Davao Del Norte | A Quick Escape in Tagum City

 As I continue to pursue my dream of travelling the 81 provinces of the Philippines I once again landed the land of promise: Mindanao. It's my first time to travel Mindanao with my good friend/travel buddy Weng. We hope to cover the 10 remaining provinces. 

We left Manila at around 2am boarding a Cebu Pacific flight to Davao City. upon arrival we took a cab and go straight to Ecoland bus terminal and have some coffee then hop a bus bound to Tagum City in Davao del Norte.

We have no idea of what to do. We charter a trike and told the driver to tour us around Tagum City. Our first stop is the old city hall building. The big logo of the city erected on front of the government structure. From there we headed to the new city hall building. The construction is ongoing on this new edifice. There is an artistic artwork.

The huge EPark is the venue of Boy Scout jamboree camp and we ended it at the provincial capitol of Davao del Norte. We boarded a bus and were bound to our next destination Mati City in Davao Oriental.


Budget |  Davao del Norte | Davao Oriental | Compostella Valley | Agusan del Sur | Surigao del Sur | Dinagat Island | Agusan del Norte

Davao Del Sur | Philippines Eagle Center In Davao City

After spending the whole day basking on the shores of Malita I headed to Davao City the next day. One day is not enough to explore the largest city in the country and one of the safest in the world.

Upon checking the Google map and some online research the PEC caught my attention. Seeing the endangered monkey eating Eagle is on top of my list.

From Malita I boarded a bus bound to Davao City then get off at the junction of Crossing Ulas leading to the PEC. From there I took a jeepney to Calinan then habal habal to the eagle center.

After paying the 100 pesos fee I started exploring the vast nature reserve. There is a lot of endangered flora and fauna to see. It's nostalgic to see the monkey eating eagle. The PEC is responsible in protecting caring of the endangered species.

After spending an hour I headed to the downtown. I walked the streets of Davao city. I spend the night at Morvie's Suite along San Pedro street.

This is part of the 3rd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Maguindanao | Sultan Kudarat | Davao Occidental  | Davao del Sur

Davao Occidental | The Coastal Town Of Malita

On the third day of my solo backing in Mindanao I went to Malita in Davao Occidental. From Kidapawan City I took a van to Digos City then another van to Malita. 

It took 2 hours to reach Malita from Digos. We passes by banana plantations. The view going to Malita is scenic. I just spend the whole day in the beach of Malita.  

Davao Occidental is the youngest province in the Philippines. By virtue of Republic Act 10360 enacted on July 23, 2013, the province is carved out from the southern part of Davao del Sur. RA 10360 was passed by the House of Representatives and Senate on November 28, 2012, and December 5, 2012, respectively, and signed by President Benigno Aquino III on January 14, 2013. A plebiscite was held on October 28, 2013 along with the barangay elections and the majority of votes cast were "Yes", ratifying the province.

The motive to create the province was to boost the economic condition and social progress of the municipalities. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who sponsored the creation of Davao Occidental, said that the distances of Digos City, Davao del Sur's provincial capital, to other municipalities in the second Congressional District are far-off that impairs the effective delivery of basic services, as well as the access to government offices. However, Davao del Sur Representative Marc Douglas Cagas considered the creation of the province as nothing more than gerrymandering and political convenience.

This is part of the 3rd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Maguindanao | Sultan Kudarat | Davao Occidental  | Davao del Sur

Sultan Kudarat | A Quick Visit To The Provincial Capitol

Straight from Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao I headed to the town of Isulan in Sultan Kudarat. I have a chicken inasal for lunch at the BJ's Lechon Manok in rotunda area. After that i stroll going to the provincial capitol.

Isulan is the capital of Sultan Kudarat. The Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol building design is impressive that houses the different provincial government offices for the province of Sultan Kudarat including the office of the Provincial Governor and Vice Governor and the session hall for the provincial board.  But unlike other provincial capitol in other provinces in the country and aside from its fascinating architectural design, everything inside the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol were obviously expensive and luxurious!

