In Davao, looks like everything is “king sized.” It is one of the largest cities in terms of land area, has wide roads, has the “King of all Philippine Mountains” which is Mount Apo, has “King of Mindanao Festivals” which is Kadayawan, has the “king of the fruits, which is durian, and the “King of the Philippine Skies” which is the Philippine Eagle. While it is a fact that the Haribons (haring ibon) roam the skies of Apo and Mindanao’s mountains, they are however critically endangered of being wiped out from the surface of the earth. Good thing though, the Philippine Eagle Center has been established, as a sanctuary for the kings.
If I had flown (or zipped) fast and furious in B’lakayo in Gensan, I guess I have defied gravity in Lake Sebu, still in South Cotabato. This S3X Tour hasn’t been more adrenaline-laden than before. The day before, we went to one of the fastest. This time, we’re going to take one of the highest ziplines in the country—and boy I would want to have more!
The Seven Falls Zipline of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines
Lake Sebu is well known to be a placid mountain town, the cultural domain of the T’boli people. While most would associate this place for the tranquil lake, the people with colourful t’nalak cloth, the brass bling blings and that famed tilapia, many Mindanao townsfolk flock here every weekend to enjoy one of the Philippines, if not Asia’s highest zipline, flying over Lake Sebu’s three of the famed Seven Falls.
It is a widely known fact that Mount Apo is Philippines’ highest mountain, home of the rare but mighty Philippine Eagle, and located in Mindanao. However, a lot of people don’t know that the “King of Philippine Mountains” is also a volcano! And evidence that would prove that this mountain is alive is the boiling Lake Agco in its foothills.
Lake Agco in Mount Apo – Click on the photo for more images of the Lake
Gumasa Beach of Glan, Sarangani Province
Classes have ended and the long hot summer days are here in the Philippines. While a lot has been thinking of Boracay, we have 7,107 islands to explore…most of the beaches are relatively unknown to mainstream tourists. Recently however, Gumasa Beach in Sarangani Province has been making head waves being the venue of Mindanao’s largest beach party. Yet despite it being the center of this fiesta, during ordinary days (or even weekdays), Gumasa is one laidback paradise in this side of the country.
Kiltepen, Sagada’s East of Eden
Two days to go before 2013, and it was also our last day in Sagada. Wouldn’t it be nice to symbolically embrace a new beginning by watching the sunrise in the Cordilleras, as the golden rays gradually touch the mountains while the clouds embrace the earth? The place to be? It is Kiltepan view point.
Dahican Beach Surfer
It was my first sunrise after my birthday. I was in Mati City, Davao Oriental Province to accompany my dad for his project in the mountains of the province. That morning, I went to the beach that has been popular to backpackers and surfers alike—Dahican Beach. For surfers, it’s an alternative to Siargao Island. For travelers, it’s a paradise so close to this laidback city. …continue reading
Mindanao—the second largest island in, down south of the republic…very far yet so close to my heart. For most of the urbanites, it is a place that most should avoid because of adjectives associated with it: war-torn, poverty-stricken and home of the “terrorists.” Indeed, the notion of the island has evaded so many people to visit this great island in the south. However, in my own perspective, we have to take a second look onto this island. Mindanao has so much to offer, so much to see, so much to experience yet so neglected and feared by many.
Mindanao was (and for some, still is) “The Wild West” of the Philippines, as what they said–a tapestry of stories of three seemingly opposite cultures, vastly still unexplored and full of potential.
Musuan Peak and Fulbright Kiosk of Central Mindanao University. Click the photo to view more images of CMU and Musuan Peak
Bukidnon’s landscape is just simply marvelous. Expanse of hills blanketed in agricultural plantations, bordered with pine trees and towering mountain ranges. One can simply think whether we are still in tropical Pilipinas or not. However, between Valencia City and Maramag, a peak rises abruptly over the valley of Pulangi—Musuan Peak.
Lake Malubog and the Floating Restaurant
Toledo City in western Cebu Province is known for being a “mining city,” since one of the country’s largest copper-gold mines are located here. Most people have a picture of Toledo as an industrial city in the west, fueled by heavy industries and mining. Beyond these images, Toledo’s tranquility hasn’t hit the mainstream tourism industry that defines the entire Cebu Province—Malubog Lake.
