Sarangani is one of the province in Socsargen region, Philippines. Alabel as its capital. 230 kilometers (140 miles) of coastline along Sarangani Bay and Celebes Sea. Located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao, with boarders Davao del Sur and South Cotabato at North, in the east is the Davao Occidental, South of Sarangani is the Celebes Sea.
We went to Glan for their shoreline of powdery white sand beaches of Gumasa. This town is very popular with its beaches. Glan is very traditional. Old colonial houses, lots of trees. Very preserved place. It's the best place to spend your summer getaway. We stayed at Coco Beach Resort.
Coco Beach Resort is very accessible to the public. I mean, you can go resort hopping! Easy access to other resorts. The shoreline is yours! Walking, sunbathing, build sand castles. Others might go for swimming, snorkeling, boating and scuba diving. An amazing view of sunset along the shoreline.
No problems for picnics. There is a market nearby. If you want to go for an overnight, there are room accommodations and amenities. Small stores and canteens which you can order meals.
Coco Beach Resort
Brgy. Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani Province
For reservations:
0920-971-4119 (smart)
0977-827-2072 (globe)
0922-207-2839 (sun)
(083)893-0324 (PLDT)
Ginger? I think all of us are familiar with ginger even 5000 years ago. Indians and ancient Chinese used this spice for ailments.
Ginger or Zingiber officinale is a spice came from the family of cardamom and turmeric.
My brother came up with an idea to grow ginger. He decided to make it organic, because most of us now are health conscious. Organic means involving the use of food produced with the use of fertilizer came from plant or animal without chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides.
Mixed with soil, organic products like saw dust, chicken dung and rice hulls. The mixture will enhace the soil health by nurturing and not harming the soil microbes. These microbes will help soil nutrients available to plants. Thus, making the organic soil very friendly to environment and health.
For me, ginger is a "super spice"! We can get health benefits like:
1. The presence of gingerol is the main bioactive compound, it has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects;
2. It can treat nausea (morning sickness, nausea after surgery, chemotherapy-related nausea and sea sickness);
3. Can reduce soreness and muscle pain;
4. Suffering from osteoarthritis? Anti-inflammatory effects of ginger can reduce pain;
5. Can help lower blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors;
6. Can help treat chronic indigestion;
7. Reduce menstrual pain;
8. Lower cholesterol levels;
9. Contains a substance called 6-gingerol, claims to have protective effects against cancer (needs to be studied further);
10. Improve brain function and a protection against Alzheimer's disease;
11. Gingerol helps fight infections such as gingivitis, periodontitis and respiratory.
Are there any sickness/ailments that ginger can prevent/treat?
There are many ways preparing ginger. I prefer ginger tea (salabat). I just fill my french press then let it stay for about 10 minutes. Just a pinch of ginger powder because too much is spicy.
I use this "pure" ginger powder. A homemade spice made by my brother, no added additional ingredients. Just a pure organic ginger powderized for a cup of tea or juice.
Check his Facebook account for queries and orders. Click this: ORGANIC GINGER GROWER.
Another must visit in Davao Oriental is the falls they called "Curtain Falls" or others name it as "Stairway-to-Heaven". The highest waterfalls in the Philippines with more than 100 cascading waterfalls.
Aliwagwag Falls is a beautiful place for bonding activities with family and friends. There is a zipline in the Aliwagwag Falls Ecopark for adventure-goer tourists. With 680 meters long zipline, while hovering and breathtaking view of the nature. There is a monkey bridge to have a closer look of the falls. There are also picnic tables located near the falls so that it will be closer to the great view.
The Aliwagwag Falls is very accessible. No need to hike into a rainforest just to have a glimpse of the falls. The bridge in the above photo is the highway from Cateel, Davao Oriental. You can stop over and take photos along the road. Hope that I can come back someday here with my family. A not very long ride from Davao City, but a priceless experience.
Davao Oriental is a very nice place. Oriental means "east". Davao Oriental is located eastern Mindanao. It lies along the eastern coastline facing the "world's largest ocean", the Pacific Ocean.
That's why San Luis has a long beach long.
There are also rivers found here in Caraga. The Manurigao River found in the northern part of the municapality and the Caraga River, found in the southern part.
One destination we've been is the beach. My mother-in-law's family came here. And so we went for a vacation because she's boasting that the beaches here are so beautiful with black sand and waves from the open ocean.
This was already my second visit here in Caraga. My first visit was just a wonderful experience. We ate "kinilaw na pusit". A fresh catch from the sea. The sunset was beautiful. By then, while getting dark, we lighted a bonfire. Watching the waves and the heavy sound as it approaches the shore.
My second visit experience in this beach line was extraordinary. Eating native delicacies like lechon, kinilaw and sugba (grilled). While eating, you can see the water sparkling because of the sun's reflection. And when you're swimming on the beach, you can see your feet underneath. The waves are massaging your back. Foot scrub with the sand. All in one treat and pampering yourself.
We had a lot of fun.
Very relaxing.
The sounds of the waves.
The breeze..
A surely must visited place in Davao Oriental.
There are a lot of must-see places here in Ilocos. Our first stop was the Baluarte Zoo.
The owner, Chavit Singson, open the zoo for free. There are tigers, birds and even
a pony to ride on. There are also dinosaur statues to have pictures. Here is my
shot.
Another place we visited was the St. Augustine Parish Church, also known as Bantay Church. The Bantay Tower was a historic one.
It served as a watchtower for pirates during the Spanish colonial era, which gave its name Bantay (meaning to guard). Build
in 1590, and the oldest in Ilocos Region.
Another historic place we visited was the Heritage Village in Vigan. We roam around Calle Crisologo riding a "kalesa" (a horse with cart).
Hope you can visit Ilocos Sur too. Sure a historic rich culture.
