Diwata, sometimes called enkanto or dili ingon nato—the mystical and magical fairies of the Philippines—usually stay out of sight from humankind’s prying eyes. However, fortunate mortals who come to these realms may attract the attention and earn the admiration, love, and respect of these nature spirits. Sometimes, haughty humans may antagonize the spirits who will then take these mortals prisoners. Whatever the case, mortals who caught the attention or the fury of these diwatas are never seen again.

Diwatas protect, inhabit, and haunt most secluded glens and secret realms in the Philippines. Often, the beauty of one of these realms is so profound that mortals couldn’t help but weep over its splendor. Sweetie and I were fortunate to discover and visit such realm: the Enchanted River in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

After enjoying the beauty of Tinuy-an Falls, we headed straight to Hinatuan where the Enchanted River is found. The two-hour motorcycle ride was so exhausting (well, we kept on sliding forward) that we had to ask Sir Johnny to stop at a junction. It turned out he was more exhausted than we were. Hehehe!

Hinatuan—and the rest of Surigao del Sur, for that matter—faces the Pacific Ocean. Thus, the area is really vulnerable to tsunamis like the one that struck Japan in 2011. The local government takes measures to put up evacuation sites such as this one where people can head to if they spot the huge wave.

After resting for 10 minutes, we proceeded on our way to Barangay Talisay in Hinatuan. And, yes, you guessed it; it was a butt-breaking, teeth-rattling bone-jarring 12-kilometer ride that took around 20 agonizing minutes.

The road leading to the Enchanted River is quite bumpy. But don’t worry, it’s all worth it. As you may have noticed, the soil is reddish in color. That’s because this area is rich in clay and iron deposits.

As our destination drew nearer, we passed by this wide gorgeous greenish river. The greenish tinge is caused by the algal growth underneath the river as well as its brackish nature.

After 20 minutes, we finally reached our destination, Hinatuan’s pride and best kept secret, Enchanted River. However, we were a little bit disheartened moments after arrival. That’s because, as you can see from the photo below, the area is being converted into a resort type of facility. And as we all know, conversions like this are usually the catalyst of something ugly, artificial, and destructive.

For nature lovers like us, this is a serious concern. Not only will these man-made structures destroy the surrounding areas but, being open to the public, it will, sooner or later, attract the wrong kind of people.

That’s the parking area across the resort. Those billboards advertise other attractions, adventures, and activities that you may want to try when visiting Surigao del Sur.

Read the sign below. It seems that a 150-meter area above the Enchanted River is at risk of collapsing. When it does, it will become a very interesting sinkhole.

Welcome to the Enchanted River! Oh, you need to pay a fee of P30 to get inside; the fee goes to the maintenance of the place. As you can see, the lush gardens around the resort are well-maintained.

The resort is filled with these cottages and tables, all available for a minimal fee. It’s a good thing though that these facilities are built several hundred yards from the river’s edge.

Families and friends who bought along raw fish or meat can use the resort’s grilling station to prepare their meals. Filipinos love to cook and eat grilled food on picnics.

This is a short, wide, trellis-covered ledge that overlooks the Enchanted River. If you do not wish to rent a table or a cottage, you can simply put your packs on the benches. Just make sure you assign someone to watch over your things. Sir Johny, our guide and driver, volunteered to look after our stuff while we enjoy the river.

We went down the ledge towards the Enchanted River itself. A section at the bottom of the ledge is fenced off, creating a small pool where little children can swim and enjoy the water safely.

A lifeguard station is positioned strategically at the riverbank. The presence of a lifeguard is quite vital here as we will explain to you later.

After 2-hours of being exposed to dust, heat, and sweat, Sweetie couldn’t resist to plunge into the cool, clear water in the Enchanted River. Check out the photo below; you can see how crystal clear the water is.

That’s the side of the river that leads to the sea. The beauty of the place is just beyond amazing! The water is so clear that you can actually see individual rocks, pebbles, and formations at the bottom. The greenish tinge comes from the fact that this is brackish water, water with less salinity than seawater but less than fresh water. Brackish water is usually found in estuaries and inlets.

Take note that the photo below is not Photoshopped or edited in any other way except for the addition of the watermark. That’s how amazing it looks.

The word “enchanted” in Enchanted River is an understatement. We couldn’t find the words to describe just how enchanting and otherworldly this place is. Indeed, it was like entering a fairy-tale world. We wouldn’t be surprised if we can see diwatas resting happily by the riverbank or if we can witness communities of elves, duwendes, and tree sprites silently observing the mortals that are setting foot on their realm. The lagoon almost seemed to be just too beautiful to be a real-world natural feature.

Again, the photo below is not Photoshopped or edited in any other way with the exception of the watermark.

Technically, the Enchanted River is not a river but a large lagoon that is fed by a tributary in the river. Sweetie and I decided to go to deeper water, towards the blue area of the lagoon to explore what is under the water.

Swimmers go down those steps to enter the lagoon as high diving is prohibited.

One of the walls lining up the lagoon features the entrances of underground caverns. For safety reasons, swimming towards and exploring these caverns is strictly prohibited.

A square hole? Perhaps the entrance to a duwende’s lair? Or a portal to the Pied Piper’s home? Or a window to a diwata’s kingdom?

Have you ever wondered why the water at the center of the Enchanted River is extremely blue? Well, let’s find out. Sweetie and I donned our goggles and took a peek under the water. What we saw was both stunning and terrifying. It was the mouth of an enormous, deep sinkhole.

If you remember your science lesson when you were in elementary school, you would know that sunlight is “divided” into different wavelengths—the colors of the rainbow, in other words. When sunlight hits the water, the water absorbs the red and reflects the blue. The deeper the hole or the farther the surface of the water is to the surface of the land underneath it, the more of the red light is filtered. That’s why the ocean—and this lagoon—is really blue.

The bottom of the hole, which is about 150 feet from the water’s surface, is the entrance to a deeper cave. According to the cave map which is prominently displayed outside the resort, much of this underwater cave system is still unexplored.

The photo below gives you a better idea of how deep this sinkhole really is. Check out the legs of the swimmers on the surface. Also, take note of the man on the foreground. Now, you can see why their lifeguards are vital here; the riverbank has a very steep slope. Just a foot away from the bank and you’re already hovering above an abyss. So if you’re a non-swimmer or if you develop cramps here, well, you know what will happen.

We began to understand the real story of people taken away by the diwatas, never to be seen again. Most probably, they drowned after taking a swim in the lagoon.

A free diver tried to reach the bottom of the cave. He only got to a quarter of the wall when he ran out of air and swam back to the surface.

Large schools of fish congregate at the mouth of the sinkhole. They got so used to people’s presence that the fish didn’t seem to be bothered by kicking legs. Mind you, these are not small fish. They average perhaps a foot long. We’re not familiar with species of fish, but I think these are the ones that sometimes end on our dinner table.

More schools of fish congregate in the lagoon. At lunchtime and around 3PM, a designated staff at the resort feeds the fish with breadcrumbs. This attracts schools of colorful and attractive fish. Although fish feeding seems “cute,” we don’t encourage the activity because it alters the natural feeding patterns of the fish.

Sweetie enjoyed floating at the lip of the abyss; and some bathers didn’t miss an opportunity to pose for a shot. Hehehe! Also, you might notice that we were wearing life jackets. That’s for safety reasons. You may be a strong swimmer, but it’s better not to take chances on swimming in water this deep without anything that you can latch on.

Life jackets can be rented at P15 per hour per person.

Can you imagine that we’re having a lot of fun above an abyss that could possibly kill us? Oh, don’t worry because, contrary to popular belief, the sinkhole doesn’t suck swimmers. The chambers under the ground are completely filled of water, and thus, there’s no vacuum that can draw in water.

After more than an hour of swimming and exploring the sinkhole, we were ready to depart. Just check out how clear the water is; you can actually see the sinkhole’s wall at this vantage point.

As we prepared to exit the resort, a local government staff approached us and asked us to fill out a survey. We strongly recommend tourism officials to ask their constituents for feedback. This is an excellent way to get reliable, firsthand data about the effectiveness of a tourism campaign, the effects of tourism on the environment, tips on improving a tourist attraction, etc.

We left the Enchanted River. After half an hour, we reached the peaceful, quiet coastal town of Hinatuan where we had lunch and waited for a bus headed for Barobo. From Barobo, we took a bus that will take us to the Little Boracay of Surigao del Sur, Cagwait Beach.

Thank you very much, Sir Johnny, for guiding and showing us the treasures of your home. Our experience in Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River was nothing short of magical.

Itinerary

Day 2

5:00 AM – wake up, bath, breakfast, checkout
6:00 AM – depart Casa de Babano, head to Tinuy-an Falls
6:50 AM – arrived at Tinuy-an Falls, explore waterfalls
7:45 AM – depart Tinuy-an Falls, head to Enchanted River
9:30 AM – arrival at Enchanted River, explore the lagoon, swimming
11:00 AM – depart Enchanted River, head to Hinatuan
11:30 AM – arrival at Hinatuan, lunch
12:00 PM – ride bus or v-hire to Barobo
1:15 PM – arrival at Barobo, ride a bus to Cagwait
2:50 PM – arrival at Cagwait, ride habal-habal to Cagwait Beach
3:00 PM – enjoy Cagwait Beach
3:30 PM – depart Cagwait Beach, head back to highway, wait for bus heading to Butuan
4:00 PM – ride bus heading to Butuan, get off at Salvacion
5:00 PM – arrival at Salvacion, ride a habal-habal heading to San Agustin
5:15 PM – arrival at La Entrada Resort, check in, watch sunset
7:00 PM – dinner
9:00 PM – lights off

Budget (per person)*

P 450 – (900 divided by 2 pax) Habal habal driver fee from Tinuy-an Falls to Enchanted River
P 50 – Tinuy-an Falls entrance fee
P 30 – Enchanted River entrance fee
P 15 per hour – Life Jacket rental at Enchanted River
P 40 – V-hire fare from Hinatuan Terminal to Barobo Terminal
P 80 – Bus fare from Barobo to Cagwait
P 10 – habal-habal fare from highway to Cagwait Beach
P 10 – habal-habal fare from Cagwait Beach to Highway

* Except where indicated, all rates are on a per-person basis. We did not include our expenses for meals, snacks, souvenirs, tips, and other fees in this rate sheet as you may have different needs, preferences, itineraries, miscellaneous transportation, and sharing scheme from us. Note that all figures are subject to change without prior notice.

Tips

1. Contact Sir Johnny at 0930-7337355 for your habal-habal ride. He’s a great guide and driver.

2. Note the opening/closing hours and entrance fees of Enchanted River:

3. We didn’t see any carenderias or stores in Enchanted River. This is a good thing because the absence of stores prevents the river from becoming a garbage dump. Thus, it is best to buy your meals, snacks, and beverages in Mangagoy or Bislig before going to the river.

4. The sinkhole at Enchanted River is very deep. As a precaution, rent a life jacket, even if you are a strong swimmer or a free diver. Life jackets are available for rent at the resort for P15 per person per hour.

5. Bring goggles/snorkeling masks and an underwater camera (or a digicam with a waterproof casing). The landscape under the Enchanted River is just amazing!

6. Pack light but bring the following:

• water (at least two liters)
• sandals
• umbrella, hat, or sarong
• snacks and softdrinks
• swimming attire
• goggles/snorkeling mask
• sunblock
• extra clothes
• extra money for emergencies

7. Preserve the beauty and magic of the Enchanted River by observing the adventurer’s mantra: take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.

Filipinos are fond of associating an interesting person, place, or thing with another interesting person, place, or thing. For instance, the massive Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig is dubbed as “the Niagara Falls of the Philippines.” 2010 Lapu-Lapu City mayoralty candidate Efrain Pelaez promised to turn Mactan Island into a “little Singapore.” Sarah Geronimo was once labeled as the “Celine Dion of the Philippines.”

While researching for schedules, fares, accommodations, and other information about this Surigao trip, we came across a certain place called Cagwait Beach, also known as “the Boracay of Surigao.” Curiosity kicked in: what makes this beach similar to Boracay? Is it the clear, cool waters? Is it the vibrant nightlife? Is it the lively throngs of foreigners and local tourists?

After a bit of study, we realized that we actually have some time to spare before we call it a day and retire for the night in a resort in San Agustin. Thus, we decided to check out the Boracay of Surigao as a short side trip.

After waiting for a few minutes at the Hinatuan terminal, we were able to catch a van for hire that was bound for the municipality of Barobo where we can catch a bus to Tandag. Unlike their larger counterparts in Cebu City or Puerto Princesa, Surigao del Sur’s v-hires are really small, and it could get really stuffy and crammed inside.

Less than an hour later, we boarded a bus bound for Tandag City, which makes a stop at Cagwait. Due to the wide highway and few vehicles, these buses ply their routes at breakneck speeds clocking to around 100 kilometers per hour! Unaccustomed to such high speeds, Sweetie and I squeezed each other’s hands until our knuckles hurt.

Even when we’re riding at such high speed, it took us around 2 hours to reach the town of Cagwait. The place was so peaceful and quiet that we thought it was actually abandoned.

Almost immediately after we disembarked from the bus, a young habal-habal driver approached us. We told him where we’re going, boarded his motorcycle, and off we went. Check out the town’s main street in the photo below; it’s almost empty!

Along the way, we saw a very promising project of the local government of Cagwait, a program for the rehabilitation of mangrove forests in the area. This is one of the things that we love about far-flung towns, villages, barrios, municipalities, and provinces. They are very serious and dedicated in preserving the environment and their tourist attractions. Even if they clearly lack support from the national government, they study, plan, and implement these worthwhile projects with exemplary efficiency that is virtually unheard of in big cities.

The mangrove reforestation project is situated just beside the main road. Check out the newly planted mangroves. Awesome, isn’t it? That’s environmental preservation and protection done right.

After 10 minutes, we finally reached Cagwait Beach. Lo and behold, the sandy beach is situated in a small sheltered U-shaped bay. Just like Hidden Beach in Aloguinsan, the place is still relatively pristine, quiet, and peaceful. For those who want to melt their stress without the “artificial” atmosphere that is usually felt in manicured resorts, Cagwait Beach is the place to be. The famous pilot Charles Lindberg once likened the place to Waikiki Beach in Hawaii, USA.

When we arrived there, the surf was quite strong, and the waves were large. The photo below faces the southern side of the bay.

It was the onset of the habagat (monsoon) season. Beyond the beach at the entrance of the cove, we could see the telltale silvery white lines of strong waves. No wonder Cagwait beach is also touted as a popular, affordable destination for novice surfers and skimboarders.

When we took off our sandals and walked barefoot on the beach, we understood why this humble beach is called the Boracay of Surigao del Sur. No, it’s not the vibrant nightlife; the feeling of tranquility dominates here. No, it’s not the world-class accommodations; the resorts that line along the beach are quite modest. No, it’s not about crowds of bikini-clad swimmers; the beach was almost empty.

It’s actually the texture of the sand; it’s as fine as in Boracay! Although it’s not as white, the yellow-brownish sand in Cagwait feels like fine powder. Standing on your heel causes your foot to easily sink in the sand!

The sand is so soft, relaxing, and comfortable that this furry pooch decided to dig a hole and catch up a snooze.

Massive surf brought about by the habagat season crashes on the shore. The photo below shows the northern side of the bay.

If you want, you can stay in one of the few resorts that line up the beach. Don’t expect world-class facilities; the resorts are modest at best. However, expect world-class travel experience as you commune with the sea, experience marine adventures, interact with friendly locals, sample delectable local cuisine, and celebrate local festivals such as the Kaliguan festival.

One of the most prominent buildings in Cagwait Beach is this unusual viewing deck which is adorned by a variety of things—from traditional decorations to lifesaving apparatus to watersports equipment.

These masks comprise some of the decors on the deck. Each is unique, and Sweetie even spotted a mask carving of Mickey Mouse’s face!

You could rent life vests, floaters, and other watersports equipment at reasonable prices.

Would you believe that the resort sells beautiful furniture pieces that are skillfully carved from whole tree stumps and logs? We first thought that these pieces were for guests who wish to dine here. But when the caretaker told us they were for sale, we were simply awestruck! Think about it: where can you find a beach resort that doubles as a furniture shop?

The resort even has an “antique” shop (actually, what they sell are hand-carved decorations and utensils).

We didn’t take a dip at Cagwait Beach since we were on a tight schedule. After spending half an hour in the beach, we headed back to the highway. There was a nearby sari-sari store where we refreshed ourselves with Sparkle, the adventurer’s favorite drink and lifesaver.

Cagwait Beach, your beautiful fine sand, rolling surf, and serene atmosphere are worth a second visit. We will surely come back to you!

Tips

1. For suggested itinerary, estimated budget, and things to bring, check the previous post and scroll down to the Itinerary, Budget, and Tips sections.

2. If you wish to ride the v-hire to Barobo, expect to be squeezed together with other passengers like sardines in a can. The vans are quite small, and it’s compounded by the fact that each has a conductor inside. The advantage of riding a v-hire over a bus is that you get to your destination faster.

If you value comfort over time, however, then we recommend taking the bus at the terminal in Barobo. Look for one that goes to Tandag City, and tell the conductor to drop you off at the Cagwait crossing.

3. There are several resorts and accommodations lining up Cagwait Beach. Simply choose which one satisfies your budget and preference.

4. Don’t worry about transportation. There are plenty of habal-habals around to take you to places.

5. June seems to be a great time to visit Cagwait due to its annual Kaliguan festival. Check the photo below for a sample schedule of the festival.

6. Assuming you’re planning to follow our itinerary (i.e., you want to stay in San Agustin rather than in Cagwait), to go to San Agustin from Cagwait, ride a habal-habal going back to the highway. Then hail a bus or v-hire bound for Butuan, and tell the driver or conductor to drop you off at Salvacion, San Agustin.

Upon reaching the highway, you may need to wait for quite some time before you can catch a bus or v-hire going back to San Agustin. That’s because the buses and v-hires ply the Tandag-Butuan route, which passes by Cagwait and San Agustin, are already full. If a v-hire or bus stops for you, expect to stand on the aisle.

An alternative way is to ride a habal-habal from Cagwait beach or crossing to the Aras-asan Bus Terminal. From there, you can ride a Butuan-bound v-hire or bus that passes by San Agustin.

Have you ever thought of owning a serene, tropical island? No modern buildings, houses, or roads? No disco music, no movies, pollution, no noise? Just you, a shore of fine sand, and the vast sea serenaded by the cries of seagulls and the crash of waves on the shore? Well, you can definitely have that wish come true! And you don’t have to spend millions for living in that paradise. The only catch is, you can only own that “isla paradiso” for at most, a couple of hours.

So where can you find this place where you can temporarily own an island? In San Agustin, Surigao del Sur, of course! Nestled in this quiet municipality is the lovely Britania Group of Islands, a group of 24 small islands embraced by the Lianga Bay. But technically, they are uninhabited islets, promontories, outcroppings, and sandbars. These small masses of land contain pockets or no vegetation at all but are encompassed with aquamarine water teeming with life. Many of these islands feature carpets of fine-golden brown sand.

From Cagwait, we boarded a bus (standing in the aisle for half an hour, mind you) that was headed back to San Agustin. After an hour on the road, we reached Salvacion where we disembarked and rode a habal-habal to our next temporary home, the La Entrada Resort and Restaurant.

We reached La Entrada in less than 15 minutes. After spending many hours on the road, the welcome sight of this beautiful beach resort was a relief to the body and spirit. Yes, we were extremely happy with our road trip, but sometimes, the body is not just willing to go on, right?

Surrounded by a carefully manicured garden, this humble resort’s facade is a delight to the eyes, promising a pleasant and comfortable stay. Check out that cute wishing well and the plant box cleverly made from an old dugout boat. Nice!

After registering, we went to our room so we can freshen up before eating dinner. Our room is located in a forest of mangroves. To minimize damage to the area, the resorts rooms are built on stilts over the mangroves. Wow!

Awww, isn’t that lovely? We have love swans in our room! Hehe! La Entrada Resort’s cheapest rooms are definitely simple but utterly comfortable.

La Entrada Resort’s true beauty glows at night when its lights come out. That’s the restaurant and the reception area of the resort. Equipped with a small bar and a large wall-mounted LCD TV, the restaurant is simple and cozy.

Dinnertime! These culinary masterpieces surely tickled our palate. But best of all, the prices are very easy on the pocket. This filling dinner (we had leftovers) of garlic chicken, fish fillet, garlic rice, and Coke cost us a mere P385 pesos!

Speaking of food, we were pleasantly surprised when the receptionist asked us what we wanted for breakfast. Yes, included in our payment was a hot, sumptuous breakfast.

After a full and satisfying dinner, Sweetie and I went back to our room, quickly changed into our sleep clothes, flopped on the bed, and snoozed without a care in the world in less than 5 minutes. Yes, we were THAT tired. But sleeping early (around 7:30 PM) has always been a must when we travel because we don’t want to miss magnificent sunrises.

Snoozing early paid off. We woke up very early in the morning to witness San Agustin’s unique, bluish sunrise.

The attendant who woke up later than we did informed us that our boat was ready. Excited for this adventure, we quickly walked up the bamboo pathway which led to the resort’s floating pier Carefully preserved mangrove forests on both sides of the pathway made the cool, dawn air even cooler.

Upon reaching the floating pier, our guide, a young sun-burnt lad named Dodong, told us to wait a few minutes so they can start up their boat’s engine. No problem at all; that would give us time for a sort-of-romantic photo op. Hehe!

Only the cries of seabirds hunting for breakfast, the gentle sloshing of waves under the pier, and the quiet murmur of our guides were the only sounds that emanated from the calm waters of Lianga Bay.

After a little while, the banca’s engine sputtered to life, and the young guides told us to board the banca. Now, check this out: we were the only ones on board a large banca that can accommodate 30 or so people. Was there a mistake in the booking? I mean, since there were just two of us, perhaps a smaller banca was reserved for us and this is just a mix-up?

When we asked Dodong if there were other tourists aside from us who will be boarding the banca, he smiled and said, “No. You’re the only ones riding our boat.” How cool is that!

Folks residing in San Agustin rely heavily on the bounty of the sea for both survival and business. Thus, it was not a surprise for us to see several large fish pens like these jutting out at sea.

Under a cool, gray dawn, we cruised to our first destination in the Britania Group of Islands, Hagonoy Island. Each of the islands you see in the photo below—as well as all other islands in the group—has its own unique characteristic. Obviously, we won’t be able to visit all 24 islands. Dodong also told us that many of the islands are privately owned, thus setting foot on them would be considered trespassing.

In the pre-Spanish era, this group of islands was once called Alepanto; old folks in San Agustin still use this name to refer to them and the rich fishing grounds in the bay.

It was only recently renamed to Bretania by San Agustin former mayor Eufemio Darunday. Why? Well, he thought the group looked like the offshore islands of Great Britain. Later, the spelling was changed to “Britania” instead of “Bretania.”

Look! Cupcake-shaped islands? Hehe! If we recall correctly, our guide identified them as Palangagan Cave Island, Palangagan Forest Island, and Isla Verde Island.

Hagonoy Island

Our first stop was Hagonoy Island, which is one of the farthest from the bay. As we approached the small sand-carpeted island, a group of earlier tourists departed. We have the whole island to ourselves!

Excitement was overflowing to the brim. So much so that we jumped off the boat and into the sand before the boat actually docked ashore! Sweetie and I wasted no time walking barefoot on the soft sand. Check out the photo below. The shore is definitely beautiful!

The color and the texture of the sand in Hagonoy Island reminded us of the Filipino delicacy polvoron, a type of heavy, crumbly shortbread made out of toasted flour, powdered milk and butter.

Strictly observe and follow the rules to maintain the beauty of Hagonoy Island and to ensure your safety. No cooking, no camping, and no throwing of garbage.

One end of the elongated island faces the Pacific Ocean. Yes, the horizon that you see in the photo below is the gate to Lianga Bay, and beyond that is the largest ocean in the world.

A sparse coconut grove and a few patches of shrubs adorn the center of the island. That structure you see in the photo below was once a station for Bantay Dagat personnel until it was destroyed by a typhoon.

Dead sea grass are washed ashore on Hagonoy Island. During dusk and dawn, seabirds prowl here to hunt for crabs, mollusks, and other creatures of the sea.

The other side of island is completely different from the sandy side where our boat docked. Almost the entire shore is made out of slabs of coral rock, which provide perfect hiding places for small sea creatures of all sorts.

Those huge, flat rock slabs extend to the southern end of the island. Behind us is the rest of the Britania Group of Islands. As you can see, it is virtually impossible to visit every island in one day, even if they are all open to the public.

Dodong, we figured out, is an aspiring nuptial photographer; he asked us to pose hugging and kissing each other while he took photos. We just quietly and shyly complied.

We spent half an hour in the island playing the sand, swimming in the waters around it, and basically just having fun and taking photos. Then, it was time to head off to our next island.

Yes, aside from the guide and the boatman, Sweetie and I were the only passengers on that humongous banca.

Naked Island

On our way to Naked Island, we bore witness to how clear and clean Lianga Bay is. This is what we admire in rural towns; the LGUs and residents are very aware of their gifts from Mother Nature. Thus, they spend a lot of time, money, effort and discipline to carefully preserve their treasure and pride.

In no time at all, we approached Naked Island. It is not technically an island but a sandbar in the middle of the sea, similar to White Island in Camiguin or Lilu Island in Honday Bay, Palawan. During high tide, the sandbar disappears; Dodong told us we came at the right time when the tide was still relatively low.

We spotted a flock of seabirds congregating at the north end of Naked Island. A bird meeting perhaps? As we approached, they heard the sound of the engines, the sound of unwanted humans. Quickly, they flew away before the bow of our banca touched the sand.

I remember Sweetie call out to them, “Don’t go!”

The sand in Naked Island is even finer than that of Hagonoy Island. Also, the water here was comfortably warm, quite surprising considering that the wind was a bit chilly and it was still early in the morning.

Check out that view! Would you like to wake up each morning with this gentle, beautiful vista as the first thing you see? We sure do! That’s Hagonoy Island in the background.

Pieces of dead corals and rocks are washed on shore. Be careful when walking on this side of Naked Island; those pieces of debris are quite sharp.

Boslon Island

We gave up our land title of Naked Island 20 minutes after we set foot on it. As we headed out to the next stop, we saw several boats laded with tourists cruising towards Hagonoy Island.

Dodong said that we made the right decision in doing our tour early. He explained that as the day wears on, several islands of Britania will be teeming with tourists. When tourists fill in, there goes the magic and charm brought about by the islands’ isolation.

Our third stop was Boslon Island, one of the largest islets in Britania and the nearest to the mainland’s shore. Being such, it is also the primary destination of visitors. Now, if you check the photo below, you will probably understand why we were really giddy with excitement as we approached the island. Boslon Island has a predominantly overhanging limestone rock. And if you take into consideration that we’re avid rock climbers, well, you get the idea.

On top of Boslon Island’s magnificent rock table is a rich, verdant grove of light woods.

Yupee! The gray clouds finally began to part, and the warm morning sun started to shine through. Sweetie found a nice shady, sandy nook to stay away from the sun’s rays.

Dodong urged us to go around Boslon. Only the “beach” end, or 30 percent, of the island is sandy; the rest comprises a shelf of rock that extends almost all around the island.

The rocky shelf provides a perfect anchor for barnacles as well as homes and hiding places for crabs.

Boslon Island has secret “alleys” and nooks that make it perfect for scrambling. Dodong said that they have climbed to the top of several rock outcroppings when they were still children. We would have loved to try, but we didn’t bring any trekking footwear. Tsk tsk!

At the beach end of the island, one can encounter this grotto. Apparently, Boslon was once a venue for pilgrims.

As the sun broke out from the clouds, the glory of the Britania Group of Islands shone through. The group of islands looks like an eclectic mix of the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, and the karst cliffs of Osmeña Peak in Badian.

This is the sandy beach area of Boslon Island. As you can tell from the photo below, it’s extremely difficult to resist jumping into the aquamarine water.

Okay, we have these “nuptial” shots again. Wow! If Dodong has a DSLR, he might start a new career as a wedding photographer!

There’s an abundance of sea grass just a few yards from Boslon Island’s sandy shore.

While we frolicked in the water, Dodong approached us and asked if they could leave us in Boslon Island for a little while to head to the mainland. The banca chartered by a group of tourists conked out, and ours was the only one big enough to accommodate 20 or so people. Always ready to give a helping hand, Sweetie and I readily said yes. Thus, we had plenty of time to relax in Boslon Island’s beautiful beach and just enjoy each other’s company.

Behind us are the muffin-shaped Palangagan Cave Island and Palangagan Forest Island. During low tide, one can walk through waist-deep water from Boslon to reach both promontories.

All right, you know we just couldn’t resist it after seeing those magnificent crags. While waiting for our guide to return from the mainland, we practiced our rock climbing techniques by bouldering, or climbing short problems (routes or paths that a climber takes) without the aid of any climbing equipment.

Go, Sweetie, go! If we’ve known prior to our trip that we’re going to a place that has excellent, high-quality rocks, we could have brought our climbing shoes and chalk bags.

