simple life in BUSCALAN

It was first week of 2016 and i was searching where to go for some weekend get away and i checked my list of my target places to visit then BUSCALAN here we come. I don't usually search too much about my target place i only checked if how safe the place is and some direction, i still leave some mystery...i message my cousin ginno and asked if he can joined me for some weekend adventure then he said yes..the next day i went to victory liner and bought our tickets..from manila to tabuk i really don't have any idea where tabuk is ha ha (exciting nga diba??!)as long as parte pa din sya ng mapa ng Pilipinas so go.. the important is we were schedule to leave on Saturday night.Good thing for night travel you were able to sleep and rest.Travel time is around 10-12 hours. 

St.William's Cathedral

GETTING THERE:

• Take a Tabuk City bound bus from Victory Liner Manila. Tabuk bound buses are available from Kamias station. Travel time is around 10-12 hours. Go down in front of St. William’s Cathedral in Tabuk.

• Once in Tabuk, take a bus or jeepney to Bontoc. Go down at Bugnay. Travel time is around 3-4 hours.

• From the jump-off,you will need to hike for around 30 minutes to an hour to reach the village proper.

• From Bugnay we were fetched by our guide (Gilbert)and we rode a single motorcycle going up to jump-off.  

About to start our hike...(di kami excited promise!!!)at around 11:30am we were already at the turning point at syempre umpisahan natin sa picture mode ON!! :) 

Be extra careful during the hike since you will be passing by cliffs. Falling is not an option. You may also want to swim at the waterfalls midway through the hike before the final assault to the village proper.

             The hike wasn’t that difficult but it can be really tiring at the latter part. 

we were constantly rewarded by awe-inspiring views that you could only get from being that high up in the mountains.

 At the end of the hike, we came around a corner and were greeted with impressive views of rice terraces that we were only able to see from a distance earlier in the trail. 

after a long walk Gilbert (guide)assisted and accompany us in his relative house to take some rest and eat our lunch.Aside from beautiful scenery you'll be aware that you were already in Buscalan if you'll experience the overflowing serving of famous Kalinga coffee.

I must say that my first sip of this Kalinga-produced coffee was smooth and delightful.The local villagers of Kalinga have vast coffee plantations and are known for their love for brewed coffee. Sipping a locally produced coffee blend is like a morning ritual to many people in the village.They have the view, the quiet morning, the coffee, and the cold weather,the kind of morning that most people in the urban areas could only dream of. let me warned everyone once you sip there coffee you'll never stop asking for more (ANG SARAP PROMISE)!

late afternoon Gilbert asked if we want to see there rice terraces. We made our way down to the terraces and straight in the middle of the bright green fields. It was a surreal experience being able to walk right through the rice terraces and we knew that something that surreal.

This  could only mean one thing: we finally made it to BUSCALAN!

Greet some local and talked to them give them your genuine smile they don't understand Tagalog but your guide can translate.

main reason why we went to buscalan personally i really wanted to meet whang od read a lot about her and the story of butbut tribe,before we went to buscalan i texted Gilbert if it possible to have picture with whang od kahit na hindi kami magpatatoo and Gilbert said yes,before we went to visit the fields as expected a lot of tourist were already lined up so its not possible to disturb her just for a picture so we decided to visit the rice fields first then after we went back at the village Gilbert our guide accompany us to whang od house and we were surprised she was seating resting and Gilbert talked to her and translate us that she was really tired cause a lot of people asking for her tattoo we thought that we were not be able to have picture with her but we were wrong she even asked Gilbert if me and my cousin were a couple and i answered no!magpinsan po kami and then whang od asked my cousin if he is a girl maybe she thoughts then i laugh so hard as in tawang tawa ako that was the time i saw whang od smiling i saw a person who is genuinely beautiful inside and out. I'm a bit sad cause she keep on complaining to Gilbert that she really tired while touching her arm imagine a 98 yrs old awake early in the morning just to entertained a lot of tourist for a tattoo,then we went close to her for some picture i was happy cause she put her arm to my shoulder while smiling for picture i felt the kindness of her heart after that i told her maraming salamat apo (apo means lola) then she smiled again.we were lucky enough we had the chance to meet whang od personally.

When traveling, you get the opportunity to meet different people from different places. In life, one of the most important social skills we learn is how to interact and communicate with people who are different than we are.

at around 6 am we woke up early to prepare to go back to manila my cousin and i agreed to try the Bontoc-Baguio-Manila route so we can compare.

on the way to jump-off point for a jeepney ride going to Bontoc.

