Zamboanga City | In & Out Of Asia’s Latin City

During my recent trip to Sulu archipelago I’ve been in and out of Zamboanga City. From manila it took less than two hours by air to reach Zamboanga, the main entry point if you're heading to the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

The design of Zamboanga airport terminal building is inspired by an iconic vinta. Straight from the airport I took a tricycle to the sea port to catch a ferry bound to Basilan.

I'm too early for the ferry schedule bound to Basilan so I roamed around the vicinity of Zamboanga City Hall and the Plaza Pershing. I tried the special batchoy of a local eatery nearby.

Right after my trip from Tawi-tawi, straight from the Zamboanga airport i headed to the ferry terminal to purchase a ticket bound to Jolo Sulu. The ferry is schedule to depart at 8 in the evening. I attempted to visit the Rio Hondo village but the military men didn’t allow me to enter. So i just go back to Fort Pilar and Paseo Del Mar and spend some time there. I’m looking for a vinta but i can’t find one.

I headed to Yakan weaving village in Brgy. Calarian to buy some malong as pasalubong for my officemates and friends. After that I go back to the ferry terminal and boarded the ship bound to Jolo.

After my Sulu trip straight from Zamboaga seaport i headed to Guiwan terminal and boarded a bus bound to Pagadian. I get off the bus in Brgy Vitali. From there I took habal-habal to visit the Merloquet Falls. Manong driver also serve as my guide. The construction of cemented pathways down to the falls is ongoing. It’s refreshing to dip in the cold waters flowing from the cascading Merloquet Falls.  Then I head back to Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga City dubbed as Asia’s atin city exudes ethnic diversity.

This is part of the 1st leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Zamboanga City | Basilan | Tawi-Tawi | Sulu

Misamis Oriental | The Malasag Eco-Tourism Village

Upon browsing the net I discovered the travel blog of James Betia  of journeyingjames.com. Almost everyday I keep on reading his blog and was amazed with his shoestring travels.  I told my self that maybe I can also do what James did.

I booked a roundtrip flight to Cagayan de Oro with Airphil Express (now rebranded as PAL Express) for 700 pesos. It took me three months to prepare for my trip. I get info on how to get there from James blog. EZ map is also a helpful tool in my diy trip to Northern Mindanao.

For my accommodation cdoguide.com had a detailed list of hostels and guest houses. I stayed at YMCA hostel along J. Pacana street. I paid P1000 for 2 nights for an air-conditioned room.

Upon landing at the old Lumbia airport I boarded a jeepney outside the terminal to Carmen market then hop a motorella to the hostel. Currently flights to/from CDO operates at the new Languindingan airport.

After lunch I headed to the garden of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village. It is a cultural village in a botanical garden setting situated in hills of sitio Malasag in Cugman. It showcases the tribal practices & crafts of Mindanao tribes. The village also serves as the learning center for ecotourism, ethnic arts, flora and fauna endemic to Northern Mindanao while at the same time generate revenues and livelihood for the tribal groups. The village has a souvenir shop of ethnic products; ethnic museum; tribal houses of the Talaandigs, Higao-non, Subanon, Maranaos and Ifugaos. It features rows of cozy guest cottages; camp ground , swimming pool , picnic shed, orchidarium, mini garden, native restaurant, butterfly garden, multi purpose hall. It offers the view of Macajalar bay.

This is part of my explore Northern Mindanao DIY trip.

Misamis Oriental | Lanao Del Norte

Lanao Del Norte | Majestic Waterfalls Of Iligan

On my second day i explore the waterfalls of Iligan City in Lanao del Norte. An hour of bus ride from CDO. Iligan City is dubbed as “the city of majestic waterfalls” because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls.

Maria Cristina falls is called the "twin falls".  It is located 9.3 kilometers away southwest of the city proper at the boundaries of barangays Maria Cristina, Ditucalan, and Buru-un. Well known for its natural beauty and grandeur, the 320 - feet (98 meters) high waterfall is also the primary source of electric power for the city's industries, being harnessed by the Agus VI hydroelectric plant.

Just outside the gate of Maria Cristina falls habal-habals are available for Tinago falls.