No shoes, chalk bags, or bouldering mats. But we still had a lot of fun without injuring ourselves. We hope the sport of rock climbing will be introduced in San Agustin. Boslon and most probably the other islands in Britania have really great, solid, high-quality rock which can take up bolts and hangers. Even if they’re not bolted, they are perfect areas for bouldering.

Hiyor-hiyoran Island

We didn’t let Dodong relax when he came back. Hahaha! We told him to proceed to our next destination even before he fixed the boat’s anchor. Images of our last destination for the morning are constantly seen in guide books, postcards, posters, and banners that advertise tours around Britania.

Hiyor-hiyoran Island is one of the bigger islands in Britania. Just like Boslon, the island consists mostly of rocky shores, with a mere portion of it being a sandy beach.

Because there were plenty of submerged rocks, we approached the beach area carefully. From the boat, we saw fishermen taking a break on the island.

You may have seen photos in Surigao del Sur’s tourism posters, travel brochures, guide books, and other marketing materials that are similar to the one below. That’s because this is one of the best vantage points that perfectly encapsulates the beauty and serenity of Britania.

Sweetie decided to explore Hiyor-hiyoran’s beach. If we had brought trekking shoes, we could have scaled or explored the innards of the island.

Obey the rules, and help preserve Hiyor-hiyoran’s virgin beauty. No cooking, no overnight camping, no trash to be left behind.

That log structure is an outpost that can be used by fishermen and Bantay Dagat personnel.

A nice coconut grove provides shade from the hot sun. If you look closely, you’d see ubiquitous steps being hacked on the coconut trees’ trunks. That obviously means that those coconuts are meant to be picked. However, we’re not sure if and how you can order fresh coconuts here.

A lonely mangrove guards Hiyor-hiyoran like an immortal sentinel.

Before calling it the end of an awesome island hopping adventure, Sweetie took a seat to admire and drink in Britania’s splendor. It would be quite awhile before we’ll return here and explore the other islands in the bay.

We returned to La Entrada Resort after more than three hours of visiting (and temporarily owning) a bunch of tropical paradises. Our simple yet yummy breakfast was ready and waiting for us, a fitting reward for a great early-morning adventure.

After a 10-minute habal-habal ride, we were back on the highway, waiting for a bus or v-hire that will take us to Tandag City.

Only in the Philippines

Before continuing with another blog post of our Caraga Region adventure, we’d like to share something that will make you proud, burst out in laughter, or shake your head in disbelief. And that’s because you can find it only in the Philippines.

We hailed a v-hire that will take us to Tandag City. Nothing unusual, right?

Until we passed by this contraption, a skylab in full operation! As we mentioned earlier, it’s a perfect example of Filipino ingenuity and creativity. Or perhaps, utmost desperation to earn money or to bridge the inadequacies of the Philippine government to provide safe and reliable transportation.

Is it safe to ride the skylab? We would like to think so. Riding one should be a hell of an adventure, an experience of a lifetime—at least for us.

Thank you to our guide and impromptu photographer Dodong (the lad wearing a blue shirt) and his boatman.

The Britania Group of Islands is truly a very promising, amazing destination. For a few hours, we experienced what it is like to have an island all for ourselves. We were enthralled by the gentle charm of these rocky gems. We re-energized our bodies with sun, sand and sea. We sharpened a few techniques required in perfecting our primary passion. And yet, we barely scratched the surface during our three-hour adventure. Who knows what other wonders the Britania Islands are holding secret, waiting to be discovered?

Itinerary

Day 3

5:00 AM – wake up, view sunrise, prepare for island hopping
6:00 AM – island hopping (Hagonoy Island, Naked Island, Boslon Island, Hiyor-hiyoran Island)
9:00 AM – head back to resort, freshen up
9:45 AM – breakfast, check out, ride habal-habal to highway
10:00 AM – ride v-hire/bus to Tandag City
11:45 AM – arrival at Tandag bus terminal, ride a bus to Surigao City

Budget (per person)*

• P 35 – Bus fare from Cagwait to Salvacion
• P 20 – habal-habal from Salvacion to La Entrada Resort at San Agustin (same fare applies on the return trip)
• P 25 – tourism fee at San Agustin
• P 600 – (P1,200 for a family room divided by 2 pax); the family room is good for 4 pax
• P 250 – (We paid P500 for two pax) island hopping around Britania
• P 80 – v-hire fare from Salvacion, San Agustin to Tandag City
• P 250 – non-aircon bus from Tandag City to Surigao City

* Except where indicated, all rates are on a per-person basis. We did not include our expenses for meals, snacks, souvenirs, tips, and other fees in this rate sheet as you may have different needs, preferences, itineraries, miscellaneous transportation, and sharing scheme from us. Note that all figures are subject to change without prior notice.

Tips

1. To ensure a hassle-free adventure and utmost convenience, we strongly recommend arranging your island hopping trip with the resort you’re staying in. In that way, you don’t have to waste your time and effort in hunting for guides and boats.

We arranged our Britania Island hopping adventures through La Entrada. To contact the resort, check out their website or their facebook page.

2. If you have not booked an Island hopping tour or if you opt to do it DIY, visit the tourism office at Britania for assistance in securing a guide. Ask any local for directions, and they’ll be happy to take you there.

3. We recommend starting your island hopping adventure early in the morning where there aren’t many tourists. The charm, serenity, and the feeling of oneness with nature disappears when there are too many visitors around.

4. Order your breakfast the night before your island hopping tour and tell the receptionist what time you want it served so it would still be fresh and hot. During our stay, we wanted our breakfast served at 9:00 AM after our island hopping adventure.

By the way, the food in La Entrada is very affordable. Check out the menu below:

5. If you have some money to spare (if we recall correctly, around P200), you can arrange for the resort to have your breakfast delivered to you! For instance, you may want to spend more time in Boslon Island. Your guide can go back to the resort (leaving you temporarily stranded in the island of your choice), get your order, and deliver your meal to you. Great! Breakfast in paradise!

6. Pack light but bring the following:

• water (at least two liters)
• sandals
• umbrella, hat, or sarong
• snacks and softdrinks
• swimming attire
• goggles/snorkeling set
• sunblock
• extra clothes
• extra money for emergencies

7. You are not required to give your guide a tip. However, Dodong was extremely friendly and exceptional, so he deserves a tip from us.

8. We didn’t know that San Agustin has a venue for surfing until we saw this board in the highway. A cheaper alternative to Siargao, perhaps? If you have plenty of time and you’d like to have a taste of surfing, check out the photo below.

Before we proceed to tell you about our cool side trip to conclude our Surigao road trip, we feel the need to share to you a depressing episode in this adventure. We’ve all heard about how mankind rapes and destroys Mother Earth all in the name of his greed. In our journeys as adventurers, we have read, heard, and seen evidences and acts to satisfy such greed—-kaingin, illegal logging, dynamite fishing, poaching, harvesting of endangered species, excavations, etc.

Not everything in our sojourns is happy, but this one tops out every undesirable experience we have ever encountered. So we are warning you: if you are staunch environmental advocates and eco-warriors like us, this blog post is going to rip your heart out.

After almost two hours on the road, we finally arrived in Tandag City at 11:45 AM where we took a non-aircon bus to Surigao City. During our planning stage, we estimated we’ll arrive at 1:00 PM to catch the 2:00 PM bus, but we arrived earlier than usual. That was really good because it meant we just gained two hours of extra time. And in the world of traveling, gaining extra time is always a boon.

At exactly 12 noon, the bus commenced its five-hour northward trip to Surigao City. With an early departure and fast speed, we figured out we can still witness the sunset at our last stop for this backpacking adventure.

Along the way, we witnessed glorious scenes of sea, sky, and earth blending together in one harmonious waltz. Many times in our adventures, we are mesmerized and awestruck by the grandeur of Mother Nature, which defies any man-made wonder. We can just imagine the millions of years Mother Nature spent in shaping this lovely coast.

More than two hours into the trip, we arrived at the edge of Surigao del Sur’s surfing mecca, the municipality of Lanuza. The driver must have sensed that the passengers were hungry, so he stopped at Mang Ren’sBinkahan where we ordered delicious, filling bibinka (rice cakes) cooked in the unique Surigaonon way.

Sweetie enjoyed the bibinka. Compared to our very own Mandaue’s flaky bibinka, Surigao’s version is chewy. In addition, Mandaue’s bibinka is sweeter (at least in our opinion). However, that doesn’t mean that Surigao’s is inferior; it just tastes different, being more “dairy-like” than Mandaue’s.

Lanuza is recognized as an alternative, cheaper surfing destination to world-renowned Siargao. Big waves roll towards reef breaks or beach breaks such as the one in the photo below. According to the guide whom we contacted (sadly, we weren’t able to meet him due to time constraints), the best months to visit Lanuza for surfing is between November to March where large waves barrel toward the shore in consistent, constant motion. Surfing those waves is definitely on our bucket list of adventures, thus, Sweetie and I are planning to visit Lanuza sometime next year. Watch out for this exciting future adventure.

Three hours into the journey, we entered the municipality of Carrascal. As the bus started climbing a gentle slope at a mountainside, the concrete highway started to give way to a dusty, rocky, reddish, unpaved pathway. At first, we thought this was a typical ongoing road project to connect the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

After all, there are excavators, dump trucks, and other heavy equipment working on the road. Yes, the mountain may be damaged a little, but we would now have a highway to the north. With such infrastructure, industries and businesses could flourish, and the lives of locals would definitely improve.

As we moved farther up the mountain, we noticed huge chunks of land being excavated from the mountain. We’ve seen similar excavations when we pass by the Manipis Road or the Naga-Uling-Toledo highway whenever we go rock climbing in Cantabaco. But these ones in Carrascal were way bigger—and more dangerous—than our local excavations. For us, it looked more like excavating a quarry rather than building a highway.

For you to have an idea of how big these excavations are, check out the small house/building at the upper right of the photo below, in line with the sloping hill.

Road excavations can churn out dust. But not so much dust that it covers an entire forest’s canopy. Check out the picture below. That reddish tint is actually dust that covered the treetops of the forest below us. Also, check out the mountains in the distance; they’re being scalped!

We saw more huge excavations all around the mountain. As you can see, there’s a very real danger of landslides occuring since there are no landslide dams constructed below the slopes to stop, contain, or mitigate the rockfall.

As we arrived at the summit, we could see where we came from. As you can see, the dirt road cuts through the length of the mountain range. Beyond is the Carrascal Bay.

But that was nothing to what we were about to see next. When we got to the other side of the mountain, we were shocked and aghast beyond belief. The entire mountain was being excavated into a gigantic open-pit mine! There were almost no greens left! Yes, that photo below shows just a very tiny part of the massive excavation.

To give you an idea of just how vast this excavation is, check out the center of the photo. See those orange structures? Those are large buildings and gigantic dump trucks.

We took a closer look of the area via Google Earth. That bald mountain forms that small peninsula at the center right of the photo below. Also, at this vantage point, you can actually see how much environmental damage this open-pit mining has caused.

The excavation, mining, and quarrying of materials extends to the coast. Aside from the serious environmental damage that thick siltation has caused to the marine ecology below the Kinalablaban Bay, the massive excavations can weaken the rock face. And when that rock face gives way, it can displace a huge amount of water, creating a landslide-generated tsunami that could threaten nearby coastal settlements.

Check out the heavily silted water. Huge cargo ships are anchored near the shore, waiting for their turn to be loaded raw iron-rich soil for processing and refining.

More ships! Many of these ships come from foreign lands. Just imagine; they’re carrying millions of tons of soil and minerals taken from our own land!

Large dump trucks carry mineral-rich soil towards waiting barges stationed at the pier.

These barges are being loaded with mineral-rich soil. Once they’re filled up, they’re transferred to those huge cargo ships offshore.

Another screenshot from Google Earth shows just how imaginably huge this mining operation is. All areas colored yellow brown are excavated. That is more than 500 square kilometers of forests, mountains, valleys, and rivers being destroyed. Around 5 or more municipalities in their entirety are being mined.

Why is there such a colossal mining operation here? Well, Surigao del Sur has substantial deposits of both non-metallic (e.g. coal, diatomite, feldspar, limestone, etc.) and metallic (e.g. copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, gold, etc.) minerals. All these minerals are worth millions of dollars. The question is: who will benefit from those millions?

Scalped mountains, denuded forests, pollution, leveling of wildlife sanctuaries—it’s the rape of nature at its worst! But it’s not just Mother Nature that is affected. Check the lower center of the photo below: you can see the huts of a small fishing community. The mining operation cuts a swath through the community.

Thus, residents are constantly and dangerously exposed to pollutants and dust that can cause respiratory diseases. Not to mention the risk being injured or run over by trucks and heavy equipment.

This tranquil bay was once covered with verdant forests, which must have been very picturesque during its prime. We wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years or even months, these remaining patches of green will disappear as the mining operation devours these last traces of a once beautiful forest.

The mining operation kicks out perpetual, suffocating clouds of dust for miles around. Even when we exited the mine, thick layers of reddish dust still coated towns and villages as far as the northern end of Claver, the municipality that acts as a border between the two provinces. The dust and iron-ore residue can put citizens at risk with serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

It took us more than an hour to cross a small part of the open-pit mine you saw on the photos above. Then it took almost another hour to finally break out of the dust and re-witness the virgin beauty of Mother Nature as we entered Surigao del Norte.

After witnessing a mountain’s slow death, seeing the beautiful and still clean bay as we approached the town of Gigaquit felt like a rebirth.

An operation as massive as this couldn’t escape the eyes of the government. Surely, extensive studies regarding environmental sustainability has been officially and legally done by the government before giving the go-signal to the mining companies. Surely, mining companies have already researched on the effects of their activities to Mother Nature and the communities within their areas of operation. Surely, the operation is legal.

Also, remember that we are now a modern, technology-based, energy-hungry society. To survive, enjoy, and live in such a society, we need to harvest the gifts of the earth.

However, isn’t there any other way to make the extraction of natural resources more sustainable and pro-life? We are far from being experts in mining, but we don’t want to believe that there’s no way to extract our natural resources except to destroy a huge part of our land. We would like to believe that all the knowledge and technology that we have accumulated for hundreds of years can help us come to a win-win situation with Mother Nature.

Before ending this post, we would like to point out that the Caraga Region in Mindanao is endowed with thick forests, rich wildlife, beautiful geological features, and other natural wonders. Its municipalities, cities, towns, and villages are teeming with rich history, vibrant culture, and friendly people. It’s every adventurer’s paradise with caves, rock formations, mountains, surf spots, and many more. In fact, it is one of the most magnificent regions in the Philippines that we’ve ever visited.

So, why not focus on environmentally healthy, culturally enriching industries such as tourism, adventure travel, and culinary tours rather than destructive activities such as mining and illegal logging?

Gorgeous white sand as fine as talcum powder. Summery blue cloudless skies with the sun shining down in all its glory. Gently swaying palm trees that provide the most pleasant shade. A relaxing summer breeze. An expansive sand mesa that passes by a vast coral garden full of vibrant tropical fish. A colorful array of hammocks, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and beach towels.

These are the typical characteristics of what we, and most other people, consider excellent, perfect beaches—characteristics that have been ingrained in us. Well, that notion of a perfect beach suddenly changed when we visited Mabua Pebble Beach in Barangay Ipil, Surigao City during our Caraga Region road trip. It was everything opposite of what we described above, but it was gorgeous and perfect in its own way. In fact, it’s more than just a beautiful beach; we consider it as one of the most unique beaches in the world.

After 5 hours of traveling from Tandag City, we finally arrived back at our point of origin in Surigao City. Whew! It has been a long 3-day ride. But all the sights were all worth the trip!

We had a light, late lunch at a local Jollibee and asked around for a tricycle to take us to Mabua Pebble Beach in Barangay Ipil. Although we had to pay a little extra, we were able to secure a tricycle that goes directly to the resort where we booked.

We’re on our way to Baranggay Ipil. Note the streets; they’re very clean. Also, although Surigao City is quite urbanized, it still has that charming, provincial feeling thanks to the presence of large tracts of farmland and lofty hills.

Half an hour later, we arrived and checked in at Mt. Bagarabon Beach and Mountain Resort, the last resort on the coastline. Apparently, the resort is named after a mountain because it is situated right at the foot of Mt. Bagarabon (actually, a hill that slices the coastline). It was quite a unique resort, being located just in front of both a hill and the sea. How cool is that!

We still had time to witness the sunset. As we headed out into the beach, we were treated with an awesome scene, a muted, cloudy sunset that softened the colors of the land.

Also, notice the large, barreling waves racing toward the shore. These powerful waves were generated by the winds of the habagat season.

To give you an idea of how big and powerful these waves were, check out the photo below. These teens were frantically scrambling (with glee, of course) from a mammoth wave that came crashing to the shore. We can still remember the pebbles’ screaming, gurgling sound as each huge wave receded back towards the sea.

We quickly realized that the word “pebble” in Mabua Pebble Beach is a misnomer. Judging from the stones Sweetie is clutching in her hands, these so-called pebbles are immense! These are not teeny, tiny pebbles at all but large, heavy stones smoothed and shaped by the sea!

Getting the load off, Sweetie? Hehehe! Check out the sizes and the variety of those pebbles. Now we saw how an aquarium with a bed of pebbles looks like to a fish.

All too soon, the light disappeared, and my digicam is not equipped with a strong flash or a setting that allows me to take night shots without ambient light, so we headed back to the resort and ordered a sumptuous dinner. And just like in La Entrada, the food items in Mt. Bagarabon Resort are very affordable.

We planned to go to the beach for night swimming. However, the waves were too powerful (we didn’t want to get smashed on the rocks), and it was drizzling. So we just watched an ongoing wedding anniversary party held at the resort’s restaurant and remarked about the odd placement of amenities in our room. The coolness of the air, the constant drone of waves smashing on the shore, and the song of the rain all combined to a sweet, all-natural lullaby.

The morning after, we decided to climb up Mt. Bagarabon, actually a hill that slices the shore in half. To get to the other half, we needed to hike along this established trail, which starts just right behind the resort.

It was the Rotary Club of Surigao that created this trail. We believe that this is the right move rather than bulldozing the entire hill just so the two barangays of Mabua and Looc can be connected.

The first part of the mountain trail consists of something that we have a love-hate relationship with—a long flight of stairs. It makes the ascent easier, yes. But as mountaineers and hikers, we got so used to walking on steep trails that climbing these stairs was actually exhausting and painful to the feet.

Verdant light woods surround the trail that is latched along the slope of the hill. At Sweetie’s left is a cliff that leads to the sea.

In the middle of the trail is a grotto where one can rest after the long climb. This is also a viewing area where one can see an encompassing view of the coastal barangay of Mabua, which we will be showing to you later in this article.

See how steep that cliff is? Good thing that safety rails have been put in place to prevent such disastrous falls.

The Mabua-Looc mountain trail, we learned, is a primary pedestrian artery for the two barangays. But during our visit, we only encountered a couple of locals. Most probably, they preferred staying indoors because the day was windy and drizzling.

Wow! Look at that! Even though it was a gray, drizzling, windy day, the view of Butuan Bay is absolutely stunning. The muted colors just made the vista more otherworldly and mysterious.

After a few minutes, the trail started to lead down slowly. We found those moss-covered slabs of limestone quite interesting.

As we descended down the trail, we could see Looc Beach lined with the same huge pebbles in Mabua. Or so we thought.

We saw this huge, beautiful rock formation on our way down the trail. From this viewpoint, we thought it looked like the back of some unnameable sea monster.

Unlike the manicured and regularly maintained Mabua Pebble Beach, Looc Beach was—for the lack of a better word—virgin. Marine debris, driftwood, rotting coconut shells, and fallen palms all line up on the shore, marking the boundary of the waves. We saw a few cottages, so we guess this is a public beach. Even amidst strong winds, a few locals wandered about to see if they can find a few treasures of the sea.

Looc Beach can be a beautiful beach nestled in serenity. It just requires a simple undertaking: cleaning all the rubbish on the shore.

Strangely, the pebbles in Looc beach were significantly smaller than those in neighboring Mabua. Sweetie and I flicked through our stores of mental knowledge, but we cannot find any explanation of the massive difference in the size of the stone. Just think: only a small hill divided the two beaches.

A beautiful medley of sea, land, clouds, and wind. That mountain marks the very tip of the Surigao peninsula. Beyond that forest-covered mountain is the vast Surigao Strait that divides Panaon and Dinagat Islands.

Sweetie decided to explore the “monster” we’ve seen earlier. Up close and with the waves pounding on it, the sedimentary rock formation looked like it was alive, breathing gently.

We wouldn’t be surprised if, after that huge wave receded, a mermaid would suddenly appear at the top of the rock. We imagined that during days when the water is calm, this rock would become an ideal place to hang out and witness Surigao’s spectacular sunset.

Strangely enough, the water was comfortably warm even though it was a cold, rainy early morning. So, we decided to take a dip. How utterly refreshing!

Feeling a bit braver than usual, I ventured a little bit farther to take a closer look at the massive waves and to see if that small rock can protect me from the waves. Also, as a beach boy, I know how large waves can become expert impromptu masseurs.

Here comes a big one! The wave was so big and powerful that the jutting rock didn’t offer me much protection. I may have weight-trained extensively in the gym, but that didn’t help me from getting easily swept off the rock and back to the shore, which is around ten yards away!

Sweetie and I had our fill of taking a morning dip. It was time to say goodbye to Looc Beach but not before admiring the serenity and giving high respects to the awesome, unfathomable power of Mother Nature.

On the way back, the sky brightened a bit, making rain-washed leaves greener than usual. We were rewarded with an encompassing view of barangay Mabua and the beautiful hills that surround it. Indeed, it’s beautiful in Mindanao!

Below us was the idyllic yet lively fishing town and emerging tourist destination of Surigao, the Mabua Pebble Beach. Check out that landscape; it’s definitely scenic. This view alone can melt anyone’s stress away.

The unique pebbly coastline of Mabua is quite long; we reckon it’s more than a kilometer long. Lined a few tens of yards behind a wave-battered pebbly shore is a cool mishmash of resorts, stores, and houses.

Sunbathing on a rainy, gray morning? Oh really, now? Hehehe! Surprisingly, the large rocks didn’t hurt a bit when I laid down prone.

For thousands or even millions of years, the sea’s tremendous power shaped the smooth stones that make up this unique coastline. Mother Nature’s hand is gentle yet persistent.

The power of the waves! Sweetie went to this part of the foot of Mt. Bagarabon to see how the cliff that faces the sea looks like. A few seconds after the photo below was shot, a huge wave totally drenched her. Hehe!

Sweetie quietly contemplated on just how splendid, awesome, and terrifying Mother Nature is. As we approached the last hours of our trip around the Caraga Region, we realized that while Nature is tranquil and breathtaking, she can also be extremely harsh, pitiless, uncaring, and unbiased.

Two hours later, we concluded our morning with a delectable breakfast of seafood, beef, eggs, and rice. Thank you so much for the hospitality, Mt. Bagarabon Mountain and Beach Resort.

Going Home

Since we checked out half an hour earlier than planned, we had time to drop by Gaisano Surigao to buy some pasalubong. You might say it’s a waste of money, but buying pasalubong for loved ones back home is a time-honored tradition that we’d like to keep.

Never mind the extra weight that we have to carry; all that matters is the thought that we’re also thinking of the happiness of our loved ones while we’re hundreds of miles away.

We hiked towards the airport for 10 minutes—under a steady drizzle, we might add. To compensate for that minor inconvenience, we ate some sweet biko (a kind of sticky rice cake) and cone-shaped sayongsong, the latter of which is only found in Surigao del Norte, specifically in the barangay of Mabua.

Sayongsong is a rice cake made of malagkit (sticky rice), which is cooked in coconut milk and brown sugar and mixed with finely crushed peanuts. The cake is then brushed with a thin coat of coconut oil and rolled in banana leaves in the shape of cones.

Finally, it was boarding time. We really didn’t want this trip to end; there are just so many wonders to see and adventures to do in the Caraga Region. In fact, we felt we barely scratched the surface of this exotic, mysterious part of the Philippines.

Farewell, Surigao and the Caraga Region. Thank you for allowing us to glimpse and visit your wonders that left us awestruck. Thank you for teaching us valuable lessons about Mother Nature. Thank you raising your citizens as some of the most wonderful, helpful, and friendly Filipinos in the world. Thank you for letting us witness the effects of the clash of two immovable forces, man’s greed and Mother Nature’s resilience in the face of death.

The Caraga Region has left us happily enthralled, and we will surely come back to discover more of its marvelous secrets.

Itinerary

Day 3 (click here for the first half of Day 3 itinerary)
4:45 PM – Arrival at Surigao Bus Terminal, late lunch at Jollibee in Gaisano, ride trike to Mabua Beach
5:30 PM – arrived in Mt. Bagarabon Beach and Mountain Resort, check in
5:45 PM – head to Mabua Pebble Beach, watch sunset
7:00 PM – dinner
9:00 PM – lights off

Day 4
5:00 AM – wake up, coffee
5:30 AM – hike up Mt. Bagarabon, visit Looc Beach, swimming
8:00 AM – return to Mabua Pebble Beach, swimming
9:00 AM – breakfast, freshen up, check out
10:00 AM – take tricycle to the highway, take jeep to Gaisano
10:45 AM – buy pasalubong in Gaisano
11:05 AM – walk to airport
11:15 AM – check in at the airport
12:50 PM – depart Surigao, home sweet home

Budget (per person)*

• P 75 (P 150 for the two of us) – fixed rate for tricycle going to Mabua
• P 650 (P 1,300 for the two of us) – accommodations at Mt. Bagarabon Beach and Mountain Resort with free breakfast
• P 10 – habal-habal fare to Barangay Ipil crossing
• P 15 – tricycle fare from Barangay Ipil crossing to highway
• P 8 – jeepney fare from highway to Gaisano or Airport
• P 50 – Surigao Airport terminal fee

* Except where indicated, all rates are on a per-person basis. We did not include our expenses for meals, snacks, souvenirs, tips, and other fees in this rate sheet as you may have different needs, preferences, itineraries, miscellaneous transportation, and sharing scheme from us. Note that all figures are subject to change without prior notice.

Tips

1. We took the tricycle with a fixed rate because we were racing to photograph the sunset. If you’re not in a hurry or if you want a cheaper way to go to Mabua Pebble Beach, you can take a jeep bound for San Francisco/Malimuno and tell the driver to drop you at the highway crossing that leads to Barangay Ipil or Mabua. From there, you can ride a tricycle to the Ipil-Mabua crossing. From there, ride a habal-habal to Mabua Pebble Beach. Jeepney fare should be around P8, tricycle fare is P15, and habal-habal fare is P10.

2. Be careful when swimming in Mabua Pebble Beach or Looc Beach when the waves are big and powerful. If you ride a wave and crash into the rocky shore, well, it’s going to be really painful. Also, watch out for large rocks.

3. The entire shore of Mabua Pebble Beach is lined up with resorts of all kinds. Just choose which one fits your preference and budget. Traditional Filipino conveniences such as sari-sari stores, carenderias, bakeries, parlors, etc. are available.

4. You can dine on delicious but affordable food in Mt. Bagarabon Beach and Mountain Resort.

5. Taking stones from Mabua Pebble Beach is strictly prohibited. Let’s respect both Mother Nature and the province by leaving those stones alone.

6. Pack light but bring the following:

• water (at least a liter)
• sandals
• umbrella, hat, or sarong
• snacks and softdrinks
• swimming attire
• sunblock
• extra clothes
• extra money for emergencies

(Photo by Dr. Greg Suarez courtesy of CEBU FB Page)

Hope. Yes, the light of hope is brighter than ever.

Today is the first anniversary of Adrenaline Romance! So far, our first year has been full of wonderful, crazy, and wild adventures. We visited many of the country’s many wonders, explored its deepest recesses, climbed several of its mountains, and appreciated our rich culture. We screamed our excitement and adrenaline rush as we tried out new adventures. And thanks to all of you, dear readers! Your continued readership, positive comments, interesting inquiries, and great suggestions have fueled us to undertake and bring you even more adventures.

Now, to celebrate our anniversary and our one-year success, we are ready to embark on another adventure. This time, it’s a humanitarian adventure. As we all know, last November 9, 2013, the Philippines has been devastated by Supertyphoon Haiyan (local name Typhoon Yolanda), one of the strongest storms in the world. As you have seen in the news channels, newspapers, and the Internet, the catastrophe is beyond belief, so colossal in magnitude that it shocked and halted an entire nation. It brought the country not just to its knees; Yolanda swept the archipelago flat on its face. Never have we experienced such immensity of Mother Nature’s fury. No one was fully prepared for the ferocity of the storm.

But this enormous disaster triggered something that is very rarely experienced in this world: unity. Scenes and news of the devastation spurred the entire world to help. Without any hesitation, kind-hearted people of all walks of life—regardless of age, sex, religion, nationality, financial capability, social position, etc.—have put aside differences and joined hands to help our affected brothers and sisters stand up again.

Yes, there is hope. To typhoon survivors and victims, don’t—never—abandon hope. Everyone is here for you.

