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.

********************************************************************************

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

BUCAS GRANDE, I shall return!

Bucas Grande, Socorro Island- situated in the eastern part of Surigao del Norte and  Southern part of Siargao Island, approximately 2 hours away from General Luna (the place where annual surfing festival takes place.) Socorro is 1 hour pump boat travel from HAVODA Terminal, Hayanggabon, Claver, Surigao del Norte. Furthermore, it is prevalently known for its Sohoton Cave.

Another piece of history is being listed in my journey. This is honestly my first time in seeing and holding a real and alive jelly fish. I was apprehensive at first because I didn’t believe that it’s stingless. But I still got a nerve to hold it with all my senses for the sake of memorabilia. FYI, jellyfishes are really sensitive, thus, no one is allowed to swim with them.

After our meet and greet with the jellyfishes, we moved to our next itinerary which is caving.  We have seen the horseshoe-shape rock formation along the way. We are also feeding our eyes with the lavishness of isolated green undisturbed forests while inhaling the extraordinary freshness of air as we hopped from one island to another.

horseshoe-shape

In an instant my dream of having a fairer skin came true as I drenched myself in the luminous cold water trapped in a huge cave. Yeah, you've read it correctly...it is indeed luminous! My skin goes back to its normal color as I moved out from water. It thought me a lesson somehow and learned a lot of things such as worldly things that comes easily will surely goes easily and it goes the same with “love”. Charr…  

Knees trembling, hands are cold and hair ruffled…I’ve surprisingly defeated my acrophobia by virtue of no choice. We have explored one cave tourist destination where you need to jump into the water for memorable exit compliance. But then again, life is a matter of choice and with this experience, you have a choice; either you waste your time and go back to its proper entrance with no one to guide you or just bravely jump about 15 feet above water level for you to move on to your next destination. Which is which?? I bet you’ll jump. 

Bolitas Cave, if your physique is beyond the normal size, I suggest don’t bother going to this cave. The entrance which also happens to be the exit is too small that everyone is required to crawl just to reach its dead end just to have a short glimpse of those marble-shape stones (locally known as bolitas). Getting there is not easy, but it is worthy! The cave is really unique. Stalactites look like pointed boobies while stalagmites' formations are quite similar to man’s private organ. Hahaha     

“I SHALL RETURN” is the only phrase I could remember from my friend the moment we depart this place. And I seconded the motion.To some (especially the cave enthusiasts), they said Sohoton cave offers more enjoyment compared to other caves in the country. Some even rated Bucas Grande higher compared to other tourists spots. With that, Socorro only proves that it is simply the paradise where you will find peace, serenity of the mind, simplicity of the heart and tranquility of the soul. My P1,100.00 budget for 1 day Socorro Island  trip is truly awesome. 

SAMAL ISLAND: HAGIMIT FALLS

Have you been to a certain place and yet you don’t know where exactly you are going ‘coz you are not familiar with that place? It took me 3hours to answer this question….”SHOULD I GO OR NOT?”

Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS)- It’s been 4 years since my first visit in Samal and hitherto I still feel brandnew the moment I arrived in wharfing area. In view of the fact that I wasted 3 precious hours in deciding whether to pursue my exploration or not, it stimulates my adrenaline hormone and soon after  I’m in a state of a “rush”.

Since I’m a stranger to the said place, I asked my first cousin, nephew and niece who are currently residing in Davao City to accompany me in Samal. We still don’t know where to go with respect to my budget. So I called my cousin’s girlfriend and asked some accessible tourist attractions with minimal expenses and then she suggested Hagimit Falls.

Just because the expenses are within my pocket’s reach, I expected the place to be less attractive. Subconcious even agreed to my expectations while we are on our way to the falls because the entrance is not that inviting. To normalize my blood pressure brought by too much expectation, I told myself “I don’t care if this place is ugly. So long as I’m in Samal then that’s it. Everyone in my hometown is wishing  to be here and I am lucky to visit here, not just once but twice.” And that’s what you called pride. Shame on me!

The time we reach the proper destination, we immediately look for cottage, and as we are looking for a cottage, the cascade caught my attention. It is truly fascinating. The ambiance is really good. I truly appreciate the green environment. 


 Bonus is that they offered a canopy walk which is really affordable. This place is nothing but every adventurer’s dream. I love the place. I wish to stay here longer but I don’t have enough time. 

MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, the Melting Pot of the South

Mindanao State University-main campus, known as the “Melting Pot of the South” is located in Marawi City roughly 2,800 feet above sea level overlooking the docile Lake Lanao, the second largest lake in the country.  

Quite elated despite the rumor that MSU is no longer a safe place among Christians. Yeah, this stubborn poorlakwatchera still found the guts to have a short visit there.

After 4 long years, I am able to revisit my beloved Alma Mater, Mindanao State University. I graduated here last 2009 and didn’t get my diploma right away so I can have a valid reason to visit the cold place again. It was an 8-hour tiresome land travel to be able to get there.

I arrived there around 7:30AM and directly went to my friend’s boarding house.  After that, we were looking for restaurant that serves the best “pater” or yellow rice with beef/chicken toppings to satisfy my cravings and we ended up eating in Pastel/Pater eatery. Well, the reasonably priced foods really taste great! 

After our late breakfast, we toured around the campus from Commercial Center to impressive Golf course where we could inhale totally unpolluted air and then had our snacks at Ayala Resort.
Upon crossing the Dimaporo gym, I saw several groups of students talking and so I asked my friend “what are they doing there?” then she naughtily answered “another member of OH LORD OH LORD clan”. And her answer made me smile as it reminds me of my history during my college days. There are many religious ministries trying to convince and convert your belief into something you don’t actually like.

forestry roadway

Holy Qur'an 

masjid @ king faisal

We even went to King Faisal.

