HIDDEN BEAUTY

Sunset scene always made me awe. On rushed to take some shots to this small island, off shore from the port of Biliran municipality, riding a small boat enough to accommodate two persons is our transportation to this small island. A good view of this sunset made this place very special every time the sun gave colors to the sky.

A good view of Biliran main island taken at the port. This long exposure made a beautiful effect of streaking clouds and made the water calm and misty, added with a dramatic colors as a reflection from the sun that was about to vanish that day.

On the other side of the island, you can find a main bridge connecting the two islands. You can see  a beach resort own by Chan's family. It was a great site to wait for the sunrise, an idealistic to shot because of the mangroves used as a foreground.

STARRY STARRY NIGHT

As early as 3:00 AM a clear sky made this shot advantage to get a great view of milky way. Taken from the M and M inn own by Mr. Jun and Antonette Chan. If you happen to visit Biliran municipality it is good to check in to this place it feels like your are in home of your own.

OTHERS

Other details for biliran check here>>>

• Kasabangan waterfalls here>>>

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ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI OR ALEGRIA CHURCH

Alegria is a small town situated at the southern most of Cebu province, a remnants of Spanish era, where old structures are mostly still preserved. St. Francis of Assisi church were known to its long stretch of structure inward, with a single belfry in front that its picturesqueness is an art of old and well planned structure. An architecture that preserved with a lively detailed of its Gothic design aged in time. The church was duly recognized as one of the old churches in Cebu, built on 1857, once a garrison during Japanese invasion.

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 Mactan airport take a taxi cab to South Central terminal for an estimated cost of P250.00 to P300.00
• Land Bus
• Ceres Bus
• P131.00 make sure to remind the conductor that you have to drop off to Kawasan falls.
• Non-aircon Bus
• P115.00 if you are not that much looking for comfortability and up for a budget, non-aircon bus is also serves the area  
• Foods
• There's no class "A" restaurant here but the foods are good.
• Where to stay
• Beach resorts are mostly the easy way to get for accommodation, along the way several of resorts can be found.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks is in Cebu proper, Remittance centers are anywhere in nearby town.
• Local Tour Guide
• P 150.00 to P200.00 depends on how you negotiate.
• RICKY LUAGUE - 09262824060
• Just tell him you have read my blog (LAKAT) and you can ask him a guide fee for as low as P100.00

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KAWASAN FALLS

Kawasan waterfalls is situated in Southern part of Cebu, an accessible and easy to go, just need to pay a little exercise  for 1.5 km hiking to see this spring waterfalls located at Brgy. Matutinao, Badian, Cebu province. Way that goes to the falls is already developed but not yet concreted. Cars and medium vehicle may pass until to reach the parking area, you can also leave your car at the entrance near the church. On your way up there, road is fully canopied by a lush of greenery and trees that gives a shed for the excursionist, Just pay P 10.00 for entrance fee.

It was not my first time for this place, I have been here several years ago with a friend. Two of us ventured this place and had a wonderful experience, we have had numerous of fall down due to slippery and muddy way upon approaching the main source of water, our camera were also nearly got wet upon crossing the river as our feet slipped from a muddy stone, funny it was. 

CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER

One I have observed, the water is blueish, comparable to some waterfalls I've been through the source of this waterfalls is came from a spring, unlike from the other waterfalls that located on the stream of rivers that the source is from a water reserve of the lake. 

You can spend your vacation here, kawasan have rooms good for overnight stay, you can also find a fastfood but expect much pricey that standard since the place is in remote area. You can also rent a cottage and bring foods where you can spend your whole day near the waterfalls.

Unlike before, I truly appreciate now the beauty of this waterfalls. The last time we were here, water was brownish due to maintenance schedule, residence and other volunteers  were on its clean up drive to get the extra mud that flushed along the area cause by a typhoon that hits Cebu.

Kawasan have multiple waterfalls you can venture, you can go up to its water source a spring. Every waterfalls has its own characteristic, some are just small, some are wide. All are definitely beautiful, complete the vacation by ending an adventure, make sure be safe always and extra double careful upon wandering the entire waterfalls for sometimes the way is slippery, avoid mishaps, it is better to get home without body ache and bruises. 

