ADVENTURE AWAITS

This scenery will require additional Adrenalin, don't go without a tour guide, trail is confusing and you might get lost if you are not familiar with the place. No wonder that some of mountaineers did misunderstood that they have found already the Panigan falls. Don't be misled, the main source of this river is actually came from the area where there has a cave and the water is coming from its orifice and the main falls is situated there.

Expect to be wet while trekking going to the falls.

This river have evidence of multiple layered of waterfalls along the way, varied in different height and width. Panigan waterfalls measures with an estimated height of 3 meters and 5 meters width side to side. The source of this system was not yet been known and where the water originated. The opening of the cave has an estimated portal of 1.5 meters height and 4 meters width.

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog 
• Can do speak and understand
• Cebuano
• Good Morning - Maayong Buntag
• Good Afternoon - Maayong Udto
• Good Evening - Maayong Gabi-i
• Let's eat - Mangaon ta
• How much? - Tag-pila?
• Hilonggo
• Good Morning - Maayo nga Aga
• Good Afternoon - Maayo nga Udto
• Good Evening - Maayo nga Gab-i
• Let's eat - Kaon ta
• How Much? - Pila?
• Manobo
• Good Morning - Mefion Nekebugsang
• Good Afternoon - Mefion Mafun
• Good Evening - Mefion Sigef
• Let's eat - Kemaen Ki
• How much? - Fila Ine?
• Tedoray
• Good Morning - Fiyo Gefuwen
• Good Afternoon - Fiyo Temegen
• Good Evening - Fiyo Kelongonon
• Let's eat - Mama tom
• How much? - Firoy Keni
• Transportation
• Air
• From Manila to Davao vise versa
• From Manila to Gensan vise versa
• From Manila to Cotabato vise versa
• Land 
• Jeep/Multicab (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Tricycle (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Van (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Bus (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Motorcycle (Habal-habal) (Esperanza-Marawir)
• Foods
• Well known fast food chain can be found in Isulan, Tacurong and Koronadal City.
• Ihaw-ihaw (Grill house) and other fast foods can be found at Esperanza.
• Where to stay
• You can either stay at Esperanza proper or Isulan.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks are available in the nearby town.
• Remittances can be found in the town proper.

Thanks to Mr. Renato Sambrano for helping to provide Lumad translations... More climb to come...

More about Esperanza Here >>>

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MARAWIR PEAK

Marawir peak is located at sitio marawir, under the municipality of Esperanza, province of Sultan Kudarat. This forum have organized an event establishing connections to the mountaineers and locals including natives of the area Manobo and tedoray. Opening the portal of its new world for the outdoor enthusiasts have gain supports from sponsors, Local government and mountaineers all over Philippines. The existence of Marawir is situated in the middle of the valley, locals have their own urban legends on how this hill have evolved. Regardless, its true beauty of nature must have to uncover.

STARRY STARRY NIGHT

While everybody is still asleep, gaining strength for another exasperating activities the following day, I was able to sneak some shots of Marawir peak under the starry night and moon lit. Displaying the Cygnus milkyway on the upper right side and a cluster of tents in the foreground.

Clear sky as if there's nothing happened earlier that night. While sudden heavy drenching rains, Mountaineers were about to lose hope to complete the event including ascending the peak of Marawir. Some of mountaineers took refuge inside classrooms (Including me), the ground was heavily inundated.

ATOP OF MARAWIR

It is advantageous if you start early morning, you can perceive the sea of clouds over the plains. It is beneficial to go there as early as 5am until 8am. Scorching heat can make you unsuitable to appreciate the nature, trail ascending have no tress for a chance to have a rest.

THE COMMUNITY

Locals are composed of Visaya, Ilonggo and a Lumad Manobo and Tedoray. Their major source of income are root crops, corn and vegetables, their hospitality are very welcoming and warm. They still embraces and preserved old culture in a modern time.

MET THE HOSPITABLE NATIVES OF MARAWIR

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog 
• Can do speak and understand
• Cebuano
• Good Morning - Maayong Buntag
• Good Afternoon - Maayong Udto
• Good Evening - Maayong Gabi-i
• Let's eat - Mangaon ta
• How much? - Tag-pila?
• Hilonggo
• Good Morning - Maayo nga Aga
• Good Afternoon - Maayo nga Udto
• Good Evening - Maayo nga Gab-i
• Let's eat - Kaon ta
• How Much? - Pila?
• Manobo
• Good Morning - Mefion Nekebugsang
• Good Afternoon - Mefion Mafun
• Good Evening - Mefion Sigef
• Let's eat - Kemaen Ki
• How much? - Fila Ine?
• Tedoray
• Good Morning - Fiyo Gefuwen
• Good Afternoon - Fiyo Temegen
• Good Evening - Fiyo Kelongonon
• Let's eat - Mama tom
• How much? - Firoy Keni
• Transportation
• Air
• From Manila to Davao vise versa
• From Manila to Gensan vise versa
• From Manila to Cotabato vise versa
• Land 
• Jeep/Multicab (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Tricycle (Isulan-Esperanza)
• Van (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Bus (Gensan, Isulan via Tacurong)
• Motorcycle (Habal-habal) (Esperanza-Marawir)
• Foods
• Well known fast food chain can be found in Isulan, Tacurong and Koronadal City.
• Ihaw-ihaw (Grill house) and other fast foods can be found at Esperanza.
• Where to stay
• You can either stay at Esperanza proper or Isulan.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks are available in the nearby town.
• Remittances can be found in the town proper.

Thanks to Mr. Renato Sambrano for helping to provide Lumad translations... More climb to come...