The reason why i travel is because i love adventure.wherever i will go,i will make memories of my adventure which will last a lifetime.I can relive the enjoyment again and again as i look back on the great adventure i had when traveling.

Traveling and interacting with a variety of people can help build or boost self-confidence since ideas and opinions are able to be more clearly expressed,shared and understood.

NOTE TO EVERYONE

Different cultures exist everywhere,as an individual,its our duty to respect the culture of the people we visit.In Buscalan you will temporary disconnected to the real world,no cellphone signal.Enjoy your stay,learned their culture, understand their beliefs.Experiencing different culture can be enlightening and educational.Learning others life and customs deepens our understanding of ourselves and to others.It teaches us RESPECT.

if you're planning to visit Buscalan you can contact Gilbert (guide)09084792012 i personally recommend him he is not like any other guide that will leave you when you reach the village,he will personally assist you to anything you need and will tour you around the village. he will make sure you will leave Buscalan happy :)

• Guide fee 1000 (standard fee its good for 5 person)
• home stay 250/person
• our food is free (kasama namin kumain ang family host namin masaya sila kasama)
• overflowing coffee (free)

Gilbert told us no need to bring anything for the locals especially to kids no need to bring candies nasasanay daw kasi ang mga taga village hindi daw po dapat ganun :)

                                                                   

                                       

White paradise in white island CAMIGUIN

 My favorite destination in CAMIGUIN,never ever miss a trip to white island.located 2 kilometers across the sea from agoho.Take a 10-minutes boat ride to this uninhabited white sandbar,Better to go there at early morning when the sun is not that hot and the waves are calmer.

A 5 minutes walk from our homestay

                                                              going to white island..

White Island is a sand bar across Rocky Village, Yumbing, Mambajao.

White Island is pure white sand, there are no trees that you can shade under. The best time to go there is early in the morning like 6:00 - 9:00am where the sun perfectly shines, not scourging hot and the place is not crowded yet. 

I enjoyed snorkeling here because there are a lot of fishes and corals to see.

 This small island also hosts an even smaller White Island, more properly a sandbar, under the imposing stare of Mt. Hibok-Hibok.

How to Get There

• From Manila take a plane to Laguindingan Airport (Cagayan de Oro Airport). 
• From Laguindingan Airport take a van, taxi or bus to Agora Market in Cagayan de Oro. Travel time is about 45-60 minutes. 
• In Agora Market take a bus bound to Butuan and tell the conductor to drop you Balingoan Port. This would take 1.5 – 2 hours travel. 
• Take a ferry in Balingoan Port Benoni Port in Camiguin. This would take 1-1.5 hours travel time. 
• Once in Benoni Port you may take a Habal-Habal, Motorela, Multicab or Van to your desired destination.  Van from Benoni to Mambajao is Ph30.00. 

(you can also book a straight flight from cebu pacific going to camiguin).

Discovering " THE LAND OF THE HOWLING WINDS" (Catanduanes)

Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol province region of Luzon.Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur.

Catanduanes were once known as the THE LAND OF THE HOWLING WINDS because of the frequent storms that pass the island but not to this day this land is getting known for more explored and unexplored places and spot that tourist must see.

We arrived at Virac airport from manila at exactly 7:30am. Morning flight will be the best time to travel going to Virac Catanduanes so you'll still have time to go around and visit tourist spot.

a

Ten steps from the exit door of the airport you'll see this sign and a lot of tricycle line waiting for you,Me and my friend decided to walked a little more for a reason that we can get a much cheaper ride (excuse us for being a backpacking traveler)in short nagkukuripot :) we asked kuyang driver how much will it cost if he'll bring us to virac town proper and answered 60 pesos but we asked for a discount and he answered ok 20 pesos each go ride (natatawa ako dito sapilitan sakay)and because we still have more time to go places, we strolled around town and ask some if we possible to rent a ride and we found out that you'll have two choices you can rent habal habal (single motor bike)or you can rent a tricycle for a tour for 600php not bad package of 5 destination:

• bato church (st.john the baptist church)
• batalay shrine
• maribina falls
• pagasa weather station
• sakahon beach

first plan is to visit sakahon beach but we were not able to reach the place because we were on the rough road then when we decided not to go because we were afraid we might not able to visit some plan destination because going to sakahon beach will take time, so we were able to see our next on our list the pagasa weather station.