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 Mactan airport take a taxi cab to South Central terminal for an estimated cost of P250.00 to P300.00
• Land Bus
• Ceres Bus
• P131.00 make sure to remind the conductor that you have to drop off to Kawasan falls.
• Non-aircon Bus
• P115.00 if you are not that much looking for comfortability and up for a budget, non-aircon bus is also serves the area  
• Foods
• You can find foods along the way on the drop off stations, expect a little pricey on the Kawasan proper. there's no class "A" restaurant here but the foods are good.
• Where to stay
• Kawasan falls have rooms to offer for an overnight stay good for two persons just add for an extra if more than two. Price budget is P1,500.00 to P2,500.00.
• You can also find lot of accomodations along the way near kawasan, along beach side.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks is in Cebu proper, Remittance centers are anywhere in nearby town.
• Local Tour Guide
• P 150.00 to P200.00 depends on how you negotiate
• I highly recommend this guy since he was my guide going there, you can go without a guide but if you intent to wander in most waterfalls it is therefore to recommend to get one to assists you.
• RICKY LUAGUE - 09262824060
• Just tell him you have read my blog (LAKAT) and you can ask him a guide fee for as low as P100.00

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CEBU MACTAN BRIDGE OR MARCELO B. FERNAN BRIDGE

Bridge that connects the main island of Cebu and Mactan traversing the channel of two islands to decongest heavy traffic of growing population of Cebu and easy access to Mactan airport, considered as one of the longest bridge in the Philippines. This bridge was duly financed and built by Japanese government, completed and inaugurated on August 1999.

Best to see and witness the beauty of this architecture during sunset, as like this photos have visioned the colorful background on its busy traffic and lighted structure.

You can go under this bridge take some photos as souvenir from Cebu. Under Marcelo B. Fernan bridge has a small plaza where most of the tourists and nearby residents doing exercise and resting time. Brace you self get ready with your camera to witness the best view of sunset in Cebu.

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 to Mactan airport
• Going Cebu City you can pass by this bridge
• Land 
• Jeep
• P8.00 take a jeepney ride to mandaue ask to drop off in Marcelo B. Fernan bridge.
• Taxi 
• P50.00 estimated cost since the place is near to the airport  
• Foods
• No problem on foods everywhere you can find the well known fastfoods nearby.
• Where to stay
• Mactan, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue and Cebu City have numerous of accomodations you can find from a budget cost to a first class accomodation.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks are anywhere you can find.
• Local Tour Guide
• I have known this person while looking for a vantage point to get the sunset, he is very accommodating and assisted me near the bridge, it is very important in every place you have to go, meet and befriend in locals who have well known to the area, if you happen to visit here just text and he is welling to assists you just mentioned (LAKAT) and you have read my blog.
• Rodelito Gaco - 09472254457
• A small tip in kind is appreciated

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PAILAH

Pailah Festival named after from its town's ancient name Pila, Laguna. "PAILAH" also derived as Palay (Rice) as their major crop since Hispanic era, Isda (Fish) since the municipality is also near in the lake, Tilapia is also one of their livelihood, Lilok Antigo (Antique Carvings) along the district not only from the crops farming and fishing they have dependent but they also have handicraft products to make this town also known as one of the best suppliers of native products and wood carvings which is Laguna is famous to its talents and skills. Halaman (Ornamental plants) they have produced a lot of supplies for different places of Manila and its neighboring provinces for their premier class of ornamental plants.

This event were duly attended by Nayon Photographers' Club who were invited to cover the yearly event. From manila we prepared to depart as early as 5:00 am to witness this event by 8:00 am. As we arrived we have ample time to set up and prepare our things. One you can observe if you are in Pila is like you are travelling back in time, the old houses are well maintained and preserved its Hispanic architectural designs, same as the church as well. This municipality of Laguna is a sleepy town but were not affected by war for its excessive bombardments during Japanese American battle, up to now the evident of the town is still on its finest preservation of heritage village such as their houses, church and other structures that you can find here.

 

BEAUTIES

The beauties of Pila is an evident of true Filipina beauty, in fact Pailah Festival held a Lakan and Binibi ng Pila every year's event, the first day celebration always a start of an awarding for its Mister and Miss Pila Laguna. The crowned winners is always in part of the parade and street dancing.

