool breeze outside makes you chill to the bones. Two shirts and a thick jacket is no match to the coldness especially during dusk till dawn. But despite the coldness, Baguio City still can be considered a city that never sleeps. Many people stay outside at night. Some go to parks, some go to the bars, and most of them go to the night market. Night market here starts at around 9 o'clock until 4 in the morning. In the market, you can almost find anything that you're looking for, from clothing, to accessories, shoes and other footwear, different kinds of souvenirs and of course, food.

MAJAYJAY : Rock Balancing in Taytay Falls

Are you a nature lover and looking for an alternative place for summer getaway? Taytay Falls in Majayjay, Laguna is one of the best place to go.  

GENSAN: Place and Owner's Attitude in Contrast

This resort can be the most famous in General Santos City. Several prominent personalities from showbiz, politics, arts and sports have already been here. As proofs of their visit, the management provide prominent visitors with a plate where they can write what they can say about the resort and of course with their signature as proof of authenticity. Many tourist chose this place maybe because of its natural beauty. Situated on top of a higher ground where you can watch a scenic view of the Sarangani Bay. Different kinds of flower can also be found here. Flowers with varying sizes, colors and  smells all around also serve as plus- factor for attracting clients. They even decorated every door with paintings of flower that added more natural ambiance in the resort. This resort  can also be considered as the "bonsai" center in Mindanao. A collection  of bonsai of different sizes can be found here. This resort is ideal if you want to go away from the noisy city and hang-out with nature. An acoustic band is playing during nighttime if you want to have a more romantic night and the sing-all-u-can videoke on the other side is open if you want to rock the night with your friends. 

ENTOMOS: A Collection of Small Creatures Met on the Road

According to the experts, there are more than a million species of insects. Some are harmful and others are beneficial. As a part of nature's ecosystem, insect play a very important role in environment. Insects helps produce life.They are of great help to humans and plants as well. Imagine this world without insect. Plants are the main source of food for most animals. They are the reason why most of us and other animals live. But since they are stationary living things, insect helps them to reproduce in the process called pollination. Of course, there's wind and other factors of pollination but insect plays very large factor in this process. How can we produce beautiful flowers without insects? Its hard, Isn't it? Some insects also are destined to be on the lowest part of food chain which are beneficial to other forms of species. Although some insect are beneficial, there are also lot of them that are harmful to other forms of species especially humans. Mosquitoes, cockroaches and flies are some that were identified to be harmful. They can cause diseases to plants, animals and humans too. But despite of their harmfulness, they are still part of nature.

LAKE SEBU: A Treasure of South Cotabato

Within the Alah Valley of South Cotabato there lies the beautiful and bountiful town of Lake Sebu. Named after the town, Lake Sebu is considered a treasure of the province for this place is gifted with abundant natural resources. Aside from tourism, Lake Sebu is the main source of livelihood for the locals. Tilapia are the main product they get from the lake. This is also one of the bodies of water that supply water to South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces for irrigation and domestic consumption. Before being establish as a municipality, Lake Sebu is only a part of Surallah. Because of its rich resources and growing number of villagers around the lake, this barangay was formed into an independent municipality. Most dwellers here are the T'bolis and the Ubo's which are natives of Lake Sebu.

SEVEN FALLS: Experience the Highest Zipline in Asia

Once a dream, now a reality. Today, I've witness another amazing and jaw-dropping artwork of Mother Nature here in southern part of Mindanao, The SEVEN FALLS. Seven Falls, a series of  7 majestic waterfalls with varying sizes and height, is located at the town of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato province. Locals of the area, the T'bolis, gave each waterfalls a nickname. The 1st waterfalls was named "Hikong Alu" a T'boli word meaning "the passage". The 2nd waterfalls is " Hikong Bente" means the immeasurable. The 3rd waterfalls is "Hikong B'lebed" means the zigzag. 4th waterfalls is "Hikong Lowig" means booth. 5th waterfalls is "Hikong Kefo-l" means wildflower. 6th waterfalls is "Hikong Ukol" means the short one. The 7th and the last waterfalls is the "Hikong Tonok" means soil.

THE PASSAGE

From the town proper of Lake Sebu, it will only take you about 20 mins to be in the Seven Falls. As you climb your way to the place you can take a snap shot of the 2nd waterfalls from the top. You can also observe and take pictures of the wild monkeys along the road. Before you can enter the 1st falls, you have to pay 20 Php as entrance fee. But the amount of entrance fee is nothing compared with what you are about to experience inside. You can actually go directly to the 2nd falls via different road aside from the main entrance but it's very hard to ignore the 1st amazing falls. Hikong Alu or the passage is the largest of the seven. Water from a river on top artfully fall from a 35 ft height making trembling sound as it hits the bottom. 

