Gumasa Glan [Sarangani Province]

It was the last leg of our Mindanao Tour. After a delightful breakfast at Frank’s house, we proceeded to GenSan and boarded a van going to Glan. I don’t know if I was just too tired or I was really sleepy, I dozed off during the trip. Lucky me, I was greeted by a breath taking view when I woke up.

Gumasa is famous for its white sand beach, clear waters and fresh air. What really captured my attention was the relaxing sun set view.

I could imagine myself just staring at the beach reading a book beside a lamp and just immerse myself with the beauty in front of me.

Snap back!

Dinner was prepared by Paul and Frank while the ladies uhm bum? Ha ha ha. (Thanks to both of you!) They bought a large fish from a peddler along the beach and cooked it over fire.

Our dinner was delish complete with hard drinks, stories and laughter. I felt really sleepy as time passed but our companions were such great tale tellers I really cannot afford to miss. Especially because I don’t usually hang out with Paul’s friends so it was really a great time to catch up. I think it was around midnight when we finally decided to call it a day and hit the sack.

I woke up early but I did not want to get up so I just went on with my slumber. It was past 7am when finally the boys came back with our big breakfast. ^_^

Our next day was spent preparing to go back to GenSan. Our flight was scheduled at 9PM that day so we need to get back to Davao International Airport by 7PM. [Sarangani – GenSan - Davao] Get it? ^_^

I just took these snapshots with my iPad before riding the tricycle that would take us back to the terminal. I really will miss Mindanao and will surely go back as soon as I can. J

[Snap Shot] Mt Matutum

It's as if a fairy is overlooking the field. =)

T’nalak

Have you heard of a dream weaver?

Well I am not a “Sibika at Kultura” girl when I was in elementary or high school and I never heard of a dream weaver as well. But I think we are lucky to meet the T’Nalak dream weaver herself Lang Dulay.

She was sleeping when we arrived at her humble house turned weaving area and it took her a few minutes to dress up before we finally meet her. Her grandchildren said she does not meet visitors with plain clothes. She makes it a point to look “fabulosa” in her native T’boli gown complete with makeup and red lips. ^_^

According to history, Lang Dulay was just 12 years old when she started dreaming about her designs. It usually takes her around 4-6 months to finish a product that would sell 1000Php per meter.

She was awarded by President Fidel V. Ramos as Philippine’s National Living Treasure in 1998 and is a living testimony of the T’boli tradition.

I hope that the T’boli tribe will continue to nourish their rich tradition and teach the new generation how to live the T’boli way.

*Credits to Kat for the picture. 

Lake Sebu – A calm retreat

The trip from GenSan to Lake Sebu lasted for approximately 2-3 hours including a van ride to the bucolic municipality. The town was reminiscent to my hometown with lots of rice fields and mountains in view. I felt the urge to think quietly while savoring the crisp sight of greeneries. I’m really an outdoor person and I love nature so it’s easy for me to find peace while traveling.

I was curious about Lake Sebu when I first saw pictures of my friend J posted on Facebook. She was raving about the place when she got back from a trip. I immediately put it on my “places to visit list” and was determined to go there when opportunity calls.

My quietness was broken when the lady beside me spoke to me, “First time niyo?” I humbly said “Opo.” Then she began lecturing us about the place. You see, people from the town can be your tour guide. They will tell you all you want to know. J

Then the grandeur of the lake peeked from afar. I was awed and mesmerized. This town is really blessed with such majestic creation of God.

I just hope we could stay longer but out tight itinerary dictated us to move on.

Don’t worry Mindanao, I’ll be back. =)

Tilapia All Over

After the zipline rush, we headed for lunch in one of the stalls in Lake Sebu. Don’t worry, there are a lot of food stalls in the area and they offer sumptuous tilapia dishes at reasonable prices.

Instead of going to a famous resort we opted to try a small canteen located along the road side. We ordered sugba, tilapia chicharon and crispy tilapia with a big platter of rice and 2 big bottles of soft drinks.