    

This PAGASA-DOST weather radar station is considered as one of the most advance radar station installed in the country and was fundings from Japan International Cooperation Agency.This is a must see spot in Catanduanes why?because in here you can see a very nice view of the whole Catanduanes Island and you may consider as Batanes view of Catanduanes.In here no entrance fee needed you only need to log your name and make a small talk to kuyang guard :)

This was taken at the back part of the radar station and in here you can see the breathtaking view of the bay and islets.When i was making chitchat with kuyang guard the last storm surge spawned their island was by typhoon Pablo (according to kuyang guard of pagasa dost catanduanes).

St.John the Baptist church was one of the old churches in Catanduanes located at the town of Bato.According to our driver guide it was originally built with wooden materials that was year 1500's and it was 1830's the people of Bato town reconstructed the church using coral materials and was finished after 50 yrs.

picture taken inside the church and storm proof tested by time.

Batalay shrine built over the burial place of Augustinian priest Fray Diego Herrera who died in Brgy Batalay.

It was noon time when we reached our last destination Maribina Falls the most famous falls in catanduanes.The water was so refreshing.

entrance fee:

child- 10 php

adult- 20 php

My thoughts:

Before i go travel or exploring one place i do research and read a lot i must say that Catanduanes has this potential to be more popular spot for tourist i just hope that people of this island specially in Virac will be more open for tourist in a way that they can  be more educated about what places to visit and history.I hope  that department of tourism or any organization will undergo seminars to people of Virac regarding the concept of tourism.I travel a lot and appreciates different cultures and tradition.I met new friends of different places local or tourist.I have this policy to myself that every time i visit places i make it a point that i already did every single activities they had and  visited all spot they have but Catanduanes island is one of my favorite among places i visited which i want to return again and again, this place has this magic spell on me.i just hope that they can get support from their higher official that they elected.I wish that they can adapt the ilocos way when you ride a tricycle that every driver was trained and  be certified tour guide by Department of Tourism and it also means that their fare will be fair enough not so pricey to any tourist visiting their place.I am saying this because We had bad experience when we rode tricycle at the airport.Please note that this was not general we also met people who willingly and openly help us.We surely visiting again Catanduanes and i hope when we come back there's a big improvement.

Nice Beachfront Accomodation on wonderful Bantayan

In discovering Bantayan island Cebu.Its a little bit of a journey from Cebu City to Bantayan estimated about 4 hours land travel and an hour by ferry.Anika Island Resort is located 5-7 minutes from ferry port.

a view outside (this photos credit to anika)

a bench is waiting for you 

the beachfront

took this shot during my morning walk see those

 coconut trees this was the after effect of the typhoon Yolanda

actual shots of my room

mirror shot (selfie)

The rooms are constructed from recycling shipping containers and converted into a beautiful rooms.It is very clean and well decorated.The place is simply amazing,the staff and services are superb,the shuttle service from port to resort efficient and on time.I am hard to please when it comes to food, verdict uhmm about average (in my own opinion).

took this picture around 5:45 am low tide 

this might help :

ANIKA ISLAND RESORT

F. Roska St., Brgy. Okoy, Sta. Fe

Bantayan Island, Cebu

Mobile#:  +63 917 328 4898 /+63 999 886 4465

+63 922 843 9517

email add: anikaislandresort@yahoo.com

Sto.Nino Shrine Tacloban before typhoon "YOLANDA"

Before living Tacloban we pass by Sto Nino shrine museum, for a small city like Tacloban,this is one spot you cant miss.Which showcase the different cultures of Filipinos and definitely this place is one of the most visited tourist spot of Tacloban. According to its resident tourist guide the shrine owes its popularity to the hundreds of artworks and artifacts brought by former first lady Imelda Marcos from different countries  back when it was still one of the 29 residential houses of the first former first couple.

 altar of sto nino shrine

if i can still remember clear every place or corner here you'll see pictures of the former first couple

 the grand and majestic wooden chandelier

si malakas at si maganda wooden bas-relief of the first Filipino man and woman

this one of my favorite simple description literally LONG TABLE 

creative indeed..bamboo center table

everything here is simply magnificent and majestic

the antique clock

according to the resident tourist guide most of this was a gift to former first lady

the wide stairs...

a mirror shot before we leave

former first lady designed this to represent Filipino cultures of different region.Unfortunately sto nino shrine was one of the affected by the typoon "YOLANDA"and the place is still sequestered property of presidential commission on good governance (PCGG) and for now is off limits to anyone until the PCGG gets to account all the items in the shrine and determine their condition. it will take a long time before it will open again to public.