Pailah festival ends up with an awarding of great performers of parade and street dancing competition held at grand plaza in between old parish church and municipal hall. Defending champion of last year's competition where not so luck to get the recent award but still placed as one of the top winners.

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog
• Transportation
• Land-Bus
• P127.00 Cubao to Sta. Cruz Laguna, Via Pila Laguna. HM and Jam bus serves the public transportation along the area 
• Foods
• Not all favorite fastfoods can be found in the town proper, but for the budget travelers take our recommendation to look for a short orders cafeterias, foods is very good.
• Where to stay
• check hotels here http://www.maplandia.com
• Financial Establishments
• Banks at the town proper as well as ATM
• Remitance centers are also available here

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ASIK-ASIK OR PAGURAN FALLS

It was once belief a fairy haven nature, hidden in a vast of forested, greenery and mountainous area of Alamada, North Cotabato. Above is an agricultural land with corns, vegetables, coconut trees and upland rice as their major crops, well maintained and valued by both Christians, Muslims and natives who are original settlers of the area. This paradise was totally hidden and difficult to reach due to limited access, communities along the area believed that it was an enchanted place where the fairies have lived long before. Until such time that the nature naturally opens itself to share its wonder to the public and for all who love nature. Wonderful nature, a one of a kind and only can be found here. A panoramic views of spring curtain waters that gives amazing experience to those who have witness for this beautiful paradise in the midst of mountains.

Amazingly the source of water is not coming from a stream or cause by a river. It is a spring water gush flow through the stone crust of the mountain wall. A crystal clear cold water and its finest taste of natural and rich of minerals is quite good and rewarding to your thirst during a long trek and adventure, aside from what you might have experienced in this paradise.

Asik-asik was named after the visayan term of ilonggo as sprinkler of water, where the constituents are mostly an Ilonggo hiligaynon and ilonggo karay-a. Before it was called Orantimor in Muslim dialect and changed to its name as Paguran, later on it was changed to its name as Asik-asik. There was also a proposal from the President of the United of Idelman Tribe Association in the Philippines Bai Rebecca Alamada-Buan, renaming Asik-asik to Lamihan that signifies meaningful description to the natives. No matter what they call it, it is still majestically sacred sanctuary and a truly blessed with wonderful nature.

ADVENTURE BEGINS

We traveled way down from South Cotabato to North Cotabato, coming from General Santos City. I woke up as early as 4:00am to prepare my things and hit Bulaong Terminal by 5:00am. I took my breakfast in the terminal and started to travel by bus for Digos City. From Digos City took another bus  for Cotabato City and dropped in Midsayap. My contact was already waiting along the terminal, it was past twelve noon we arrived at Midsayap. We took our lunch while our friends were waiting with their motorcycle. We started to travel with single motorcycle riding in tandem and hit the road to Alamada. It was a rough ride, most of the road is not yet cemented, totally an adventure happens always to test your perseverance for this mystical nature. I timed our travel before we started from Midsayap, it was more than 3 hrs. It was about 4:00 pm we arrived at the area, the Barangay Tourism Officer Jude Magbanua, welcomed and approached us as we signed and registered our names, he also introduced us the honorable vice-mayor Leo Nigildo "Toto" Calibara of Alamada Municipality, who were also an advocate for nature preservation. For his love of nature Vice-mayor is constantly supportive to all the activities of Asik-asik. We had a short conversation and interviews for the brief history of Asik-asik and how it was discovered. The generous Vice-mayor accompanied us down with his staff and the Brgy. Tourism Officer who are dearly almost dedicated his time and effort to support the Asik-asik conservation and protection program to attract more tourist and to promote the hidden paradise of Alamada.

From the jump off, we started to descend from its 375 concreted stiff steps down as counted, along the way you can see the 360 degrees of panoramic view of entire North Cotabato. The concreted stairs were constructed through the joint effort and funded by local government unit, communities and non-government organizations for the development of eco-tourism.

