Guimaras Island: The Mango Capital of the Philippines

Guimaras Island, the Mango Capital of the Philippines. It is located in the Western Visayas of the Philippines. The capital of Guimaras is Jordan.

We had a tour around Guimaras Island but only for one day on selected places. One of the places is the Roca Encantada or Enchanted Rock in English. It is one of the Guimaras' famous landmarks. It was owned by the Lopez Clan. The Summer house was built on top of a hill. The National Heritage Institute declared Roca Encantada as a heritage house.

Our second stopover is the Guimaras Wind Farm. It is the first windmills in Visayas region and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia.

Our third stopover is lunch! But unfortunately I have no photos and forgot the place. We are so hungry and no idea where to eat. But very delicious fish and seafood dishes! The fourth stopover is the John B. Lacson Training Center. The place is an ecological park. You can also swim along the white beach line.

Fifth stop, of course souvenirs and their native delicacies at Trappist Gift Shop. This key chain caught my eyes. There is a cross in the middle! It's from Sinukuan Tree. They believe that the tree is miraculous. The only gather the wood during Good Friday.

Hope I gave you a little tour in Guimaras!

The Sunset... Twilight Color Explained

Sunset. Or others describe it as sundown. Where the Sun disappears below the horizon because the Earth is rotating on its axis.

As explained by ScienceDaily: Scattering affects the color of light coming from the sky, but the details are determined by the wavelength of the light and the size of the particle. The short-wavelength blue and violet are scattered by molecules in the air much more than other colors of the spectrum. This is why blue and violet light reaches our eyes from all directions on a clear day. But because we can't see violet very well, the sky appears blue. Scattering also explains the colors of the sunrise and sunset, Ackerman says. “Because the sun is low on the horizon, sunlight passes through more air at sunset and sunrise than during the day, when the sun is higher in the sky. More atmosphere means more molecules to scatter the violet and blue light away from your eyes. If the path is long enough, all of the blue and violet light scatters out of your line of sight. The other colors continue on their way to your eyes. This is why sunsets are often yellow, orange, and red.” And because red has the longest wavelength of any visible light, the sun is red when it’s on the horizon, where its extremely long path through the atmosphere blocks all other colors.

“Dusk is just an illusion because the sun is either above the horizon or below it. And that means that day and night are linked in a way that few things are there cannot be one without the other yet they cannot exist at the same time. How would it feel I remember wondering to be always together yet forever apart?” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

I love sunset because of the purplish color across the sky. It calms my soul and mind. Hope you also like Sunsets too.

Durian, The King of Fruits

When hear Davao City, Philippines, first come to our mind is the famous Durian!

Durian, also known as Durio zibethinus. The name “durian,” comes from the Malay word “duri” (which means “thorn”) together with the suffix “–an.”

A lot of people don't want the powerful smell of the durian. But when tasted, creamiest and some variety does have a light bitter taste.

Durian fruit usually in season during August. And that's when our famous "Kadayawan Festival" celebrated.

Visit Davao City for our famous Durian fruit and delicacies especially the Apo ni Lola for some Davao Pride.

Some of my favourites:

1. Durian Yema
2. Durian Ice Cream
3. Durian Coffee
4. Durian Fruit (Puyat Variety)

Tip from a Davaoeño, when eating durian durian fruit, wash your hands with the inner side of the durian (the smooth portion inside) with flowing water, this will help the smell vanish from your hands. This is proven and tested by me.

Dragon Fruit Cactus

One of the most common fruits seen in market is the "Dragon Fruit".

So what is Dragon Fruit? What are the health benefits to us?

Dragon fruit. An exotic and very fruit and considered as tropical superfood. Known as "Pitaya", and others call this fruit strawberry pear.

I am very interested with this fruit because it claims to be an anti-cancer.

Other benefits are:
a. Help fight chronic diseases - because it is rich in anti-oxidant, helps prevent such as heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and arthritis.

b. Loaded with fiber which helps in digestion

c. Improves and strengthens immune system

d. Because it was loaded with Iron, it boost low iron levels

e. Best source of magnesium

Dragon fruit is a delicious tropical fruit that’s definitely worth trying.