After that I continue travel further to Kidapawan City. Past 2 pm when I arrived there. I stroll around the booming city. I spend the second night at AJD Pension House along Tamesis Street.

The following day I'll be heading to Malita in Davao Occidental.

This is part of the 3rd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Maguindanao | Sultan Kudarat | Davao Occidental  | Davao del Sur

Maguindanao | The Blue Lagoon and Pink Mosque

For the third time I solo backpacked Mindanao. This time I visited the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Davao Occidental. Past noon when I arrived at Cotabato airport located in Awang Datu Odin Sinsuat  Maguindanao. I decided to just walk from the airport terminal to the highway and hail a jeepney headed to the downtown Cotabato then have my late lunch in one of the eatery there. 

After that I scout for budget accommodation then I found Padama Pension house few blocks from the Cotabato City Mega Market. I left my backpack then boarded a jeepney to the Bangsamoro People’s Complex. I wasn’t able to enter the premises because I’m wearing short and slipper which they implement strict dress code.  I instead boarded a jeepney back to the city and stroll in the old Cotabato City Hall and look some goodies in the Mega Market. I bought pastil, pineapple and Pikit coffee.

I head back to my guesthouse took a rest and prepare myself for my trip in Maguindanao the following day.

On my second day I leave Cotabato City early and boarded a jeepney to Margues in Datu Odin Sinsuat. I’m so excited to see the Blue Lagoon. Together with locals it took less than an hour to reach barangay Margues.  I get off near the elementary school then walk towards the lagoon. This now a big drawn to the locals and people of Cotabato were they spend their weekends swimming and enjoying that natural wonders.  I was so amazed to see it for myself.  Locals swam and some washes their clothes there.  I took some photos then leave that place. There’s another lagoon nearby but I opted to skip it and take a jeepney bound to Datu Saudi Ampatuan. 

The Masjid Dimaukom (Pink Mosque) construction was financed by Mayor Samsodin Dimaukom. The mosque was painted pink to symbolize peace and love and was built by Christian workmen to symbolize unity and inter-faith brotherhood.

In that town most structures were painted with pink.  From there I took a jeepney to the nearby province of Sultan Kudarat.

This is part of the 3rd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Maguindanao | Sultan Kudarat | Davao Occidental  | Davao del Sur

Backpacking Mindanao 3 Expenses (Cotabato City to GenSan) June 19-23, 2015

Day 1 - Cotabato City

jeep from Awang airport to Cotabato City- 15.00

lunch- 92.00

Padama Pension House- 350.00

mcdo float- 27.00

jeep to Bangsamoro complex- 16.00

pineapple- 20.00

pastil & egg- 30.00

Pikit coffee- 50.00

water & gatorade- 50.00

total -------------------------------------------> 650.00

Day 2 - Maguindanao to Kidapawan City

jeep to Margues- 20.00

jeep to Datu Saudi Ampatuan- 50.00

jeep to Isulan- 50.00

lunch- 85.00

bus to Tacurong- 17.00

van to Kidapawan- 120.00

ADJ pension house- 150.00

snack- 56.00

moive- 30.00

dinner- 139.00

total --------------------------------------------->717.00

Day 3 - Malita , Davao Occidental

breakfast- 40.00

trike to terminal- 10.00

van to Digos- 150.00

trike to terminal- 25.00

van to Malita- 120.00

cr fee- 3.00

Sulata Beach Resort- 500.00

lunch-70.00

total--------------------------------------------->948.00

Day 4 - Davao City

trike to bus terminal- 20.00
bus to Davao- 180.00
lunch- 48.00
jeep to Calinan- 50.00
habal-habal to PEC- 30.00
PEC entrance fee- 105.00
habal-habal to Calinan- 50.00
jeep to Bangkerohan- 40.00
snack- 48.00
D' Morvie Suites- 250.00
jeep to Abreeza/SM Lanang- 26.00
dinner- 103.25
total--------------------------------------------->950.25

