DINAGAT ISLAND: year-end trip

Dinagat Island- youngest province of Caraga Region and is dubbed as the "Mystical Island Province of Love."  The place where the controversial cult Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) originated. It is the land of the very influential Ecleos. This province offers nice attractions which is ideally good for total relaxation.

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The castle located in the top of the mountain caught my attention the moment we arrived in San Jose Pier around 4pm. We took picture of it using my friend’s 50x optical zoom point shoot camera.

We directly went to Amas Lodging House where we stayed overnight. After putting our things in our room, we headed to White Castle which fascinated us upon our arrival. The mansion is owned by Governor Ecleo. Being mesmerized of how the mansion looks like, I at some point thought that I am snowhite living in the world of fantasies.  It definitely looks like a big house in cartoon movies with pointed canopies that captivate people in mainland areas. I am really running out of words to describe it. Perhaps it’s my time to see such unique mansion. Elegant, inviting, attention-grabbing, nice, beautiful, every human being’s dream, you name it...  It seems like the mansion is labeled with “come on and see me” considering that my eyes can’t resist from looking at it. Just like a typical house, sightseers are not allowed to enter. However, they never forbade us in taking pictures. We were just lucky that the guard opened the door for us to see its splendid façade. We stayed there ‘til sunset.

Our single motor drivers who happened to be our guide told us to see the Holy Land (white castle); it is where the PBMA members gathered. It is also the place where Mr. Ruben Ecleo Sr, founder of PBMA, is buried. We were hesitant at first knowing that we did not wear skirts and white t-shirts because we did not know their basic protocol. But our luck continues as we leaped the place. They allowed us to enter their sacred place despite the fact that I wore sleeveless and knee-level short. Having been aware about the negative feedbacks of the cult, I am honestly petrified as I moved closer to their so called Holy Land. 

We spent our second day mainly in the middle of the sea. We did island hopping. Boat rental for the whole day activity is P2,000.00. Better go there in group to save money. The more, the merrier! 

BITAOG BEACH

LAKE BABABU

Getting there.

*Nearest airport of Dinagat Island is Surigao City Airport.

*Mode of transportation- boats and ferries

*Boat Fare- P100.00

*Schedule- daily 1PM