Aliwagwag Falls, Davao Oriental

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.

BE AT DAVAO ORIENTAL... SAN LUIS BEACH

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.

Baguio City... Summer Capital of the Philippines

Baguio City! Is one of the destination of most people who wants cool summer vacation. Located at an altitude of 1,450 meters above sea level or 4,760 feet. Belonging to the Cordillera Administrative Region. Because of the cool mountain weather, it is considered the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

You know you're near in Baguio City when you see this work of art... The Lion's Head! Never miss the chance to stop at this famous landmark.

The picture above is the road to Baguio City! Nice view up there! Taken during early in the morning. A little bit cold.

There's a lot of tourist destination here in Baguio City. Just visit their official website for more information.

Happy Vacation!!

Summer Time 2014

Well, here in the Philippines, people are getting to hit summer vacations! And we are known for some beaches.

I scanned some of my photos and found these.

This photo above was taken in Surigao del Sur. Britannia Islands. Island hopping and scuba diving. They call this island a vanishing island. As high tide, only part of the island is seen.

This island has caves and corals. One of the islands of Britannia.

This photo is taken in Samal, Davao del Sur. An island just a few minutes away from Davao City. There are a lot beaches here. A variety of choices.

Happy Summer!

Pls Help Typhoon Haiyan Victims...

I was surfing the internet and saw this heart breaking photos. This very violent typhoon left sufferings to people in Visayas Region here in the Philippines. I was surfing the internet, I saw photos that very heart breaking. No more homes.. and many lost their loved ones. Barely an hour of strong wind and storm surge...

Please help my fellow Filipinos in Visayas Region. They really need food, clothing and medicine. I also found this photo on how to send your donation if you're outside Philippines.

God bless them. Heal their faith, emotions and physical body...

I'm praying and asking for your help. Thank you so much!

Bunawan, Agusan del Sur

It is now 2013. I scanned my pictures and found out that I haven't shared yet this picture of Lolong. This was taken last June 2012.

Agusan del Sur (The Land of Golden Opportunities), is known for Lolong. The longest saltwater crocodile ever captured.

Agusan del Sur has mountain ranges in eastern and western sides forming a valley. Flows here is the famous Agusan River. The third longest river here in the Philippines. One of the prominent features in the Agusan River basin is the presence of Agusan Marsh. With a total area of 19,197 hectares. The marsh is a home to endangered and endemic flora and fauna and became a wildlife sanctuary in 1996.

Meet Lolong, the largest crocodile in captivity. An Indo-Pacific or Saltwater crocodile. A 20-feet and 3 inches (6.17 m). This endangered specie was named after Ernesto "Lolong" Goloran Cañete. He is one of the veteran hunters of crocodile and from Palawan Crocodile Reservation Center who led the hunt. He died of a heart attack several days before the crocodile was captured. Lolong is now kept in an enclosure at Bunawan Eco-Park and Wildlife Reservation Center in Barangay Consuelo (8 km out of town).

Another pride of the Philippines because Lolong was officially certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's biggest crocodile in captivity."

Tinuy-an Falls - Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

Another Pride of Mindanao! The Tinuy-an Falls! Located in the southern region of Mindanao. Another main tourist attraction in Bislig.

One of the widest waterfalls here in the Philippines. Most people noted this as the "Niagara Falls of the Philippines. This falls has 3 tiered. With a total height of 55 meters. They also said that it has a formation of rainbow rays around 9am to 11am. Unfortunately, we arrived here late in the afternoon. Didn't had a chance for the rainbow.

I enjoyed staying in Surigao. Lots of beautiful places. Definitely a paradise for everyone!

Sibadan Fish Cage - Surigao del Sur

A few minutes boat ride from Enchanted River. Since there are limited tables and chairs for lunch, we decided to take our lunch at Sibadan Fish Cage.