Media outlets, civic organizations, local governments, and other entities have set up donation centers all around Cebu.

Tons of relief goods—rice, canned goods, used clothing, medicines, bottled water—are given wholeheartedly, without any expectation of returns.

Everyone is glad to help you!

Even the stranded tourists who are vacationing in Coron, Palawan are helping. (Photo by GMA News Online)

Office personnel, in their free time, are giving away much-needed ready-to-eat food and water. (Photo by Cynthia Castro)

So that you will conveniently have everything in one package, we have repacked them for you, all day, all night, 24/7. We know you don’t get a break from the physical and psychological trauma you are facing. That’s why we sympathize with you; we’re not taking a break. (Photo by Glenn Jubs)

Panic buying in SM Cebu? Is there another storm coming? Yes! The people of Cebu are panic buying items to give to you! Yes, there’s a storm of relief goods coming to you. Every day, shelves of canned goods, noodles, and bottled water are cleared out. (Photo by Blinky de Leon)

Just like you, fellow mountaineers and outdoorsmen slept on the hard, cold ground without a roof. A contingent of VTF mountaineers and Recon Mace 7 led by Sir Eric Clyde Sumatra waited all night long for the first available ferry in Hagnaya Pier to take them to Malapascua and Bantayan Island in Northern Cebu. They went there to assess the damage of Supertyphoon Yolanda in Malapascua and Bantayan Island. (Photo by Eric Clyde Sumatra)

And that’s just from ordinary citizens. Many of the world’s biggest companies heard your plea, and they are all ready to donate and respond.

Local shipping companies have offered to transport relief goods and lifesaving equipment to ports of calls nearest to the affected area free of charge. (Top photo by www.shipsimages.blogspot.com, bottom photo by www.myship.com)

Expert rescuers, wilderness doctors, trainers, and lifesavers like Dr. Ted “Everest Doc” Esguerra and his TAGASAGIP Rescue Team Bravo are in the most affected areas assessing the damage, establishing communications, and rescuing and treating victims. (Photo by Ted “Everest Doc” Esguerra)

When I came to work yesterday morning, I saw these medical apparatus from Denmark.

These Danish doctors are going to Northern Cebu to administer medical assistance to injured and sick victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Our own proud Philippine Army, Marines, and Coast Guard are ready to carry you on their shoulders.

Our long-time ally, the United States, has deployed one of the most powerful warships in the world, the USS George Washington and its entire strike group to aid in the humanitarian effort. This carrier is equipped with a desalinization plant that can convert thousands of gallons of seawater into fresh water. (Photo by www.wikipedia.org)

As if the carrier strike group is not enough, they’ve had USS Mercy, a hospital ship on standby to take care of those of you who are injured and sick. (Photo by www.defense.gov)

Russia, the former enemy of the US, is joining hands with its compatriot. A few days ago, the world’s largest aircraft, the Ukranian Antonov An-225, landed in Mactan to deliver a huge load of supplies (Photo by www.philippineairspace.blogspot.com).

International aid in the form of relief goods, medicine, and equipment is pouring in, in hundreds of tons (Top and bottom left photos by Kons Pascual, bottom right photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer).

In Bogo, a heavily damaged city in the northern part of Cebu, a team of Israeli Defense Force doctors erected a field hospital to take care of the sick and wounded. They were even able to deliver a baby! The parents decided to call the little guy “Israel.” (Photo by Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesman for International Media, and posted by Jan Brixx)

The world joins hands to help you. And they will stop at nothing to help you get your life back (Photo by Ruel N. Bajao)

Here’s a breakdown of the aid coming from various nations. And more are pouring in! (Infographic from Philstar)

So you see there’s hope. It’s sure and bright. Be patient for a little while longer. This is our finest hour as a united people. Today, everyone in the world is a hero.

All photos without the Adrenaline Romance watermark are not ours. Full credits belong to the owners, which we will provide the source link and the proper acknowledgment in a short while. We will also be adding more photos and stories of hope as this incredible episode of our nation’s and the world’s history unfolds.

Supertyphoon Yolanda struck the Visayan Islands with unprecedented ferocity, so much so that the international weather bureaus don’t even have a category for it. The typhoon left a trail of devastation so extreme that even it paralyzed the government and rendered the most experienced rescue workers shocked beyond their wits. The damage was so horrific that it wiped towns, villages, and cities off the face of the earth.

But super calamity also bought the best of humanity. The world responded. Our own armed forces, humanitarian organizations, and rescue specialists risked their own lives and fought their way to reach the devastated areas to help survivors. Armed forces, rescue workers, doctors, and specialists from the US, UK, Japan, Israel, Norway, Japan, and many other nations arrived in a flood to provide relief, rescue, and medical services. We’ve seen dozens of gigantic transport planes, both civilian and military, carrying thousands of tons of relief goods, medical supplies, mobile hospitals, generators, portable shelters, and other relief equipment. We’ve seen an aircraft carrier group, destroyers, cruisers, and other warships racing towards the Philippines not to wage war but to use every bit of technology in them to help people survive.

And that’s not all. Hearing the plight of their fellow humankind (notice I didn’t say fellow Filipinos), the civilian sector banded together. Companies and organizations donated millions in cash to boost the relief efforts. Shipping firms, airlines, logistics firms, and freight businesses lowered their prices or offered free services for the transport of relief goods, equipment, and personnel to affected areas. Rotary clubs, humanitarian organizations, associations, and groups of all kinds pooled all resources to contribute to the relief cause.

But it’s not only the bigwigs that moved heaven and earth to help affected Filipinos get back on their feet. Ordinary citizens are taking part of what is probably the biggest humanitarian endeavor in the history of the world. Students, employees, and people from all walks of life went to drop-off stations and tirelessly helped in repacking and loading relief goods. Supermarket shelves quickly ran out of goods and had to have new stocks every day; people bought them in bulk to donate them to the cause. Even children took part in the effort; we’ve seen news of kids donating their piggy-bank savings to the cause or selling lemonade so that the profits could be donated. Everyone used the power of social media to help other search for missing loved ones, report news and updates, invited friends for relief drives, and criticized the pitiful response of the national government (which, until now, remains in a state of shock, denial, and confusion).

Now, Sheila and I are just tiny drops in this ocean of concerned, loving, helpful mass of humanity. However, we know even the smallest bit of assistance can save a precious life.

Volunteering at the Red Cross

So, last Sunday, November 16, we volunteered to help in the Philippine Red Cross Cebu Chapter. By the time we arrived at the Red Cross office in Cebu, there were already a number of volunteers.

Blood is life. You can donate blood at the Red Cross. For the sake of privacy of the donors, we didn’t take photos of the bloodletting ward.

Sometimes, the Red Cross, along with other entities, organizes special events to generate much-needed money for relief goods, medical supplies, rescue equipment, and rehabilitation efforts.

The Red Cross, together with the Red Crescent humanitarian movement, firmly follows a set of fundamental principles, all geared towards a single noble goal: to save lives.

These posters are part of the Philippine Red Cross’s information drive to educate people about natural calamities that regularly occur in the Philippines and how to survive them. The more citizens know about these calamities and accidents, the more chances they will survive such disasters and mishaps.

Bags of relief goods, packed by Red Cross staff and volunteers, were piled at the center, waiting to be distributed to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

Bottled water, used clothing, and assorted donations fill up almost every inch of the Red Cross office’s hallway. They still need to be organized and packed.

After registering ourselves as volunteers, we were given our first assignment: to organize the huge pile of bottled water donated by countless individuals.

We were told to segregate the bottles by brand and volume and place them in boxes so that it would be easier for other volunteers to repack them together with other food items.

Sometime in the morning, a Red Cross pickup truck arrived. We loaded the bottled water that we packed earlier.

Red Cross personnel checked if the donated canned goods and noodles are still within their expiry dates. This is important because the Philippines don’t have a real, international-standard, specifically designed relief pack. Most, if not all of our “relief packs” contain donated commercial (supermarket) products.

We were curious as to what these boxes contain. They were labeled in a language that we’re not familiar with. The boxes covered an entire wall.

One of those boxes was open, so we took a peek inside to satisfy our curiosity. Each of these boxes contains smaller boxes of multivitamins that can provide typhoon victims much needed supplementary nutrients as well as improve the body’s resistance against diseases.

The immensity of the disaster called for proper and thorough coordination in order to efficiently and quickly send relief goods to affected. Here, Red Cross personnel engaged in a discussion regarding coordinating relief efforts in the northern part of Cebu.

Red Cross personnel listened intently to various relief operation updates in Northern Cebu where most of their relief goods are distributed. We salute them all for all their hard work.

No borders, just unity and a genuine willingness to help. Japanese Red Cross specialists visited and coordinated with their British counterpart. After a short meeting, the Japanese guys were assigned to augment a medical mission in Daan Bantayan, a severely damaged municipality in Northern Cebu.

We ran out of masking tape to seal the boxes. While waiting for some rolls of masking tape to arrive, we took a break. Red Cross personnel gave us cheeseburgers and told us to help ourselves with some fruit juice. While others caught up with chats, we talked with fellow rock climber and mountaineer Sir Jessie (who is also a Red Cross personnel) regarding our upcoming adventures.

By the way, see the group of people on the lower left photo? They were just local tourists visiting Cebu. They “aborted” their tour and volunteered to pack goods. Salute!

A Red Cross ambulance pulled up while we were having a break. Along with ERUF, the police, and the fire department, the Red Cross is usually the first responder to accidents and disasters.

After a quick lunch, we went on with our second task, which was assorting donated used clothing. This was quite fun because we need to sort out clothes according to gender (men or women’s clothes), ages (adult and child), and section (top or bottom). Sometimes, we had to ask each other, “Is this supposed to be a skirt?” or “Is this tank top for a small adult female? It looks like it’s for a child.” Some male volunteers, including me, were not really familiar with women’s clothes. We just scratch our heads and blush when we pick up clothes with plenty of straps or whose design defies imagination.

After more than hour and plenty of dust, sweat, and heat, we finished sorting out the apparel. We placed them in sacks and labeled them so they can easily be distributed to the right people.

Sometime in the afternoon, a logistics firm’s van rolled to the station to pick up relief goods. Many logistics firm joined the relief cause by offering their services for free or for a drastically discounted rate.

Bayanihan in action! Hand to hand, person to person, volunteers formed a human chain and helped load the van with relief goods. What a great workout!

Volunteers were all smiles as they helped load donations from Monde Nissin. Knowing that you have, in some way, helped someone is definitely a reason to be happy.

While we loaded the first van, these guys prepared some goods to be loaded on the next van.

These young Kiwis were simply walking down Jones Avenue when they saw us. They immediately signed up as volunteers. In helping one another, there is no racial boundary.

A group of college students dropped by to donate toiletries and hygiene kits. They may not have enough money like us—employees, working folks, and businessmen. But that didn’t hinder them from showing their own way of helping.

Feeding Evacuees

Earlier during the week, Sweetie and her colleagues were planning to have a feeding activity at the Mactan Air Base and Babag evacuation center in Lapu-Lapu City instead of having a Christmas party in December.

We’re not forgetting children. Yes, we know they need to eat, but they also need something that can make them happy too. Alexa told us that she wanted to donate something to the kids. We beamed brightly and agreed with no hesitation; as our friend Terai said, a child who shows interest in helping others must have been brought up right by the parents. Thus, we shopped for yummy candies and sorted them when we reached home.

We were able to fill up a hundred plus loot bags. Mama and Daddy were merely helping. We’re definitely supportive of Alexa’s mission. Hehe!

Alexa said she was going to personally distribute the loot bags to children in evacuation centers. Cool and very noble for a 11-year old girl. Actually, we were worried that 100-plus loot bags won’t be enough.

The next day, Sweetie’s group converged at MEPZ 2, ready to commence their feeding activity.

A short while later, the group arrived at Babag Gym, one of the facilities that temporarily houses evacuees from Tacloban, one of the most severely damaged cities in Leyte. The ladies had a van full of food packs.

Our pretty ladies were eager to share happiness and love.

Tacloban has been dubbed as Ground Zero after ST Yolanda leveled nearly the entire city. To find food, water, and shelter and to keep themselves safe from the breakdown of law and order in the devastated city, many residents fled to Cebu. The Cebu local government housed them in indoor gyms, stadiums, high schools, and activity centers, converting such facilities into evacuation centers. Kindhearted individuals then donate items—food, relief goods, medicine, used clothing, etc.—to the evacuees.

While food nourishes the body, wholesome interaction, genuine care, understanding, and a lot of smiles nourish the soul. Sweetie’s fellow editors talked to some of the evacuees and listened to their harrowing tales.

These are just some of the many, many food packs available for distribution. Cebuanos really know how to take care of their fellow Visayans.

People started to line up for their dinner. Amy, Sweetie’s teammate, donated used clothing, pillows, and kitchenware.

Meanwhile, Jody and the others distributed food packs to other evacuees.

Children get their own treats sweet treats from Alexa.

Don’t ever think that your help is too small just because you are not a doctor, first responder, rescue specialist, etc. No amount of help is too small. The little food and money you shared can save a life. The relief goods that you packed could nourish a body. The candies that you give to a child can bring a smile to his or her face.

No one can deny that the devastation brought about by Supertyphoon Yolanda was almost beyond contemplation. Just imagine: a Turkish rescue worker remarked that the damage is more than that of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and 2010 Haiti earthquake combined. Another foreign aid worker also said that the damage is “unnatural.” And we could all confirm that devastation as images of the massive destruction are broadcasted in our TV screens or shown in the Web. We heard of heartbreaking stories of victims, rescuers, and ordinary people. Supertyphoon Yolanda even broke the government’s disaster-preparedness-and-response backbone and exposed its ineptness in dealing with natural disasters.

But Supertyphoon Yolanda’s wrath quickly met its match in the form of outpouring, endless support from both national and international aid. Foreign governments, humanitarian organizations, multinational corporations, and other entities all joined hand in hand to achieve a common goal: to save lives.

A significant part of this massive relief operation was done by groups of ordinary citizens. And we are proud to say that we are part of such groups. The Enthusiast of Cebu Outdoors, Visayan Trekkers Forum, freelance outdoorspeople, and volunteers wrote their own chapter in this momentous event. Giving it all we have, the team organized a relief operation and medical mission dubbed as Tabang Para sa Isla in Malapascua Island at the northernmost part of the Cebu province last November 23 and 24. Although no casualty was reported, the communities in Malapascua Island sustained severe damage. And because Malapascua is separated from mainland Cebu, relief operations came in trickles.

Thus, the team decided to go where help is needed most. And indeed, in each of our own small ways, we were able to save lives.

The team spent several nights repacking the donated goods.

(Photo by Chad Cordova Bacolod)

We were supposed to depart Cebu with the team at 4 AM. But since Sweetie goes home from work at 10 AM, we went to Malapascua on our own. On the way to North Cebu, we spotted a faraway raincloud. For us, it signaled a new beginning, a new life. Although scars will probably remain for a long time, the rain washes away the wounds of Typhoon Yolanda.

Here’s a picturesque crag up north. It may not be as high as the cliffs of Cantabaco, but it sure is a candidate for bouldering. The nice thing about this cliff is that it’s near the highway.

A Trail of Devastation

As we proceeded to Maya, the town where we’ll take a boat to Malapascua Island, we witnessed firsthand the destruction brought about by Typhoon Yolanda. And indeed it was terrible! Entire communities such as the one depicted in the photo below are virtually flattened.

In rural areas in the Philippines, many houses are made of light materials. Understandably, they weren’t able to weather the fury of the ferocious winds. Many are severely damaged or are totally flattened.

Sometimes, we see these eerie and grim images of what used to be living spaces inside damaged residences. We saw remnants of living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and dens, once covered with walls.

Mother Nature is not choosy when it comes to who are going to be the victims of her wrath. Even well-built, contemporary homes made of steel and concrete suffered considerable or, sometimes, irreparable damage.

Public facilities were not spared and were heavily damaged. For example, in the photo below, the gym at Ilihan was stripped off its roof. We also saw a church that was completely gutted. The Bogo bus terminal was in ruins although it remained operational. And we also saw schools and universities being damaged. Obviously, it would require lots of money, time, and effort to repair these structures.

Mother Nature went haywire on November 8, 2013. We guess Mayor Duterte of Davao City was right when he said, “God must have been somewhere else. He must have forgotten that there is a planet called Earth.” Mother Nature even stripped and peeled the leafy canopies of her own life-giving trees. It was a pretty ghostly sight—bald trees with skeletal branches still standing up.

Coconut trees, which are naturally resilient against strong winds, snapped off like toothpicks. And according to some residents we’ve talked to, the storm was so ferocious that the wind simply plucked off the crowns of palms.

Bamboo stalks, which are supposed to simply bend in strong winds, were simply snapped off. The lowly but strong and flexible bamboo is an inspiration to the design of the world-famous Taipei 101 in Taipei, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. Taipei 101 is designed to withstand strong typhoons and violent earthquake tremors, common natural events in the Asia Pacific region.

Supertyphoon Yolanda shaved the light forest cover of this mountain in Northern Cebu. See that brown mountain? The brown color is actually the remains of trees whose leafy canopies were blown off.

Thankfully, not everything was flattened out. The sugarcane fields of Northern Cebu were spared from the typhoon’s wrath. Furthermore, the winds did not topple down the main power towers, which means power in the region could be back soon.

Standing Back Up

Despite the horrific devastation, massive losses, financial ruins, and psychological trauma that Supertyphoon Yolanda left in its wake, reassuring signs of shrugging the dirt off one’s shoulders and moving on with life are apparent. Indeed, Cebuanos are strong and super resilient people.

We saw young guys enjoying a game of basketball; it’s definitely more fun in the Philippines, even in the face of a tragedy. We saw men starting to rebuild their homes. And those whose homes have been completely destroyed have erected makeshift tents while waiting for the opportunity and cash for rebuilding.

These hardworking linemen from CEBECO are battling against time, oppressive heat, hunger, thirst, and exhaustion to restore electrical power to affected areas. Good job and huge salute to these guys! In fact, en route to Cebu on Sunday, power has been restored to many communities in Northern Cebu.

After a few hours, we reached the port of Maya where we took a large banca to Malapascua. Riding a banca and boarding a resort-owned boat are two ways to reach the tiny resort island at the northernmost part of Cebu.

Malapascua is isolated from mainland Cebu. Thus, Malapascua residents or businessmen often make trips to the mainland to purchase bulk supplies. The fact that supplies are starting to move denotes that one of Cebu’s best resort islands that boasts of some of the world’s best dive sites is becoming to recover. And take note of the photo below; these are not just essential food, water, or canned goods. These are simple luxuries such as soft drinks and junk food.

The vibrant tourism industry is still up, well, and alive in Northern Cebu. We witnessed these foreigners disembarking from a boat that obviously came from Malapascua. We also saw Japanese tourists boarding a boat to visit Malapascua. Yes, life goes on here.

Earlier, the team started to unload the all-important goods from the truck to the boat that will transport them to the Exotic Island Dive Resort in Malapascua Island.

(Photo by Chad Cordova Bacolod)

A Journey in the Sunset

The boat’s engine sputtered to life after it was crammed with supplies. Goodbye, Maya port. We’ll see each other again on Sunday.

That peninsula is the northernmost tip of Cebu. Extremely exposed to natural elements, its tree cover was completely wiped out during Supertyphoon Yolanda’s onslaught. All that was left are skeletons of trees and bare rock.

But don’t worry, Mother Nature has her own way of healing herself. In a year or two, the cover would probably be regenerated.

That’s Chocolate Island between Malapascua and mainland Cebu. It was not spared by the wrath of the typhoon; strong winds ripped off the trees that covered it.

Travel time to Malapascua from Maya port is around an hour. Along the way, you can see spectacular vistas of the sea.

After witnessing scenes of horrible devastation, we felt a soothing balm as the sun said goodbye to the world, bathing the Visayas Sea with its gentle, orange rays.

Fire from the sea! This is one of the most spectacular sunset photos that we’ve ever taken. It also meant that despite the terrible tragedy, the Philippines still has lots of magnificent wonders that can leave you enthralled and breathless.

There was still some light when we reached Malapascua.  Supertyphoon Yolanda swept through the island like a scythe. No house, establishment, or structure was spared from damage.

(Photo by Sien Atnafla)

But storm or no storm, it was business as usual for this madame as well as other entrepreneurs in this island. You have to admire these folks’ determination to stand up amidst such a huge catastrophe.

(Photo by Sien Atnafla)

Members of the Enthusiasts of Cebu Outdoors, headed by Sir Chad, were able to secure some rooms a few hundred yards across the Exotic Island Dive Resort, one of the sponsors for this relief operation. While some members of the team went around the island to distribute coupons (for better control in the distribution of relief goods, the team decided to give out coupons to families), the rest of us pitched tents, ate dinner, and prepared for the night.

Several members of the group went to the communities around the island to distribute coupons for tomorrow’s relief operation.

(Photo by Erin Elarcosa)

Sir Sien and the others prepared a sumptuous dinner for the other trekkers.

A New Day, A Lovely Sunrise, A New Hope

Sweetie and I woke up very early, around 4:30 AM, to witness the famed Malapascua sunrise. Indeed, except for a couple of 24-hour guards, we woke up even earlier than the staff in the resort!

We suddenly understood why Malapascua’s sunrises are so magical. As the sun rose higher, the colors changed. One minute we were staring at a gentle glow; the next, we were looking at a fiery sky. Simply spectacular!

“The rain does not always fall
Fingers of gray clouds unclasp after sometime
A mother weeps for her dead child
A man curses for his ruined dwelling

But every day, the sun rises, an unstoppable event
Showering the land with golden light
So does life; its brilliance will always come
A new hope, a new morning, a new life”

Early risers! As the sun rose higher, we saw these little kids frolicking in the water with their parents watching over them while enjoying the sunrise.

Life goes on, and business as usual in this part of Malapascua. A staff member of Exotic Island Dive Resort went about his chores amidst the rising sun.

Staff members started to clean the beachfront in anticipation for guests.

While many of the verdant palms were stripped off their crowns, Exotic Island Dive Resort suffered relatively minimal damage. Most of the structures are still standing and bore signs of wind damage. But these “mishaps” don’t stop local and foreign tourists to visit the resort and book their adventure dives there.

One by one, our teammates started to exit their tents to watch the beautiful sunrise and to welcome the day.

After rinsing ourselves from a refreshing early morning swim, we went back to our tent. The photo below clearly shows the extent of damage that Yolanda brought to the resorts, businesses, and homes here.

We cooked a big breakfast. We know we were going to have a long, exhausting day, so we needed all the energy we can get.

After an hour, breakfast was done. Everybody, dig in! Yes, you too, doggie. Oh, speaking of the resident dog, the fellow insisted that he’d take his place right beside us. Most stray dogs would usually scamper away when shooed away. This little guy simply moved his butt slightly to give way so I can have my breakfast space!

Back on Their Feet and Getting Ready for Tourists

What we really like about Visayans, particularly Cebuanos, is that they don’t wait for assistance to get back on their feet. Make no mistake; we appreciate a helping hand. However, if no help arrives, Visayans simply exclaim, “To hell with it!” then start to begin their lives anew. That principle in life was shown evidently in Malapascua.

After breakfast, Sweetie and I had time to go around the beachfront before the relief-goods distribution starts. We found resort employees clearing the beachfront of tendrils of dead roots of coconut trees. Those roots were exposed as strong typhoon winds blew away the sand. Sweetie lent a hand in pulling out the roots.

The adjacent resort, Evolution, sustained heavy damage. Roofs of the cabins were ripped off, and there’s even a structure that completely collapsed. The original bar was wiped out, but resourceful employees got a piece of canvas tarp and set up an open-air bar that faces the sea.

We admire these people’s resilience and initiative to do something about the situation rather than sit and wait for something to happen. Resort employees started applying anti-rust primer to brand-new GI sheets while others helped in constructing a carpenter’s shed.

The exceptionally strong winds of Supertyphoon Yolanda also generated massive waves and underwater currents that damaged Malapascua’s delicate and prized reefs that attract divers all over the world. To repair the damage, they install artificial reefs in the seabed.

This type of artificial reef comprises of bamboo and dried palm stalks. When finished, this will be taken to the deep sea where it will be sunk. In time, corals will grow on the frame. Also, its design allows the natural sea current to flow through the reef.

Relief Operation

When we got to the relief station, there were already many locals lining up. At 9 AM, the sun was already burning the beach, but the locals persisted. What great strength!

The team prepared the relief goods, materials for the distribution, and medicines for the medical mission. Last-minute briefings were conducted.

Sir Chad gave last-minute instructions to the security personnel of Exotic Island Dive Resort to ensure a smooth, peaceful operation.

Of course, we couldn’t forget thanking the sponsors that made this event very successful.

At 9:15 AM, the distribution of relief goods started. Families got several kilos of rice, canned goods, matches, candles, and water. Check out the smile on that madame’s face. It’s a great feeling knowing that you have made someone happy.

The team’s objective was to provide relief packs for the 1,200 families that reside in Malapascua Island.

Some families who were severely affected by the typhoon (i.e. lost everything) were given priority coupons. Those who got the priority coupons received tarps and used clothes in addition to the donated foodstuff.

Bags of rice, canned goods, and other household items will be enough to sustain a family for a couple of days.

Sweetie prepared bottles of water while the other ladies did their own assigned tasks for efficient distribution.

Some of the ladies segregated and bundled used clothes so they can be properly distributed. Some of us quipped that we had enough used clothes to start an ukay-ukay business. Hehehe!

Children were not forgotten. They were given loot bags containing candies, lollipops, biscuits, and other goodies.

The little ones were definitely happy. Candies and biscuits may offer little or no physical nourishment. But they provide mental and spiritual sustenance through the thought that someone cares for them.

Wow! It looked like there’s a town fiesta in Exotic Island Dive Resort. It looked like the entire populace of Malapascua was here!

Look at that really long line! It extended to around three beaches away! It was very hot, but people persevered against the oppressive sun to get the much-needed relief goods. It actually turned out that we had more relief goods than needed.

Sir Barry and a few of our guys stationed at regular intervals ensured a smooth flow and an orderly line of people. They maintained the line and made sure that no one cuts through.

Sir Chad and security personnel of the resort ensured the safety of the operation.

Locals who received their packs couldn’t resist showing their happiness and relief. The feeling of knowing that you’ve helped someone is indescribably wonderful.

Medical Mission

There was a separate line of people who needed medical attention. Among them were children, pregnant women, elderly people and men who incurred injuries.

Dr. Guenter Braun, a German physician, went straight from Germany to the Philippines to participate in a medical mission. Through his contact in our team, he joined us and offered his services and medicines free of charge.

Together with his assistants, they treated infants and children who were sick or who incurred wounds.

Dr. Braun tirelessly treated senior citizens who complained discomfort and pain. He gave the patients practical recommendations and appropriate medication. To facilitate better communication between the doctor and his patient, two lady assistants acted as his interpreters.

This lady complained of headaches and body pain. Upon diagnosis, it turned out that this lady was suffering from high blood pressure. She couldn’t suppress a giggle when Dr. Braun recommended that she should do some light exercises. Her idea of exercise was something to the lines of aerobics, and there’s no aerobics class being held in this secluded island. The lady was a jokester too; she remarked that Dr. Braun is handsome, and she’d like to have a date with him. Hehehe!

This young man needed to have his wound cleaned and to have an anti-tetanus shot. He got injured when he stepped on a rusty nail.

Pregnant women also came to Dr. Braun for consultation to ensure good health for both mothers and the little treasures in their womb.

This guy was in a whole lot of pain. Dr. Braun checked him out and recommended that he get an X-ray as soon as possible.

The guy also had a few sores and infected wounds on his legs. Dr. Braun treated and dressed his wounds.

A Job Well Done, A Fresh Start for Malapascua

The relief operation and medical mission ended at around 2 PM. It was time for a bit of well-deserved relaxation. Some members of the team went to the beach to enjoy the clear, cool waters before packing up and heading home.

As a gesture of goodwill and appreciation, the resort provided us a free boat ride back to Maya port.

Look at that crystal clear water! After the first few days of the storm, the water was murky due to the sand and silt that was violently stirred up by the strong wind and current. When we went there, the sand and silt have already subsided; Mother Nature’s healing process has begun.

This is the sun-kissed, spectacular beauty of Malapascua that irrevocably draws divers and vacationers from all over the world. A few weeks after the supertyphoon, the island has started to recover from the disaster. Even in the face of terrible devastation, Malapascua exhibits resilience and grandeur, both reflected in the strength of its citizens and in the splendor of its natural surroundings.

Goodbye, Malapascua. You and your people are truly magnificent. You surely deserve to be named as one of the best dive sites and vacation spots in the world. When you recover from this ordeal in a few months, we will surely come back to discover your coral reefs, thresher sharks, and other wonders.

Congratulations to the members of the Enthusiasts of Cebu Outdoors, Visayan Trekkers Forum, as well as the volunteers who unselfishly devoted their time, money, and effort in making this endeavor of love and caring successful!