The sugba was perectly cooked. The tilapia skin was not charred and the fish tasted great. It’s really swak na swak sa toyo with calamansi and sili. (Yum Yum.)

At first I thought that the tilapia bones will be thrown away after getting the meat for the chicharon. I was astonished when you can actually choose to have it deep fried or cooked ala “paksiw.” We tried it deep fried and it was nom nom nom.

Unexpectedly, the tilapia chicharon was the favorite. We did not expect it to be so delish. I don’t know what they put on it but really it was a mouth watering and tummy bulging dish. Try it when you go there. J

At the end of the day it’s really not about how grand the celebration was but actually the company you are with. ^_^

Till next time.

Lake Sebu

At first I thought “Lake Sebu” is just the name of the lake located in South Cotabato dubbed to be the summer capital of Southern Mindanao. Little did I know that it is also a name of the municipality where the lake is located.

We went to Lake Sebu primarily to experience the tallest zip line in South East Asia. Of course I was excited but at the same time I was scared because of the freaking height.

The fee was 250Php each person for 2 rides – one long ride and one short ride. The long ride lasted for about 45 seconds while the short one around 15-20 seconds. Mind you, the first ride was the longest 45 seconds of my life. :P

The locals say that there are seven waterfalls in Lake Sebu. Well I did not see all of them but I am pretty sure they are all ”grandyoso”. Just take a look at the photos below. [No zipline photos but yes we did it.:) Photos courtesy of K.]

How to get to Lake Sebu?

From General Santos City ride a bus (Yellow Bus Line) going to Marbel, Koronadal. From Marbel you can ride a jeepney or a van to Lake Sebu. You will be greeted by the locals so relax and enjoy. Don’t worry, locals are courteous and kind.

General Santos City Fish Port

I was still half asleep when we went out of our hotel room to go to the Fishport Complex located in Brgy Tambler, General Santos. We hailed a “motorela” and paid 20Php each going to the Fishport. It was a 20-minute smooth ride. The city is still asleep because it was just 5AM. Only few vehicles are roaming around so the commute went fast.

We were already in the fish port at 5:30AM. The personnel in charge told us that we cannot enter the premises yet because the unloading process will start at 6AM and only then that visitors are allowed. 

PS: Please wear proper attire when going to the fish port. Wearing shorts is highly discouraged. 

For visitors who are not in proper attire, a few pajamas are available for rental. And of course you need to rent white boots for protection.

Proper Attire (thanks Kat for the pictures)

After changing, we immediately proceeded to the area where large (I mean really LARGE) tunas are unloaded. We saw a 90-kg tuna unloaded from the boat, carried over the shoulder of one of the porters, weighed and marked for buyers to see.

This is how they clean the tuna

This is how the weigh the tuna

How do the buyers asses the tuna? There is a tool used by the buyers for them to properly rate the fish. According to Frank the seller and the buyer needs to agree on the price first before the test is done. After agreeing on the price the buyer will insert a sort-of “sanction” inside the tuna to get a sample - the more red the tuna meat is the better. And also, the tuna has a higher selling value when it is oilier.

We stayed at the fish port for a couple of hours. I was personally awed by the sights in front of me. The wackiness of GenSan fishermen were a delight to see. They were willing to pose for pictures and even smile when in front of the camera. And because I am such a loser, I did not bring my camera. Olats din ako minsan mag-assume e. I assumed that because we were going to the port it would be very rowdy and crowded. That I will attract too many of the fishermen and we will be eyed all over. That was the dumbest thing I thought about the people of GenSan. The fishport was actually orderly and organized. It was such a shame on my part that I assumed otherwise.

So I just grabbed a few pictures from Kat to show you how it was in the Fish Port of GenSan.

Till next time.

Cagayan de Oro - gateway to mindanao adventures 2012

I was here twice last 2012. First was when we participated in an International Rugged Race in Mt Kitanglad [Bukidnon] and second when we attended a wedding in Iligan.