Before you get there, there are a lot of nice scenes. Clear waters. Amazing islets. Even huts standing in the middle of the waters.

Anyways, lets go to Sibadan Fish Cage.

Visitors can swim and do fishing.

This is my favorite! Eating time. We ordered crabs. Surigao is very rich with seafoods. Name it! Must-try is their dried seaweeds. I didn't got a chance to take some because it is order basis. Order now, you get it the next day. To sad because we don't have much time to staying in Surigao. I planned to make some salad from seaweeds.. Tsk tsk tsk... I'm so frustrated... hehehe

Wait till my next blog.. I will post the Tinuy-an Falls. I love this falls..

Enchanted River - Surigao del Sur

Another place was visited.. The Enchanted River.. I didn't expect how beautiful this river was. It has crystal blue water which is around 80 feet deep with a mixture of saltwater and freshwater. It is called "enchanted" because locals believed that the river is protected by spirits.

The photo above: the current is going to the sea. Lifeguards always remind us to be careful because the current is a little bit strong. There is rope as boundary. Careful enough not to go beyond that point.

Feeding time is around 12pm and 5pm. When we were swimming, no fishes! Just imagine how deep it is!

Its like having a spa in a river! Stepping on the limestone, its just like having a foot massage. I don't know if this is true, they said that its water is like a fountain of youth. Whatever it is believed, swimming here gave me an amazing experience.

Enchanted River...

Purple Crabs in the Philippines!

I want to share what I found when I'm surfing the internet. A purple crab found here in the Philippines! These photos are from National Geographic News. Another new discovery from our country. According to Henrik Freitag of Germany's Senckenberg Museum of Zoology, these small creatures burrow under rocks and roots in streams, feeding on dead plants, fruits, carrion and samll animals in the water at night.

Found in Palawan and it named Insulamon Palawanense. One of the four Insulamon genus species.

This deep purple crab is a female Insulamon johannchristiani. These purple crabs are strong and hard. It is used for prevention from getting battered by river rocks, according to Freitag.

This is a new crab species Insulamon magnum. Magnum means "big" in Latin. This crab is large, about 2 inches or 5.3 cm. The shell of these species are very soft. Very prone from predators.

I don't have photos for the Insulamon porculum and Insulamon unicorn. According to Freitag, scientists began extensive investigations of similar freshwater crabs in the area in the late 1980's.
This Insulamon porculum is similar with Insulamon magnum. They are big in size which measures 3 x 2.5 cm.
Insulamon porculum, measures 33.1 by 25.1 millimetres.

Although they are crabs, they also differ in physical features. Their first hind, the shape of the body shell and sex organs.

Proud to say, Philippines is one of 17 countries that shelters most of Earth's flora and fauna species. The threatening reality, a lot of mining, farming and industrial activities which causes water pollution. The higher risk of extinction for these species..

Baclayon Church - Bohol Philippines

One of my treks in life is visiting some old churches. Aside from the Sto. Nino Church in Cebu, I was really amazed with this one. Its like I traveled way back in 15th century. This is Baclayon Church. It is one of the preserved church by the Jesuits.

The entrance is very historic. The walls are blocks made of coral stones. Very good foundation because it stands for centuries!

Inside the church is very solemn. There is an emblem of the Jesuits, "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" (For the Greater Glory of God). I remembered this because I graduated from a school run by Jesuits, Ateneo de Davao University. When I entered the church, I do have goose bumps! Very nice experience to enter in the second oldest church here in Philippines.

According to the elders, this door is the entrance to the horse stables, kitchen and even jail. Because according to them, inside the church, there is a dungeon. It was used to punish natives who violated the rule of the Roman Catholic Church.

Another mysterious in this church is an image of Fr. Pio of Pietrelcina on one of the pillars of the church. He became famous for his stigmata. Stigmata is the Christ like wounds that bore in palm of ones hands. He is believed to have healing powers. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on June 16, 2002.

This is a memorable experience in Bohol. Hope to visit more old churches someday..