HISTORY

Before it was discovered and opened to public it has been told that some people who might have already known this place long time ago, but due to accessibility problem no one interests to go further. Alamada is a highly difficult terrain and a hilly place, both mountains has a 90 degrees cliff where the waterfalls in the middle is located. The potential way down there were blocked with a huge balete tree, which they believed an enchanted sanctuary, who might guarding the waterfalls. Until such time when the heavy rainfall by typhoon frank naturally uprooted the said huge tree and there amazingly revealed the true beauty of once hidden and now shared to everyone that we should be proud of, we have this only kind paradise. 

On the record it was officially discovered last April 4, 2012 and officially opened to the public last September 20, 2012. Inaugurated with some provincial and municipal officials and its benefactors.

SITIO DULAO, BRGY. DADO, ALAMADA, NORTH COTABATO

A panoramic view of Alamada and its neighboring provinces, Lanao del Sur in the North, municipality of Libungan in the South, Municipality of Banisilan in the East and Municipality of Pigcawayan and Buldon province on its West. It is totally elevated and hilly place.

SAFETY

Most of us when we have heard Mindanao it is like a virus that everyone must have to avoid and pre-judged as full of bad influences or packed with negative expectations. Arm conflict in this area is just an isolated cases, not all part of Mindanao are war zone. Way up there from the recommended jump off places is totally safe, here Christians and Muslims are harmoniously living together with respect for each other's cultures.

Once and for all, a brief and short visit to this falls gives me unforgettable and wonderful experience that forever be treasured.

In case you want to visit Alamada, North Cotabato I recommend a friend of mine who serves as our local guide going to Asik-asik. They are very accommodating and approachable you can contact him through his CP no. 09196161124 just call him Pastor "Toto".

THINGS TO KNOW

• Language
• English
• Can able to understand and speak since most of schools and local offices use it as medium language.
• Tagalog
• Ilonggo
• Hiligaynon
• Karay a
• Greet everyone as
• "Maayo nga Aga" - Good Morning
• "Maayo nga Udto" - Good Noon
• "Maayo nga Hapon" - Good Afternoon
• "Maayo ng Gab-i" - Good Evening
• "Migs" or "Migo" - Calls for a friend
• "Pila ini or pila ni?" - How much is this?
• Cebuano
• Greet everyone as
• "Maayong Buntag" - Good Morning
• "Maayong Udto" - Good Noon
• "Maayong Hapon" - Good Afternoon
• "Maayong Gabi-i" - Good Evening
• "Bay" or "Bai" - Calls for a friend
• "Tag-pila" - How much
• Muslim
• Maguindanaoan
• Maranao
• Transportation
• Sea
• You can do access by boat but only from Cotabato City, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City and General Santos City port.
• Air
• There is no airport serves in the area the nearest airport is in Cotabato City but you can go another options in Davao City and General Santos City Airport.
• Land-Tricycle
• P8.00 in short distances in Midasayap Municipality.
• Take Haba-habal or passenger single motorcycle type from Alamada proper to Sitio Dulao, Brgy. Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato.
• Land-jeep
• From Midsayap or Libungan you can take a jeepney ride to municipality of Alamada.
• Land-Bus-Van
• From General Santos City two routes going to Alamada
• 1. From Bulaong terminal take a bus to Cagayan de Oro via  Koronadal City, Isulan and drop off to Kabacan.
• Rural Transit Mindanao Inc. bus
• From Kabacan terminal take a bus to Cotabato City and drop off to Midsayap.
• 2. From Bulaong terminal take a bus to Digos City.
• Holiday bus and Yellow bus
• From Digos City ride a bus to Cotabato City via Kidapawan, Kabacan and drop off to Midsayap.
• Weena bus
• From Davao City
• From Ecoland terminal take a bus to Cotabato City via Digos City, Kidapawan, Kabacan and drop off to Midsayap.
• From Cotabato City
• Take a bus and you can drop off to Libungan or Midsayap.
• Weena bus
• Foods
• There are plenty of restaurant you can find at Libungan and Midsayap since this is already considered as first class municipality, favorite fastfoods can be found in the town proper, but for the budget travelers take our recommendation to look for carenderias or Turo-turo.
• Where to stay
• check hotels here http://www.maplandia.com
• Financial Establishments
• Banks at the town proper as well as ATM
• Remitance centers are also available here

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