As mentioned in a prior article, rock climbing in the Philippines is quite a new, almost unknown sport. There are other factors that inhibit the growth of the sport—the high cost of rock climbing equipment, the insufficient supply of both traditional and sport climbing equipment, the lack of bolted crags, the difficulty of bolting a crag, the difficulty of asking permission from property owners to bolt a crag, the inherent danger of climbing high cliffs, etc.

It is completely understandable, therefore, why there are only a mere handful of rock climbers in the entire country, probably less than 500. Due to that small number, these guys and gals, even if they are islands apart, are quite a tightly knit group.

But each year, there is a great opportunity for these local and national climbers to meet up, have fun, work their skills, and encourage each other to reach the top. That opportunity to interact with others of similar interest happens each year at last week of October and first week of November. That opportunity is called Lust for Lime.

Lust for Lime is an annual event typically hosted by SCAPI (Sport Climbing Association of the Philippines, Inc.), the primary rock climbing organization in the Philippines. Usually, Lust for Lime is held at our very own crag in Cantabaco, and it is now in its ninth year. Often, the event attracts a number of sponsors such as Habagat, Vertigo, 8a Performance, Lagalag, and other companies. More than just a rock climbing event, Lust for Lime is a party, a workshop, a collective date, and a meet-up of climbers all rolled into a span of a week or two. If you are interested in getting serious with rock climbing, meeting up with climbers, learn climbing techniques and skills, make business transactions with climbers, or simply enjoy good vibes, then we highly recommend experiencing Lust for Lime.

Sweetie and I have been rock climbing for a few years, but Lust for Lime IX was our first time to witness and cover this special event. In the previous Lust for Lime events, we failed to join due to our hectic work schedule. This time, fortunately, our schedule fell into place.

Knowing that the crag will be teeming with climbers in a few days (and subsequently, the routes will be crowded), we started out October 27, the Sunday before the actual Lust for Lime week when there are still few climbers. Sir Jessie, one of our closest climbing buddies, went with us at Area 5 to restart a joint project: climbing the 5.11b graded route Itchy Flutterby. The highest grade I was able to redpoint (i.e. having practiced the route several times) is 5.11a. Good thing our dependable local guide and good friend Sir Willard was there to set up the route.

Once Itchy Flutterby was set up for top rope, we had a quick lunch of roasted chicken and hanging rice.

After lunch, it was time to climb. To avoid embarrassment, let’s just say, I didn’t make it. Hahaha! I was just too damned tired after climbing the entire morning on the easier routes. Sir Jessie, on the other hand, was able to send the route.

Lust for Lime is not just about climbing fun; it’s also a venue for learning. Pioneering professional climbers and route setters like Sir Mackie Makinano hold workshops where they teach others about climbing safety and techniques. Here, Sir Mackie taught climbers how to set up a rappel anchor. (Photo by Willard Elemino)

During the week, climbers from all over the Philippines poured in, trying out the routes in the crag. On Saturday night, October 28, it was time for the climbers to have fun. An important part of Lust for Lime is the party that happens on the night before the “official” last day of the event. Climbers do get tired of crimping around and would appreciate a night of games, dances, and laughter. The party is usually held at Ma’am Glenda’s place, a bed-and-breakfast specifically for climbers.

Sheila and I weren’t in the party due to prior commitments. However, we were able to grab some party photos from our friend, Toots of TropikAdventure.

It’s never too young to climb. These kids are either climbers or have parents that are rock climbers. That’s just pretty great, considering that parents usually try to move heaven and earth to encourage their children to engage in sports. Just imagine, these are parents and kids as climbing partners. (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

Climbers pitch in for food and drinks. And indeed, we have sumptuous fiesta food on the table for everyone. (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

The Lust for Lime party is a perfect chance for climbers to know each other, reminisce good times, share climbing techniques, buy and sell equipment, discuss climbing and travel plans, or simply have a bout of laughter. (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

What is a party without some booze, right? Sweetie and I don’t drink, so if we were at the party, we’d settle for soft drinks. Climbers do drink alcohol. However, they drink moderately; most are aware that they need to be in top shape to climb that limestone rock face just across the street. (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

Ma’am Glenda’s place has a large terrace which, during Lust for Lime, is converted in to a dance floor. (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

Just like most other parties, organizers formulate an agenda. And part of that agenda is a costume contest. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are in Cantabaco! (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

Hey, guys! Who are you supposed to be? (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

Of course, everyone gets to participate in fun party games. (Photo by Toots of TropikAdventure)

The next day, Sunday, Sweetie and I decided to climb early. At peak time during Lust for Lime, there are so many climbers that you’ll have to wait for awhile for your turn to climb up a route.

Sweetie reviewed one of her favorite routes Wild Boys. Wild Boys is also the first pitch of Cantabaco’s 3-pitch route, which we will write about in a later article.

It was still early, around 7AM, but the sun was already up and bright. I quickly climbed the routes that I want, including one of my favorite dynamic 5.11a route Djouls. October is definitely an excellent time to climb.

At around 9AM, climbers started to trickle in, refreshed from the party the night before.

In less than an hour, Area 3 was teeming with climbers. In no time at all, routes were filled with quickdraws, ropes, and adrenaline-pumped people.

Climbing teams set up, discussed routes and climbing techniques, and readied themselves to climb.

Climbing equipment by the dozens! Feast your eyes on hundreds of different high-quality ropes, climbing shoes, quickdraws, duffel bags, rope bags, chalk bags, helmets, and other climbing equipment. If our outdoor shops have these items in their inventories, we’re sure that the Philippine rock climbing scene will improve in popularity.

Here’s a climbing team in action, ascending the 5.9 starter and warm-up route Vulva. This is also one of Sweetie’s favorite routes.

By 10AM, most of the routes in Area 3 were already set up with top-rope systems. Simply choose a route that is vacant and ask someone to belay you if you don’t have a belayer. Don’t be shy; most of the folks here are friendly and a good lot, and they’ll be glad to be your partner.

Lust for Lime doesn’t just attract local and national climbers. Foreign climbers also head out to Cantabaco to try out our beautiful limestone crag. The lady, by the way, is Frances Fierst, a moderator for Mountain Project climbing forum. Mountain Project an international online community of backpackers, mountaineers, and rock climbers sharing ideas, experiences, photos, videos, and tips.

Lust for Lime IX was literally a climbing festival in Cantabaco as climbers scale the 60-plus routes available on the crag. Everywhere, you can here grunts of exertions, squeals of fear, screams of triumph, varieties of commands, and words of encouragement.

While waiting for their turn, some climbers used the downtime as an opportunity to catch up on reading.

And some climbers preferred to catch up on some sleep during the downtime.

Since Area 3, the main climbing area was full, some climbers opted to go to Area 4. Area 4 is the least visited area in the Cantabaco crag due to the steeply inclined belay area, the awkward placement of hangers on some of the routes, and the potential danger of hitting tuffas if a climbers falls while leading. But personally, we love the texture of the rock here.

Frances and her partner tried out Djoules. Many foreign climbers whom we talked to remarked that Cantabaco is a relatively small but excellent, high-quality crag. For such a small crag, we have a relatively high number of varied routes. And everything, from accommodations to eateries, is just a stone’s throw away.

Some fellows, seeing that we went to a less crowded, less climbed place, followed us and set up their climbs at Area 4. Look at those looks of intense concentration.

In one climbing session, many people may attempt to send one route, especially if the route is a classic or a popular one. For instance, as shown in the photo below, several different climbers attempted Oh Baby, a 5.11a route that I lead climbed earlier.

On such popular routes, you may have to line up and wait for your turn before you can ascend. In the photo below, those two guys sitting on the ground were waiting for their turn to climb Oh Baby.

Sir Jessie provided beta (i.e., climbing information) to his climbing partner for a route called Pork Barrel, just beside Oh Baby. Climbers are often generous in providing helpful tips and advice to others who want to accomplish certain routes.

Climbing is generally thought to be a male-dominated sport, but that doesn’t mean that women can’t climb as hard as men. In fact, these ladies can crank up routes as skillfully as men. Thanks to their smaller, lighter, lither stature, some ladies can even successfully send routes that men have a hard time climbing. In the sport of climbing, there is no sex discrimination; everyone is equal.

Cuts and bruises are normal in any climb. While some people may express concern about these minor injuries, climbers often proudly display them as souvenirs of an attempt to conquer a route. Don’t worry, the wounds were cleaned and treated.

As more and more climbers came in, the queues for many routes became longer. Sweetie and I decided to while the time by eating our lunch.

The true hardcore climbers who want to test their limits congregate at Area 5 where the hardest routes are. The easiest routes here are graded 5.11 while the most difficult ones go as high as 5.14. These are the best world-class hardcore routes that Cantabaco can offer.

Kids join the adults in rock climbing. Some kind donors donated shoes and harnesses to these kids to introduce them to the world of climbing. With proper encouragement and coaching, we’re sure that these children will become professional climbers. And we all know why sports gives children so many benefits, right?

Oh, a climbing race? Actually, these are two climbers on two different routes in Area 5. Do you notice the extremely smooth rock face? Sweetie and I still couldn’t climb these. But don’t worry, completing some of the routes in Area 5 are our targets next year.

Climbers who are not from Cebu or who rarely visit Cebu come to the Lust for Lime to work on projects. A project is an attempt to climb a route that the climber has never successfully finished before. Usually, the designated grade of a project route is higher than what the climber can normally accomplish. Accomplishing a project can take anywhere from a few hours to a few years.

As the climber makes more attempts, he learns the tricks of the routes until he can send it flawlessly, efficiently and gracefully.

Lust for Lime IX was a huge success! See you next year for an even bigger, grander, and more fun Lust for Lime.

As a team, Sweetie and I have been rock climbing and mountaineering for almost two years now. Through all those years, we have developed a certain high for heights. We definitely feel exhilarated as we ascend new rock climbing routes, sit quietly on a mountain peak enjoy the vista below our feet, stand up at the lip of a waterfall, or even climb treetops to feel the cool breeze. We didn’t even spare the water tower in the housing subdivision where we reside so in the hopes of having a good glimpse of a V22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft at the military base a few miles away.

However, nothing could prepare us for another level of high, excitement, adrenaline rush, and fear that awaited us last December 1, 2013. And for us, it was an unexpected yet kick-ass way to start the Yuletide month! You see, that date marked our first ever multi-pitch climb in Cantabaco.

What’s multi-pitch climbing? Well, it’s like this: the climbing rope has a fixed length. Normally, a climber can only ascend half that length; for instance, you can only climb a maximum of 30 meters if you’re your belayer are using a 50-meter rope. The distance from the ground to the top of the anchor is called a pitch; in Cantabaco, most of the routes are single pitch.

But what if you want to climb a higher, longer route? The longer routes are divided into pitches. After the lead climber reaches the top of a pitch, he sets an anchor and belays the second climber up. The second climber cleans the route (i.e. removes the quickdraws) until he reaches the lead climber at the top of the pitch. Once both climbers are reunited at the top of the anchor, the leader begins to climb the next pitch. The process goes on until both reach the top of the route.

On December 1, we were supposed to simply work on some single-pith projects for the entire day. However, when the usual gang arrived, out of the blue, we decided to try out Cantabaco’s three-pitch route. We decided to climb up to the second pitch where we can stay for a few minutes to enjoy the view. And if we have time, we’ll attempt to send the final, ultra-high third pitch. For the entire morning, we warmed up on the easy routes on Area 3.

Close to 3 PM on a hot afternoon, we went to Area 2 where the base of the multi-pitch route starts.

First Pitch

Since this was our first multi-pitch climb, Sir Enie taught us a few essential safety tips and techniques. Since we would be hundreds of feet up on the cliff, safety is paramount.

After a few minutes, it was time to commence the multi-pitch climb. Italian climber Ascanio and his beautiful, sexy partner local climber gal Gretchen were the first to go up. They chose to start the first pitch through the 5.9 route Wild Boys.

Ascanio and Gretchen reached the first pitch and immediately prepared for the next pitch. Sir Willard, Sweetie, and I were designated as a single team with Sir Willard leading the climb. We started the first pitch at Wild Boys.

After Sir Willard reached the first belay station at the first pitch, it was my turn to climb. Now, look closely at the photo below. You may notice that I was wearing a backpack while climbing. Well, that pack contained delicious warm puto and a bottle of Coke that we planned to consume after reaching the second belay station.

Almost at the belay anchor…and a chance to rest! Climbing a crag with a heavy backpack surely makes the climb more challenging.

After reaching the first belay station above the Wild Boys route, I immediately set up an anchor so I can belay Sweetie up the route and give Sir Willard a rest.

Belaying from above was pretty tricky because I have to set up an anchor and position myself in such a way so that the belay loop won’t twist downwards. Also, belaying from above was quite strenuous since I had to keep the rope constantly at full tension, which meant that I constantly had to pull the rope up. And just consider: I was belaying Sweetie on a ledge just several inches wide and 100 feet above the ground!

Whoa! That’s a topsy-turvy setup. It may look really confusing, but everything served a purpose. The two-bolt anchors were used to set up a belay anchor to lessen the load. To accommodate three people at the belay station, we bridged two quicklinks together with a quickdraw so we can have more room to anchor ourselves. A slung hueco (a piece of climbing rope or sling tied through a hole in the rock, not visible in the photo below) served as an anchor for our backup safety anchor.

How does the ground, so comfortable and inviting, look like 100 feet above? Well, just check out the photo below. Those blue and orange tarps, which we use as mats, are on the ground. Even professional climbers feel jittery upon seeing the ground below at a dizzying height. And if you consider the fact that you’re standing on a ledge just a few inches wide with nothing but two flimsy-looking Dyneema slings as your only protection from meeting the Almighty, then you would think that it would actually be abnormal if you don’t feel afraid.

Can you see Sweetie working up her way to the belay station?

The photo below gives you a better idea on just how tiny the first belay station is. That’s Sir Willard’s water bottle and shoes attached to the gear loops of his harness. If that water bottle or pair of shoes fall, it will go straight to the ground!

That’s Sweetie halfway to the first belay station.

Almost there! Sweetie’s mind somewhat played tricks on her, and she was quite panicky while climbing the route. In fact, it took her quite a while, around half an hour, to finish Wild Boys. For us, it was quite surprising since she has climbed this route many times; in fact, this was our usual warm-up route. It turned out that she got really frightened of the idea of a multi-pitch climb.

Here’s another great view of the tiny ledge of the first belay station. Check out the foot.

At last, Sweetie reached the first belay station and secured herself on the anchor. Whew! That was fun, wasn’t it, Sweetie?

The slung hueco and several rock protrusions make perfect places where we could hang our heavy bags and shoes. Yes, we took our shoes off for relief

Second Pitch

After a short chat and rest, Sir Willard lead climbed the way to the much higher yet more comfortable belay station at the top of the second pitch.

That’s me at the belay; Sir Willard’s life is in my hands. It was a pretty new experience to me, which also made me realize that in multi-pitch climbing, my responsibility of keeping my climber safe doubled in magnitude. Just think: I was belaying someone more than a hundred feet up on a tiny ledge.

Sir Willard made his way on the second pitch and reached the second belay station after several minutes. Now, judging from the photo collage below, you may think, “Oh, it’s not that high.” Well, wait until the next set of photos to see how high the second pitch really is.

The nice thing about the second belay station is that it has plenty of bolts, hangers, and huecos where climbers can hook up. That also means it is easier to set up a belay anchor with so many “choices” at the belay station.

Flor, another climber pal, and her partner local guide Sir Enie climbed up an adjacent route, which also has an access to the second belay station.

Unclipping anchors! Safety is off! Climbing! After Sir Willard gave the okay signal, I started my ascent on the second pitch.

That’s me, working my way to the first belay station. We were actually way above the tree tops, and at this height, we can’t help but get dizzy and jittery when we look down. Hell, we can’t even see the ground! Also, look at how vertical the wall is.

With all its terrifying height and sheer vertical face, the second pitch was surprisingly easy to climb. In fact, it’s even easier than Wild Boys, the first pitch, or the 5.9 Area 3 classic route Hait, which is considered a beginner’s route.

After a few minutes, I reached the second belay station. Check out the handholds; they’re pretty big and easy to hold on to.

As you can see in the photo below, the second belay station was a much more comfortable place to be in. The ledge was slopey, relatively smooth, and easy on the feet. Furthermore, there were plenty of anchors, huecos, and slings to clip in. In fact, we could carefully “walk” around as long as we remained clipped in (i.e. via ferrata).

We could see the entirety of Silangan, Cantabaco at from this vantage point. The scene was simply awesome and calming at the same time. The bellow of a rooster, the drone of a motorcycle, the sermon of an afternoon mass, the muzzled cheer of a nearby cockfight, and the faint laughter of gossiping madams all add to a calming, lively cacophony of Filipino sounds and culture.

Sir Enie took the lead to the second belay station via another route. The two routes actually converge at the second belay station.

After several minutes, Sir Enie reached the second belay station and set up an anchor for his climbing partner Flor.

Flor followed and cleaned the route while climbing towards the second belay station. It was also her first time to climb a multi-pitch route, and she said it was frightening and exhilarating at the same time.

Just one more push! A liter of sweat and a pound of lactic acid later, Flor reached the second belay station. Finally, it was a chance for her to relax and admire the view.

After I set up a belay anchor, I belayed Sweetie as she started to make her way to the top.

Earlier, we told Sweetie not to panic and to remember that she was safe and on belay. However, upon reaching the bottom of the second belay station, which was slightly overhung, she suddenly panicked. Suddenly, Sweetie didn’t know what to do. She screamed and cried hysterically even though the holds were just above her head!

She didn’t know what to do and ceased climbing altogether. Sir Willard and I had to haul her up the belay station so she can recover from her panic attack.

Don’t trust Sweetie’s smile; she just smiled when Sir Willard took a photo of all of us at the belay station. She was actually trembling in fear. Hehehe! Uhm, sorry for the blurry photo. The sun was already setting, and it was difficult to snap a nice photo in dim light without a tripod.

It took Sweetie almost an hour to climb the second pitch; in fact, the sun was already setting the moment she stepped on the belay station.

Not that the route was too hard for her; in fact, she later remarked it was one of the easiest routes she climbed. But Sweetie got overcome with panic. That’s okay; when climbing a cliff this high, it would actually be unusual for someone NOT to be afraid. However, fear should be controlled and contained, meaning, one should keep calm and composed amidst a stressful situation. In any extreme sport, the real trouble usually starts when someone starts to panic since he or she is unable to think straight.

We witnessed a magnificent, super-cool sunset on a ledge 250 feet off the ground. The scene was definitely breathtaking, but it also caused us a great deal of concern. Why? Well, we didn’t anticipate that the climb would take this long (due to the time it took to “rescue” Sweetie), so we didn’t bring along our headlamps and flashlights. That meant, to get down to the ground from this point in time, we need to do a “blind” rappel, something that all of us haven’t tried doing.

Needless to say, we weren’t able to take our snacks up the ledge as we planned earlier. What a bummer!

Are you willing to rappel down in pitch black? We really wouldn’t, but we had no choice.

My Mammut Tusk rope was long enough to reach the ground from the belay station. In other words, we didn’t have to stop at the first belay station so we can set up another rappel anchor. But the problem about rappelling in the dark is that we didn’t know what went on below us or if the rope really reached the ground. And this was what exactly happened.

Sweetie was the first one to rappel from the second belay station. When she reached midway, she discovered that the rope was tangled in the branches. Without fixing this, no one could get down.

Since Sweetie was too short and far away to reach the mess from her position, Sir Willard, who was taller and had longer reach, rappelled down to lend a hand and untangle the rope.

In a few minutes, the rope was untangled, and Sir Willard prepared to set up a belay anchor for Sir Enie, who was the last one to go down. As mentioned earlier, my dynamic rope is quite long. However, since we couldn’t see if the rope reached the ground for the final rappel (more on this when we write a Rock Climbing 101 article about retrieval and cleaning a route), we didn’t want to take any chances.

One by one, we safely rappelled off the belay station to the ground.

Time check: a really late, dark 7 PM, the latest we’ve every been at the crag! Finally, after more than 3 hours on the rock face, our feet finally touched ground! Wohoo! Except for Sir Enie, this was one heck of an experience. Not only was it our first time to do a multi-pitch climb successfully, but it was also our first time to rappel at night in the middle of a forest without the benefit of illumination. It was breathtaking, but we hope we wouldn’t do it again for the sake of safety.

Finally, Sir Enie came down. All of us celebrated our successful although unnerving climb by snacking on puto and softdrinks.

The Next Day

The afternoon before, Ascanio and Gretchen climbed the third and final pitch. They were under the assumption that we would attempt to ascend the third pitch, so they asked us if we could retrieve the quickdraws they left behind. However, due to the lack of time, we weren’t able to climb the third pitch; so they decided to come back the next day to clean the route and retrieve the precious quickdraws.

The duo, together with Sir Enie and another great climbing buddy Brian, went up the same routes our team climbed yesterday. Sweetie and I decided to stay on the ground so we can document the climb. We also want you, dear readers, to see how the multi-pitch climb looks like from below.

After both teams successfully climbed and reached the first belay point, Sweetie and I exited the shady belay area to have a better view of the rock face. Can you see Ascanio making his way to the second belay station?

A while later, Sir Enie reached the second belay station from the Wild Boys route.

The two lead climbers, Ascanio and Sir Enie, set up anchors and belayed Gretchen and Brian, respectively.

After a while, the two teams were reunited on the rocky belay station 250 feet up in the air.

After setting up the belay, Ascanio began to lead climb the third pitch. The guides mentioned that the third pitch is a bit harder than the first two pitches, with a grade of 5.10. On our next multi-pitch climb, I’ll try to onsight (i.e. successfully lead climb without falling and without any prior information on the route) the third pitch.

Ascanio was now midway to the top of the third pitch. He was now at the critical crux, the most difficult part of the route, which featured a slight overhang. A lead fall here would be safe (as long as the belayer knows what he or she is doing) but extremely scary!

Inch by inch, foot by foot, Ascanio conquered the overhang with determination and reached the very top of Cantabaco’s crag. The top of the third pitch must be around 300 feet from the ground!

Ascanio retrieved the quickdraws while Gretchen belayed him down. Since the route features an overhang, it would be difficult to clean the route (sans cleaning while top roping) while rappelling down.

The photo below shows an excellent view of the multi-pitch route from the road. Can you see the people high up on the second belay station?

The Cantabaco crag has around 60 or more routes. However, the rest of the pure, clean limestone rock face in the photo below is still unbolted. Thus, there is still a whole lot of room to bolt more multi-pitch routes and make Cantabaco an even better, more extreme climbing area that we, Cebuanos, would be proud of.

Tips to follow

According to oceanographers all over the world, we know more about outer space than our own oceans. Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the planet, but we know less than 5 percent about them. In fact, much of the land under the oceans remains unmapped and unexplored, and we haven’t actually understood how oceans work. Why is that, despite our advanced technology and unending determination?

Well, the world under the sea is covered by more than 1.3 billion cubic kilometers of water with an average depth of more than 3 miles. Under that unimaginable quantity of water are over two million marine species, spectacular landscapes, and geographical wonders that defy imagination. But to witness the wonders of the strange world under the sea, we, land dwellers, first need to find a way to breathe underwater for long periods of time. Fortunately, that issue can be partially addressed with an ingenious human invention called scuba, short for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus.

In scuba diving, a diver carries special equipment to breathe underwater. This allows him to stay longer underwater as well as giving him better freedom of movement. Subsequently, he is able to explore more of the sea.

As you all know, Team Sweetie has always been a stickler for new, exciting adventures. Furthermore, we live in a festive tropical island surrounded by gorgeous seas. So when my diver cousin, Jonjie Deiparine, offered to introduce us to an adventure under the blue seas of Mactan, we enthusiastically agreed. It was our chance to explore the fringes of the alien world under the sea.

Together with Sweetie’s daughter, Alexa, we went to KonTiki Dive Resort last December 15, 2013 to have a taste of scuba diving. The tranquil resort is secluded deep inside Datag, Maribago in Mactan Island, away from throngs of people.

Adjacent to KonTiki Dive Resort are the world-renowned Maribago Bluewater Resort and a few lesser known private beach resorts. At these resorts, you can rent these outriggers to take you to the islands around and beyond Mactan.

After taking a lunch of re-fried liempo and rice, Sweetie and I changed into our rash guards to get ready for the exciting underwater adventure. Knowing that we’ll be quite anxious to enter the water, Jonjie has already prepared our BCDs (buoyancy control devices), oxygen tanks, flippers, and other scuba diving equipment before we arrived.

That’s Jonjie, my first degree cousin. Jonjie is a certified PADI dive master and a very skilled instructor. In fact, he’s one of the most highly recommended dive instructors and tour guides in the country. He trained lots of divers who became instructors themselves. He also trained Coast Guard and military personnel about scuba diving.

Jonjie once owned a popular dive shop and tour outfit called Jonjie’s Aquaflight. After he closed down his business, Jonjie is now a freelance instructor specializing in multiday dive safaris. You’ll be glad you hired his services.

Before entering the water, Jonjie briefed us on the basics of scuba diving. He taught us how to put on the flippers properly, how to put on the diving mask, how to purge water out if it enters the mask, hand signals to use while underwater, how to equalize pressure underwater, and so on. He explained these in such detail that we understood the science behind the actions.

Then, Jonjie explained to us the mechanics and how to use a BCD or buoyancy control device. A BCD is some sort of an inflatable vest worn by divers to achieve neutral buoyancy (i.e. hovering) or positive buoyancy (i.e. floating) on the water’s surface whenever the diver needs to. Buoyancy is regulated by adjusting the air inside the BCD. Air is supplied from either the tank strapped at the back or from the diver’s mouth.

He also taught us how to properly breathe underwater through the regulator.

After the briefing and while Jonjie prepared his own gear, we took a photo of the diving area. Check out the photo below. The area inside the fence of floating buoys is intended for first-time divers like us who are taking a short DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) course or for novice divers who are taking a full PADI licensing course. For safety, we were not allowed to go beyond the buoys.

But looks can be deceiving. Don’t think that the water there is shallow. In fact, a few yards from the shore, we couldn’t stand up with our heads above the water. The outside-perimeter buoy fence already marks the kantil, or the edge of Mactan’s continental shelf.

Here, Jonjie helped Sweetie in attaching some 3-kilo weights. Weights are needed so the diver can sink to the seabed; it counteracts the positive buoyancy of the BCD and the natural tendency of the human body to float to the surface. It is impossible to go and stay underwater without the weights.

Then it was time to dive, at last. Sweetie and I donned our gear in the water. It’s easier to do so because water is denser than air, making the heavy gear seem light. In fact, when we reached chest-high water, the gear weighted next to nothing.

Ready, all geared up, and excited to dive! Sweetie and I walked backward towards deeper water, as instructed by Jonjie, because our large flippers make it difficult to walk forward.

Are you ready? Jonjie made a last-minute briefing and check before we explore the underwater world.

And off we went! Shore entry is best for first-time divers like us, and KonTiki offers one of the best shore entry diving in the country. That’s because, as we mentioned earlier, the sea grass and coral garden start just a few yards from the shore. That means, we didn’t need to rent a boat to explore KonTiki’s house reef.

Even at a depth of merely 10 feet, the majesty of the underwater world was unraveling beneath us. At this shallow depth, we already saw an incredibly diverse collection of virgin corals.

We paused for a little while so Jonjie could check if everything was okay. Good thing because I was having trouble with my BCD; I kept floating up even though I emptied the air in my BCD. It turned out that there was still some air in the valve. Jonjie fixed it for me.

Sweetie stood mesmerized at the new world around her. All around, we saw colorful fish, coral encrusted rocks, patches of white sand, and patches of sea grass. Everything was illuminated by filtered sunshine, making it seem as if we’re in another planet.

We signaled Jonjie that we’re perfectly A-okay. The photo below is our first underwater shot together ever! Cool!

As we swam further, Jonjie signaled us to stop. He then used a small probe to poke something in the corals. We wondered what it was he’s poking.

It was a lionfish! Can you see it in the photo below? It’s that butterfly-like fish resting on the pillar coral’s prong. The lionfish is venomous. A sting from its spines can cause extreme pain, fever, nausea, convulsion, diarrhea, heartburn, and numbness. Despite that, the venom is rarely life-threatening.

Lionfish are often kept as popular aquarium fish.

Along the way, we also saw this enormous bright red brain coral, so-called because of its brain-like appearance. Brain corals are some of the most common types of corals in the tropics. They can live up to 900 years old and can grow as large as 6 feet. Brain corals have tentacles which they extend to catch prey such as small fish, shrimps, and mollusks.

Corals provide protective homes for a variety of fish. That’s why it is very important to preserve and protect corals. By collecting and destroying live corals, humans deprive the fish of their homes. Fish then move to other areas to build new homes, and poof goes the local fishing industry.

A colony of corals sprung out of the seabed. Often, corals grow on top of each other. This coral column is almost as tall as Sweetie.

Let’s go a little bit farther, Jonjie signaled us. We were going to the lip of the kantil.

After several minutes, we reached the edge of the continental shelf and the big blue. Depth was 20-plus feet below sea level. Wow! We knew that we were just exploring a microscopic part of the world under the sea when we witnessed the enormity of the darkness beyond the kantil.

