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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STAR TRAIL

It was my second day of stay in Cebu when I tried to capture some star trail techniques. A clear and cloudless night makes this photo great with the help of stacking software. A total of 150 photos stacked together. The beam of lights were from the mainland of Cebu it also helps a good composition, unaware for the outcome of this photo.

Olango island is really a good place to go, full of potential good for the tourists, a place that you should have to go. Arrange your trip and spend your vacation with family. Beach, bird watching, snorkeling and party at night your whole day vacation will be full of excitement.

MORE ABOUT OLANGO ISLAND FOLLOW Here >>>

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SANCTUARY

Olanggo Island is 10 mins to 15 mins away from the main land of Mactan and Cebu. It is a sanctuary of migratory birds during cold climate on the northern part of the globe. A haven nature where wildlife feeds there species through the abundant life ecologically balanced by nature. That's why with the help of NGU ang LGU have joined hand in hand to initiate movement for the protection of this area.

MANGROVES

It has been taken cared by the DENR for previous years to promote ecological diversity. To give natural habitat and breeding ground of marine lives, small fishes and other marine living creatures makes the birds to fed, a balance of nature that we should take care. 

SUNSET

Sunset and sunrise moment always made my travel complete... Aside from that, main attraction in this island is bird watching, where you can witness different kinds of bird species. By using zoom lenses you can see them in a far distances. It is highly prohibited area for those who are into wild life hunters, there will be corresponding penalties and laws that every tourist should abide.

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
• Land 
• Jeep
• P11.00 from Mactan airport take a jeepney ride to 
• Taxi 
• P80.00 estimated cost since the place is near to the airport
• P 300.00 estimated cost from the Cebu City prpoper
• Foods
• Resorts along the area serves foods.
• Where to stay
• You can either stay at the mainland of Cebu or resorts along the area they have offered also for overnight stays.
• Financial Establishments
• Banks are available in the nearby town near Mactan airport.
• Remittances can be found in the nearby town

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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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