BULUAN: Resources Rich Town Of Maguindanao

This is Buluan Town in Maguindanao Province. My first time to be here in this story-filled town. Buluan is a Muslim town. Christians here have been converted into Muslims too. The town's name  became familiar during the time of Maguindanao Massacre. This is the place of origin of the controversial Governor , Ismael Mangudadatu, whose First Lady (because he has a 2nd and 3rd ladies) was killed together with 56 others. And the main reason is politics. Because of that incidence back way November 2009, violence was being associated with the town of Buluan. Many people, especially from Luzon areas, are afraid to set foot on this land. Although there's a little bit nervous I decided to explore this town just to know what they say about Buluan and prove that this town is really the kind of place which they think of.

TAGUM: Artworks of Mindanao's Famous Artist

Have you been to the City of Tagum lately? If yes, for sure you have visited the newly constructed city hall in Brgy. Apokon. The city of Tagum constructed an ambitious project, a futuristic architectural design city hall. Although the structure is not totally finished, you can say that it is one of the most beautiful city hall ever built in the Philippines. It is a 4-storey building with a unique design surrounded with sculptures made by Mindanao's famous artist, Kublai Ponce Millan. Kublai is the most known artist in Mindanao. The Philippines eagle and freedom statue in Davao's city hall, Risen Lord at the Christ the King parish in Tagum, The huge sculpture of durian that welcomes visitors in Davao's airport are some of his masterpiece. Kublai is not just an ordinary artist. Aside from sculpture, he also involves in photography and painting. And one thing unique in him is his ability to turn garbage into artistic pieces. 

NAGA CITY: Remembering Jesse

Election 2013 is fast approaching. It will be less than seven months to go. Although election fever in the country started several months or a year ago, the start of the filing of candidacy made it intense. So many "pakulo" or gimmicks were observed on the filing of candidacy itself. There were politician (mostly trapos) have their paid supporters to accompany them in just mere filing of candidacy. Some have even the complete drum and lyre corps going to Comelec office just like a parade in a festival. One candidate even walk with bare feet as a superstitious belief, hehe, unfortunately his line up didn't bite up his gimmick. But the point here is that if they have already spent a large sum of money in the filing of candidacy how much more in the campaign period. As we all know the logic of these politicians, "the more you spend, the more you gain" is very dangerous. The more they spend in the elections, the more they get or steal from the money of the people. I salute this group ANTI-EPAL CAMPAIGN MOVEMENT, for revealing wrong doings of shameless politicians. Shameless because they are using the people's money just to advertise their names. They shamelessly put their names on the projects that are supposedly owned by the people. School buildings, waiting sheds, bridges, overpasses and even public toilets are filled with politicians names.

SULTAN KUDARAT: Unplanned Visit in a Muslim Inspired Architecture

My itinerary does not include Isulan, the capital of Sultan Kudarat, fortunately, there's no other way going to our destination but through this town. We were heading then to Lake Sebu to conduct an ocular inspection on the proposed venue for an upcoming meaningful event at the same time to explore other possible places. After the orientation of newly recruited job seekers, we departed Kidapawan City at around 2 o'clock in the afternoon bound for Lake Sebu. Its my first time to travel on that part of the area and I have also heard some negative impressions on the road we were about to travel. So, we solicited some advise for the most appropriate and safest way possible. We were told to meet Louie, a middle manager in Tacurong City, who will guide us to Lake Sebu.

After passing through the towns of Makilala, Tulunan, Datu Paglas  and Pres Quirino, we finally reached the city of Tacurong at around 4 pm. We waited for him at the Jolibee Tacurong beacuse this is the most familiar venue for "eye-balling". After few minutes, Louie arrived. As we travel, we heard a lot of stories regarding the area he handles. He handles Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao Provinces. Although there are so many good things to do and place to go in the area, most of his stories were about violence (insurgencies). He recalled how their clients were unable to go home after a meeting because they were caught in a crossfire between MILF and government forces. But after all the negative stories, Sultan Kudarat is still beautiful province to explore. Sadly, I don't have much time to stay on this place.

DAVAO: Into a World War II Remembrance

World War II left the Philippines with so many remembrance and one of them is to be found here in Davao City, The Japanese Tunnel. A man-made cave made by the Japanese Imperial armies during the Japanese Occupation. This tunnel  not only served as strategical camp for the Japanese, but also for communication and safe transport. Originally, the tunnel stretch up to several kilometer long with several outlets but due to natural phenomena like earthquake, some part of the tunnel collapsed. What remained now is the hundred and fifty meters tunnel.

PAGLALAKBAY

Ang paglalakbay ay napakagandang karanasan

Na kahit salapi ay hindi kayang tumbasan.

Samu't sari ang iyong mararamdaman

Sa iba't ibang lugar na iyong tinutunguhan.

