Majestic Tinuy-an Falls of Surigao Del Sur

Majestic. Grand. Overwhelming. Magnificent. Breath-taking.

These are just some of the adjectives I could use to describe the Tinuy-an Falls in Burboanan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. You've got to see and feel the place personally to appreciate it!

From Mangagoy, the largest barangay in the country, we hired a habal-habal to take us first to Tinuy-an Falls. The barangay road is cemented and flat on initial part, where we crossed about 3 wooden bridges.

Hong Kong Day 3: Ocean Park

Our third day was spent in Ocean Park, with tickets that were purchased at HK$ 240 per adult in CTS.  From TST, we rode the Star Ferry to the Central Pier, which is faster and cheaper than riding the MTR. Then we waited about 15 minutes for the Bus # 629 to Ocean Park, paying HK$ 10.60 fare per person. The journey to Ocean Park via a double decker bus took half an hour.

After entering the park, we took some maps and checked the schedule of the shows. The first show we watched is the sea lion show, on the area with kiddie rides. Here, the sea lion performed antics like blowing bubbles, throwing trash on garbage bin, clapping, and loud barking.

Salcedo's Locsoon Cave and Jagnaya Beach

At the quiet town of Salcedo in Eastern Samar, they have a well-kept secret, that even the residents of nearby towns (including our tricycle driver), doesn't know about it. I guess this post will be one of the very few accounts of this relatively unknown place on the world wide web.

The secret I'm referring to is the natural saltwater pool along Jagnaya beach that extends inside Locsoon cave. On low tide like during our visit, it is more beautiful, as the clear water is more defined along the submerged rock's edges. 

The Sights of Camiguin

Right after our sulit lunch at Lagoon Bistro, we proceeded to our tour of Camiguin. We went first to the Giant Clam Sanctuary, where as the name suggests is devoted to propagation of the giant clams. Entrance fee is only Php 20/person. Their water tanks show the different species of giant clams or "taklobo" in Filipino language.

The clam species are in various stages of growth and colors. We noticed that the baby clams can open or shut their mouth, as they react on lighting conditions. But as they mature, they somehow loose this ability. We were impressed by the knowledge of a young girl in the center, as she answered the visitors' queries about the clams' behavior, scientific name, etc.

Climbing Mt. Palay Palay in Cavite

Last Saturday, my climbing buddies and I embarked on our third day hike together at Mt. Pico de Loro in Maragondon, Cavite. After paying Php 20 each in DENR's Ternate office at around 7:30 am, we started our relaxed 4-hour ascent to the famous mountain summit of Cavite.

Compared to our 2 recent climbs (Maculot Rockies and Mt. Batulao), Pico de Loro is no easy feat. Although the trail is mostly covered by trees, the trail is long like in Batulao, plus it has its own version of assault areas. The intimidating parrot's beak, its signature rocky plateau near the summit, provides a challenge to rock climbers. Below are its technical specs from Pinoy Mountaineer website:

A Live Soft Shell Turtle

Over the weekend at my in-laws' place in Bulacan, a nephew showed to me a turtle they caught in the nearby river. When I saw the amphibian animal, it seems similar to the turtles that are sold to Asian restaurants that has turtle on their menus.

The teenage boys that caught the turtle found the animal turned upside down along the bank of the river. It was very tired trying to get to its natural bearing but to no avail. I'm estimating its weight to be at least half a kilogram, with about a foot in length. Its carapace is more leathery than hard shell, and it has web feet, similar to ducks' feet.

Bohol Countryside Tour and Food Trip

After our morning tour in Antequera and Maribojoc towns, we picked up our friends A & E from Tagbilaran Airport at 11:00 am, before we proceeded to the usual countryside tour in Bohol. Our first stop is the Blood Compact site in Barangay Bool, along the main road which is still a part of Tagbilaran City.

"Sandugo" or blood compact is the native custom of the early Filipinos when formalizing treaties or act of friendship based on respect and equality. The two main characters would make a cut on their hand or arm, pour the blood on a cup which may also contain wine, then they both drink that liquid mixture. It is believed that the first blood compact between two races was done by Cebu's chieftain Rajah Humabon and the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, before the latter was killed by Lapu-Lapu in 1521.

Mag-aso Falls and Punta Cruz Watchtower

On our second day in Bohol, we visited the attractions in Antequera and Maribojoc towns, at least 30 minutes drive northwest of Tagbilaran City. Our first destination in our morning itinerary is the Mag-Aso Falls in Antequera.

To get there, visitors can ride the public utility vehicles from Tagbilaran to Antequera, but the trips seem infrequent, as we have not seen any jeep or mini-bus plying the route during our trip. Upon arriving at the town center's church and market area, tricycles can be hired to take visitors to the waterfalls, only 1.5 km in a narrow road. In our case, we hired the car services of Paul Incon in addition to the usual countryside tour.