More about Esperanza Here >>>

Read more »

Mindanao Mountaineering Foundation (MMF) in coordination with the Local Tourism Office of Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat and with the effort of local community of Sitio Marawir, who were able to organized an invitational Climb for all mountaineering enthusiasts in the country. These activities served with a purpose of helping the local and outreach program for the Lumad community of Sitio Marawir, Municipality of Esperanza, Province of Sultan Kudarat. This out skirt community is a secluded sitio and can be accessed by riding a Habal-Habal or a single motorcycle as their mode of transportation, with estimated travel time of two and half hours from Esperanza proper.

REGISTRATION

Various Mountaineers all over the Philippines flocked to join this event to support the 3^rd MMF Invitational Climb and Community out reach program.

ORGANIZERS

I was able to chat with Sir Renato Sambrano an outdoor enthusiast Government employee working at assessor's office at the same time tourism officer working as his past time. Untiringly, sharing his thoughts and ideas as part of these organizers on how they able to promote and organize this event for the benefits of his constituents both Lumads and local residents of Sitio Marawir. Programs and more developments are coming soon to give good access for both locals and tourists to this secluded community with the effort of Local Government of Esperanza Municipality.

SNACK TIME

Locals have served a snacks for mountaineers prepared by Manobo and Tedoray tribe during program presentation at the school playground. They showed us their warm and heartfelt welcome to all the participants.

AGE DOES NOT MATTER

Hyacinth Opao, a 9 years old all the way from Pasig City, youngest girl mountaineer participant who successfully achieved to scale the peak of Marawir. At a very young age she has been traveled already in many places including climbing, river trekking and caving. It was in her early age discovered that one of her best interest is love of nature and outdoor activities.

SOX PH OUTDOORS

A community website that features the hidden Gem of Mindanao. I was able to met Ping Zerrudo and Nanardx Zee Navarro, admin of this group, sedulously sharing his experiences for love of nature. They are actively promoting various places of Mindanao.

I was one of those who signed in with interest to join this event, with the help of a friend Ms. Charie Llanto who was giving me an idea for this event. In connection with her sisters, who are also outdoor enthusiasts and were able to joined in the previous activities of this organization. Thanks to Cysil Joy Llanto and Cyndi Llanto, whom I met personally and with the effort of Kulot (El Quintayo) a new friend who untiringly brought his tent for my shelter.

Related Post

Panigan falls follow Here >>>
Marawir Peak Here >>>

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UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Paoay church was declared as National Cultural Treasure by Philippine government in 1973 and tagged as Unesco World Heritage Site under the collective Baroque churches of the Philippines in December 11, 1993 for its distinct old architecture and structure made of stones and bricks. Part of its structure are the 24 huge buttresses having a dimension of about 1,67 meters thickness protruding from its exterior wall designed to support from the destructive earthquake.

Paoay church was started to built in the early 1694 1704 by Augustinians Friar Father Antonio Estavillo and it was inaugurated on the 28th day of February 1896. The numerous huge buttress are an evident of sturdy support and tenacious to shaking. In the early historical records as early as 1593 the parish was founded by Augustinian missionaries. "PAOAY" was originally called as "BOMBAY" a community that belief to be an early inhabitant of the area came from India. 

BELL TOWER

Bell tower was built separately adjacent from main building in protection from earthquake in domino effect. The three storey tower is made of coral stones which started to built on 1793,  serves also as Pagoda and used as watch tower against the insurgencies.

THE INTERIOR

Visit more about Ilocos

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SUBIC PART 2

More about Subic Here >>>

Subic Waterfalls Here >>>

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LAST SUNSET OF 2014

A small and humble place of Pangasinan, Tayug is a Municipal town of Pangasinan Province, situated about 192 Kilometers north from Metro Manila. Tayug was then derived from a local tall tree "Bacayao" that in Ilocano term is "layug" then it became TAYUG.

GOODBYE 2014

The last sunset before the end of year, as if bade goodbye 2014. It was unplanned shoot, on rushed to take this before we leave the place. It was a short visit to a relative and held our new year's eve in this province, out from the bustling noise of Manila. An opportunity to rest for a while from stressful City and away from work, very much appreciated this travel.

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COLORS

Early rise hoping to get a good outcome by chasing the first vibrant colors of the day. It is always a perseverance to make a glory. Saving my time to sleep early in preparation to my early travel to this place. It is located somewhere away from our home, but distance is not always an excuse for an enthusiast traveler. I really spared that day during a short vacation to my hometown, to share the wonderful natures of the Southern part of Mindanao. 

THE PLAYGROUND

So tranquil and felt sooth when I saw the outcome of this picture, unlike from what I have felt before, when I almost burnt out for some preparations to capture this moment. Several insect and mosquito bites on my legs and arms, I forgot to bring my insect repellent due to excitement. It was a third time I went back to my homeland, until such I have this extra time to visit this place. A playground of some good landscape photographers of Gensan and other nearby town. I have seen several photos of this place, a good photographs, different angles, and different mode of the day. No matter what it has to be the outcome, I still admired of what they have got.

MY PRIZE

Now I understand what makes this place so special. From the foreground, to the mid ground, the background and of course to the subject itself so natural and vibrant in colors, this place have many potential for a landscape photographers' taste. Mangroves always added spices as an ingredients to the good photographs that have taken from here.

So sad when I realized that this place is now foreclosed and bought by new owner, no plans as of this moment of what will be the development for this place. As I remembered during my college days we always went here, doing some excursions and family bonding. Just one ride from a city proper of Gensan. Although this place is an outskirt area, transportation going here is not a problem, this beach is located along the national highway going to the other part of Sarangani province. Just don't make it too late to catch a ride, but if you have your own car it is an advantage to go anytime of the day. 

Formerly, it has been called 4ML beach resort. An almost white sand sea shore with a good potential in any resort businesses that can be put up here. It is a one hour drive from the City proper of Gensan, along the area several resorts to choose for.

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