Tinago is a  Filipino term meaning "hidden", the falls being hidden in a deep ravine. Trekking to the falls requires approximately 500 descending steps called the winding staircase. The falls is high, its very cold waters cascading beautifully into a deep and calm basin-like pool which appears like a blue-colored lagoon. Under the falls is a small cave where people can enter and listen to the rumbling waters.

On my last day I wandered around CDO. I strolled at the Limketkai center, Misamis Oriental capitol, CDO city hall, and Divisoria park. I spend almost P3000 for the entire trip excluding the airfare.

This is part of my explore Northern Mindanao DIY trip.
Misamis Oriental | Lanao Del Norte

Cagayan | Exploring Callao Cave

After spending some time in Magat Dam I boarded a van bound for Tueguegarao City in Cagayan. I left my backpack at hotel Candice then I wandered around the city. I passed by Sts. Peter and Paul cathedral. For lunch i have the famous pancit patil-patung.

sts peter and paul church

pancit patil patung

The following day I visited the Callao cave in Penablanca. The cave is consisting of seven chambers. There is also a chapel inside. It was so muddy that I opted not to explore all the chambers besides I have no headlamp.

After my caving I headed back to Tuguerrao and boarded a passenger jeep bound to the town of Tuao for the Lady of Piat church. Outside the church the sticky and delicious delicacy pawa is a must try.

I ended the day watching sunset at the Buntun bridge with the scenic view of Cagayan river. I bought some packs of chicarabao as pasalubong for my family and officemates back in Manila.

My original plan is to circumnavigate the Northern Luzon loop, from Isabela to Cagayan down to Ilocos Norte and back to Manila. But due to the typhoon some of the bridges that connecting Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Region were damaged so I have no choice but to go back to Manila boarding a bus from Tuguegarao.

Spending two days in Cagayan Valley is a memorable trip that I will try again soon. Hopefully the weather would cooperate with me the next time around! :)

How to get there

There are buses from Cubao to Tuguegarao City.

From Tuguegarao City get a tricycle and ask him to take you to the terminal going to Penablanca (p10.00). from there, the tricycle will wait for 6 more passengers before it leaves (P40.00). To the bank of Pinacanauan river then the boat (p20.00/ roundtrip) that will take you across to the entrance of the cave.

This is part of my Cagayan Valley trip

Isabela | Cagayan

Isabela | A Stormy Trip To Magat Dam

Despite the typhoon hitting Cagayan Valley I pushed through with my plans of travelling the north. I was in the middle of traffic jam along EDSA boarding a bus going to Victory Liner terminal in Kamias when my officemate texted me what she heard in the news. I replied to her to pray for my safety and my “bahala na si batman” attitude rules.

It was raining when I left Manila that evening. After 8 hours of traveling I safely reached Santiago City in Isabela. I eat in one of the fast-food there to fill my stomach for a day-long adventure. I strolls the city even if it’s raining. I don’t want to waste a single minute of my time.

I visited Balay Santiago then I headed to Magat dam. It is one of the largest dams in the Philippines and has two primary purposes: as a source of irrigation water and as a provider of hydroelectric power. Located along the Ifugao-Isabela border and irrigates at least 80,000 hectares of farmlands. It can generate some 380 megawatts of electricity for the Luzon grid. The dam sourced its water from Ibulao river in Ifugao and from the headwaters and rivers in Nueva Vizcaya.

The tourism complex centers on the 4,450 hectare lake created by the dam. There were picnic huts for family bonding and  facilities for fishing, boating, and various water sports like water-skiing.

How to get there:

There are buses from Cubao to Santiago City Isabela. From Santiago City take a jeep or van going to the town of Ramon. Tell the driver to drop you at the junction going to Magat dam. From the junction take a tricycle for 25.00 pesos/oneway or charter it for 125 pesos/oneway.

This is part of my Cagayan Valley trip.

Isabela | Cagayan

Pangasinan | Island Hopping At Hundred Islands

Few weeks ago I’ve been to Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos Pangasinan. This national park comprises of 123 islands scattered along the Lingayen Gulf. Only three of them have been developed for tourism: Governor island, Quezon island, and Children's island. The Lucap wharf in Alaminos is the entrance to the national park.

some of the islands as seen from the viewing point on governor island.

