Calamianes Islands The sun draws vivid colors as it started to shine.
Tibiao, Antique Experience being boiled as you soak to a hot kawa tub.
Bangaan, Banawe Rice terraces forming stairways to the sky.
Capones, Zambales An old spanish lighthouse still reflects a dramatic picture.
Sagada, Mt. Province A bee is attracted by a flower's beauty.
Coron, Palawan From a Manila boy, I'll keep coming back to Coron.
Visit Sagada
VISITSAGADA is a collaboration of a handful of individuals who all want to share the thrill and joy of going to Sagada to everyone else who chooses to experience it.
The Philippines sits amid the vast ocean with the highest concentration of marine life. In fact, we have here the center of the center of marine biodiversity. That is why it is a great opportunity to explore its underworld which is equally, if not more exciting than what it offers above sea.
I have long been dreaming of exploring the underworld. Learning how to dive, acquiring a PADI license and diving in Tubattaha are in my to-do list. But due to tight work schedule, my plan to enroll in an Open Water Course has been pushed back again and again and again.
Early Sagada breeze woke us up at 0600H. Most of the town is covered by fog. We took our breakfast and prepared for the trek to the big falls. At 0730H, we met Mang Perry in the municipal hall to assist us again, this time, in trekking the Bomod-Ok Falls. The standard guide fee for the trek is P600.00 for a group of one to ten persons. We hired a van to transport us to the jump-off point and back, the van costs P550.00. Time stamp was 0800H, when we started the trek down from the jump-off point to the falls. The trek down is easy, we passed by some beautiful Sagada Rice Terraces comparable to Banaue. We couldn’t believe that we were actually walking along the trails of the rice terraces. We also saw the Dap-Ay, a Sagadan ritual place.
[1] To Bomod-Ok Falls (Big Falls)
[2] Dap-ay, a ritual place
[3] The rice terraces on the way to the Big Falls.
Isn’t it great to have an unplanned weekend exploration to some places you haven’t been before? It is like, every place you go is a surprise, you get to know new stuff, discover new places, experience something you haven’t done before and do things as spontaneous as it transpire. And all you have to do is to enjoy every bit of surprises and thank life.
I spent one weekend in Pagsanjan, Laguna to visit a friend. Pagsanjan, as we all know, is the tourist capital of Laguna and is famous for shooting the rapids of the river and crossing the Pagsanjan Falls via bamboo raft. But I didn’t venture into that, and yes I will try it on my next visit.
Three years ago when I first stepped my feet in Sagada. It was from then that I started tagging this lovely town as my special place. I fell in love with Sagada, and with that I will keep coming back.
My Sagada Chronicle
I have researched about Sagada for months, I have read a lot about this town and I wonder why most people I met, who have been there, always have their praises for the place… and so, armed with the little knowledge of Sagada and a bundle of excitement, we made our journey to our country’s version of the so called Shangri-La, and personally discovered the charm this small town offers.
The Lakwatsero in me just had his very first solo adventure in Coron and Culion, and at first, I was a bit hesitant and afraid since this would be my first time to travel alone and join a group of people I’ve only met virtually, but my excitement overpowered the hesitation and fear. In the end, no regrets, because aside from experiencing this paradise in the northern Palawan, I also met new friends. Hence, I am not so alone in Coron and Culion.
[1] Leaving Manila.
[2] Boatdeck.
[3] Some of the “so kewl” batch 9.
[4] SuperFerry sunset.
[5] SuperFerry sunrise.
[6] Calamianes view from the boat.
After more than a decade, I traveled again via ferry. Working in an airline company, I found it so unusual that I enjoy long travel via ferry or bus rather than a short plane ride. June 6, I boarded SuperFerry’s M/V Our Lady of Good Voyage from the South Harbor of Manila for a thirteen hour ferry ride to join the Do-It-Yourself Coron tour organized by Mr. Owen Ferrer. The ferry ride was fun, aside from getting-to-know-you stuff from other fellow joiners, we got to witness amazing views, from sunset to sunrise, wonderful landscape and cloud formations, all in vivid colors.
Boracay is indeed a paradise. With fine white sand beaches and blue water as backdraft, the place is haven for those who like sea sports, swimming, sun bathing (if you like a tan), snorkeling and scuba diving not to mention island hopping. It is also a tropical party place with its cozy bars and restaurants. So for a typical tourist, those are the activities waiting for you.
But of course, I enjoy doing things differently. My first time in Boracay, we spent a day in Tibiao, Antique, two hours away from the white beach, for a white water kayaking, and ended up with bruises and swellings all over our body, we enjoyed it nevertheless. We also trekked to a majestic waterfalls and soaked in a hot kawa tub at the end of a day. I tell you, it was more than a sidetrip. The fun and adventure we had in Tibiao is worth all the bruises and body aches which I will not trade for a lazy day of just swimming and lying in the beach or partying in the bars (I am not a party goer anyway).
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