Ending 2013 would be too boring
without any death defying adventure to close the year. Away from Mindanao, I
couldn’t think of any outdoor activity during this holiday after cancelling my
North Luzon adventure because of the Gale Warning from the PAGASA that stopped
our shoes from crossing Calayan Group of Islands.
Bantayan Island Experience | A Reflection of Life and Freedom
Being waken up by the morning rays
in Bantayan Island is one of my best mornings ever that could really boost a positive mood for another inspiring day to appreciate God's gift of life. The soothing sea breeze of the Visayan Sea could put you in total calmness relieving all your worries in life, a sought after feeling wished by everyone who'd been bugged and psychologically harassed living in the cruel concrete city.
Labels:
Backpacking
,
Bantayan
,
Cebu
,
Personal
,
Travel Guide
,
Visayas
Links to this post
Things I am Missing in Bantayan Island | Before Super Typhoon Haiyan
Crossing Visayas and Mindanao in
the Philippines was the best therapeutic remedy I could think of to cure my
pathetic depression. My addiction to
traveling downgraded when I left Mindanao last June 2013, resulting to losing my tongue somewhere in the clouds. This condition left a lot of blank pages on my personal travel journal.
Pushing myself to return to the world of traveling and blogging, I have wished to start with a clean slate and reborn anew in an inspiring environment. God is so generous that He answered my prayers through my friends after being tagged in a tour across the Visayas Region. I was very glad that I met friends who have helped me along the way to cope up with this stupid depression.
Pushing myself to return to the world of traveling and blogging, I have wished to start with a clean slate and reborn anew in an inspiring environment. God is so generous that He answered my prayers through my friends after being tagged in a tour across the Visayas Region. I was very glad that I met friends who have helped me along the way to cope up with this stupid depression.
Climbing Mt. Kofafey | Maligcong, Bontoc, Mt. Province
Set to do anything crazy and stupid, me and my buddy Kurt, the Wind Trekker, hit the road with zero-itinerary on hand and decided to visit Mt. Province and scout the area except the famous Sagada and Banaue.
Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province: A Road Less Traveled (Day 1)
Maligcong is an indigenous community in Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines and is currently isolated from the radar of most local
travelers. Finding a jewel in Bontoc must have been a quite a boredom for "hardcore" travelers as Bontoc have had been treated just like a bridge in reaching other popular destinations like Sagada.
Bontoc surprised me to find a hidden paradise that crossed our path using my spontaneous zero-itinerary trip to Northern Luzon. This crazy adventure resulted into the discovery of new wonders worth sharing to fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Bontoc surprised me to find a hidden paradise that crossed our path using my spontaneous zero-itinerary trip to Northern Luzon. This crazy adventure resulted into the discovery of new wonders worth sharing to fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Visiting Lake Holon of Mt. Melibingoy (Mt.Parker) | A T’boli, South Cotabato Outdoor Adventure
I may have traveled far to
reach T’boli for the first time, but this place have already stimulated my senses upon arrival to a great level of excitement with its tribal ambiance and ethnicity. The
Municipality of T’boli is home to the indigenous people of T’boli, B’laan and
the Ubo tribes. Our visit to T’boli was timely as the province of South
Cotabato was set to celebrate the famous T’nalak Festival.
South Mindanao's Allah Valley Tour | A Prelude to Extreme Adventure
The word dangerous has been tagged with the Island of Mindanao and has been sensationalized by the tri-media, creating lots of negative impressions about the island which results to the establishment of paranoia for those who have no idea about Mindanao. This part of the Philippines had been stereotyped with unstable security due to some political issues in the ARMM and has placed the tourism industry of the whole region in peril.
And I Shall Rise Again | Love Mindanao Returns
It was one of the hardest blows in my life and I felt a part of my soul was lost upon leaving Mindanao. It seemed my world forever stood still and imploded to breaking and my urge to
share my thoughts suddenly dissipated into the thin black air of the city. Depressed and restless
, writing again became so difficult on my end and finding the perfect words to express
my emotions have slipped into a sinkhole
of total darkness.