I will discuss events on my second visit since it was then when I really felt I was in CDO. (I stayed barely a few hours in CDO on my first visit. Arrived in Lumbia International Airport then ate at Mang Inasal Agora Terminal then went to Malaybalay for the Rugged Race. Passed by CDO going to Surigao del Sur.)

White Water Rafting

So after our Iligan adventure, we arrived in CDO early in the morning. We had breakfast in Jollibee and waited for our guides for our “white” water rafting activity.

The group

We traveled an hour or an hour and a half to the jump off. (I really can’t remember all the details because I was talking to Jenny the whole time.)

And by the way, we had Kagay group as our guide. Very courteous and very accommodating men of Kagay group. Their Facebook page is here.

We initially agreed to have the beginner’s but then with a difference of 300Php and the addition of 7 rapids we braved ourselves and took the Advance class. Can you even call that a "class"? 

We paid 1000Php each to experience 21 rapids. Whew!

Okay let’s start!

Some things to remember before we begin: Forward! Stop! Paddle back! Paddles up! High Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!

After memorizing what were those for, we began our 4 hour rafting adventure. And because I wore this, of course what do I expect? Nognog Lines!

Remind me not to wear this outfit while on an adventure. (Picture grabbed from K.)

First rapid, second rapid up to the 10th rapid spells EGG-Sayt-MENT. But after a couple more, I wanted it to end fast (I really mean faster) because my legs were itchy and I felt the harmful rays of the sun on my face. Good thing my companions were jolly.

ready? 

get set!

GO!

A's drop

A's dip

All done.

After four hours, we were tired, exhausted and HUNGRY. (Ok, I was hungry big time!) We went to CDO proper, got ourselves a nice hotel room and went out to eat.

Durian

Yum yum durian

You can’t say you went to Mindanao if you haven’t tasted the famous Durian fruit.

One of my favorite fruits already. :D So so delish! The best fruit I met in Mindanao since we went to Katrina’s house in Surigao del Sur.

I’m not very fond of the durian candies (except for Apo ni Lola Abon’s) but I really like the fresh fruit. Creamy and fragrant.^_^

Special thanks to K and A for allowing me to use their pictures here.

For Hotel Needs:

Hotel Ramon

Address : Burgos corner T. Neri Streets
Telephone No.  (8822) 72-4738 
                           (88) 857-4804 
Payment : Cash Basis

Iligan – Land of Majestic Waterfalls

I’ve been here once and I must say I want to go back to this place again. I so love Tinago falls now. A paradise for adventure seekers like me. Truly something to be proud of. #itsmorefuninthephilippines

I don’t want to narrate this time. I just want to show some pictures of the place. Tinago Falls is definitely my second favorite falls in the Philippines. My first favorite is posted here.

(How many times do I have to remind myself not to joke about 300 steps?@_@) We had to go down 500 steps just to witness the grandeur of Tinago. And as the rule says when something goes up something must go down although this time it's the other way around. I struggled when we had to climb up the same set of 500 steps. Ugh! I wished we could stay longer at the falls and a fairy god mother will just perform her magic swoosh swoosh and boom! (it became koko crunch!)

Tinago Falls at its glory!

I super enjoyed the water and the view and the food and all the things around Tinago falls. (hekhekhek) I also conquered my fear of heights. (Ok slightly conquered.) 

Tinago is the Filipino word for hidden. 

I really wanted to stay longer but we had to move on to another falls.

I think it was around 30-45 mins before we reached our second destination – the Maria Christina Falls. (At long last I have seen what my elementary teachers are pertaining to as “Maria Christina Falls”)

Maria Christina Falls is the main power source of Mindanao. Beside the twin falls is a power plant which generates 200MW supplied to the users.

Pardon me for the picture above. The guard of the power plant said they had to switch off the right gate. I didn't know that the falls were gated until I heard it from the guard himself. I hope on my next visit both gates will be opened.

People are not allowed to swim here because aside from the fact that the water is too fierce, there are turbines under. (You swim, you go to heaven. Right away.)

I would love to discover the other 18 waterfalls in Iligan. I hope I can go back as soon as possible. And I will take my friends along (of course)!