Jonjie mentioned that on some days, thousands of sardines congregate here (the “event” is sometimes called a sardine run), and the enormous wall of silvery fish is a sight to behold. Unfortunately, we didn’t witness a sardine run by the time we got here.

Jonjie also told us that predatory barracudas can be seen here, hunting for prey. In fact, we saw some large faint silver bodies in the blue, silhouettes of barracudas. Unfortunately, our camera couldn’t capture them due to the lack of light.

Jonjie toured us along the lip of the kantil where we saw the ground literally overgrown with corals. It was just an amazing sight.

Be careful at the kantil because the current here is swift, strong, and unpredictable. In fact, we had to kick a little harder so we won’t drift into the blue.

We saw beds and beds of beautiful corals along the kantil—in coral-reef terminology, this area is called fore reef. Did you know that most of the coral reefs in the world are located within Southeast Asia and Australia? And do you know that 60 percent of the world’s coral reefs are endangered due to man-made activities? This threat is especially strong in Southeast Asia where more than 80 percent of the reefs are actually endangered.

Jonjie stopped for a while and wrote something in his diving slate. A slate is a waterproof communication device which a diver can write text messages on. He can then show what he wrote to other divers.

“Fire coral. It burns” was what Jonjie wrote on his slate while pointing to the specimen. Technically, they are not corals but some sort of jellyfish or anemone. When touched, fire corals release toxins that make it seem as if your skin is on fire, thus the name.

Everywhere, we saw schools of colorful fish who regarded us as curiosities rather than threats or intruders.

The fact that there are large numbers of fish here indicates that corals are plentiful and are well taken care off. Kudos!

Fish do need to feel alone at times. Hehe! We saw this solitary clownfish (left) and, later, this lonely damselfish (right) broke from the pack to swim near us. We guess they wanted to take a closer look at the strange creatures who were emitting lots of bubbles.

Sometime during our exploration, Sweetie signaled that something’s wrong, and she wanted to go up the surface. It turned out she felt the need to throw up. No, it’s not because she’s pregnant, panicked, or poisoned. It was because of vision distortion. The glass of the gas mask and the distortion in the water were making her dizzy and nauseous.

I took the chance to take a photo of my gauge. I still have 3,000 cc of air left in the tank after half an hour of scuba diving.

After clearing her guts, Sweetie was ready to go down again to explore the reef crest, or the area right before the fore reef.

Both instructor and student have a lot of fun while touring around the reef. Scores of brightly colored and friendly damselfish seemed to join in the fun.

Jonjie picked up a colorful, multi-patterned nudibranch for us to take a closer look. A nudibranch is a kind of soft-bodied marine mollusk without a shell, a kind of sea slug, in other words. The creature was soft to the touch.

Here’s another strange coral that looked like wrinkly sheets. We guess small fish live in those holes and folds.

Jonjie led us to another highlight of the KonTiki reef, a dark, mysterious something that rose out of the reef crest. We initially thought it was part of a small shipwreck. Upon closer look, the structure turned out to be a giant claw that once came from an earth-moving vehicle. It was sunk there years ago to form a foundation for an artificial reef.

After a decade, the iron claw became encrusted with corals and algae, sort of like a business center for fish. Scuba divers and free divers can explore the cavity inside the claw. We didn’t go in because we still don’t know how to squeeze into tight underwater spaces with our bulky gear.

Sweetie checked the huge variety of hard corals that have overgrown the iron claw.

This was what she saw. Amazing! And see those particles? While many of those are sediments, others may be gametes. Gametes are cells that fuse with other cells to initiate reproduction. These gametes will soon find an anchor so they can grow to new adult corals.

We thoroughly enjoyed this amazing scuba diving experience. The DSD session was just a glimpse, but Sweetie and I are now seriously contemplating to get actual diving licenses.

After seeing an actual artificial reef, we headed back to explore more of KonTiki’s inner coral reef.

Check out this video of our dive. You can see the richness of corals and marine life.

We saw a cluster of sea anemones (brown) that swayed gently in the current. Anemones and clownfish share mutualism, a biological symbiotic relationship that is beneficial for both organisms. The anemones protect the clownfish from predators that are affected by stings of the anemone’s tentacles. In return, clownfish defend the anemones from butterfly fish, an anemone-eating fish.

Here’s another video of the reef system showing corals, fish, and a colony of anemones with their tentacles swaying with the current.

Hello, Nemo and Marlin! Overcame by curiosity, these cute, colorful clownfish exited the anemones and swam up to us. We think they love cameras. Hehehe!

We took a close-up view of the anemone. The wriggly tentacles look extremely beautiful! Those flower-like organisms are not flowers at all but another species of sea anemone. Yes, there are gardens under the sea!

That’s a small, vibrant pillar coral viewed from above, a home for that striped fish. Exporters sometimes harvest these corals to be sold as home decors and jewelry. This practice should be stopped.

These corals look ominous! If humans were an inch high, then these corals would probably be considered real-life Lovecraftian monsters! The one at the bottom looked particularly interesting.

This pale red coral looked like a colossal amoeba. The sea holds so many wonders; we realized how infinitesimal our knowledge about our oceans is. With so many unknowns and so many mysteries, our oceans demand the highest respect.

That’s a large Elephant’s Ear coral that is overgrown with other smaller corals and algae.

That’s an interesting cluster of different corals.

There are no words to describe these. These are truly alien landscapes.

We spent more than an hour exploring the rich and vibrant reef before our tanks ran out of air. After reaching ashore, it was Alexa’s turn for a snorkel treat! Jonjie outfitted her with an inflated BCD as a life jacket.

Hi, Alexa! Are you having fun? We bet you do! Children would definitely love snorkeling here.

Alexa was able to take a few excellent underwater photos while snorkeling. Check out that cluster of different corals.

Alexa was also able to take a nice photo of a sea anemone in full bloom.

Sweetie and I are staunch believers of practical learning. While lessons in the classroom can be very informative, no amount of textbooks, videos, photos, and lessons can compare to an actual experience. That is why as much as possible, we take Alexa with us on adventures that we deem safe and manageable for her.

In this instance, through her first snorkeling experience, Alexa was able to witness an actual marine ecosystem at work.

Alexa definitely enjoyed her first snorkeling experience. She went around the reef for an hour before heading back to shore.

Thank you very much for the DSD session, Jonjie, and we’re sure we’ll be back for more! It was a Christmas gift that was more than we expected. The experience of having an adventure underwater was absolutely indescribable. It was more than fun; it was truly an eye-opener. It was a reminder that Mother Nature is bigger, more mysterious, and more breathtaking than we can ever possibly imagine.

Tips

1. Contact Jonjie Deiparine at 0923-4580554 as a guide and dive instructor. Jonjie is a highly skilled instructor, having decades of experience in his belt. He has trained Coast Guard personnel, special forces, and other search-and-rescue divisions in underwater operations.

He is a top-rated, PADI certified dive instructor and is highly recommended by tourists, local divers and international divers. Not only he can introduce you to scuba diving, he can also train you to become a licensed PADI diver or even an instructor like him. He specializes in adrenaline-filled dive safaris that can last 3 to 4 days in the Philippines’ most beautiful reefs.

Furthermore, Jonjie has a very extensive network of island hopping operators, tour operators, dive shops, resort owners, and other businesses and entities in the scuba diving industry.

We assure you, you won’t regret hiring Jonjie.

2. To get to KonTiki Dive Resort from the Lapu-lapu City public market or Gaisano Mactan Island Mall, Marina Mall and anywhere in Pusok road (the highway that leads to the two Mactan-Mandaue bridges), ride a jeepney that goes to Soong, Maribago. Ask the driver to drop you off at the crossing of Datag; it’s just beside Imperial Palace and is marked by a Julie’s Bakeshop outlet. From there, you can either ride a habal-habal or walk to KonTiki Dive Resort.

3. Don’t expect a nice, sandy beach. Kontiki is a dive resort, and people go there to freedive or scuba dive rather than just frolic in the beach.

4. When swimming in KonTiki’s waters, expect a sharp change of depth within just a few meters from the shore. Thus, if there are non-swimmers in your group, it is best to let them put on life jackets or hang on to flotation devices for safety.

5. Here are KonTiki Dive Resort’s basic rates, amenities, services, contact details, etc.

For more information, check out Kontiki Dive Resort’s website.

6. Take note that you need to pay two separate expenses: one, for the rental of scuba diving equipment, and two, for the instructor’s fee. For the scuba diving equipment rental, we paid P1,150. The instructor’s fee varies, depending on what diving course or service are you taking.

7. Hungry or thirsty? You can grab a bite at KonTiki’s in-house restaurant. The prices are quite affordable.

8. Don’t forget to bring the following:

• rash guard
• board shorts or cycling shorts
• swimsuit or trunks
• water (at least 1 liter)
• soda or softdrinks (or you can buy them at KonTiki’s in-house restaurant)
• snacks (or you can buy them in KonTiki’s in-house restaurant)
• sunblock
• waterproof camera

9. Waterproof your belongings by placing them in plastic bags or dry sacks.

Whew! We never had the slightest expectation, but 2013 turned out to be a superb adventure-filled year! No, Team Sweetie is not exaggerating. The fact that virtually every weekend, we were somewhere out there, away from the warmth and comfort of our own home, is a testament to our hunger for exploration, discovery, adventure, and a healthy dose of adrenaline. And in undertaking each heart-stopping adventure, in planning and visiting each unique destination, in witnessing a magical sunrise, in partaking of a unique cultural heritage, we grow stronger…not just as a fun-loving couple, but also as steadfast advocates in appreciating, respecting, and protecting the Philippines’ indescribably beautiful treasures.

We climbed our very own Cebu Island’s magnificent peaks. They may not be the highest mountains in the country, but that doesn’t mean their beauty is wanting. Cebu’s mountains are definitely gorgeous.

We climbed new mountains that gave us a whole different view of our beloved Cebu. It made us proud to be Cebuano adventurers.

Not only did we climb closer to heaven by going up mountains, but we also explored the strange world under the bowels of the earth by crawling inside dark caves.

We sharpened our rock climbing skills and made new friends by cranking it up along our Cebu’s very own Vertigo Climbing Wall.

We discovered fun-filled, affordable venues that are jam-packed with exciting adventures for people of all ages at Papa Kits Fishing Lagoon and Marina.

Sampling our mouthwatering culinary masterpieces is an adventure on its own, an adventure that brings you closer to our proud history and culture. And Liloan’s Food Market is the epitome of great-tasting local cuisine at a price that’s friendly on the pocket.

Cruising the tranquil and picturesque Bojo River in Aloguinsan, Cebu was not only fun, but it was also educational. Our fishermen guides taught us the biology of our rivers, highlighting the importance of protecting our waterways. And by availing of such cruises, we were able to help promote sustainable eco-tourism.

We discovered charming, sunny, sandy beaches that rival the world’s best carefully tucked in Cebu’s municipalities.

Our first anniversary was nothing short of grand. We celebrated our special event by visiting one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Puerto Princesa Underground River in the Palawan, the Philippine’s last frontier. And as the adrenaline junkies that we are, we explored a cave, zip lined across farms, came face-to-face with crocodiles, visited historical sights, snorkeled on top of a reef, and cruised to sunny sandbars.

We cruised around the sandy islands beyond Mactan, which are truly small pockets of tropical paradises.

We screamed at the top of our lungs, flew over the churning waters, paddled hard, and hanged on for our dear lives as we rode a fast raft over the magnificent Cagayan de Oro River. It was an unforgettable wet, wild, and fun whitewater rafting adventure.

We set foot on Camiguin, the Island Born of Fire, and were mesmerized by its stunning natural wonders.

Instead of going to the beach last summer, we had multiple adventures in the verdant mountain resort of Mambukal in Negros.

We have always been nature lovers. But our advocacy to protect Mother Nature became even stronger when we visited our very own Buhisan Watershed and saw first-hand how fragile it is.

Sweetie’s birthday was special. We had our first snorkeling experience in the secluded Hermit’s Cove in Aloguinsan. The experience introduced us to the alien world under the sea. It also made us realize the immense value that healthy coral reefs provide to our environment.

Adventuring doesn’t always mean that we had to be away with society. In fact, we made new friends, listened to a concert, and had a party up Mt. Manunggal, Cebu’s most historic mountain.

Our second grand trip in 2013 was a long 835-kilometer road trip along the Caraga Region in Mindanao, traversing four provinces, making it our farthest backpacking trip so far. We visited enchanting, magnificent, and rare natural treasures that could easily land the country in the international tourism spotlight.

Supertyphoon Yolanda struck our country with unrivaled ferocity. Everyone, from young children to international organizations, did their part in helping the victims of the storm. We did ours by helping out in the Red Cross, donating and distributing relief goods, and feeding the victims in evacuation centers.

Being able to help others stand up on their feet amidst suffering is the best reward one can ever have. We took part of a massive relief and medical operation, organized by fellow Cebuano outdoorsmen, in the devastated Malapascua Island, Northern Cebu.

We met, climbed together, and enjoyed company with rock climbing enthusiasts from all over the Philippines during the annual Lust for Lime event.

Three valuable life lessons we learned in rock climbing: 1) you can reach your goal if you make up your mind, 2) you won’t get to your goal unless you take the first step, get off the ground, and forget your doubts, and 3) failure, falling, and stumbling are just words; they’re just misaligned but necessary steps towards success.

We lived life on the edge! We had a blast (and Sweetie got the scare of a lifetime) during our first multipitch climb in Cantabaco.

From the high mountain peaks, we went under our tropical waters to experience what it is like to be a fish in the unexplored alien world under the sea. Jonjie, our dive instructor, introduced us to our first scuba diving experience and showed us the lovely coral reefs that form the perimeter of Mactan Island.

We sampled many of our country’s exotic meals, foods that helped define our culture and made us what we are.

In our trips, we also witnessed man’s cruelty to Mother Nature. We saw the magnitude of his carelessness and destructive power.

But we also saw the best of man. He can be the forefront of the race to preserve, save, and enhance the gifts of Mother Nature.

We became extremely proud and happy of our citizens’ ingenuity and creativity despite our country’s drawbacks.

One of the best parts of adventuring is that we got to meet a lot of new friends with the same passion and spirit as us. We will treasure them for the rest of our lives.

We would like to say thank you to the amazing guides who wholeheartedly and gladly assisted us in our adventures. They have a special place in our hearts, and we know that without them, many of our adventures would have remained a dream.

A huge thanks to our loved ones and friends who supported us, one way or another, in our passion to bring you the exciting adventures, magnificent wonders, one-of-a-kind places, and rich cultural heritages that makes the Philippines the best country in the world.

Finally, we would like to thank the most important people of all, you dear readers and followers, who contributed to the success of this blog. As of this posting, with 88 total posts, Adrenaline Romance has acquired the following statistics, thanks to you:

• 68,498 views
• 88 blog followers
• 879 Twitter followers
• 1,837 Facebook followers
• 430 Facebook Page likes

Happy New Year, friends! We hope you will have an exciting, peaceful, pleasant, and adventure-filled 2014! Stay safe, rock on, and let the new adventures begin!

Learning a great deal about the world is not and should not be confined in the four corners of the classroom, the study hall, or the library. Nor is it or should it be confined to textbooks, photos, videos, websites, documentaries, and other media. In fact, most of what we truly learn comes from our experiences and interaction with the real world. We have a vastly better understanding of the concepts we encounter in textbooks, teacher’s lectures, educational TV shows, and other media if we have a glimpse of or if we experience the real thing.

Furthermore, it is enormously more fun to actually see, feel, smell, and truly experience something than just having to see read or hear about it. And we all know that if something is fun, you are more interested to learn.

We call this no-nonsense concept “practical learning.” We find this teaching methodology very effective in both introducing Alexa, Sweetie’s daughter, into the world of outdoor adventure and enhancing her learning in school. Thus, during her birthday last October 2013, we decided to give her a unique gift that she can both enjoy and learn something from—a weekend trip to the interactive Museo Pambata and the amazing Manila Ocean Park.

To make most of our first day, we took a red eye flight to Manila and arrived at the Philippines’ capital city around 4:30 AM. Sweetie had already arranged for our guide, her uncle Tito Niel, to pick us up at 6 AM and show us around. Tito Niel promptly arrived, and after we had breakfast at a nearby McDonalds, we boarded a series of jeepneys and headed to Roxas Boulevard.

After half an hour or so of commuting, we finally arrived at Museo Pambata in Roxas Boulevard.

Museo Pambata’s façade is pretty cool; just imagine a classic Spanish-architecture inspired building in the midst of an ultramodern community. Large, colorful banners outside entice children to visit the museum to play, discover, explore, and learn. By the time we got there, there were plenty of kids waiting at the gate for the museum to open.

We arrived there 30 minutes early, so we got some time to check out the colorful playground at the front of the museum. Museo Pambata is not just a place for learning but also a place for children to exercise and have fun.

The highlight of the museum’s playground is this shell of a Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopter, nicknamed Huey, the iconic chopper of the Vietnam War. We’ve never been inside a Huey before, and we’ve only seen them in action movies such as the Rambo series. It was our chance to experience what it is like to be inside a helicopter even if it was only a shell. The interior was actually bigger than we imagined.

After paying the registration fee, we went inside the museum. The first thing we saw was this nice model of a Spanish-era house. This is a scale model of the Leoncio House, a classic middle-class residence in the 1930s. Since the model is placed at the center of the museum’s main hallway and that it bears a resemblance to the architecture of the building, then the present Museo Pambata building must be either a building inspired by the Lencio house or the result of countless renovations of the Leoncio House.

The building was the office of the Manila Elks Club, an American-only club that established itself in the Philippines in the early 1900s.

Museum staff briefed the children on the history and rules of the museum. There’s one who isn’t a child there. Hehehe!

Kalikasan

The museum is divided into sectors called exhibits. Now, unlike ordinary museums wherein exhibited items are only for display, Museo Pambata features hand-on exhibits that children can see, touch, hear, and experience. It’s truly an interactive museum, one that also functions as a playground, art center, and library. It makes learning, exploration, and discovery more fun.

First, we went to the Kalikasan exhibit, a simulated coastal area and rainforest. The exhibit aims to showcase the beauty of Mother Nature, inspiring children to take action to protect her. The coastal area was our first stop; upon entering, it seemed like we were actually underwater. There were huge sculptures of jellyfish, kelps, dolphins, and other sea creatures.

The exhibit also features coastal and mangrove areas. On the walls are numerous boards that explain facts about mangroves and the importance of maintaining them.

We also found some fun masks lying around, so Alexa and I tried to mimic the cruel Davy Jones. Hehehe!

Shells and marine mollusks are the jewels of the sea. I used to have quite an impressive shell collection when I was a teenager. Seeing these shells made me miss my collection.

Next, we went to the rainforest section of the Kalikasan exhibit. Well, only part of the exhibit actually involves anything about the rainforest. Most of the items in this section are simply cutouts of trees, a few plant specimens in jars, and wall signs that describe the destruction of the country’s lush and valuable rainforests.

However, there is a nice corner here that displays a detailed cutout of the majestic Philippine eagle, our national bird. The Philippine Eagle, by the way, is a critically endangered specie due to the massive loss of its home, our rainforests.

This is pretty cool too as there’s a neat slide that children can play on.

There are areas that provide fun and interactive activities for children. For instance, this particular area enables kids to etch images of leaves using fixed stencils. Plenty of crayons and small sheets of paper are provided by the museum. Sweetie and Alexa also played with large puzzle pieces.

A large section of this exhibit is devoted to display the typical life in the mountains, faraway provinces, and rural areas in the Philippines. The museum even has a nice simulated rice paddy, complete with text that explains how farming in the Philippines is done.

“Bahay kubo/kahit munti/ang halaman doon/ay sari sari . . .” so goes the famous Filipino folk song. The exhibit features a scaled-down bahay kubo, or nipa hut, a type of stilt house that is common in the mountains, farmlands, and rural areas in the Philippines. Bahay kubos are made of light materials such as bamboo, nipa, and wood.

“Singkamas at talong/ sigarilyas at mani/ sitaw, bataw, patani.” The last lines of the mentioned folk song enumerate common vegetables and crops that rural peasants grow in gardens beside their homes. Having such vegetable garden allows a homeowner to have a somewhat ready supply of ingredients to be harvested and prepared for a meal.

And no, the photo below does not show the real vegetables. These are just knitted, stuffed representations of those vegetables.

In some rural areas, apothecaries still exist. An apothecary is a historical name for a professional who formulates, creates, and provides medicines to doctors and patients. An apothecary usually sells his formulas, medications as well as raw ingredients in his own retail shop called a botika. This is synonymous to the modern pharmacy.

It is important to note that an apothecary is not a witch doctor. An apothecary uses herbs, plants, and other natural materials with healing properties to create his medicines. On the other hand, a witch doctor uses rituals, incantations, and non-medical, non-proven means of treatment.

These are just a few of the many, many herbs rural folks use to treat ailments and minor injuries. All of them have healing properties of some sort.

Creepy Crawlers

After exploring the Kalikasan exhibit, we went to another one called Creepy Crawlers. As you guessed it, this area displays spiders, insects, worms, and other organisms that make your skin itch and crawl. Of course, none are alive; all are either dead or just sculptures.

Colorful wall boards like these provide useful information regarding insects. These creepy crawlers should not be viewed as pests or organisms that are out to cause inconvenience and danger. Instead, we should view them as an integral part of our ecosystem.

Watch out for that monster spider! No, that’s just a sculpture. But if there exists a real spider as big as that, we’ll probably die of sheer terror!

And there are colossal red ants marching down the museum’s walls too! Hehe, don’t worry. They’re just made of plastic and fiberglass.

Herbal Garden

We went outside to see the museum’s herbal garden. This exhibit, as its name implies, displays the different herbs that exist in the Philippines.

Going around the verdant Herbal Garden made us feel as if we went back in time and went around the greenhouse of a large Victorian-era mansion. Also, the herbs filled the air with a pleasant, fragrant scent that was totally the opposite of the suffocating, stinky, polluted air of Manila.

Boards identify the herbs and provide information about their uses, where they are grown, and other information.

Recycling things to help lessen the senseless and irresponsible harvest of Mother Nature’s resources is one of Museo Pambata’s advocacies. Check out the herbs; they’re grown in empty soda bottles that are cleverly converted to hanging pots. Plastic pipes, trays, and even the remains of a lamppost are used to display the herbs.

Old Manila

We went back inside the main building to visit another exhibit that took us a journey back in time, hundreds of years past. The exhibit features what Manila was like during the early 15th to the mid 19th century.

Upon entering, the Old Manila exhibit, we saw large illuminated posters of our national heroes. There was a phone for each poster. We didn’t try it out, but we guess that when activated, one could listen to a recording of who that hero is and what he’s done for the country.

Revered heroes can be anyone, not just some brave general, intelligent leader, or brilliant inventor. Ordinary people like these children can be heroes too.

One of the most prominent displays in the exhibit is this beautiful wooden rendition of a Spanish galleon. In the past, galleons were used to transport people and cargo across treacherous oceans. They were the link between Spain, Mexico (a country ruled by Spain at that time), and the Philippines, the link that gave birth to the global trade by ship.

Ferdinand Magellan found the Philippines by accident; his original destination was the archipelago of Maluku, or what was once known as Spice Islands by the Chinese and Europeans. Through this discovery, the Philippines became a very port-of-call, later becoming a major waypoint and supplier of more spices, for the Galleon Trade.

The exhibit shows some of the spices that were once shipped to other countries. During the Galleon Trade, spices were even more valuable than gold.

Another highlight of the Old Manila exhibit is this huge replica of a Spanish-era cathedral. By the looks of it, this is a replica of the exalted Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, popularly known as the Quiapo Church.

As a result of massive Spanish cultural influence, the Philippines is known as the most predominantly Catholic country in Asia. In fact, 90 percent of Filipino worshipers are Catholic.

The interior of the Quiapo Church replica features a beautifully rendered altar that displays various religious figures that faithful Roman Catholic Filipinos worship.

Yet another highlight of the exhibit is this wooden tram. This is a replica of one of Meralco’s Tranvia, the country’s first electric railway that started operating in 1905. According to the information board in front of the replica, during its operation, residents were given nightly free rides from Jardinero to Intramuros. The fare then was 10 centavos for second-class seats at the rear and 12 for first class seats up front. Accommodating the Tranvia’s tracks required roads where the tracks were fixed to be widened and paved.

Photos of Old Manila bring nostalgia to grandpas and grandmas visiting Museo Pambata. For us belonging in the younger generation, the photos give us a glimpse of what Old Manila looked like.

La Puerta del Sol

Manila is known for its intense shopping atmosphere. You can feel it everywhere. Every day, floods of people visit massive shopping malls, brightly lit department stores, exclusive specialty shops, noisy open markets, and lively tianges.

The city’s shopping fever may have started sometime during the 19th century with the emergence of La Puerta del Sol, the country’s first and only department store during that time. The façade of the exhibit may be a faithful representation of what La Puerta del Sol looked like.

Some items on display are actual carefully preserved products sold in the department store. As seen on the information board, La Puerta del Sol sold imported items to Manila’s wealthy citizens.

Bahay na Bato

There is no replica of what the interior of the La Puerta del Sol façade must have looked like. Instead, the Museo Pambata built a replica of a classic bahay na bato (house of stone). The bahay na bato is a typical residence of the upper and middle-class families during the 19th and 20th centuries. The second floor of the house, which served as a warm living space, sat on the first floor, which is made of strong foundation of coral stone blocks. The first floor acted as a garage, stockroom, or workplace.

One of the most iconic features of the bahay na bato is its wood-framed sliding windows that are adorned with translucent capiz shells.

An open-air, horse-drawn coach (locally known as a tartanilla) served as the household transport in going around places. Tartanillas were once used for both private and public transportation before the advent of the faster and more convenient automobiles.

We went up the bahay na bato replica and entered what it seemed like a bedroom with an intricately designed crib and a nice table set. There was also a very well-preserved Maria Clara gown on display; this iconic gown is the Philippine’s national costume for women. But in reality, it was worn only by women in the upper and middle-class families.

Some old and well-preserved household items and decorations are placed on display in the bahay na bato.

It was time to move to the second floor of the museum. Along the way, we found expertly done paintings made by some of the Philippines’ best artists. Most of the paintings depict everyday activities of the Filipino child.

A young booklover’s favorite place! The second floor of the museum has a lovely, colorful library filled with interesting books. Unfortunately, it was still closed when we got there; we took this shot through the library’s glass door.

Seeing the kiddie library was like being injected with a needle of nostalgia. We remember visiting the school library during recess and after class to read and borrow books. In fact, our filled-up library cards were our badges of pride.

We feel bad that many of today’s children rarely visit libraries. During our time, we visited libraries voluntarily and remain there for hours because of the sheer joy, excitement, and interest of learning new things. Today, many children visit libraries only to complete assignments or because their teachers told them to do so.

Pamilihang Bayan

Has your kid ever gone shopping in open-air wet markets with you? No? Well, he or she is not alone. With the proliferation of modern and convenient air-conditioned malls and grocery stores, many kids haven’t actually experienced buying goods the traditional way.

Museo Pambata aims to re-integrate children to the concept of traditional shopping and the dynamics of a classic Filipino neighborhood. Thus, they created the Pamilihang Bayan exhibit as a simulation of that community. All over the place are small stores that “sell” various goods that are typically found in open-air markets and neighborhood stores.

The simulated community is fully interactive. Children can take the role of shopkeepers, which may spark their entrepreneurial interests.

No community is ever complete without your friendly fire station, right? It isn’t every day that we got to ride a fire truck. So we took that golden opportunity here even if the fire truck is just, well, a toy.

Playing with the bahay kubo, hand pump, and the traditional grain pounder enable children to experience what it was like to do things during OUR time. This helps them appreciate and never to take for granted the conveniences they are enjoying today.

My Body Works

Have you ever seen the movie Innerspace? It tells the story of a man, miniaturized by technology, travelling inside the body of a human. Now, Museo Pambata guests offer the same opportunity for children sans the miniaturization. The My Body Works exhibit allows children to discover the human body with the use of a tunnel maze. The exhibit aims to explain to children how body organs work and how to keep the body healthy.

It all starts in the mouth.

Upon entering the exhibit, guests can see this giant esophagus, which act as a play tunnel for kids. For us, it was a little bit morbid; counting the head outside the exhibit, the entire thing looks like one giant monster out of a Lovecraftian movie.

The exhibit features giant models of the human organs, all interactive and have information boards.

Did we say interactive? Oh, yes! You can listen to your friend’s heartbeat, discover the sounds that certain body parts make, know how the heart works, feel objects without seeing them, and others. It’s truly a fun place to be!

For children, these bits of information are very interesting and useful. We would imagine a child, after reading any of these boards, will exclaim, “Wow! So that’s what dust is!”

The displays are both for information and fun. For instance, a child can move acetates of the body’s various systems. He can see the actual results of a real X-ray. And, he can be part of a photo collage that shows how he is both different and similar to other children all around the planet.

Here are models of the go, grow, and glow foods. This enables children to understand the importance of maintaining a balanced and healthy diet.