To my beloved
followers you deserve better and my apologies to the people who continuously
supported me despite of my huge imperfections.
Davisol: Master of Magkono Woodcraft (The Fate of Philippine Iron Wood)
Small lagoon of Davisol with lush green mangroves |
SCUBA Diving at Punta Bilar Dive Center in Surigao City, Philippines
SCUBA
diving must be one of the activities most people in the world would want to
place in their bucket list before parting this world. SCUBA diving from someone who is
not familiar with this sport would look on it as an outdoor activity for the
well off people aside from being a dangerous sport to venture into, which happened to be
half true and half myth.
Labels:
Adventures
,
Bucketlist
,
Caraga
,
Mindanao
,
SCUBA
,
Surigao City
Links to this post
Press Release: The New Tiger Airways Philippines
Flights operated by Tiger Airways Philippines
A new Tiger has arrived - and it brings with it a promise of a great adventure, memorable experiences, and the excitement of a new journey.
Known as the leading and most trusted value-for-money carrier in Southesast Asia, Tiger Airways Philippines will make its formal debut in the skies beginning July 10.
“Tiger Airways is the leading airline and travel partner connecting people across Asia Pacific. It is a distinguished regional brand that differentiates itself in terms of safety and reliability,” says newly-appointed president and chief executive officer (CEO) Ms. Olive Ramos.
Britania Group of Islands | El Nido of Mindanao
The beach of Naked Island of Surigao del Sur |
Featured Wildlife: Alocasia and Corpse Flower of Guinumhay Peak, Agusan del Sur
![]() |
Documenting one of the most threatened species A. sanderiana |
Traversing the trail going to the
Peak of Guinumhay in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Mindanao surprised me to encounter some of the most noted species of
aroid particulary Alocasia and Amorphophallus. Based on their ecological status, some are endangered and some are rapidly dwindling in numbers in their natural
habitat.
Labels:
A. clypeolata
,
A. heterophylla
,
A. zebrina
,
Agusan del Sur
,
alocasia
,
Alocasia sanderiana
,
Amorphophallus
,
aroid
,
Endemic plants
,
Melanie P. Medecilo
,
Mindanao
,
Nature and Wildlife
,
Wildlife
Guest Post: Fun in the Fuerteventura Sunshine
If you're after a laid-back beach break where the focus is
placed firmly on rest, relaxation and fun in the sun, a Fuerteventura holiday could be right up
your street.
Ognop Cave | The Newly Discovered Cave in Agusan del Sur, Philippines
Now that "Lolong" is dead, the world's record holder for the biggest crocodile in captivity, the province of Agusan del Sur in Mindanao has lost one great treasure enough to paralyze its tourism industry. This event prompted us to help the locals of the province by discovering another untapped tourist destinations in the nearby municipalities and to promote eco-tourism activities in the vicinity.
Labels:
Adventures
,
Agusan del Sur
,
Cave
,
caves
,
Caves and Mountains
,
Mindanao
,
Ognop Cave
,
Philippine caves
,
Prosperidad
,
Travel Guide
Isla Reta, Talicud Island, Samal | Where Love and Hate Collide
The Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) in Davao del Norte has a charm that naturally draws me back for more. This time,
I decided to explore another tourist destination in Mindanao which I've heard much popular
only among the locals of Davao Region.
Libtong's Blue Lagoon | Cantilan, Surigao del Sur
It's been a while since my 13 Days of Summer Escapade ended last April 2013. And due to my chicken pox
episode, I had been bed driven for almost two weeks where I was required for some visits to the community
hospital in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
With summer was still around, the weather was just so perfect
to waste inside the house and it's hard to think doing the art of nothing, waiting 'til all of my scars are healed off. This scenario was so unbearable for an outdoor guy like me, so when my blisters have shown signs of drying, I went on searching for my next travel destination.