Monfort Bat Cave in Samal Island, Davao City

Day 2 of our Davao tour was spent on the Island Garden City of Samal or IGACOS for short. Our first destination on the island is the Monfort Bat Cave which provides shelter to at least 1.8 million fruit bats, as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

From Magsaysay Avenue at downtown, we boarded the Island City Express bus for Php 30 fare/person up to the Babak district.  The mini-bus boards a Ro-Ro vessel, owned by the same company, along with other vehicles and boat passengers. 

Upon arriving at Babak pier, we rented a tricycle that will take us on the northwest portion of the island and back to the pier for Php 250 after minimal haggling with the female trike driver. Habal-habal should be less expensive and faster, but there are four of us including 2 kids, so its not an option. 

Davao Crocodile Park & Tribu Mindanawan

This is the last itinerary on Day 1 of our Davao DIY tour, which is near the city center. After riding the passenger van from Malagos, we took a taxicab to the Crocodile Park inside a subdivision. Entrance fee is Php 150 for adults and half price for kids. The fee includes free entrance to the butterfly center across the street, and to the Tribu Mindanawan cultural village and show.

The show at Davao Crocodile Park starts at 4:00 pm during weekends. It starts with a mini-bird show, followed by a yellow python, and an orangutan named Carlo. Afterwards, its the big croc Pangil splashing water to the spectators, feeding frenzy, and tightrope acts of 2 men above the crocs' area until 5:00 pm. 

Phil. Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City

After our buffet lunch in Malagos Garden Resort, we proceeded to the Phil. Eagle Center, about 2-3 km farther uphill if my estimate is correct. Tricycle fare is only Php 10 per person from the Puentespinas' garden resort.

Entrance fee is Php 50 for adults, while its Php 30 for those 18 years old or younger. There is a snack store and souvenir shop on the center, where proceeds benefit the protection of the endangered Philippine eagle species. The relaxing lotus pond below with large koi fishes and a footbridge above it welcomes the visitors.

Malagos Garden Resort's Bird Show in Davao

Two weeks ago, I took my wife and 2 boys at Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City. The highlight of the visit there is the interactive bird show during Sundays at 10:30 am, which lasts for 45 minutes. Entrance fee for adults is Php 125, while its Php 100 for kids. Adding Php 150 to the entrance fee entitles a customer to avail of their lunch buffet, which is not bad for its price.

Near the entrance of the garden resort is their playground with a tower on the middle.

Mangrove Boat Tour & Buenavista Viewdeck

After our Underground River tour, my 3 kids and I took the Mangrove Paddle Tour, about 1.5-km north walk from Sabang wharf. Along the way, we passed restaurants and resorts like Sheridan and Daluyon with nice-looking octagonal cottages. On our way back, we also combed part of the Sabang beach.

Tour fee is Php 150/adult and Php 100 for kids 12 years old and below. Like in Underground River, they also provide life jackets. The tourism kiosk officer asked us to register before we boarded the paddle boat.

Unusual Sea Creature - Horseshoe Crab

Last Sunday afternoon while resting at Pandan Island beach within Honda Bay in Palawan, I spotted this mysterious sea creature being examined by tourists and used for photo ops. I think I have seen it on NatGeo or Discovery Channel before, but I don't know its name. Considered as a living fossil, its one of those sea creatures which have survived since the post-Jurassic period, and had barely evolved after more than 250 million years. It was quite surprising that its fairly common to see on Palawan islands, but not on the rest of the country.

The Rush of Guimaras

Straight from the Iloilo airport after dropping our luggage to the hotel, we headed to the Ortiz wharf to board the boats that will take us to Guimaras island province. Boat fare is only P13 for adults and P12 for kids. The boat has capacity of 45 passengers, and we were seated at wooden benches below the life jackets that hang on the ceiling.

The boat trip took only 15 minutes to Jordan port, where tourists are asked to register and assisted on their transport needs by the lady in the small tourist counter. Public transport around Guimaras has infrequent trips, while jeep rental of P1000 and multicab rental of P800 are too much for us, so I decided to rent a tricycle for P500 with my 2 kids. 

Another Mt. Makiling Hike

Two months after our previous hike in Mt. Makiling, we did it again this morning, this time with 2 nephews from Bulacan. We started the hike to Mudspring at 8:00 am, then arrived on our destination in 2 hours. We were told that Kuya Kim's team from Matang Lawin TV show is scheduled to do an episode of Mt. Makiling today, but we have not seen his team until we got down before 12:00 noon at College of Forestry.

See a short video of boiling mud below:

Pacman the Dog

We have a 7-month old dog, a half askal-half beagle (or other breed) named Pacman. He may be an ordinary dog, but with the extent of vaccines and treatments that he received, aside from updated anti-rabies shots, his net worth could be close to imported dogs with commercial breeds.