I Love My Planet Earth

According to the famous astronomer Carl Sagan in his speech about the Earth photo entitled The Pale Blue Dot, our planet is, at the moment, the only home we’ll ever have. There’s no sign that help will be coming from somewhere else; as of now, we, humans, are responsible for helping one another. Yes, Earth is where we make our stand.

That’s why it is essential for children to understand the concept of environmental protection and preservation. The I Love My Planet Earth exhibit shows children what they can do to save Mother Earth. They can also view exhibits relating to today’s environmental issues.

One of the most prominent displays in the exhibit is this model of an off-road vehicle. It shows how automobile emissions pollute the environment. However, the signboards around the off-road vehicle also teach children how to reduce automobile emissions.

Many displays show and explain to the museum’s guests the dynamics of global warming, pollution, greenhouse effect, and other environmental issues of today.

The concept of renewable energy, limited freshwater sources, reducing carbon footprints, and others are thoroughly and clearly explained through interactive displays and child-friendly artworks.

We also came face-to-face with an actual moon rock. Yes, we’re talking about a genuine rock from our nearest celestial neighbor about 356,400 to 406,700 kilometers away from us, depending on its position relative to our planet. This small piece of rock was given to the Philippines by then US President Bill Clinton.

Career Options

What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor? A pilot? A teacher? For many children who have attuned themselves on their creative streaks, they want to be artists and writers. The Career Options exhibit gives children a cool look of the world of art and literature, a glimpse of what they can be if they pursue their interests in creativity. This was the last stop of our Museo Pambata tour.

The exhibit features a very nice activity area where children can read, write, draw, and play.

Alexa had fun trying out different costumes in the Career Options exhibit.

This is Alexa’s corner. She loves drawing and has become pretty good at it. We’re very supportive of her passion.

Many panels inside the exhibit feature very colorful and informative comic pages. Usually, the comics tell tales regarding the Filipino child’s innate interest of arts and literature and how that interest could be developed.

Yes, that’s truly, definitely, surely my corner.

On the walls inside the Writer’s corner are views, opinions, and pointers of various Filipino writers about pursuing a career in writing and literature.

The Writer’s Corner also features covers of children’s books written by Filipino authors as well as their notes, newspaper clippings, and other memorabilia.

Thank you, Museo Pambata! Our 2-hour stay in the interactive museum was truly enjoyable, and we definitely learned a lot.

On a final note, our educational system should seriously consider revamping their curriculum to include practical learning. For children (and even adults), Learning is more fun if they are actually able to fully interact with what they need to learn. And we all know that if something is more fun to children, they will most likely take a greater interest in it.

Tips

1. Use the following details to get in touch with Museo Pambata:

• Mailing/Street Address: Museo Pambata, Roxas Boulevard cor. South Drive, Manila, Philippines
• Phone Numbers: (02) 523-1797 to 98 / (02) 536-0595
• E-mail: info@museopambata.org

2. For more information on the museum’s events, advocacies, activities, rates, etc., check out Museo Pambata’s website at http://museopambata.org/

3. The museum’s operating hours are stated in the photo below:

4. If you bring your own car, you need to pay a parking fee:

5. Always follow the museum’s house rules:

6. For convenience, leave large bags in the reception’s courtesy counter.

7. Bring the following:

• camera (you can take photos inside the museum)
• extra clothes for children
• bottle of water

Wall climbing and rock climbing are exciting, adrenaline-pumping activities that are, sadly, just faint blips in Philippine sports. In fact, there are only a handful of artificial walls in the country much less outdoor crags and bouldering areas. There is almost no government support in promoting the sport or developing climbing areas, and even the private sector gives wall climbing and rock climbing a cursory glance.

Yet, out of the efforts of the Philippines’ small but dedicated climbing community, we have produced professional, world-class climbers who have became medalists and champions in prestigious international climbing competitions—champions that brought honor and pride to our nation. And many of these climbers started off in humble climbing gyms like Power Up Center for Climbing and Fitness in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, one of the first climbing facilities in the country.

First LRT Ride

After spending two hours in the Museo Pambata, we went straight to the Manila LRT (Light Rail Transit) station at United Nations Avenue to catch a ride. Sweetie, Alexa, and I were quite giddy with excitement during this particular episode of our adventure. You see, we’ve never rode a fast, modern rail system in our lives, and we’d like to experience how it is like to be whisked away at a constant 60 kilometers per hour.

Here comes the train! An LRT system (or any modern mass transportation system) in Cebu City would definitely be very useful in decongesting the traffic in our main thoroughfares. It can also carry more passengers than dilapidated jeepneys and can transport them over long distances within a short amount of time. Finally, considering it runs on electricity, an LRT has less carbon footprint than fleets of jeepneys.

Cebu deserves to have an LRT, or a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit, a mass transportation system that utilizes buses instead of trains. The buses drive along a dedicated lane). But our country’s ugly politics, particularly the rift between the national government and the local government unit, creates an almost unsolvable barrier to implementing such a system.

Ah, so this is what’s inside an LRT car. It is clean, air-conditioned and comfortable. After experiencing the comfort, safety and efficiency of time on riding the LRT, we became more convinced that jeepneys, especially those that are driven by maniacal drivers, should be totally banned from traveling along main thoroughfares.

The LRT has enough room for hundreds of passengers at any one time. With all cars running, the LRT can transport around 470,000 to 600,000 people in a day!

Power Up Center for Climbing and Fitness Tandang Sora

In just 15 minutes, we disembarked at the Baclaran station and stopped by the Baclaran market to purchase some cheap clothes. Then we rode a bus at the market’s bus terminal to Tandang Sora, Quezon City. After an almost two-hour ride (yes, Manila’s traffic is that horrendous), we reached Tandang Sora where we had a simple but sumptuous lunch. After lunch, we set off to find the climbing gym.

Well, it wasn’t difficult to find it all. Power Up Tandang Sora Climbing Gym was just a five-minute walk away from where we had lunch.

Before anything else, we sincerely apologize for some of the blurry photos. We were in action as the photos were taken, and the interior of the gym was a bit dim.

Unfortunately, we arrived at the gym a full hour before opening time. We tried to ask the attendant if we could climb by ourselves. Anyway, a top rope system was already set up, and we know how to belay each other. Nope, we need to wait for the instructor who will arrive in an hour.

Thus, we took the time to check out the gym. That’s the counter and office, which offers personnel an encompassing view of the entire gym. A couple of shelves are placed nearby where climbers can put their shoes, bags, and other personal belongings.

Lockers are available for rent at a minimal price. If you want to climb here every day, then it’s best to get a locker so you won’t have to haul your climbing gear when you go home after every training session.

This banner says it all. Climbers may have different genders, ages, professions, nationalities, beliefs, cultures, etc. But in a climbing gym, all of them are eyeing on one goal: to reach the anchor.

Although done in a controlled environment, indoor climbing can be dangerous. Indeed, a momentary lapse of concentration can injure someone. Thus, be sure to take into heart the standard climbing safety procedures and climbing commands.

Also, check out for banners that announce special events that you may be interested in joining.

Another safety technique that you need to master as a climber is spotting. Proper spotting prevents a climber from incurring injuries if he or she falls at start or a couple of feet up a route or problem (the term used to denote a “route” when bouldering).

One of the nicest things about Power Up in Tandang Sora is that they have an assortment of training equipment designed to improve climbing performance. For example, they have a campus board (the inclined wooden panel with slats), which is used to develop upper body strength. They also have a training board to improve finger strength.

Not shown in the photo below are a couple of barbells, dumbbells, a lat machine, and other weight-training equipment.

These cute kids were cleaning the gym mats when we arrived. Upon seeing us change into our climbing attire, they immediately beamed and headed to the main climbing wall to show their skills. And when we tell you that they have skills, we’re talking about really good climbing skills!

These children, we learned, have joined and won several climbing competitions! In fact, they’re way better than we are! Wow!

It’s really great to see children exhibiting a passion and showing great interest in sports. Engaging in an active lifestyle helps them keep and maintain a healthy body and mind. It develops confidence, willpower, and strategic thinking at an early age. Joining a sport teaches them the value of honor, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Power Up has a really nice bouldering area with steep overhangs and a cave roof. It occupies one quadrant of the facility, which means, that’s one big bouldering area! Bouldering is a type of rock climbing that involves climbing a boulder or wall without using safety equipment such as a rope or harness. The problems are usually less than 20 feet. To prevent injury, bouldering mats are used to soften a climber’s fall.

Since we still had half an hour to spare, we warmed up on some of the problems.

Go, Sweetie! The photo below gives you an idea of how the bouldering wall is inclined.

Sweetie enjoyed the warm up. We do hope that our own climbing wall in Cebu will have its own bouldering section someday.

While Sweetie rested, I tried out the roof section of the bouldering wall. It was still quite slippery since the children cleaned off the holds.

Working on this steep roof is an excellent way to develop techniques in climbing steep overhangs and roofs.

Seeing I had fun on this particular section of the bouldering wall, Sweetie got envious. Hehe! She stood from her seat and tried out the section.

After we had our fill of bouldering, we stretched our muscles by traversing the walls of the main climbing area.

I practiced a few moves that I’ve seen in YouTube and other online resources to develop more efficient climbing techniques that can save strength and energy.

While traversing the walls, it was very evident that the walls were diligently maintained. Not one hold was loose or rotated in its axis. All holds were firmly affixed and comfortable to grip.

The instructors and a few regular climbers started arriving around 2PM. Most of the people in the Philippine climbing community are friendly, so you don’t have to be intimidated in approaching them. In fact, they warmly welcome anyone who shows interest in rock/wall climbing since the climbing community in the country is very small and tight-knit.

Here’s a nice view of the gym’s walls. The entire climbing wall is divided into 8 top rope lines of varying grades. There is also a single 40-foot wall with a roof for lead climbing.

Climbing time! It’s time to check out the walls. I warmed up on an easy, slightly inclined roof to loosen up my muscles. I totally enjoyed the climb.

However, we are just confused over one thing, and that is about their belaying service. You see, their rate card includes a separate belayer rate, which means that availing of the belayer’s service is optional. Otherwise, if it was mandatory, it should have been incorporated in the walk-in rate, shouldn’t it? Since Sweetie and I know how to safely belay each other anyway,we planned not to avail of the in-house belaying service.

However, we were told by the attendant that we should avail of the belayer service; it’s mandatory and it’s for safety reasons. If that’s the case, then we suggest that it should be incorporated in the walk-in climb rate to avoid confusion. If not, then what does it take for us NOT to avail the service so we can belay each other? A referral, perhaps? Do we need some sort of a climbing ID or certificate? If yes, how can we avail of such document?

Sweetie warmed up on face-type of wall. As she climbed, I saw that her climbing technique has really improved a lot.

After a short rest, I was ready to climb another wall. This time, however, I chose to follow a designated route. What do I mean? Well, do you notice the colored tapes under the holds? In attempting a certain route, I had to use only the handholds and footholds that are marked by a designated tape color, in this case, white. The climb is not legal if you grip or step on any handhold or foothold that is not designated with the white tape. It’s a lot harder than you think.

After I successfully sent the route, Sweetie thought about trying the same challenge on another route. The hold with the white square is the designated starting handhold or foothold. Check out the handholds and footholds she’s stepping on; all are designated with a white tape.

Sweetie was able to successfully finish the route without takes (resting on the rope), but she said she had to pause a couple of times to scan the designated holds.

Above Power Up’s office is a platform that serves as a rest area and storage space. It overlooks the main climbing area and is a perfect vantage point for taking photos.

“Come on! You can do it! Just a little bit more!” Fellow climbers and friends use these words to encourage this lady to give it her all to get past through a roof. This is one reason why we love climbing. Everyone encourages, cheers, and prods everyone to do their best to accomplish a goal. That is why there’s always a positive atmosphere in a climbing area.

Then it was my turn to climb a roof. Let’s see if we can do this without falling, taking, or resting.

Heave ho! Grunt! Grunt! Yes, I made it. By constantly practicing in a climbing gym, a climber discovers and develops innovative techniques to overcome a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Climbing constantly improves his strength and enhances his reasoning, strategy-development, and problem-solving skills. It helps you regain your self-confidence and self-esteem.

In other words, climbing helps make you a better person.

We wanted to stay for a few more hours, but we had to catch a ride back to Roxas Boulevard so we can see the famous Musical Fountain Show in Manila Ocean Park. Thus, feeling a little bit sad after climbing for only an hour and a half, we did a final cool-down climb.

Check the photo below; it clearly shows the degree of steepness and the roof of a couple of routes. Now, you may say, “I can’t climb that! That’s too steep!” Believe us, you can! Yes, you may need a bit of coaching and strength training, but it’s the willpower and the belief that you can do it that can make you succeed.

Thank you Tom Sales, our assigned belayer Allan Cruz, new climbing friends, and the rest of the staff of Power Up Tandang Sora for letting us climb your walls. We are definitely honored to visit the birthplace of the Filipino luminaries of rock/wall climbing. We will surely be back for more climbing fun; you can count on that.

Tips

1. Get in touch with Power Up Center for Climbing and Fitness in Tandang Sora using the following contact details:

• Street Address: 690 Old Balara, Tandang Sora, Quezon City
• Phone Number: (632) 932-7273
• Facebook page: Power Up Climbing

2. There are several ways to go to Power Up Tandang Sora from Manila proper:

• Option 1: Take the LRT and disembark at the Baclaran Market. Walk through the market until you reach the Balaran Terminal. From there, take a bus going to Quezon City. Disembark at Commonwealth Avenue corner Tandang Sora.

• Option 2: Take a bus to Fairview from the MRT Cubao Station (Farmer’s Plaza) or from Edsa corner Quirino Avenue. Disembark at Commowealth Avenue corner Tandang Sora.

Your landmarks are the KFC outlet and the pedestrian overpass there. Walk around 50 meters to the first street corner, which leads uphill. You will see the Power Up Gym sign just outside the climbing center.

3. Power Up Tandang Sora is open on the following hours and days:

• Monday to Friday – 2PM to 10PM
• Saturday and Sunday – 12PM to 8PM

4. Power Up Tandang Sora has the following facilities:

• a large climbing area divided into 8 top rope lines
• one 40-foot line for lead climbing
• bouldering area with roof
• mini-gym
• lockers
• changing room
• toilet
• bike parking inside the facility
• limited parking space outside

5. Check out the established climb rates in Power Up Tandang Sora according to their flyer. Rates are subject to change without prior notice, so it’s better to contact the gym beforehand for updates:

Walk-In rates

• Walk-In Adult – Php 150 (all day climbing)
• Walk-In High-School Students and children – Php 120 (all day climbing)
• Walk-In Bouldering – Php 120 (all day bouldering)

Membership Rates

• 2 week membership – Php 600 (climb any time you want)
• 1 month membership – Php 1,300 (climb any time you want)
• 2 months membership plus 1 month free – Php P2,600 (climb any time you want)
• Personalized Training – Php 2,400 (scheduled)

Equipment Rental/Services

• Climbing shoes – Php 40 per pair
• Harness – Php 40 per piece
• Belayer – Php 100 per 30 minutes

6. If you have your own climbing partner with you, ask the staff if you can waive the belayer service. When we got there, we were told that getting THEIR belayer is mandatory despite explaining to them that Sweetie and I are climbing partners and we’ve been climbing for years.

7. You can step outside for refreshments. There are bakeries, sari-sari stores, restaurants, and other establishments outside the gym.

8. Don’t get intimidated by the climbers there. All of them are really friendly once you get to know them. Remember that no matter how strong and skillful they are, they have also started somewhere.

9. Pack light but do bring the following:

• personal climbing equipment if you have your own (climbing shoes, chalk bag, harness)
• climbing attire (comfy shorts, dry-fit shirt, tank top, or sports bra for ladies)
• extra clothes (trust us, you’ll get really sweaty)
• face towel
• water, juice, or energy drink (at least 1 liter)

Let us talk about numbers for the moment. According to the World Atlas of Coral Reefs published by the University of California, coral reefs cover more than 284,000 square kilometers of the planet. That is just 0.1 percent of our ocean’s total surface area. A majority of the area occupied by coral reefs, around 92 percent, is located in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes Southeast Asia, Australia, the Indian Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. Around 32 percent of that coral-encrusted area is in Southeast Asia.

Now, we all know that the Philippines is located in the coral-rich region of Southeast Asia. But what most of you probably don’t know is that, according to National Geographic, our own country’s coral reef area is the second largest in Asia. Put in numbers, we have a humongous coral reef area of 26,000 square kilometers, which holds an astonishing variety of marine species. So far, marine biologists have identified more than 400 coral species, with 12 of which are endemic, and over 915 reef fish species. And they have barely scratched the surface.

Sadly, not everyone can witness our stunning, otherworldly coral gardens. To do so, one needs to invest in snorkeling or scuba equipment to witness the alien world under the sea. If he wishes to explore deeper, he needs special training, which is, admittedly, insanely expensive. He has to face a variety of special risks that are not normally encountered on dry land.

But there’s no need to fret. Fortunately, China Oceanis Philippines, a subsidiary of China Oceanis Inc., has developed a facility that enables people to have a glimpse of our reefs without getting their feet wet! That facility is the Manila Ocean Park, located near the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park. With an area of 8,000 square meters, the Manila Ocean Park is actually bigger than Singapore’s Sentosa Underwater World oceanarium.

This was our main birthday gift to Alexa; we’re sure she would enjoy the marine exhibits here. But most importantly, this was part of practical learning. Alexa would see actual marine organisms “at work,” know more about their unique features, and determine how they fit in a reef’s ecosystem.

After spending more than an hour of climbing in Power Up Tandang Sora, we headed back to Roxas Boulevard. It was a good thing we came on a Saturday, a weekend, because traffic was moderate in EDSA. Our guide, Tito Neil, said that during weekends, traffic is horrendous.

But even if it was a weekend, Roxas Boulevard was abuzz with activity.

A short walk later, we arrived at the gate of Manila Ocean Park. Everyone was clearly excited considering that none of us has ever been to an actual ocenarium before.

By the time we arrived at the oceanarium, there were busloads after busloads of young elementary-level students of different schools. Apparently, they were on field trips organized by their respective schools.

Before you can enter the oceanarium, you need to pay for tickets in this booth. Ticket prices can vary, depending on the exhibits and packages that you wish to avail.

Let’s check out some of their offers. We believe that we booked at the right dates because the prices of their attractions were slashed off. Also, they bundled attractions into packages, which were valid for a limited period.We believe this was a shrewd move by the oceanarium’s management. By themselves, each exhibit is simply too expensive for the average person to afford.

We had enough money to take the Deep See Rush package. From the name and the inclusions of the package, this package apparently aims to introduce guests to the wonders beneath the sea.

From this point, this post will feature videos linked to our YouTube account. We feel that merely posting photos is not sufficient to explain the marine wonders we’ve seen in the Manila Ocean Park. Besides, some photos turned out dark and blurred, especially in the Bahura section of the oceanarium, because one, flash photography is not allowed and two, we are using a point-and-click digital camera.

Musical Fountain Show

Our first activity was to witness the Musical Fountain Show, which is performed in an open-air stadium outside the main oceanarium. Children and parents came in droves, eagerly waiting for the magical show to start.

The show started as soon as the entirety of the sun’s disc dipped into the waters off Manila Bay. The first segment involves this laser light show that features a talking fish welcoming the audience and stating the rules and regulations.

Suddenly, lively music blared through the speakers, colorful laser lights lit up the night sky, and jets of water formed delightful spikes that pierced the air. The show has started!

Below is a video of the fountain’s first performance of the night. It may be nowhere near the magnificent Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas or the vast Dubai Fountains. Still, the musical fountain’s magic awoke the child in us, and we were as giddy as the kids there.

Another cool feature of Manila Ocean Park’s fountain is its capability to spray a huge fan of water into the air. The result is a large translucent screen in which animated images of Disney and Pixar characters are projected.

The musical fountain show ran for around half an hour, comprising of around four or five different performances. Some of the performances feature mascots and dancers carrying out certain routines in concert with the musical fountain. Personally, we found their routines bland and actually distracting.

All too soon, the finale came, with the fountain “dancing” to the tune of one of Yanni’s composition.

Extremely tired but truly satisfied from the day’s fast-paced activities, we had dinner at a local Jollibee outlet and, at last, blissfully retired in our room at GoHotel in EDSA.

Oceanarium

Not wanting to join anticipated throngs of people, we woke up early the next day and headed to Manila Ocean Park. However, since it was our first to take the MRT and the LRT by ourselves, we got a little bit delayed.

We met Tito Neil at the Jollibee outlet at Rizal Park and ate a heavy breakfast. We also got into a squabble with an unscrupulous, scamming tartanila driver who initially charged a less-than-a-mile ride for P150 for our entire group of four. We really didn’t want to take the ride since the price is too expensive and Manila Ocean Park is just a 15-minute hike away from Jollibee. However, we want to let Alexa experience what it’s like to ride in a tartanilia; that’s a part of practical learning.

But halfway to Manila Ocean Park, he suddenly announced that we need to pay P150 each! What the heck! A couple of his partners “assisted” him, and we got into a heated squabble. Finally, Sweetie had enough and alerted an MMDA policeman. Seeing the policeman approaching, the tartanila driver and his cohorts left in a jiffy.

You want a traveler tip? Never avail of a tartanila ride in Rizal Park. Ever! These scheming guys will rip your wallet apart. In Cebu, a tartanila ride only costs around 8 to 10 pesos.

Anyway, when we arrived at around 9:30 AM, there were already several crowds of children waiting for the oceanarium to open. Sweetie’s long-time friend, Kei, together with her family, was also there, having arranged a meet-up with us a few days before our trip. At exactly 10 AM, the doors opened, and we joined the kids in the oceanarium’s massive Rotunda.

You can buy souvenirs and other knickknacks at the souvenir item just behind the entrance doors. While they may look cool and cute, personally, we find their wares overly expensive.

After locating Tito Neil who got lost inside the facility, we excitedly went inside the main attraction of the park, its massive oceanarium, which hosts various species of freshwater and saltwater creatures.

Hold on, what’s a rainforest setting got to do in an oceanarium? You may wonder. Indeed, the first part of the oceanarium features a wooded setting. Are we in the right place?

Well, it turned out that the first part of the oceanarium featured aquariums and exhibits of freshwater marine fauna. These are remarkable animals that inhabit our streams, rivers, and lakes.There were many other species of freshwater fish in aquariums. Although not as colorful as that of saltwater fish, these creatures are still extremely gorgeous!

The deep sea is not the only body of water that holds humongous creatures. Our freshwater rivers, lakes, and streams are also homes to huge creatures such as this alligator gar, a huge primitive ray-finned fish. It is named as such due to its teeth and snout, which looks like those of an alligator. It is one of the largest species of gar; reports of alligator gars 8 to 10 feet in length have been reported.

Strange species of fish also inhabit freshwater systems. Sightings of these weird fish give rise to legends of marine monsters such as Loch Ness’s Nessie. Check out this catfish below. The catfish is named for its unique barbels, which look like a cat’s whiskers.

Sans the modern contraptions, it really seemed like we were walking inside the ruins of an ancient temple that has been overgrown by the jungle.

Check out those trailing vines! They’re quite eerie and beautiful.

That’s a saltwater crocodile, the biggest of all living reptiles and the largest riparian predator in the planet. This guy is still pretty small compared to the crocs we saw in the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, but don’t let its size fool you. It’s a true and brutal killing machine!

Another predatory fish displayed in Manila Ocean Park are these red-bellied piranhas. Movies such as the Piranha series give these fish a reputation as ferocious predators. In reality, this is not really the case as their main diet is insects, worms, and other fish. However, they can be aggressive if threatened. Furthermore, red-bellied piranhas do not hunt together as a group; they group together to protect themselves from other predators.

Farther down, we saw a shallow tank full of very graceful skates swimming across sands. The way their bodies “flutter” for locomotion is just awesome to look at.

Bahura (meaning “reef” in English) is dark, but illumination is provided by lighted tanks. This exhibit features the diverse species of marine life that inhabit our rich and beautiful coral reefs. After seeing the marine life here, you feel the need to do something to protect and preserve our reef systems.

Be sure to follow the rules as posted at the entrance of Bahura.

The beautiful Bahura exhibit has plenty of clean, clear blue-lighted fish tanks that let you fully view marine life in all their glory.

Lighted information boards such as these tell you a lot of details about the creatures displayed in the tanks.

Oh, are those Nemo’s brothers? That’s a lot of colorful clownfish. Clownfish are common seawater reef fish that develop symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationships with anemones. The sea anemone protects clownfish from predators. In return, clownfish defend the anemone from parasites and anemone-eating fish.

Look at all those vibrant fish! Absolutely beautiful!

Check out those weird twig-like fish that swim vertically in the video below

Lovers! Actually, they are a couple of stonefish, also called sumaplaw or catasan in Tagalog. To protect itself from predators and to hide themselves from their pray, stonefish use superb camouflage to blend perfectly with the surroundings. While they can be seen relatively clearly here (still they look like a clump or rocks), they are almost invisible out there in the wild.

A stonefish has venomous spines to further protect itself from predators. Being stung by a stonefish is a very, very painful experience that can last for days. In fact, some fishermen who got stung by such a fish ask to have the affected part amputated just to ease the pain!

Aside from fish, many aquariums also showcase other creatures. Check out this strange nautilus. The utterly alien-looking nautilus is an ancient marine mollusk that inhabits deeper parts of a reef system, typically around several hundred meters below the water’s surface. They are usually harvested for their beautiful spiral shells, which are prized by shell collectors and homeowners.

The next time you wade barefoot in the sea and you feel you’re stepping on sharp rocks, put on your snorkeling mask and peer under the water. You might not be stepping on rocks but on bivalves like these tiny clams. Starfish, seabirds, and other creatures prey on these clams.

See those hair-like organisms? Those are sea anemones, which are usually mistaken for marine plants. Sea anemones are predatory creatures that feed on microscopic organisms, plankton, bacteria, and even small fish. They stun their prey with toxins from their nematocytes.

The photo below looks like a scene from a horrifying science-fiction movie; strange “things” poking out of the ground. These are spotted garden eels, a sub-family of the conger eel family. To protect themselves from prey, these eels burrow in the sand. The only parts that are visible are their heads poking out of their burrows.

Many garden eels tend to stay in groups, thus the many eel “heads” poking out of the sand bear a resemblance to plants in a grassy garden lawn, thus the name “garden eel.”

Is it a snake? An eel?A worm? Nope, it’s neither of those. The photo below shows a really long, wicked looking convict blenny. Convict blennies are common in coastal reefs and coastal lagoons. They are often found in crevices and under ledges. Since they swim in tight groups, they often look like a single creature.

Here’s a long, thin ribbon eel. The ribbon eel is a creature that suffers from an identity crisis. It can change its color from blue to yellow as it matures. It also changes its gender from male to female. Unlike its cousin the moray eel, the ribbon eel is not aggressive towards humans.

Shark eggs! These eggs come from a female white-spotted bamboo shark. In 14 to 15 weeks, they will hatch into sharklings.

Nearing the main attraction of the aquarium, we saw this large sawfish being cleaned by a remora (that leechlike fish that is attached at the sawfish’s head). This is a perfect example of commensalism, a type of symbiotic relationship wherein one organism benefits without affecting each other. The sawfish as a host gets nothing from the relationship. However, the remora benefits from the host: it uses the sawfish as transport and protection and feeds from the scraps of food the host leaves behind after feeding.

Just before the oceanarium’s main attraction is this aquarium that simulates the bridge of a sunken ship. Large fish are found here.

The video below shows a large porcupine fish. Porcupine fish, also called blowfish, are common in shallow tropical and temperate seas. Although they are slow swimmers, porcupine fish has three effective defense mechanisms to protect themselves from prey. One, they can inflate their bodies by swallowing air or water; the sudden increase of size scares away the predators or makes it difficult for predators to eat the porcupine fish. Two, porcupine fish have sharp spines that radiate outwards when the fish inflates itself. Finally, some species produce tetrodoxin in their internal organs; tetrodoxin is a deadly neurotoxin that is more than a thousand times more potent than cyanide. Although slow swimmers, porcupine fish have few predators due to these three defenses.

In the same aquarium, Sweetie came face-to-face with a giant grouper! It is the largest bony fish in coral reefs. The giant grouper can grow up to 2.7 meters and can weigh around 880 lbs. It is now declared as an endangered specie due to overfishing.

The main attraction of Manila Ocean Park is the Buhay na Karagatan (The Living Ocean), a 25-meter-long. 220-degree walkway tunnel made of transparent acrylic walls. The tunnel is situated under a huge aquarium that is chock filled with amazing creatures of the sea. Check out the video below.

Sweetie and the guys thought I was taking a still photo when, in fact, I was taking a video. Hehehe! Oh, we were pretty lucky because it was the fish’s lunchtime! According to Alexa, the fish were on a feeding frenzy!

As we exited the tunnel, we found these cool fish swimming in circles for some reason.

The Shark Tank was one of our favorite aquariums. This tank showcases some of the most ferocious predators in our seas.

Kids Learning Area

We found this activity center where kids can draw, read, play, and socialize while learning more about the world under the sea.

If you want your children to be staunch and responsible advocates of environmental protection and preservation, then it is best to let them start their advocacy early and in a fun way. Information boards such as these provide very insightful data that helps children realize the importance of taking care of our seas.