Libtong's Blue Lagoon | Cantilan, Surigao del Sur
It's been a while since I went on
traveling after my 13 Days of Summer Escapade ended on April 2013. Due to my chicken pox
episode, I was bed driven for almost two weeks where I was required for some visits to the community
hospital in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
With summer still around, the weather was just so perfect
to waste inside the house and it's hard to think doing the art of nothing and just waiting 'til all of my scars are healed off. This scenario was so unbearable for an outdoor guy like me, so when my blisters have shown signs of drying, I went on searching for my next travel destination.
Heathrow Duty Free: Is It Worth Stocking Up?
Duty
free shops are hard to miss when you enter an airport lounge or take a
ferry. Chances are you will have some
time to kill whilst waiting for your flight if you are travelling by air, and
it can be hard to stay away from the promise of a good deal. Having woken up in one of the Heathrow
hotels from Travelodge, and successfully checked in your luggage, take a
little time to see what the departures lounge has on offer.
Cantilan: Huyamao Island a.k.a Homer Simpson Island
If there is one icon that
represents Cantilan , that would be the Island of Huyamao due to its distinct
image that resembles the popular cartoon character of Homer Simpson from afar.
Aside
from the lush vegetation , the island is
littered with white sand beaches that are comparable to the sugar fine white
sand of Boracay. The whole island is reported
to be inhabited by isolated wild monkeys and some raptors or big birds dwelling in the
secluded place.
Island Fever!
Are you looking for your next island paradise? Asia’s
tropical seas are filled with little island gems just waiting for you to visit
them. However, each place contains it’s own character and culture - some are
better for relaxing on the beach while others have a more active party scene.
To help you plan your next island getaway, here are some of the best islands
the Asian seas have to offer.
Surfing the Dahican Way!
Dahican Beach in Mati, Davao Oriental is now getting popular because of the big waves suitable
for surfing and other water sports. Aside from the waves, the beach itself possesses grandeur
beauty, accentuated with white sand and turquoise blue water. It was only a
couple of years ago that skim boarding became the main attraction in the area.
Labels:
Adventures
,
Anything Hydro
,
Beach
,
Davao
,
Davao Oriental
,
Mati
,
Mindanao
,
Skim boarding
,
Surfing
,
Travel Guide
,
White Beach
My Journey Back Home | 13 Days of Summer Concluded
My 2013 summer erratic travel from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao gave me a lot of challenging experiences that pushed me to my limits only to reaffirm my passion and love to discover places in less traveled roads in the Philippines. The provinces of Batangas, Nueva Vizcaya, Leyte, Biliran and Surigao del Norte surprised me with their best kept secret travel destinations that made my summer of 2013 very special.
Labels:
13Days
,
Adventures
,
Luzon
,
Mindanao
,
Travel Guide
,
Visayas
Links to this post
Biliran Island Mainland Tour | 13 Days of Summer of Love Mindanao
Day 9: Mainland Biliran
Visiting the Island Province of
Biliran has long been due on my list of places to wander in the Philippines. With my delight to finally see the jewel of
the eastern Visayas, I decided to scrap some of my trips in Mindanao and set a 3-day escapade to Biliran Island.
Cachero's Farm, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya: 13 Days of Summer of Love Mindanao Part 3
Day 6 : Extension
Our trip to Nueva Vizcaya never
ended in Mt. Ynordenan after we had been invited to visit another leisure farm not far from Bone South in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. We rode on a jeepney bound for Aritao proper and
rushed to the public market first to buy some supplies and food for our overnight stay in the farm resort.
Mt.Ynordenan, Nueva Vizcaya: 13 Days of Summer of Love Mindanao Part 2
Day Five
Fresh from a trip in IvoryCoast , Calatagan, I was invited by the song writer /composer Rodolfo Fernandez to
visit their beloved province of Nueva Vizcaya. When I received this invitation
I was a little hesitant, as I have never heard of any must visit places in the
onion and garlic granary of Luzon . Nevertheless , I am more curious on places
less visited and I was breathing deeply, crossing my
fingers to discover something new and interesting in the not so known place when it comes
to tourism.
Ivory Coast, Calatagan: 13 Days of Summer of Love Mindanao Part 1
I was just a lucky guy who was given an ample time off from work to beat the summer of 2013. I was counting all my remaining days of vacation for the first quarter of this year and I have realized that I still got thirteen days remaining and what better way to spend it but to visit and discover places off coast of Mindanao.