Day 5 - General Santos City

taxi to Ecoland- 70.00
durian candy- 100.00
van to GenSan- 180.00
breakfast- 121.00
lunch- 62.00
trike to bulaong terminal- 30.00
trike to airport- 150.00
terminal fee- 150.00
coffee- 25.00
total-------------------------------------------->888.00

airfare Manila-Cotabato / Gensan-Manila- 804.12

grand total- P 4,957.37

This is part of the 3rd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Maguindanao | Sultan Kudarat | Davao Occidental  | Davao del Sur

Gumasa Beach ( Glan Saranggani )

Locals have aptly nicknamed this crescent-shaped stretch the "Small Boracay of the South". This is what Boracay might have looked like before all the commercial development: slow paced, quiet except for the sound of the waves and small cottages and thatched nipa huts make do for shelter. I'll take it!

How to get there:

From Manila- Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air flies daily to General Santos City. From there ride a van bound to Glan Saranggani. From the town hire a tricycle to Gumasa beach. 


Where to Stay:

Coco Beach Resort - Open-air cottages (Php600, overnight) to airconditioned rooms (starts from Php2000, 2 single beds to Php4500, 6 single beds and one cottage)

Rosal Beach Resort - Open-air cottages (Php500-1100, daytime/ overnight); Aircon rooms start at Php2300 (2 beds) to an elevated cottage (Php7000, 7 beds); Open day cots, beach volleyball, children's play ground, skim board rental


·Brod Louie Resort - Open family cottages (Php500/800,day/ overnight); Resthouses (Php2600/3000, fan/ aircon); Airconditioned Rooms/Dormitory (Php2000/4600) They have a kiddie pool, kayaking and videoke.

Asik-Asik Falls ( Alamada North Cotabato )

Asik-asik Falls is located at Sitio Dulao, Upper Dado, Alamada, North Cotabato. The name comes from a Hiligaynon term, which means to sprinkle.  The waterfalls resemble a curtain of spring waters flowing down from a jade wall covered in lush foliage. It’s the kind of sight that should be experienced on its own, as pictures don’t do justice to the fantastic scenery. 

How to get there:

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air flies daily to Cotabato City. From Cotabato City ride a van/bus bound to Midsayap. At Midsayap market there's is doable tire jeep (10am) to Bgry Dado in Alamada. From the brgy hire a habal habal to Asik-Asik falls.

Situbo Falls ( Tampilisan Zamboanga del Norte )

The towering Situbo Falls is one of the many still unspoiled waterfalls in the Philippines, resplendent, mighty, and powerful as it thunders down to a refreshing cool pool, waiting for you to be discovered.

How to get there:

1. Budget airlines have daily flights from Manila to Dipolog. From Dipolog City hop a bus bound to Ipil in Zambonga Sibugay (4 hours). Alight at the town of Tampilisan then charter a habal-habal to Situbo Falls(P200 roundtrip). 

2. Fly from Manila to Zamboanga City. From Zamboanga City hop a bus bound to Pagadian City. Alight at Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay then take a jeepney ride to Tampilsan then charter a habal-habal to Situbo Falls.

Saranggani | Gumasa Beach : Little Boracay Of Mindanao

Before heading back to Manila I had a quick visit to the beaches of Glan in Saranggani, an hour van ride from General Santos City. Based on the blogs that I’ve read most of the resort there charges a 200 pesos cottage rent even if you not intended to stay there long. 

I hop a van from General Santos to Glan in Sarangani. It took an hour to finally reach the quiet town of Glan. From the terminal I chartered a tricycle to Gumasa where the strip of white sand beaches is located. I told kuya driver if I can access the beach without passing through the beach resort there. We pass by a vacant lot then I am able to see the white and beach of Gumasa. 

  

 

The sand is white and fine. The water is very clear. Some people compare it to Boracay's sand and water but I honestly think Gumasa is a little notch lower than Boracay. But the absence of so many tourists makes Gumasa better than Boracay if you want a peaceful vacation. 

It’s so hot that I just took some photos then we go back to the town of Glan. I roam around the small town then i head back to General Santos city and waited my flight back to Manila.