Jellyfish Exhibit

Several of our friends who have visited the Manila Ocean Park said that the Jellyfish Exhibit was one of the most profound and unique exhibits in the park. Well, let’s check it out!

How are jellyfish born? Check out this information board.

We were utterly astounded by the beauty of this exhibit. Translucent Sanderia jellyfish swim slowly inside enormous tanks to the tune of classical music. The tanks are equipped with lamps that change colors. And when the colored lights illuminate the swimming jellyfish, then you’re treated to a spectacular underwater dance.

Here’s a Cassiopea jellyfish, an upside down jellyfish. They are usually found in warm coastal regions, mangrove swamps, canals, and mudflats. The creature gets its name due to the fact that it swims upside down. The Cassiopea jellyfish’s tentacles contain a mild sting.

We came to a multi-colored wall filled with translucent moon jellyfish. The jellyfish is easily recognized by its four horse-show shaped gonads at the top of its almost flat bell.

But the wall was just the appetizer. We went into a really dark room that was lighted by cylindrical tanks filled with delicate moon jellyfish. It was like entering an alien spacecraft or a mad scientist’s laboratory!

Penguin Talk Show

After spending about an hour in the Jellyfish Exhibit, we exited and went to watch the Penguin Talk Show. We really thought the show would really feature cute penguins that can somehow talk. How gullible of us!

It turned out it was just a sort of interactive kiddie show in an audio-visual room. An animation of a cartoon penguin talks about penguins and life in the arctic and makes corny jokes. It’s pretty boring, actually.

Feeling hungry after the tour? Don’t worry since there are several food stalls and restaurants around the facility where you can satisfy a hungry tummy.

Our tour around the Manila Ocean Park was definitely fun and educational. After experiencing her first oceanarium, Alexa remarked that it was her best birthday ever. For Sweetie and I, seeing the magnificent wonders of the underwater world up close makes us want to pursue our scuba diving license so we can explore, enjoy, and protect our seas in our own small little ways.

Tips

1. Use the following details to get in touch with the administration of Manila Ocean Park:

• Mailing/Street Address: Manila Ocean Park, behind Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, Manila, Philippines 1000
• Phone Numbers: (02) 567-7777 / (02) 567-2309
• E-mail: inquiry@manilaoceanpark.com

2. For more information on the oceanarium’s events, advocacies, activities, rates, etc., check out Manila Ocean Park’s website at https://www.manilaoceanpark.com/main/

3. The oceanarium’s operating hours are as follows

• Weekdays: 10 AM to 9 PM
• Weekends and Holidays: 9 AM to 9 PM

4. There’s a parking area beside the oceanarium, but we’re not sure if there are fees involved. Please contact the oceanarium’s administration for more information.

5. Always follow Manila Ocean Park’s main house rules:

• No flash photography in the oceanarium
• No food and drinks should be brought into the oceanarium’s exhibits. Infant formula, however, is allowed.
• No pets allowed
• No smoking
• No running, shouting, or banging on the glass or aquariums. Parents should strictly monitor their kids, and children should stay with their parents or guardians at all times.
• Re-entering the exhibits is not allowed

6. For convenience, do not bring large bags or trolleys.

7. The oceanarium does not issue handy maps. Even the layout inside the facility is confusing. But don’t let that discourage you. In fact, use that to your own advantage; explore the oceanarium on your own. Getting lost is all part of traveling and adventure.

8. If you are taking a package that involves visiting more than two exhibits and shows, we recommend spending an entire day in the oceanarium. That’s because several of these shows have specific schedules, which may not coincide with your planned itinerary. Yes, you can leave the park between scheduled shows, but don’t go too far. Don’t worry, there are lots of attractions in the area such as the Museo Pambata, the National Museum, Rizal Park, etc.

9. If possible, purchase your package early in the morning or the afternoon before your tour (we haven’t tried online booking yet). For some reason, Manila Ocean Park runs out of package tickets mid-afternoon.

10. To avoid large crowds and mass field trips, visit the oceanarium during opening hours.

11. Bring the following:

• camera (you can take photos inside the oceanarium)
• extra clothes for children
• a bottle of water

Dedicated climbing centers in the Philippines are quite few in number. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a couple of such facilities in many cities and towns in the Philippines. And we can’t consider the rudimentary, overly easy walls in resorts and adventure camps as true climbing walls. By now, we all know the reason for the dismal number of climbing walls here: climbing is an unpopular sport in this country.

So, how do you introduce climbing to a community that barely knows the existence of the sport? One clever way is to actually bring the sport to the people rather than spending a fortune in advertising schemes to draw the people to your facility. The people of Camp Sandugo did just that. They erected a 44-foot tall climbing wall in a high-traffic area of Market! Market!, a large Ayala-owned shopping center in the hip and prestigious Bonifacio Global City, which is a business hub.

After touring the Manila Ocean Park, we headed to Market! Market! to check out the Camp Sandugo’s climbing wall. We ate our lunch hurriedly and proceeded to the facility, which is just right beside the mall’s theatre complex. We were able to spot it immediately because the light-brown wall is visible from the second floor of the mall. The wall is divided into five levels of difficulty.

Right beside the wall was Camp Sandugo’s small but pretty okay outdoor shop. Although they do not carry a comprehensive inventory of outdoor gear, they do have the basics such as daypacks, technical packs, trekking shoes, outdoor wear, tents, etc. They also have a small section of climbing and rescue hardware.

Just like Power Up Climbing Center in Tandang Sora, Camp Sandugo has an inclined campus board for climbers to train and improve finger and upper-body strength.

Each route’s line is threaded to a Petzl Gri-gri belay device. Unlike a tubular belay device in which the belayer has to actively handle the rope to a lock position, the Gri-gri pinches the rope when the latter is subjected to a sudden, quick load (such as the force of a falling climber). However, the device allows the rope to pass through if the latter is moved slowly (such as feeding the rope to a lead climber or taking up slack when top roping).

Clever idea! Instead of lockers, the management of Camp Sandugo created these space-saving bag hangers where climbers can hang their personal stuff while enjoying their climbs.

For your own safety, always adhere to the rules. Even in carefully controlled areas such as a climbing gym, accidents can happen. These mishaps can easily be avoided if rules and precautions are diligently followed.

It’s time to climb! I warmed up on one of the starter routes. The holds were quite cool, spongy and firmly bolted. This is an excellent wall for first timers who want to have a feel of what wall climbing is like.

The easy warm-up wasn’t enough for me so I climbed the second wall while following a marked route. After reaching the top, I down-climbed rather than having Sweetie belay me down.

After I disengaged myself from the line’s carabiner (yes, there’s no need to tie in), Sweetie donned on her harness and rock climbing shoes. Excited, Sweetie?

Sweetie started her ascent cleanly and nicely.

In just a few minutes, she reached the top and downclimbed the route. That got her pretty warmed up.

Let’s do a more difficult route, shall we? The Level 2 wall features a slight incline and more challenging holds such as small jugs, crimpers, and slopers.

It was still a little too easy for me, and I reached the top of the route in a few minutes. One of the nice things about this wall is that part of it has rough texture, making smearing (climbing using friction by pressing the sole of your shoe to the wall rather than stepping on a foothold).

Sweetie challenged herself to climb the Level 3 wall, a route that is inclined all the way to the top. The route is quite narrow, which means there were less holds for her to hold. Still, she was able to make her way easily to the top.

The Level 4 wall was more like it! The wall has moderately inclined start until halfway to the route. I can use the rock climbing techniques I found in YouTube to effectively ascend steep walls. And the techniques worked surprisingly well.

After that is a short vertical section which climbers can use as a rest stop. The route then continues at a slight incline until its crux (most difficult part), which is a short 90-degree overhang. This is the perfect route for those who want to develop their stamina.

How I wished I brought quickdraws so I can lead climb this route. It’s absolutely fun to climb!

Level 5 wall starts with a steep 45-degree incline, which also doubles as a bouldering cave. The most prominent features of this wall are the two roofs spaced about 15 feet apart and the triangular section inclined at 45 degrees which one can use if he or she doesn’t want to pass under the higher roof.

We wanted to climb this route, but we were pressed for time to catch our flight back to Cebu. Thus, we just did a few bouldering moves.

We just climbed for over two hours, but we definitely had a whole lot of fun! And we felt pretty cool albeit uncomfortable when non-climbing mall goers had their eyes on us as we climbed. Hehehe!

Seriously though, having a climbing wall in a mall is an excellent idea that mutually benefits both establishments. The mall receives a unique reputation/name for having such a facility in their premises while the climbing wall’s operator enjoys a steady supply of prospects who are interested in climbing.

At around 6 PM, we were already on board our flight back to Cebu. Our Manila trip was definitely a fun, educational weekend.

But the celebration didn’t end for Alexa! When we reached home, she was pleasantly surprised to see Lola Dina prepare a delicious cake and a yummy feast for her.

Happy birthday, Alexa! As we enjoyed her birthday dinner, Alexa remarked that she had the best birthday ever!

Tips

1. The Camp Sandugo outlet and its climbing wall are both located at the 5th floor of the activity center of Market! Market! The mall (and subsequently the climbing wall) is located at the following address:

Mabini Avenue corner McKinley Parkway
Bonifacio Global City
Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila
Philippines

2. To get to Market! Market! check out the following options

Option 1: From the northbound side of Ayala MRT station, take a short hike to The Fort Bus Station, which is a corner away from the MRT station along EDSA. From there, ride a bus that goes to the Market! Market!

Option 2: Head to the northbound side of Guadalupe MRT station. You will then see a Jollibee outlet. Behind that outlet are jeepneys that go to Market! Market!

3. For scheduling, arranging climbing events, and other information, get in touch with Camp Sandugo using the following contact details:

• Phone Number: (02) 798-2696
• Telefax: (02) 856-0453
• Camp Sandugo Facebook Page

4. Camp Sandugo Climbing Wall is open 7 days a week. However, note that although Market! Market! opens at a much earlier time, the Camp Sandugo wall opens and gets manned much later.

• Opening Time: 12 noon
• Closing Time: 9 PM

5. Note the prices, equipment rental rates, and operating hours by checking out the photo below.

Pay the rate at the cashier inside the Camp Sandugo shop before climbing the wall. Note that prices are subject to change without prior notice. It is best to contact Camp Sandugo regarding updates on prices.

6. If you want to climb with fewer people, schedule your sessions early afternoon. Regular climbers often come in and train late afternoon or evening.

7. The wall is located in a busy mall. So expect curious stares from hordes of mall goers as you scale up the wall.

8. The wall is located in a mall, so snacks, drinks, etc., shouldn’t be a problem

9. Don’t get intimidated by the climbers there. All of them are really friendly once you get to know them. Remember that no matter how strong and skillful they are, they have also started somewhere.

10. Pack light but do bring the following:

• personal climbing equipment if you have your own (climbing shoes, chalk bag, harness)
• climbing attire (comfy shorts, dry-fit shirt, tank top, or sports bra for ladies)
• extra clothes (trust us, you’ll get really sweaty)
• face towel
• water, juice, or energy drink (at least 1 liter)

11. Follow the staff’s instructions for safe and fun climbing.

Constructive Insight on Camp Sandugo Wall

This goes to the belayers and instructors manning the lines. Guys, we know understand you’re tired and exhausted, especially if you’re belaying/coaching quite a number of customers for hours. But in this line of business, that is not an excuse for being indifferent and snobby.

When we went there, you don’t seem to welcome any sort of conversation, even when we initiated a friendly interaction. You just said a few words and focused more on texting or playing games on your cell phones.

We know you, guys, are doing your job excellently, and we commend you for it. But it won’t hurt to be warm, welcoming, and friendly. Remember that the climbing community in the Philippines is tight and small. Being snobby and indifferent to climbers has no place in the world of climbing.

Imagine you are in a museum, admiring a beautiful painting of a large, old galleon sailing into the sunset. Okay, nice enough. But what if that ship actually sails outside the boundaries of its frame? What if seeing that ship approaching you makes you feel jittery ? Now, that’s a whole level of visual and mental adventure, isn’t it?

This is what Cebu Happyworld Museum is all about. Located in Barangay Gabi in the island of Cordova, this one-of-a-kind museum features more than 70 superb three-dimensional paintings, interactive art, and optical illusion exhibits. All these artworks are created by talented Korean artists. Let’s go and have a look.

This cool museum is located just 15 minutes away from where we live!

Now, that’s a pretty cool facade. The Cebu Happyworld Museum is housed in a castle-like building. The structure itself invites people to open up their minds and let their imagination run wild.

No worries if you’re bringing your own vehicle. The museum has a huge parking space in front of the building.

To maintain the interior’s cleanliness, wearing of shoes in the museum is not allowed. You walk barefoot on the cold, hard floor, which is quite uncomfortable and exhausting. It would be better if the facility offers flip-flops to patrons. Wearing light footwear makes touring around the museum more comfortable. Furthermore, wearing slippers is more hygienic than walking around barefoot.

Don’t worry about your dear shoes. They will be safely stored inside these shelves.

Pretty and friendly receptionists and staff make sure that your tour inside the museum is pleasant and memorable from the time you take off your shoes to the time you wear them back.

Upon going inside, you would see large wall paintings such as these. They seem pretty ordinary, aren’t they?

Nope, they’re not. These are superbly made, high-quality 3-D paintings. What’s so special about these paintings, you may ask? Well, when you pose a certain way in front of it, it would seem that you’re doing something to it! Here, my sister-in-law, Didin, added a personal touch to Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

I was a little thirsty since I wasn’t able to drink a glass of water before we left. Good thing that the Roman goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite bought a whole jug of water for me.

Let me help you with that foot, miss ballerina!

Aside from three-dimensional paintings, the museum also features exhibits that play with visually perceived images that are actually different from objective reality—optical illusions, in short. In this exhibit, my dad seems to be cleanly cut in half!

What’s my Sweetie’s head doing on a basin outside a home?

Catch them, Sweetie! Enormous flying fish seem to jump out of the painting.

Here’s another cool 3-D painting, depicting pouring a blue ocean of water from a gigantic LCD TV.

I ain’t going to die without a fight! Come on, tiger, let’s see what you got!

Now, that’s a really sad-looking seal.

Oh, crap! Don’t eat me! Some of the paintings, such as this shark painting in the Oceans Section, actually look very realistic.

Attacked by a ferocious tiger, chased by a gigantic shark and now shot by hostile tribesmen, this seemed to be my unlucky day! How many times do I have to die?

Tired of the real world, Sweetie and I rode a unicorn to dreamworld. Hehehe! Actually, that’s just a cutout of a unicorn. There’s a bench at the unicorn’s back where you sit down.

Optical illusions galore! Attuned to the Force, Sweetie seemed to be hovering on thin air!

My bro fell while climbing his way on the stairway to heaven.

That’s a cool mirror illusion.

This is one of our favorite illusions. I seem to tower over my brother who, in reality, is actually bigger and taller than me.

The museum also features professionally painted cutouts. We’re back in the Jurassic era!

Go, Manny Pacquiao, go! It’s glitzy Las Vegas here in Cordova, Cebu; and we’re right at the ringside!

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to pose or where you should take a photograph. Each painting or interactive exhibit has easy-to-read instructions on what to do. English instructions also have Korean and Japanese translations.

Dammit, not you again! Help!

Alexa’s a pretty angel! The wings are painted on the wall; you’ll just have to stand and lean between them.

Are we in the romantic, flower-filled country of Holland?

In just a few minutes, we were teleported to ancient Egypt overlooking the mighty Nile River.

First, there’s a tiger, then a shark. Then a group of hunters and now, a T-Rex? Run for your lives!

Different eye reflections? How can that be?

I’m the president of the United States holding a press conference!

Don’t worry if you don’t have a camera. These guys will take memorable photos of you levitating in the air, being cut in half, feeding buko juice to a shark, etc.

You can have your favorite museum photo framed or printed on a certificate for a fee.

Touring around the museum can be quite tiring. Don’t worry. You can just sit down and take a break in their small café. Light snacks, soft drinks, and juices are available at affordable prices.

While taking your snacks, you can marvel at the superb paintings that adorn its walls. Many of these nice paintings are actually for sale, so if you’re an avid art enthusiast, you may want to take home one or two of these.

After a short break, it’s time for more illusory adventures in the wild!

The last area in the museum is also the largest—and full of really deep ravines!

A brick well above the clouds! Don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights!

Falling over a massive waterfall! Help!

Even though it wasn’t an adventure in the typical sense of the word, our visit to the Cebu Happy World Museum on a rainy Sunday is truly fun! Not only were we able to play around with the magnificent paintings and stimulating exhibits, but we were also able to admire and respect the creative minds behind these amazing pieces of artwork.

Photos courtesy of Glenn Jubs

Check out our Facebook page for more photos.

Tips

1. To get to Cebu Happyworld museum via public transportation, take any jeep in Lapu-Lapu City, Pusok Road, or the airport that goes to Cordova. Fare is around P10 to 12. Ask the driver to let you disembark at the Cordova crossing, which is actually the main square. Take a tricycle going to Barangay Gabi and tell the driver to drop you off at Cebu Happy World Museum. Fare is P8.

Note that fares may change without prior notice.

2. You can get in touch with Cebu Happyworld Museum by using the following details:

• Mailing Address: Cebu Happy World Museum, Lot 2-A-3, Barangay Gabi, Cordova, Cebu, 6000
• Phone number: (032) 520-1695 to 6
• Globe number: 0905-661-2365
• Sun number: 0923-468-2938
• Facebook Page: Cebu Happyworld Museum

3. For rates, please check the photo below:

Rates are subject to change without prior notice, so it’s best to contact the museum for updated rates.

4. There are over 70 paintings and exhibits divided into 6 sections (World Famous Art, Religious Beliefs, Ocean, Jurassic Animal, Philippine Pride, and Ending Sections).

5. Wear flip-flops, open-top laceless shoes, or other kinds of footwear that is easy to take off.

6. If you don’t like the idea of walking around barefoot, bring on some lightweight indoor walking sandals, those fluffy ones you wear at home. Tell the representatives that you’d prefer walking with something on for hygienic purposes; most likely, they’ll allow you to walk with your sandals on.

Cebu is fast becoming the perfect haven for adrenaline-loving junkies. And something good thing has emerged from being an adventurer’s paradise. You see, many entities are now, in one way or another, supporting the passion of these free-spirited individuals. For instance, mountaineering organizations are now aplenty, offering opportunities for interested parties to learn and enjoy the adventure of the mountains. The extreme sport of rock climbing has steadily become popular in Cebu thanks to bloggers, media, and ordinary people who have come in droves to try out and promote the crag of Cantabaco. And local companies such as Habagat, Se7en, and Silangan Outdoors have manufactured, marketed, and sold high-quality products that rival those of international brands.

Prestigious real estate companies have joined the bandwagon in supporting the drive to make Cebu a world-class adventurer’s paradise. One of these companies is Aboitizland, the entity behind the development of the Persimmon, Cebu’s first urban village; The Outlets, a new and exciting shopping destination featuring top brands at discounted prices—a first in the VISMIN region; the West Cebu Industrial Park where huge ships are constructed, and many other properties. Just recently, Aboitizland opened another first—Canso X Mountain Adventure Park, a fully developed nature and adventure park in Cebu’s green highlands.

A few weeks ago, through the referral of fellow travel blogger Mustachio of Mustachioventures, we received an e-mail from Aboitizland through its event coordinator ASAP. We were invited to be part of a group of travel/adventure bloggers to join the soft opening of Canso X Mountain Adventure Park and document the features and activities being offered. Being adrenaline junkies that we are, we readily said yes to the invitation. This was also an honor for Team Sweetie; it was our first time an entity invited us to blog about their product.

Due to our excitement, we were actually the first of the invitees to arrive at the meeting venue, the high-tech office of Aboitizland in Banilad. We arrived half an hour earlier than scheduled!

Several minutes later, other invitees—bloggers and media personnel—arrived at the scene. Sweetie and I were really happy because we were able to finally meet, in person, the bloggers that we’ve followed and admired.

Half past seven, we were finally ascending the Cebu Transcentral Highway to Balamban where Canso X Mountain Adventure Park is located. While the surrounding views are mesmerizing, trying to fight inertia due to the sharply twisting highway is truly a test of everyone’s ability to stay on their two buttocks on the seat.

After more than an hour of fighting inertia, we finally reached Canso X Mountain Adventure Park at Barangay Cansomoroy in Balamban. We’ll tell you straight: we were not disappointed! You’ll see why as you read through this blog post.

The adventure park is on its soft opening; being invited to such an event was a great honor and privilege.

A very nice setup! You don’t need to walk far to ask information or make reservations because the administration office is just at the entrance, right beside the guard station.

A little farther back from the entrance is a spacious parking space, which has enough space for around 30 to 50 vehicles.

Signs that point to the many facilities of the park are easy to read and are placed at strategic points.

Information boards such as these impart the rules, regulations, tips, and proper etiquette that should be observed in the park. Abide by them: these are for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.

Brick paths provide good and safe footing. You don’t have to tread in the mud just to go around the park’s general facilities. As you walk along the paths, you can witness pretty, colorful gardens set in a backdrop of Cebu’s green mountains.

A few minutes after we arrived, the opening mass started. Held in the quiet highlands with nothing but mountains and forests around, the celebration was extremely solemn. You can actually feel spiritual rejuvenation here.

We listened to the mass at the other side of the venue. These huts invite tired hikers and bikers to have a break in the comforting shade. At 235 meters above sea level, Canso X is nestled comfortably between lofty mountains that form somewhat like protective walls. Cool air, warm sunshine, spectacular scenery, and peace and quiet bless this 12-hectare adventurer’s paradise.

While park officials prepared something special for us (more on that in a little while) after the mass, we checked out some of their facilities. Oh, look, kids! They have a really nice playground! Your children will definitely love playing here.

Release the child in you, something that Sweetie and fellow blogger and free diver Lakbay Diva did.

In a little while, Terrie Abad, Assistant Vice President for Aboitizland’s Industrial Business Unit, formally welcomed us to the soft opening of Canso X Mountain Adventure Park. She pointed out the park’s facilities and amenities as well as the several activities that were lined up for this event.

She also showed us this extremely cool AVP of what Canso X can offer. Team Sweetie and the other adventurous bloggers were inexorably drawn towards the adrenaline-pumping river trekking, canyoneering, and caving adventures. They were still not offered when we asked if we could try out such extreme activities, but Ms. Abad assured us that we will be able to try them very soon. We can’t wait!

After awhile, we were treated to one of the most awaited and exciting parts of any event—merienda!

Moron (glutinous rice cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves), bibingka (oven-baked rice cakes made with coconut milk and eggs), sikwate (hot cocoa) and puto cheese were served. Simple, traditional, and oh-so-yummy!

Eating a hot, sweet, carbohydrate-and-sugar-rich merienda at 235 meters above sea level is a perfect preparation for an activity-filled Saturday. Enjoying the meal with us are award-winning Cebu bloggers (from left to right) Berniemack of Habagat Central; Mark of Cebu Fitness Blog; Christian of Bisdak Explorer; Edwin of Lakbay Diva; and Sheila, half of Team Sweetie of Adrenaline Romance. Not in the photo is Brennan of Baktin Corporation.

One more thing: we know that the mysterious Mustachio of Mustachioventures was here. However, he had a mutant power of invisibility, and we ended up asking everyone whom we perceived to be a blogger, “Hey, are you Mustachio?” hehe

Canso X’s main facility is the carefully laid-out bike trail which snakes through the entire park. The trail has everything adventure bikers can ask for—comfortable straights and challenging bends, slippery loose soil, firm compact soil, high ramps, and others. The trail offers bikers great views of the surrounding mountains.

Wooden ramps and bumps are embedded in the bike path to give bikers even greater challenges—and excitement.

That’s the bike trail as seen from below. The bowl-shaped depression allows bikers to “glide” effortlessly and rapidly through the trail. Colored tires serve as markers.

At 10:30 AM, we were ready for a short trek around the park. Mr. Rafael Usumo, Canso X’s camp director and guide, briefed us on the trek.

Always take note and follow the responsible trekker’s ethics.

Then it was time to start the trek. The trail starts right beside the parking lot and follows along the edge of the bike trail.

As the morning wore on, the sun rapidly scorched the land. Despite the heat, everyone seemed to be in high spirits in completing this more than an hour trek.

Who says Cebu’s mountains and valleys are not green? In this part of the island, the lands are either untouched or carefully preserved.

The hiking trail shares with the bike trail, so hikers, make sure that you stand aside when there’s a biker riding along the trail. Mr. Usumo said that the hiking trail is 2.5 kilometers long with three rest stations along the way.

The trail skirts along deep ravines that are covered in dense vegetation. Don’t worry though. As long as you stay on the established path, you won’t fall off the ravines.

From this viewpoint, it’s easy to see why Balamban has great potential as an outdoorsman’s haven. Just look at those mountains and valleys. They’re definitely worth exploring.

After 45 minutes of walking, the group rested for awhile under the shady canopy of this tree.

A few minutes of rest and everyone was ready to go back on the trail. It didn’t take long before we heard the familiar and calming wild song of a rushing river. Suddenly, the Cansomoroy River revealed itself.

Those who decided to explore the starting point of the canyoneering, river trekking, and caving adventure went down to the stream. The others stayed at the ridge. Of course, we wouldn’t want the opportunity of exploration to pass us by.

Those who wore slippers and sandals waded into the water. Poor those who wore shoes! Hehehe!

In a hot day like this, it is virtually impossible to resist the temptation of dipping your hot, tired, and aching feet in the cool, sparkling water of a clean river. Ahhhh! It was just so relaxing.

Beyond the river is a pathway to an even bigger adventure that we couldn’t wait to try out!

Sweetie and I decided to explore the mouth of the bend where we found two interesting looking red-stained boulders. The clean, clear, rushing water was surely wonderful and reminded us of our wild whitewater rafting adventure in Cagayan de Oro River.

No one followed us though.

That’s a tributary stream that connects to Cansomoroy River. We think this tributary is still unexplored.

We finally reached the red-stained boulders. Too bad it was not tall enough; if it was, it could be for bouldering.

Simply posing amidst Mother Nature’s gifts! It’s really awesome here!

When everyone had their fill of the rushing stream, we trekked back to the main receiving area. However, we made a detour to check out Canso X’s camping grounds.

The “backdoor” pathway to the camping ground requires an uphill climb for a few minutes. It would also be better if you wore trekking pants and arm guards to protect yourself from razor-sharp cogon grass blades and itchy plants on the trail.

Canso X’s spacious campsite is nestled at the shoulder of a hill, which means that campers are treated to wonderful, expansive views. Light woods surround the campsite like walls, protecting campers from strong gusts of wind that occasionally blow across the mountain. At night and during early morning, the temperature would drop down considerably, so campers are advised to take with them cold-weather gear.

The tents in the campsite are for display only, but Mr. Usumo said that Canso X will have tents for rent. We do hope that their rental tents would be good-quality double-skin varieties. Cheap single-skin tents will leave their occupants wet when rain pours; even when it’s not raining, the interior of cheap single-skin tents become moist due to the occupants’ breaths as the air condenses.

Of course, you can bring your own tent; we just don’t know about the camp’s rules and rates if you go for this option.

The cooksets on display are not really what you want to use when camping in the wild. However, that is okay since you’re not actually in the wild anyway; you’re in an adventure park.

Fire rings are provided for those who want to light up a campfire. Never build a campfire outside a fire ring because the dead leaves on the ground are flammable. This could turn your nice, warm campfire into an uncontrollable inferno.

Log seats are provided in some areas so you can gather your friends around a campfire after dinner. Then you can chat, laugh, drink mulled wine, and have fun underneath the stars on top of a mountain. How cool is that!

At the end of the campsite is an outhouse where campers can conveniently take a shower or answer the call of nature.

After visiting the campsite, we walked back to the main receiving area where the bike demonstration was about to start.

Just look at those awesome top-of-the-line mountain bikes! Sweetie, we should add mountain biking to our cache of adventure activities. Hehehe! These cool guys and daredevil bikers are members of the Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure Club.

We were simply amazed as the bikers performed stunts and tricks with their rugged machines on Canso X’s bike trail.

Biking is not just an excellent way to travel and explore faraway places. It’s an excellent exercise, an environmentally friendly mode of transportation, and an effective way to save money. Finally, just like any sport or activity, biking readily provides you with an avenue to meet sportsmen and friends.

Biking knows no age, and just because you’re a child or a senior citizen is no excuse for taking up the sport. There are strong bikers on the other side of 40.

And there are young bikers who show endless energy and enthusiasm of the sport.

Just check out that nice, green biking trail. We wouldn’t be surprised if Canso X soon draws bikers all over the country.

While the bikers of Cebu Mountain Bike Adventure Club showed off their talent, some ladies practiced their hoop routines. They were expected to perform a hooping demonstration in the afternoon.

That’s Canso X’s in-house restaurant, which offers a lovely view of the entire park, Tañon Strait, the nearby Negros Island, West Cebu Industrial Park, and the surrounding mountains. The restaurant has not published its menu yet, but after tasting the superb merienda we have earlier this morning, we’re pretty sure that their food will tickle everyone’s palate.