Labels:
13Days
,
Adventures
,
Batangas
,
Calatagan
,
Luzon
,
Travel Guide
Links to this post
Exploring Iniyakan Island | A Cantilan Summer Escapade
It's been a month since the
last time I escaped my usual lax weekend from my temporary abode in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. Maybe I got depressed during the time when my most precious and cheap camera got damaged during the Kaamulan Festival in Bukidnon (sigh).
Maxima Experience in Samal Island
![]() |
Scream all you can adventure in Samal Island |
The
best season of the year has come and with the scorching heat intensified by the
concrete jungle in the city, it's time to take a break and visit some of your favorite summer
destinations.
One
of the favorite places to visit during the summer days in Mindanao is the
Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) or
simply Samal Island, off coast from the main land province of Davao del Norte. Getting
to Samal is a no brainer for commuters because of the available boats and buses bound for IGACOS .
Dinagat Islands Exposed | A Prelude to a Great Mindanao Island Escapade
![]() |
In 2007, I started my first
island adventure aiming to visit the exotic places in the
Philippines that I could only spot in the glossy pages of travel magazines. My
very first grand island getaway was in Palawan and I was blown away with its
majestic beauty and I have thought that I've seen the most beautiful place in the
Philippines until I had my escapade in the neophyte province of Dinagat
Islands.
Rio Hondo: The Other Face of Zamboanga City
There was this particular place
in Zamboanga City that many visitors and even locals are afraid coming to as if
it the name of the place is synonymous
to death as far as security is concern. Rio Hondo, which means "deep river" is currently
inhabited by Muslim brothers and tribes in Mindanao.
Zamboanga City: Souvenirs from Badjao and Yakan
I have been to Zamboanga City many
times but never had a chance to look and buy for souvenirs that would remind me of my
travels in the Latin City of Asia.
After my trip to Tawi Tawi , I
landed in Zamboanga with lots of time waiting before my flight back to DavaoCity in the afternoon, so I decided to look for a couple of places where I can
look around to shop. My idea of souvenirs are far from the usual key chains, bags, necklaces, refrigerator magnet and so on. It has to be unique and the piece it self tell a rich history before I buy them.
Kaamulan Festival 2013:Dancing to the Beat of Ethnic Life (Street Dance Competition)
(Pardon the quality of my pictures, taken from video since my camera malfunctioned in the most crucial time.., camera failed! g-r-r-r-r-r)
![]() |
Male dancers of Pangantucan beating the vibrant rhythm of drums with shields and spears. |
The
highlights of the Kaamulan 2013 may have concluded, but the rhythmic beating of
the drums still lingers and the soaring ethnic chants of the tribes continuously
echo to the steep mountain ridges of Kitanglad in Malaybalay.
Visiting
this city for the first time gave me a boost to be excited once more to witness
another story of one great promising land in Mindanao. The 17 hour nonstop land based travel was not a
waste upon experiencing the vibrant celebrations in Bukidnon, the Kaamulan
Festival 2013.
Tagudtongan, Maguindanao: Coconut, Faith and Life
![]() |
The cheap source of livelihood in Tagudtongan, Parang Maguindanao, copras. |
"farmers and producers gain almost nothing from the extracted and planted resources that built the economy of this nation"
A quick visit to the white beach of Limbayan, Bongo Island revealed to us the other coastal community that exist on the other side of the Island, known as Tagudtongan. This barangay is another remote island community of Parang, Maguindanao.
where the port of the barangay serves as the primary gateway to other barangays in Bongo Island .
The port is located strategically in a cove section of the island, safe and protected from the harsh tides of the sea and has a with very deep anchorage for bigger marine vessels to dock in. There aren't much to do and to see in the area, as of the time of this writing, other than the vast coconut plantation as source of copra business and small scale local fishing activities.