This is part of the 2nd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Zamboanga Del Norte | Zamboanga Sibugay | Zamboanga Del Sur | Misamis Occidental | Lanao Del Sur | Cotabato City | North Cotabato | South Cotabato | Saranggani

South Cotabato | The Enchanting Lake Sebu

From North Cotabato I’ll be heading to the South Cotabato this time. My next destination is the enchanting Lake Sebu! I’m so grateful to Kuya Neil that he sends me to the bus terminal going to Cotabato City. From Cotabato City I ride a jeepney going to Husky bus terminal then hop a bus bound to Isulan in Sulatan Kudarat. The bus going to Isulan passes by the province of Maguindanao. I’m supposed to have a side trip to Shariff Aguak but I decided to go directly to Isulan. From there I took a van to Surallah then a jeepney ride again to the Lake Sebu. 

Lake Sebu is a natural lake located in the municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato and within the Alah Valley region. It is one of the country's most important watersheds, supplying irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato. The villages around the lake have been turned into an independent municipality called Lake Sebu after being a former village of Surallah.

The T'boli and Ubo tribes have been the traditional dwellers of the lake. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources have recognized, through Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2, Series of 1993, the claim of these tribes that the lake and its surroundings are under their ancestral domain.

I enjoyed eating different kinds of tilapia dishes. One of the tastiest tilapia I’ve tried.  Main draws of Lake Sebu is the 7 waterfalls. I got to visit the 2 accessible falls. Hope to see all 7 waterfalls when i return to Lake Sebu next month. They are celebrating their festival during my visit. Before heading to Sultan Kudarat i watched tribe performances at the plaza.

 This is part of the 2nd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Zamboanga Del Norte | Zamboanga Sibugay | Zamboanga Del Sur | Misamis Occidental | Lanao Del Sur | Cotabato City | North Cotabato | South Cotabato | Saranggani 

how to get to lake sebu

From Manila - Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air flies daily to General Santos City. From there ride a van/bus bound to Surallah. From the Surallah transport terminal hop a jeepney to Lake Sebu then habal habal to your resort.

North Cotabato | The Breathtaking Asik-Asik Waterfalls

I left Cotabato City early in the morning to catch the double-tire jeep in Midsayap. The double-tire jeep leaves Midsayap market at around 10am then took 2 hours to reach Dado in Alamada. I am so excited to finally see the curtain like spring fall of Asik-asik.

The people of North Cotabato speak Ilonggo. From barangay Dado I took a heavy duty motorcycle/habal-habal to upper Dado. The road uphill were rough that passes through the countryside of Alamada. It was the worst habal-habal ride experience of my life. There were times where I opt to walk because anytime well get out of balance and got an accident. It was a butt trembling journey.

Approaching the jump off municipal officials and resident of Upper Dado held a meeting on how they manage the Asik-asik falls. Roads were under construction. They told me that the rough habal-habal experience is part of the adventure of going to Asik-asik.

There is also store selling beverages, coffee, snacks and souvenir items and nipa huts for those who want to stay overnight.

I stayed for a while then and a group of Midsayap locals boarded a 4WD arrived with their foreigner friend. We walk down the muddy trail heading to the falls. The makeshift bridge they constructed is destroyed by a recent typhoon and the strong current of river would not allow us to cross the other side.

The breathtaking views of Asik-asik were really worth to visit. It is one of a kind.

After spending some time I went back to the jump off point still undecided to stay overnight or go back to Midsayap. One of the locals asked my family name and it happens that his grandparents were same as mine, we are distant relatives. He invited me to stay at their home in Midsayap. I got also a free ride on his 4WD, accommodation and dinner.

The following day I travel back to Cotabato City and headed to my next destination the Lake Sebu in South Cotabato!

This is part of the 2nd leg of my solo backpacking in Mindanao.

Budget | Zamboanga Del Norte | Zamboanga Sibugay | Zamboanga Del Sur | Misamis Occidental | Lanao Del Sur | Cotabato City | North Cotabato | South Cotabato | Saranggani