I accompanied my good and generous friend who shoulders my expenses for this trip. We left Manila at around 10 in morning and arrived Alaminos at around 4 pm.

We stayed at Boy Dino transient house. His rooms range from 1000 to 1500 per night depending on the number of occupants. Each room has a fridge, small kitchen, private bathroom and aircon unit.

Mang Dino can be your one-stop-shop as he also owns boats that accommodates 5 to more than 20-passenger capacity. The rental depends whether you will use the boat as a service boat (private and you own your time) during a day tour or take overnight in the islands from 800.00 to 2,000.000 depending on the size of the boat.

governors island

some of the islands as seen from the viewing point on governor island.

marcos island

crocodile island

turtle island

quezon island is one of the few developed tourist locations on hundred islands.

It was indeed a rewarding experience to reach one of the Philippines’ tourist destinations, the Hundred Islands National Park of Pangasinan.

how to get there

There are several bus lines from Cubao that go directly to Alaminos, you can take buses to the neighboring towns such as Bolinao. The routes all pass through Alaminos. Once you’re in the city center, take a 10-minute tricycle ride to the Lucap wharf. 

Iloilo | Revisiting My Home Town

miag-ao church

Everytime I go home to my province Iloilo I made it to the point to visit the tourist spot in my hometown. Iloilo city, is known as “the city of love”  maybe because Ilonggos are known for being malambing! It is one of the progressive urban center in the Visayas region.

Miag-ao Church (Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva) is declared as the part of UNESCO world heritage site as one of the 4 baroque churches of the Philippines. The century old gothic-renaissance Molo Church (St. Anne Church) is known a  feminist church. sixteen female saints line on both sides of the altar. Dr. Jose Rizal used to visit the church because of it’s biblical paintings and it served as an evacuation center during world war 2.

molo church

Iloilo International Airport serves direct flight to/from Manila, Cebu, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Puerto Prinsesa. There’s also an international flight to/from Hongkong and Singapore.

iloilo provincial capitol

Museo Iloilo display artifacts that deficts the colorful history of Panay island. Beside is the restored Iloilo Provincial Capitol building with a combination of modern and old architecture. 

museo iloilo

The Jaro Cathedral (Nuestra Seniora Candelaria Church) is famous for it’s belfry that is not attached to the church instead it’s the front across the street. Ancestral houses were aligned along the Lopez Jaena street in Jaro district.

madge cafe

batchoy

Try a bowl of authentic Lapaz batchoy served by old timer restaurant inside the Lapaz market and the famous Madge Café is a must try when visiting Iloilo!

how to get there

There are daily flights from Manila to Iloilo. There are also direct flights from Cebu, Puerto Prinsesa, Tacloban, Cagayan De Oro ,Davao and General Santos. The new Iloilo Airport located in Cabatuan is 18 kilometers from the city proper and is accessible by jeepney, bus, and taxi.

You can reach Iloilo City by land from the other areas of Panay Island. There is also bus service through the RORO (roll-on roll-off) system.

Iloilo City is the province’s port of entry for sea transport and is just five minutes away from the city’s main commercial district. Ships sail from Manila 12 times a week, from Zamboanga or Cagayan De Oro twice a week, and from Cebu daily. Fast crafts from Bacolod City take one hour daily.

Mountain Province | Spelunking In Sagada

Top loading from Banaue to Bontoc is one of the exciting experiences we had. We passed by the Haselma highway, one of he world’s most dangerous road.  This notorious road is named after the profilic American Engineer Eusibius Julius Haselma. From Bontoc we transferred to another jeepney bound for Sagada.

Upon reaching Sagada all visitors were required to register at the tourism desk inside the municipal hall. We explore the exhilarating Sumaging cave with the 3 Korean nationals we met outside the municipal hall. We agreed to share the expenses for the 2 guides and for the multi-cab.

The Sumaging cave has the largest chamber of all connecting caves in town. We trek down on a slippery trail from its mouth to see the magnificent formations of stalactites and stalagmites. After caving we feasted on a vegetable loaded pancit in one of the eatery there.

On the last day I left the group and I headed to Baguio City. It’s my first time in the summer capital. I wandered around the Burnham Park and the Baguio Cathedral then  boarded a bus back to Manila.