Love on Top…of the Tree (The Sex Life of Polypedates leucomystax, a Tree Frog )
![]() |
Actual amplexus and fertilization process of Polypedates leucomystax |
Mindanao is blessed with so
much wonders and most of it is hidden in front of our plain sight. We are now much
accustomed to the modern lifestyle that most of us have forgotten to rediscover
the beauty of nature hidden in the dwindling forest of our country. Not much
left forest in the Philippines, the island of Mindanao presents as last frontier
being a natural refuge habitat for our declining wildlife.
Tinago Waterfalls of Iligan City
The Legend of Tinago Waterfalls
"The legend of Tinago Waterfalls started when Sultan Agok and her wife were appointed as King and Queen of their village. But they became too proud and selfish to their people. One day an enchantress disguised as a beggar and asked for help but rejected and ordered to put into exile. During that time the wife of Sultan Agok was pregnant, and the enchantress put a curse onto their child to become as ugly as their attitude.
"The legend of Tinago Waterfalls started when Sultan Agok and her wife were appointed as King and Queen of their village. But they became too proud and selfish to their people. One day an enchantress disguised as a beggar and asked for help but rejected and ordered to put into exile. During that time the wife of Sultan Agok was pregnant, and the enchantress put a curse onto their child to become as ugly as their attitude.
When the baby was born, the once
proud parents became so disappointed and hid their baby in a cave of the forest
to avoid embarrassment. They name the
baby as Tin-ag which means hidden face.
Tin-ag grew alone and constantly
weeping because of loneliness. One day she went out of the cave and got amused of the wonderful and
beautiful environment that dwells outside the cave. In her wandering, she met
the enchantress who cursed the parents and show pity to the child. The
enchantress offered her to be beautiful and Tin-ag accepted no matter what the consequences. She was turned into
a majestic waterfalls that everyone who sees it are awed by its enchanting
beauty."
Tawi-Tawi | I Dare, I Bare and I Rock Bongao
I am always a believer that my being is a work in progress. Even though most
people expect so much from me, perfection is not in my vocabulary. I am
not afraid to commit mistakes because after all , mistakes are just lessons to be
learned.
Needless to say, I always make sure that each day I live my life in
the most audacious way one could ever imagined which includes thrilling escapades. This adventurous side of me led to challenge myself to visit the farthest province in the south of the
Philippines, part of Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Tawi-Tawi.
Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, Surigao del Sur:Travel Guide
![]() |
Tinuy-an Falls in March 2012 |
Visiting Waniban Island | Paradise Found in the Remote Province of Davao Oriental
Labels:
Adventures
,
Anything Hydro
,
Beaches
,
Davao Oriental
,
Mati City
,
Mindanao
,
Travel Guide
,
Waniban Island
,
White Beach
Siargao: The Ultimate Surfing Experience (Part 1)
My
first visit in Siargao was a grand experience to remember. Given that I am just
a six hour bus ride away from Surigao City, I never had a chance to visit the famous
island until a collaborative plan with a friend Mervin or Pinoy Adventurista was placed into reality. I was anxious to go there but good thing we met some local residence and
active surfers Janice and Kyong that gave us an idea on things we could expect from the
island.
Labels:
Adventures
,
alcatraz
,
Anything Hydro
,
Food and Resto
,
Island
,
massage
,
Ocean Pacific Inn
,
Resorts
,
Same Place Barbeque
,
Siargao Island
,
Spa
,
Surfing
,
Surigao City
,
Surigao del Norte
,
Travel Guide
,
Waves in Siargao
Cantiasay | Bridges to Life ( Nonoc Island, Surigao City)
![]() |
Bridging Life, San Pedro & Cantiasay |
It was just another sleepless night of travel as I hit the road to Northeastern part of Mindanao with an invitation of a blogger friend Jeffrey of Traveling Morion . To energize from my non-stop jaunt, I snap a little break in Butuan City and had a relaxing thermal massage to ease my aching feet and back. When the clock hit midnight, I ran towards the central bus terminal and waited for a bus bound for Surigao City.
Tawi-Tawi's Muslim Royal Wedding | A Sacred Love Sealed Under the Moon
Being
a spontaneous traveler, I always love the idea of not knowing what I might go
through in every places I visit especially in this isolated province of the
country, Tawi-Tawi.