Sa byahe ay marami kang matututunan,

Mga bagay na ngayon at doon mo lang nalalaman

Marami ka din makikilalang tao at kaibigan,

Na iba't iba ang pananaw at antas ng katayuan.

Ang paglalakbay ay medyo may kahirapan,

Minsan di mo alam ang mangyayari sa iyong pupuntahan.

Pero kahit ano pa man ang kahihinatnan,

Sa byahe ay punong-puno ng kasiyahan.

Ngunit sa kabila ng mga bagay na ito,

Maraming lugar man ang napuntahan mo.

Gaano man kaganda at kasaya dito,

Hahanap hanapin mo pa din ang pinagmulan mo.

Matulog ka man sa magagagarang higaan,

O sa simpleng bahay  na iyong masisilungan,

Iba pa rin ang iyong mararamdaman,

Kung ang ulo mo ay nakapatong sa sariling unan.

Sa paglalakbay ang pakiramdam ay masaya at makulay

Pero wala ng sasaya pa pag ika'y nasa iyong pamamahay.

Kapiling ng pamilya na saiyo'y nagbibigay buhay,

Pagmamahal at kasiyahang walang kapantay

DAVAO CITY: Smiles of Kadayawan Festival

Madayaw" , a warm and friendly greetings that is full of respect and admiration, is where the Kadayawan Festival got its name.  Dubbed as the "King of Festivals", Kadayawan Festival is an annual thanksgiving celebration for bountiful harvest in the city of Davao. On this year, 2012, Davaoenos are celebrating their 27th year of Kadayawan Festival with a theme "10 Tribes, 1 Vibe".  This year celebration gives an emphasis in the unification of all the tribes and its descendants that occupied the city, then and now. Despite cultural differences, tribes are still bound on a duty to make Davao City a peaceful and harmonious place to live.

It's been a long time desire (since I start blogging) to personally witness this celebration in order to answer some questions I have for myself. One, why this festival tagged as the "king of festivals", second, how grand is this celebration compared to other festivals all over the country. So, I don't let the opportunity to pass me by. This is my first time to witness and celebrate Kadayawan festival. 

FROZEN TIMES: My 7 Super Shots

I already learned about this 7SUPERSHOTS series about a couple of months ago. A chained-post that was started by Hostelbrookers.com last January of this year. This activity aims to showcase and share 7 best shots of every blogger. In my observation, most PTBs were already tagged and shared theirs. I already seen several posts from my fellow travel bloggers, their shots were so amazing!. So when Francis Balgos of Pala-lagaw tagged me I was hesitant to do my own version. But there's no harm in trying so I tried to assemble mine but due to so some unfavorable situations and interruptions, it took a long time for the completion. But anyway, I just made it and here's my version of 7 SUPERSHOT..

TAKES MY BREATH AWAY...

"OVER THE TOP"

Climbing at the top of People's Park in the Sky Tower at Tagaytay, Batangas and took this image was literally breathtaking. In this image is the highway from downtown Tagaytay to People's Park.

FOOD TRIP: Ibos of Laguna

It's midyear planning once again here in CMDI. Reporting of accomplishments, projecting  targets, scheduling of trainings  and mind-breaking financial analysis for the sustainability of the institute as we enter the final half of the year. But this is not about that, this is about a kind of food we shared as the planning going on. Tuesday afternoon during our break time, Tita Precy offered us "ibos" for snack. For me, this is not that very delicious food, but what makes this food very special for me, besides this is my eldest son's favorite, are the childhood memories associated with these. Everytime I saw an "ibos" , automatically my childhood memories flashes back and how this simple food became part of my life.

TAGUM: Where You Find the Biggest Rosary

DAVAO CITY: Around San Pedro Cathedral

This is San Pedro Cathedral, considered to be the oldest church in the city. According to history, this church was initially built on the year 1847 during the Spanish occupation in the region. The church was named after the name of the first pope, St. Peter, who also was the patron saint of Davao. This historical  structure and Davao City's premier landmark is located at the corner of San Pedro and Claro M. Recto streets. What makes this church unique is its structural design. Unlike other churches, this church has distinctive curve frontal design. Another structures that catches people's attention are the beautifully designed bell tower beside the church and the torch-like structure infront of the church.  

KOPIAT ISLAND: Taking Advantage of Labor Day

It's Labor day. After long and laborious weeks it's time to reward myself a treat. I was in Tagum City  during the Labor day and I was thinking of what to do and where to spend that 1-day holiday when unintentionally, I came to this island. At first I planned to go back to Davao City where I can spend the holiday, but somebody mentioned about an island where they have their previous outing. This gave me an idea not to go back to Davao, instead I asked my colleagues here in Tagum to go to a nearest beach. Someone suggested that we should go to Kopiat Island in Compostela Valley. Without further questions and thinking, the group agreed with the suggestion. And there was it, a day-long vacation at Kopiat Island.