Living in MSU is extremely different from my metropolitan life. MSU is indeed a definition of simple living where bars and alcoholic beverages are not allowed.

AGA KHAN MUSEUM

Feeding our tummies again with carbonara at Jecos before leaving MSU’s portal. This is where we spent our spare time with close friends during our college days.  

At the end of the day, I feel so discontented considering that I only spent few hours in MSU. I went home bearing numerous questions in my head. When will be my next visit? What will it look like 5 years from now? 

A LOVELY HOLIDAY BREAK IN CAMIGUIN ISLAND

Filled with excitement as we savored the place tagged as the Island Born of Fire, Camiguin Island. After 5 months of waiting, we’ve finally conquered this island.

15 significant places here in Camiguin Island were listed in my must-visit list. I didn’t make any travel itinerary in advance as it makes me feel sick whenever I can’t follow a designated schedule. I am a Filipino and I am an avid disciple of what they called “Filipino time”. So unquestionably I break all travel schedules. Besides, I am a come-what -may type of girl. Here we go…

Our journey started around 1 in the morning. Everything fell perfectly into place. The timing was remarkably great. I mean, we were able to catch the shuttle’s (barge) first trip going to Camiguin.

Deluxe First trip from Butuan City going to Cagayan de Oro is 2 AM. We humbly asked the driver to wake us up 5 minutes before Balingoan Terminal so we could compose ourselves by then.  We arrived in Balingoan Terminal around 5AM having a fare of P 196.00 for adult and P150.00 for my sister (student).  We never hired a tricycle going to Balingoan Port so we could save money. Instead, we walked so fast so we could catch the first trip. And thanks God, wish granted. With all the haggling drama, the ticket booth in-charge allowed us to be the last barge passengers of Shuttle # 9. 

With those huge waves, my sister Kiray got dizzy along the way and our youngest brother kept on praying for our safety trip while I’m busy chit-chatting with my co-passenger about this island. It took 1:15 minutes from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port. Then we took a ride going to Mambajao via multicab. When we arrived in Mambajao bagsakan, we bought foods for our 1^st day trip.

 I was so uncertain whether to stay in a hotel or to stay in my childhood friend’s house. But since I’m trying to be thrifty for souvenir purposes, I’ve chosen not to stay in a hotel not knowing that my friend’s house is situated in remote area (Barangay Campana) where fare expenses is lot higher compared to hotel expenses. Shame on me! But we’re already there, so we didn’t have a choice but to close our eyes and enjoy the moment. 

Around 10:00AM after our breakfast, we hired 2 motorcycles for our trip. By unanimous decision, we chose White Island to be our first stop.  We arrived in White Island wharfing area which is located in Paras Beach around 11AM, we paid the entrance fee P20.00 per pax, pump boat rental (back and forth) that costs P450.00 and rented some swimming gears. We reached the said island in just 7 minutes. The pear-shaped island has not retained its natural shape as the tide is getting higher after an hour. And with that, we were forced to move on to our next target destination, the Ardent Hot Spring. 

ARDENT HOT SPRING

Ardent Hot Spring is located in Esperanza, Tagdo, Mambajao. 

Since it’s past 1 in the afternoon, our tummies began to protest. Glad that we saw this low-priced cafeteria “Kainan sa Tulay” situated in Yumbing on our way to Sto.NiÑo Cold Spring.  

STO. NIÑO COLD SPRING
The 8 feet pool is damn so cold. Unfortunately, we were running out of time so we were not able to swim and feel the coldness of this spring.

Cottages are also available for rent. And as you can see, they don't use freezer in this area to make the carbonated drinks cold, and I presume the picture says it all.

After 15 minutes of touring around, the rain started to fall so we swiftly proceeded to our next destination, Catarman Old Church Ruins. Catarman Old Church Ruins, formerly known as Guiob Church, was ruined during the volcanic eruption (Mt. Hibok-hibok) on May 13, 1871. This 3-inch astonishing wall is nothing but a worth a stop. Anyway, this place is just few minutes away from Sunken Cemetery.

As we walk inside to the church relics, the little girl approaches to us and she cordially offered herself to be our camera girl while telling us the brief history of the church. She’s definitely amazing. Really! And she even told us that the said place has hidden treasure. Many tried digging but none succeeded. 

3-inch wall

inside the church

130-year old tree beside the old convent

After feeding our eyes with historic view of the old church ruins, we went to Sunken Cemetery in which the Camiguin is popularly known for. Again we hired a boat for 100 pesos back and forth so we could have a closer look of the cross and also sunken cemetery. By the way, the cross is just 3minutes away from the shore. 

with my sis kiray

Lastly we went to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross where the traditional “panaad” during Lenten season takes place. It’s getting late; hence we only achieved the first station.  I promised to visit the 14 stations in my next visit soon! 

We went back to my friend’s house around 6pm and had our dinner then finally snuggle up in our bed early.

Fresh breeze woke us up early. We immediately prepared our things for our last but not the least destination, Katibawasan Falls.

KATIBAWASAN FALLS

Katibawasan Falls, 250ft high, is located in Mambajao. It’s quite early so definitely we were the first sightseer there. We paid P20.00/pax for the entrance fee. We never stayed there for long period since we were planning to take the 2 o’clock barge trip. The weather was not good so it would be risky for us to take to last trip.

250 ft high

 

kipping for only Php10.00

After Katibawasan falls, I and my college friend Jepoy met at Bagsakan and then had our short bonding in Parola and lastly in Cathedral.

We successfully catch the 2 o’clock trip and with Shuttle 24, it took 45 minutes only from Benoni Port to Balinguan Port.

This ends our 2-day rush island hopping. We’re heading home feeling so tired yet satisfied!