Together with bloggers and friends, we capped our day with a simple but sumptuous native lunch courtesy of Aboitizland at the restaurant.

We went back to the city an hour after eating lunch. Thus, we missed out the yoga, hooping, parkour, and capoeira exhibitions which were held in the afternoon. (Photo courtesy of Canso X Mountain Adventure Park)

Special Thanks

Team Sweetie would like to thank Aboitizland and ASAP Advertising for inviting us. It was truly an honor being invited by some of the most prestigious companies in the country. Special thanks to Mustachio for referring us to Aboitizland and ASAP.

We would like to thank the friendly caretakers who diligently keep the park clean.

Of course, we would like to give special thanks to Canso X’s park rangers who ensure that visitors are safe and secure.

Tips

1. Use the following contact details to get in touch with Canso X Mountain Adventure Park for inquiries and reservations:

• Address: 510 Barangay Cansomoroy, Balamban, Cebu, Philippines
• Landline: (032) 411 1600 loc. 1472
• Mobile phone: 0923-9787640 (Sun) or 0915-3455661 (Globe)
• Facebook Page: Canso X Facebook Page

2. Canso X is still in its soft opening, so they have not published the rates of some of their amenities and activities yet. However, they do have finalized the entrance fee as well as the biking and camping facilities.

As of the moment, if you want to inquire about the rates of other activities, services, and amenities, you need to contact them.

3. The biggest problem that faces Canso X (as a business) and visitors is the transportation since the adventure park is situated in the mountains. Going there is relatively easy; just take a Balamban-bound v-hire at the Ayala Center Cebu terminal and ask the driver to drop you off at Canso X at Barangay Cansomoroy. The gate is just at the left of the highway (if you’re going to Balamban).

It’s going back that will give you headaches. As far as we observed, there are rarely any public transportation (e.g. habal-habals, jeepneys, etc.) that pass by the area. V-hires that do pass by Canso X are already full of passengers who boarded the vehicle in Balamban. We didn’t have any problem in transportation because Aboitizland had a shuttle for us.

Canso X is still working on this aspect of the business. Thus, we recommend you call Canso X for recommendations or transportation arrangements. Or you can bring your own private vehicle; that should eliminate the problem.

4. Mobile phone signal in the park is sporadic, regardless of network. However, there are places in the park such as the administration office where mobile phone signals can be obtained. Ask the park personnel where you can get a signal.

5. Canso X is yet to be fully operational until its grand opening sometime this summer. As such, do not expect full service, a comprehensive restaurant menu, bikes and equipment for rent, etc. if you visit the park before the opening. For the moment, bring your own bikes, camping, and hiking equipment.

6. Hiking on the standard trail is easy and can be done without specialized equipment. However, do bring the following when visiting the park:

• water (at least 2 liters)
• dry-fit, comfortable clothes
• trekking shorts or trekking pants
• trekking shoes or sandals
• umbrella, hat, or scarf
• snacks
• sunblock
• face towel
• rain gear (in case of bad weather)
• extra money for emergencies
• medications (if any)

It isn’t about world-famous attractions, although seeing one can mesmerize you. It’s not about your stay in that 5-star resort, although you will love how they treat you like royalty. It’s not even about those cool souvenirs, although having one can relish the wonderful memories by looking at it.

If you dig deep into it, traveling—and not visiting usual tourist spots or staying in fancy hotels— is mainly about learning life’s lessons. Our travels allowed us to understand our relationship to the world and the fellow humans who share it with us. Most importantly, it’s about listening to what the world teaches us– to become better people.

1. Everything in this world is interconnected.

From the moment we step on board that Cebu Pacific flight until we ride that habal-habal on a rough mountain road, we realize that everything, everywhere, and everyone is within reach. Through traveling, we realize that feelings of alienation, disconnection, loneliness, discrimination, and racism are all simply products of unfounded pride, fear, and jealousy.

2. We become proud of what we are.

Every time we visit a place and play in green plazas that date back to the Spanish era, go inside massive stone churches that immortalize our Christian spirit, or enter a bahay-na-bato in far-flung provinces, we assemble a piece of our unique origin. We have a wonderful, colorful, unique culture. As we understand our history more, we become proud bearers of Filipino culture wherever we are.

3. Traveling refreshes our soul.

We live in a fast-paced modern society filled with technological wonders and golden opportunities that are unheard of generations past. Unfortunately, to succeed in that society, we have become slaves to stressful work, schedules that do not permit having quality time with ourselves and loved ones, and lifestyles that speak of earthly, temporary desires. Traveling allows us to slow down so we can reassess ourselves. Like the gentle sunrise in Malapascua Island in Cebu, our souls glow with new meaning after each trip.

4. Nothing is trivial.

It is in our nature, as human beings, to take things for granted. But when we are in a strange land or when we’re fully exposed to the fury of Mother Nature, we realize that little things really matter. A sip of ice-cold Sparkle can be a massive relief during a hot summer trek up the slopes of Cebu’s mountains. A simple bed in an eco-lodge in Camiguin can be our ticket to a blissful sleep. In the same way, ordinary things such as home, love of family, and the company of friends become treasures.

5. Traveling changes our perspective of the world.

We often have our own views, perceptions, beliefs, and judgments of a place, person, event, situation, or thing, thanks to what we encounter in the media or through word-of-mouth. However, when we travel, we would be surprised that what we’ve always believed about the place is far from the truth. War-torn Mindanao is actually a lovely, peaceful place. Dirty Manila is actually an ultramodern city. Bare-mountain Cebu is filled with lush forests. As we travel more and see reality, we begin to develop a more open, more objective attitude toward things.

6. We are never alone.

It is inherent in our culture—we don’t want to be alone. As Filipinos, we have strong family ties and tight friendships. Perhaps, that is why many of us feel hesitant to visit new places alone, fearing the unknown. Let us tell you something: you can never be alone. In our journeys, we met fellow backpackers, adventurers, and even locals who are hungry for company. After all, the same kindred spirits will always find their way to one another.

7. Traveling lets us witness real life.

We never limit ourselves to places where tourists congregate. We don’t imprison ourselves in resorts. Rather, we travel deep to witness what we’re after: real life that can be found in ordinary villages, normal households, and everyday activities. Remember that the soul of the country does not reside in those mere pockets called “tourist attractions.” It lies on what is all around us, from youths playing basketball in a remote mountain barangay in Samar to young men gambling away their meager income in a quiet village in Silay.

8. Traveling forces us to defy our limits.

When we’re exploring the world, we’re usually left with our own devices. We are forced to think and act outside the box to make our travel experience memorable or simply to survive the day. We walk beyond exhaustion as we climb a mountain or face fear as we scuba dive in the depths of Philippine waters. We’ll learn to keep a leash on our short tempers during delayed flights or sacrifice several things to make sure we can finance our adventures. In the end, traveling gives us the opportunity to go beyond our cannot-dos.

9. We learn to truly care.

As traveling opens our eyes to the reality of the place—beauty, ugliness, love, cruelty, creation, destruction, etc., we begin to exhibit a sense of concern. For example, the magnificence of the Margaja Valley and the majestic slopes of Mt. Kanlaon never fail to touch us to the core, and we become advocates of nature preservation. We visited the typhoon-damaged communities of Northern Cebu, and we felt a strong desire to help fellow Cebuanos. Traveling does more than opening eyes; it opens hearts.

10. Traveling puts us back in our place.

Traveling is more than a wahoo activity; it’s a way to get humbled. As we see just how huge, spectacular, awesome, wild, and beautiful the world is, we realize that we are really no one special; we’re just animals living temporarily in this planet. There are vast, great, unknown powers at work that humans cannot possibly comprehend. Traveling dispels the notion of self-importance and instills in our hearts that the world and everything in it demand utmost respect.

Book a flight, arrange a tour, plan out an itinerary, and pack your bags. The world’s best teacher awaits you!

How well do you know Badian in the southern part of Cebu? Most of you would associate this third-class municipality of more than 37,000 people with the famous Kawasan Falls. You may associate Badian with Terra Manna, Badian Island, and other amazing white-sand resorts that seemingly beckon you to bask out in the tropical sun or swim out into aquamarine waters. Perhaps Badian is familiar to you due to its lively Banig Festival where expert local craftsmen weave and showcase beautiful native mats.

But we bet that only few of you know that the idyllic Badian is an extreme sports enthusiast’s haven. Deep within its lush jungles are deep, wet canyons that were gradually carved by rivers eons ago, canyons that hide dark secrets and wonders. Needless to say, exploring these canyons never fails to tickle the imagination of people who constantly need an adrenaline rush.

Exploration, traveling, and traversing canyons involve an extreme sport called canyoneering. In canyoneering, participants use various techniques that include several other outdoor activities such as hiking, scrambling, swimming, climbing, rapelling, and jumping. In many cases, ropework, technical skills and specialized gears are required to successfully traverse a canyon.

Together with our fellow adventurers, Apol, Mary Jane, Lenny, Choy and Halourd with the guidance of Sir Aldrin “Ya Man,” Sweetie and I had our first taste of canyoneering last March 9, 2014. Way before that date, we have unanimously decided to tackle a more challenging canyoneering activity than usual—going upstream against the river’s current and geological layout of the land.

As agreed, we met at the Cebu South Bus Terminal at 4:30 AM. We were able to board an air-conditioned bus bound for Moalboal at 5AM. It took us around 2.5 hours to reach the municipality of Moalboal where we took a hot, filling, and full Filipino breakfast; we need the energy for the activities lined up for the day.

You might wonder why we had to stop in Moalboal even though the bus we rode actually goes as far as Badian. Well, Sir Ya Man actually lives here, just near the town’s church and plaza. It’s a good thing since we can just leave our stuff and prepare ourselves right in the safety and convenience of his home. Sir Ya Man is the guy in black dry-fit shirt; the lady in yellow is his very accommodating mom.

This canyoneering activity also marks the first use of our brand-new Habagat personal flotation devices (PFDs) and AXA helmets (we still don’t have money to buy those expensive climbing helmets, so we’ll have to settle on these), which we will also use in our upcoming kayaking activities. Even though I am a strong swimmer (Sweetie can’t swim. Shhhh!), it is always better to be on the safe side by wearing a PFD.

After an hour, we bade goodbye to Sir Ya Man’s mom, walked to the highway, and hailed a jeep that will take us to our entry point in Kawasan Falls in Barangay Matutinao. Oh yes, we had fun talking to an old lady who bombarded us with jokes. Ahhh, the fun of rural life!

Half an hour later, we arrived at the entrance of Kawasan Falls where we paid P10 for the entrance fee. At this point, Sir Ya Man told us to hasten our pace. Hah! Blame it on the bus; no Badian-bound bus passed our way for 30 minutes. We had to settle on a much slower, smaller multicab.

Do not worry if you do not have your own PFD. On the way to Kawasan Falls, there’s a small souvenir shop where you can rent a PFD at a very reasonable price. For safety, we recommend you rent a PFD even if you’re a strong and capable swimmer.

After a few minutes, we reached the first and primary waterfall of Kawasan Falls. With the ugly huts and structures built right before the waterfalls demolished under the order of then Governor Gwen Garcia, Kawasan Falls looks more majestic than ever.

After taking a few photos of one of Cebu’s most famous waterfalls, we warmed up by hiking uphill to Station 3, which is the actual jump-off for our upstream canyoneering activity. Along the way, we witnessed pristine streams, splashing waterfalls, verdant jungles, and clean trails, serenaded by cacophony of songs of forest birds.

But we also saw sad and disconcerting evidences of man’s carelessness and cruelty to Mother Nature. These plastic bottles and cases are piled up together and will be properly disposed by the caretakers of the falls.  We should be mindful of our trash so we won’t make the place an ugly sight.

After half an hour of brisk, easy hiking, we arrived at Station 3, purportedly the source of Kawasan Falls water. This is also the usual exit point for local mountaineers doing an Osmeña Peak-to-Kawasan Falls traverse. Check out the cool, clear, clean water. It’s impossible to resist jumping in it!

Sir Ya Man briefed us on the route, the challenges that we expected to face, and techniques we need to use. We also set our team-member positions and made a safety check on each other.

After a short prayer, we were all set and excited to start this extreme adventure. Just look at the smiles on our faces! By the way, the water here is so cold even if the surface temperature is sweltering; it’s as cold as your bottle of chilled water in your refrigerator. With such low temperature, you can easily get a cramp, which is why wearing a PFD is advisable.

The first challenge of this adventure was what Sweetie dreads the most—swimming in deep water! She paled as her foot lost contact with the riverbed. But as soon as I held her hand and assured her that she’ll be okay (she’s wearing a PFD), she began to smile and laugh despite herself. The other members of the team were amused by the fact that Sweetie was amused about her inability to swim! We surfaced at the far end of the river.

We crossed and waded through the tributaries that flow through the main river. Even if we were still near our starting point, we needed to be careful because the rocks, covered with moist moss, were very slippery. One wrong move and one may end up with scratches, bruises, sprains, or worse, broken bones.

Just because we were following a flowing river doesn’t mean we won’t get to high ground. We also went inside the canopies of dense jungles. Even at this early in the adventure, we realized why canyoneering is such an exciting and fulfilling sport. Canyoneering encompasses every activity you do in the outdoors—trekking, swimming, climbing, scrambling, etc.

One of the best things about being in the outdoors is that we get to see very interesting wildlife. We found this large, colorful lizard, locally known as tabili, hiding under a cluster of leaves. We kept a safe distance and refrained from disturbing although he didn’t seem to be bothered by our presence.

Along the way, we also chanced upon this local contraption. Sir Ya Man told us that this is used to smoke coconuts to make copra. Pieces of coconut meat are placed on the bamboo “tray” while scraps of wood or coconut husks are burned below it to produce smoke. After being smoked and dried, coconut oil is extracted from the dried meat. That oil is then used as an ingredient for soap, shampoo, moisturizer, alternative fuel, herbicides, engine lubricant, and more. The dried meat is used for fertilizer and cattle feed.

In some areas, the river is just shin-deep. In others, waist deep. But in others, we needed to swim.

Finally, we arrived at a place where gigantic moss-filled walls of rock rose on both sides of the river. We arrived at the mouth of the Matutinao River canyon.

Sweetie and Apol helped each other navigate this slippery section of the canyon entrance. Teamwork is definitely needed here both for safety and to complete the entire adventure. Up ahead, the fast-flowing river disappeared into the thick forest. We had this eerie feeling that we were the only people here, yet somebody…or something…was watching us.

Further down the canyon are large basins of deep water. To move forward, we needed to fight against the current. At this point, the current was still relatively weak; but we can definitely feel it pushing us towards the canyon’s entrance as if the river does not want us to see her secrets. It was as if she’s saying, “You want to see my wonders? Then you have to fight for it.” That was what we just did.

Sir Choy, our sweeper, made sure that everyone is all accounted for. That’s where we came from—the entrance of the canyon as seen from the inside. Gorgeous, isn’t it? Just check out that cool, clean water.

But at the same time, we were dismayed at the presence of graffiti scratched into the delicate rocks. We couldn’t believe it; even in this remote, almost inaccessible part of the forest, irresponsible people still find the time and risk their lives just to make a statement for themselves. People who did this ought to be jailed and fined.

After several minutes, we dipped in and swam in a deep channel of water with a fast-flowing, really strong current. It’s so strong that trying to swim against it is futile; you can swim all day, and you still won’t move an inch. Complicating things was that there are no riverbanks here; it’s rock walls all the way!

The only way to successfully pass through this section was to swim to the very edge of the river, right beside the rock walls. The current here isn’t as strong as that in the middle, but still, we had to put up a good fight. Our goal is to go through that hole in the distance under that wedged rock.

The “weak” current is actually a misnomer; it is still immensely strong. We needed to hold on to stalactites, outcroppings, and pockets to avoid being swept away and to help us move ourselves forward. It required a lot of effort, but as you can see in the photo below, everyone seemed really happy to take this challenge.

One by one, we went through the hole and witnessed the source of the current, a small but powerful waterfall.

After everyone was through, it was my and Sir Choy’s turn to climb this waterfall.

You can see in the photos below the fight that we have to undertake. We needed to climb against the waterfall itself, which took considerable chunks of our strength. It is difficult to hold or step on the slippery rocks and crevices while climbing against the strong current. That’s what we call a challenge!

Everyone was all smiles knowing that they just battled a waterfall. We can never win against nature; we can only attempt to meet her challenges and survive. Oh, and we realized one thing: canyoneering is extremely fun and challenging!

But the challenges were just starting. Just a few minutes away from that powerful waterfall is another deep channel which we have to swim through. To escape an even stronger current, we stayed at the edges of the canyon under that rock overhang.

Check out the photo below to have an idea of what we saw in that canyon. That water is many fathoms deep; say goodbye to whatever you drop here. The echoes of the rushing water from the nearby waterfall seemed very eerie in this place.

You can see from the photo below that Sweetie was having fun despite swimming against the current. Also, check out the other adventurers; they had to stay at the edge of the canyon to avoid the strong current from sweeping them off.

Yes, we came all the way from there and left Station 3 far away. As you can probably see, if we went downstream, there’s no other way to go than to jump through these waterfalls! Awesome!

Sometimes, huge trees from above the canyon fall into the river. In time, they get overgrown with moss. Be careful because they may look solid, but they’re actually rotten inside.

More scrambling over another of Matutinao River’s beautiful flowing waterfalls! Mother Nature is simply amazing—it is both serene and powerful at the same time. Navigating through this incredibly beautiful canyon made us feel tiny and insignificant; we were totally exposed and vulnerable to Mother Nature’s whims. However, we also felt the waters wash away the doubts, sadness, confusion, and stresses that we have harbored in our souls.

It was all worth the fight and effort. We were rewarded with the most amazing vistas deep inside the bowels of Badian.

This is one of the trickiest challenges of the canyon, which is why a rope was laid out. You see, that waterfall is quite strong and the underwater ledges are quite low. That means water punches us right in the face! Complicating this section is the fact that the slope where the guide is stabilizing himself is quite slippery and sloping. Finally, you need to swim across that lagoon to the waterfall; the water is quite deep.

“I got you!” Teamwork is essential to successfully accomplish this challenge.

You can probably tell from the photo below what we have to contend with—a very strong curtain of water channeled through a deep lagoon through slippery rocks with almost no handholds or footholds.

The video below shows you how we helped each other and negotiated this difficult part of the canyon. Oh, in case you want a spoiler: this is actually a blooper. Hehehe!

We spent a few minutes catching our breath only to find out that just several minutes away was another series of waterfalls that we have to scramble on. Go, go, go! We still have plenty of fight left in us. We seemed to run on a great amount of energy coming from the fun, excitement, and determination to successfully come out of this adventure alive.

We walked for quite sometime until we came to an area littered with huge boulders that fell from above the canyon. At first, we thought this was the ugly scar of a man-made excavation.

Just check out how big those boulders are, judging from the photo below. Even a glancing blow from a considerable sized falling boulder can actually kill a person.

Well, those boulders are the remnants of a massive landslide that was triggered during the 7.2 magnitude Bohol earthquake, which occurred last October 2013. The sad thing was that the landslide covered the entrance of an immense cave that features a cathedral, rendering the cave inaccessible. According to Sir Ya Man, the cave also had a stream and a small lagoon supplied by the river’s water.

Just beyond the landslide is this deep channel of water. According to our knowledgeable guide, the water here was once just thigh-deep. Now, people need to swim across it as the boulders from the landslide have plugged the water’s normal flow.

We had a considerably long swim ahead of us, which gave us ample time to simply relax and float on the water. Along the way, we witnessed numerous large stalactites that line up the underside of the canyon. Stalactites are formed when deposits of calcium carbonate and other minerals, which are suspended in drops of water, harden as they drip down. In time, the deposits harden, causing stalactites to form.

We also had to inch through slippery, moss-covered cliffs to go forward. Since the cliffs have very few handholds, Sir Ya Man established a line that people can use as a safety rail.

That’s what the side of the cliff looks like. It’s a bit slanted so it’s relatively easy to traverse. Just watch out for the slippery sections.

Lunchtime! We ate a simple lunch under a canopy of rock that Sir Ya Man aptly called “The Cafeteria.” Strangely, the draft here is quite cool, and we were actually shivering in the cold air despite the hot summer day.

After lunch, we had more trekking and scrambling up huge, mossy, and slippery boulders.

We had more sections of the pristine river to traverse and swim through.

And we have more mighty waterfalls to climb.

We came upon this boulder-strewn section of the canyon where the water was so clear that you can actually make out individual boulders under the water.

Sweetie’s first jump off a rock and into a river! Sweetie can climb immensely high cliffs, ascend tall mountains, crawl through dark caves, or trek through kilometers of rough trails. However, she’s always deathly afraid of water. In fact, she was very hesitant to jump even though she was wearing a PFD; I had to hold her hand and jumped with her.

Which makes you wonder: Sweetie’s okay with scuba diving several feet below the sea but is wholly afraid of jumping and swimming in a river even if she has a PFD on?

Navigating through this gate of boulders required us to be vigilant of where we step on. That’s because the large rocks are super slippery, and one wrong, careless move can seriously injure any of us. However, the constant element of danger is what makes exploring the wilderness full of thrill and excitement.

That forest of large boulders was definitely a gateway. For beyond that, we saw this magnificent green lagoon surrounded by protective walls of rock. We were almost done with this crazy adventure!

While floating peacefully in the lagoon, we saw this footbridge high above the canyon. It signifies that human habitation is not far away.

Hello there, little gecko! Thank you for letting us explore your astounding home in the wild.

Don’t you just want to simply dip, dive, and swim in these aquamarine waters? That would be a very welcome balm to a hot summer day. This lagoon is called “The Dead End” and it marks the exit point of the canyon.

High diving is definitely the activity of the day here! We climbed that slippery cliff, holding on to the roots that trail on the cliff’s walls. After reaching the top, it was time to simply jump, enjoy the fall, and scream in exhilaration.

As a final challenge, we climbed a tall and mighty waterfall that offers almost no handholds. In every step, we felt that the powerful flow of water is constantly, mercilessly trying to sweep off our feet.

That’s the view from above the waterfall. As you can see from the photo below, the powerful flow of water feeds the lagoon. Yes, we know what you’re thinking and you’re right: it’s a lovely secret pool right there. If The Fountain of Youth or the Pool of Bathsheba was real, then it would definitely be this unbelievably beautiful place.

Beyond the waterfall is another powerful waterfall which is considered as the true source of Matutinao River and Kawasan Falls.

After spending an hour frolicking in the chilly, clear water, it was time to go home. A steep trail from the bottom of the canyon goes up several meters to normal ground level.

Here’s one final look at the exquisite, well-kept secret paradise we just left. For sure, this will NOT be the last as we are planning another canyoneering adventure—this time, going downstream.

The presence of a bamboo tube which supplies locals with fresh water from a spring signals the end of our incredible adventure and marks the welcome to Barangay Canlaob in Alegria—and civilization.

That’s my valuable souvenir for this adventure. Yes, expect bruises, scrapes, and cuts if you’re flat-footed like me.

What an awesome canyoneering team! Thank you so much to Sirs Ya Man, Halourd, and Choy as well as to Ma’ams Apol, Mary Jane, and Lenny for bringing us here. Truly, canyoneering through the ravines of Badian was one of the best, most intense, most exciting, and most adrenaline-pumping adventures we’ve ever had. We should do this again, guys and gals!

Suggested Itinerary

4:00 AM – meet up at Cebu South Bus Terminal
5:00 AM – ETD Cebu South Bus Terminal, going to Moalboal
7:30 AM – stop at Moalboal, breakfast, buy packed lunch
8:00 AM – walk to Sir Ya Man’s house, leave unnecessary stuff, prepare gears
8:30 AM – ride bus/multicab to Kawasan Falls at Barangay Matutinao, Badian
9:30 AM – start trek to jumpoff, rent lifejacket
10:00 AM – arrival at Station 3, briefing, last minute checks.
10:15 AM – start canyoneering adventure
1:00 PM – lunch at “The Cafeteria”
1:30 PM – resume canyoneering adventure
3:30 PM – finish canyoneering adventure, exit at Barangay Canlaob in Alegria
4:00 PM – ride habal-habal from Barangay Canlaob to highway
4:15 PM – ride bus from highway to Moalboal
4:45 PM – arrive at Moalboal, go to Sir Ya Man’s house, freshen up, get things
5:15 PM – walk to highway, wait for bus or ride a V-hire to Cebu
5:30 PM – ETD Moalboal, going to Cebu South Bus Terminal

Budget (per person)*

• P 110 – Non-aircon bus fare from CSBT to Moalboal (P 130 for aircon bus)
• P 25 – Multicab fare from Moalboal to Kawasan Falls
• P 10 – entrance fee to Kawasan Falls
• P 50 – Lifejacket rental
• P 25 – Habal-habal fare from Barangay Canlaob, Alegria to Highway
• P 25 – Bus fare from Alegria to Moalboal
• P 110 – Non-aircon bus fare from Moalboal to CSBT (P 130 for aircon bus, 100 for V-hire)
• TBN – Guide fee (to be negotiated)

* We did not include our expenses for meals, snacks, souvenirs, tips, and other fees in this rate sheet as you may have different needs, preferences, itineraries, miscellaneous transportation, and sharing scheme from us. Note that all figures are subject to change without prior notice.

Tips

1. Contact Sir Aldrin a.k.a. Ya Man at 0932-9256545 as a guide. Negotiate the price with him.

2. For safety, wear a PFD (personal flotation device) or lifejacket. Many parts of the river are deep and you’ll be constantly battling the current (if you’re going upstream). Thus, there is always a constant danger of drowning. Never underestimate the river even if you’re a strong swimmer and always be on the side of safety.

If you don’t have your own personal PFD, rent one in Kawasan for P50.

3. The water in the river is quite cold, which can make you more susceptible to leg cramps. That’s another reason why you should wear a lifejacket. If you can’t stand cold temperatures, try wearing a wet suit. Your body heat warms up the water trapped in your wet suit, decreasing heat loss.

4. For safety, it is highly recommended that you wear a helmet. You’ll be climbing boulders, swimming under rock outcroppings, and jumping from heights. You need something to protect your head. A skateboarding or open-face motorcycle helmet will do just fine if you don’t have a proper climbing or caving helmet.

5. Going upstream is physically and mentally challenging since you have to hike uphill, climb waterfalls, and swim against the current. If this is your first time canyoneering, we recommend going downstream where you will go with the canyon’s lay and the river’s flow. In that case, you will start in Alegria rather than in Kawasan.

We don’t have details about a downstream itinerary as of this posting. However, we are planning to go downstream sometime in April. Stay tuned!

6. For safety, if this is your first time engaging in outdoor adventures, you should not attempt canyoneering, especially going upstream. The sport is demanding and technical, and you may end up with regrets and frustration after realizing that a lot is required of you. Also, you don’t want your team to be constantly on the lookout for you; they are also working hard to tend to themselves. Finally, in canyoneering, you may be following a tight itinerary, and if you lag behind or if you constantly need supervision, then you’ll delay your schedule (this becomes dangerous if darkness begins to set in).

Thus, we highly recommend spending a bit of time gaining experience in other outdoor activities such as bouldering, mountaineering, and snorkeling. All of these activities are related to canyoneering.

7. For safety, don’t make high dives no matter how tempting the water is without asking your guide’s permission.

8. It is strongly recommended that you know how to swim, even simple dog paddle or freestyle. If you don’t know how to swim, it is imperative that you wear a PFD.

9. For safety, do not stray away from the group. Keep them and yourself in visual range.

10. Take time and effort to check your footing and your handholds. Many of the natural features that you’re going to use are slippery and unstable. A wrong move can lead to injuries.

11. Use the webbing/rope that the guide provides. It’s there for your own safety and ease of traversing.

12. Do not disturb, handle, capture, or kill wildlife. Doing so violates both Municipal Ordinance 2009-01 and Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Protection and Protection Act.

Remember to practice the Leave No Trace principles. Do not throw your garbage anywhere to protect and preserve the pristine beauty of the canyon.

13. Pack light but do bring the following:

• Water (at least a liter)
• Trekking sandals or aqua shoes with an aggressive tread
• Rashguard
• Cycling shorts, board shorts
• PFD
• Helmet
• Snacks (store in waterproof container)
• Packed lunch (store in waterproof container)
• Dry bag (to store your valuables and lunch)
• Extra dry clothes (you’ll leave them at the guide’s house)
• Extra money for emergencies (stored in waterproof container)

Your guide will provide the technical requirements such as ropes, webbing, and carabiners.

14. Obviously, you need to waterproof everything. But since you’ll be jumping, swimming, and getting splashed around by strong curtains of water, you need much more than just the usual Ziplock sandwich bag or plastic bag. We recommend putting your valuables, batteries, and money in a Ziplock bag then put that bag inside a watertight box (or something equivalent). You can purchase watertight boxes and cases in outdoor shops like ROX Ayala, Habagat, or Chris Sports.

They can cost a lot, so if you can’t afford them, simply place your stuff in a two or three Ziplock bags. Leave your electronics and other unnecessary things at the guide’s house.