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 >>>

Read more »

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 »

BACK TO THE FUTURE

A great experience of like having back in time during Hispanic era, still astounded that due to long period of time, this City was able to survive from any devastation and test of time.

7 WONDER CITY OF THE WORLD

A World heritage site that recently acclaimed and officially included in the new 7 wonder city of the world for its preservation of antiquated structures that still stands enduring and remain intact. Calle Crisologo is a renowned made of cobblestones passable only by karatelas. Delineated as third oldest City of the Philippines.

PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR

Vigan is a fourth class city and capital of Ilocos Sur province, Capitol hall is just across the plaza salcedo. Comparable to Luneta park, Plaza salcedo offers also dancing fountain every night to entertain both tourists and locals.

SAINT PAUL METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

Plaza Salcedo is just across Vigan church, after buying pasalubong from Calle Crisologo, try to visit the church,  interior is fascinating that they able to conserved the remains. This plaza was built to attract more tourist, you can sit and relax while watching the well lit dancing fountain in full colors. It is a must to venture an experience here in Vigan City.

Read more »

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

Read more »

THE CAPITAL

Laoag City is a first class City and capital of Ilocos Norte region. Part of Ilocos tour, laoag has offered tourist spots. Old structures are an evident remnant of Hispanic era, others were already gone under renovations, but modification from its old design are highly restrained. This City embraces old culture in a modern time.

SINKING BELL TOWER

This venerable bell tower structure built of bricks and lime stone is a famous landmark of Laoag City. It is notable that this structure is sinking an inch every year, it was then acclaimed a tallest and most solid bell tower in the Philippines before it eventuate sinking. Now its main door is a half way buried, come and visit this remarkable sinking bell tower while still passable.

Read more »

SUMMER CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES

Tag as the summer capital of the country, not only of its cold climate all year round but this city offers more than its low temperature. This city is still rich in cultural diversity where in the indigenous and ethnic group still embraces their old culture despite of modernization and highly urbanized City. Rich in agricultural products such vegetables, flowers and fruits majority supplies the NCR region and its neighboring provinces came from this region.

EARTHQUAKE

Once devastated by an earthquake that almost collapsed the entire economy of this region and significant loss of life but regained through the help of national government and aid from the international donors. Baguio City now is one of the favorite vacation places to visit of local and international tourists. During December, Lenten season, summer and its renowned and notable Panagbenga festival, visitors flocked to spend time with family and friends here.

Related topics for Baguio:

>>> Panagbenga 2015: Beauties
>>> Panagbenga 2015: Float parade
>>> Panagbenga 2015: Street Parade


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
• Ilokano
• Ibanag
• Transportation
• Air
• From manila you can do access by plane through Baguio City airport
• Land 
• Bus
• Victory Liner, Genesis and other bus companies
• P 425.00 
• Foods
• You can find restaurants, fast foods and other food services in a nearby Mall.
• Local delicacies also can be found along the street of session road and nearby market 
• Where to stay
• Maplandia
• Go Sarangani Travel
• Financial Establishments
• Remittances can be found anywhere
• Banks is also not an issue since most of the known banks are all here.

Read more »

SUBIC PART 2

More about Subic Here >>>

Subic Waterfalls Here >>>

Read more »

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.

Read more »

LITTLE BORACAY

Everyone whom I know is asking what can I recommend for a best place to go if you are in southern Mindanao. Well, most of them doesn't know and unaware of the places that have potentials, but afraid to try because of the arm conflict they have heard about Mindanao. I have already previewed various places in Mindanao, so that tourists may know that crimes and arm conflict in this area is just an isolated cases.

This beach is also known as a "Little Boracay of the South" in comparable to the beauty of the Boracay. Gumasa offered a long stretch of powdery white sand. A one and a half hour travel from Gensan city proper, you can experience a crystal clear water in a white powdery sand that Gumasa has to offer. Unlike Boracay, Gumasa is not crowded and a party place, resorts are already offered for overnight accommodations. If you don't like the over crowded shore line and lively sounds during night time, in Gumasa you can get and enjoy the serenity of nature while away from the busy life of City while in vacation. 

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
• Local dialect use
• Good Morning - Maayong Buntag
• Good Afternoon - Maayong Udto
• Good Evening - Maayong Gabi-i
• Let's eat - Mangaon ta
• How much? - Tagpila?
• Transportation
• Air
• From manila you can do access only by plane, in Gensan City Airport
• Land 
• Bus
• Yellow Bus Line, Holiday Bus
• From Davao City estimated fare is about P300.00 to Gensan City
• Van
• From Kcc Mall of Gensan to Gumasa
• P90.00
• Habal-habal or Pedicab, Tricycle
• P 30.00 from Glan van terminal to Gumasa resorts
• Foods
• Enjoy some foods in the resorts, or you can bring your own foods. Restaurants can be found in the City proper of Gensan.
• Where to stay
• Maplandia
• Go Sarangani Travel
• Financial Establishments
• Remittances can be found in Glan Proper and Alabel.
• Banks are in Gensan make sure to be financially prepared before your arranged trip, beaches are in outskirt area of the province.

Read more »

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.

Read more »