As I set foot in the island’s capital, I already felt a smooth smell of love in the air and the nostalgic flare of passionate emotions that was simply
contagious. Little did I know that there was a big celebration in the island;
the union of hearts between two Muslim lovers set during the rising of the
bright full moon in December.
Manobo Exotic Food: The Untold Story of Bibang (Varanus cumingi)
Living with the Manobos in Sitio Inadan in San Miguel Surigao del Sur is an experience that I will treasure forever and a worthy story I am proud sharing to everyone. This is the moment in my life where I have encountered overwhelming discoveries about cultural diversity and the true meaning of the word simplicity and humility. I would say , working and living in this part of Mindanao have totally altered my view in life upon experiencing first hand the difficulty of living conditions of our brothers in the mountainside.
Labels:
bayawak
,
endemic animals
,
exotic animals
,
Exotic Food
,
Food and Resto
,
Indigenous Food
,
lizards
,
Manobo
,
Mindanao
,
Nature and Wildlife
,
pinoyexotic
,
reptile
,
Surigao del Sur
,
survival food
,
Varanus cumingi
,
Wildlife
Gumasa,Sarangani | Life is a Beach

Traveling to the southernmost part of the Philippines will surprise you to find some of the most under rated places and some are not even heard before but possesses high potential for tourism. It was only by chance that I accidentally found myself in one of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines and the name of the place never crossed my head for the last 30 years of my existence.
My original plan was to visit the Tuna capital of the Philippines, General Santos City, but after hearing some rumors from the locals on how relaxing to bathe in the cool beach of Gumasa, I decided to gamble my whole itinerary by visiting the unheard place.
Labels:
Adventures
,
Anything Hydro
,
Beaches
,
Glan City
,
Gumasa
,
Mindanao
,
Resorts in Mindanao
,
Resorts in Sarangani
,
Sarangani
,
Travel Guide
,
White Beach
Tawi Tawi's Common Local and Exotic Foods
After a tiring trip around the island of Bongao, it was time
to please my growling tummy and give in to my wondering sensitive taste buds for some
local food and exotic delicacies from Tawi Tawi.
My lunch was hosted by the staff of Tawi Tawi’s Vice
Governor. I was served with five types
of unfamiliar and exotic dishes but enough to gratify my longing to have a taste of a local Halal prepared food.
Syagul (Php 30.00)
A very spicy and tasty meat of stingray cooked with coconut milk
then added with burned coconut grated meat that gave the sauce its olive like
color. Since I am a seafood fanatic, I almost finished the whole thing! This is a must try on your visit.
Tungkalang Beach, Bongao, Tawi Tawi:Retreat under the Crimson Sky
![]() |
I call it ' a leap of faith' in Tawi Tawi |
One
way to enjoy Tawi Tawi is to have a self reflection under its beautiful setting
sun. Passing through the Sanga-Sanga Bridge that connects Bongao and
Sanga-Sanga Islands, is one of the grandest location to spend your late
afternoon . With the Bud Bongao on the side of the crimson
sky, the view is simply captivating.
The Sanga-Sanga
Bridge is a favorite hangout among the local youth in the vicinity, executing
their most daring acrobatic stunts over the bridge and fearlessly diving into
the whirling waters that separate the two of the many islands of Tawi Tawi.
Labels:
Adventures
,
ARMM
,
Bongao
,
Mindanao
,
Tawi Tawi
Links to this post
Cast Your Vote Now for the Best Travel Blog in Travel Bloscars 2013 and Win A KindleFire

I have been blogging for six
(6) months and I am simply awed by the feedback of the public and being recognized by some institutions or groups . The recent was top notching the Filipino Bloggers Worldwide (FBW) Top Travel Blog for 2012
held last December 2012.
Being nominated alone is already an overwhelming honor as there are
hundreds or thousands of travel bloggers out there who are unique in their own
writing and storytelling techniques.
I am appealing to my avid readers and followers to support me in this quest.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)