TROTTING SOLO UP NORTH

                                        

Mount Pulag, Kabayan, Benguet

            My northern adventure began on the night of March 10, 2015 when I boarded a plane from Davao City going to Manila. After landing, I went straight to Victory Liner in Pasay City and rode on the 11:15PM bus bound for Baguio City. I arrived at Baguio City at around 6:00AM the next day, ate breakfast and went to the van terminal bound for Kabayan, Benguet. Since I do not know the place, I told the driver to drop me off DENR Ambangueg. It was a 3-hour ride and I realized when we stopped over a restaurant after an hour and a half that I was the only female among the passengers. But I sensed the rest of the passengers were nice people. My seatmate whom I guessed was at his sixties was even kind enough to tell me the names of the beautiful sights and places we passed by, including the Ambuklao Dam.  I believe he was just so proud of his place, but he should be.

            At DENR Ambangueg I registered for my Mt. Pulag climb and had an orientation. Then I rode on a ‘habal-habal’ for the price of P500.00 for a 45-minute ride going up the Ranger Station to enlist myself again for the climb and pay the Environmental Fee and fees for guide and porter. They charged P600.00 for the guide and another P600.00 for the porter. The guide is a must, the porter is optional.I also rented a tent and a sleeping bag there. The Scout Ranger even gave me his number for contacts in case of emergency. I appreciatedtheir organized and systematic procedure of Mt. Pulag climb. That, I understand, is how sacred the mountain is for them.

            After lunch, we started our trek. At about 4:00PM we reached Camp 2 and decided to fix my tent there because it was already drizzling. At 4:00AM the next day, we began our climb to the summit and it was freezing cold. Along the trail, we met other climbers who slept-over in other camps. At about 6:30AM we reached the summit and it was still dark. We waited for the sunrise. And there it was, the beautiful sunrise revealed the sea of clouds. It was about 12:00NN when I got back at DENR, logged-out, fixed myself and had lunch.

Baguio City

            Since there was no public vehicle direct from Ambangueg to Sagada, I went back to Baguio City. I had a prompt tour around the city and got a taste of strawberries. Had a few hours sleep in an inn to have energy to catch the early trip to Sagada the next day. Though I’ve been in Sagada the year before, I still wanted to go there even just for a day. It’s one of the places that I want to keep coming back to. I even want to live there, hehe.

Sagada

Market day in Sagada.

            After sleeping-over at Baguio City, I got the 7:00 AM bus to Sagada since the 6:30AM first trip bus was already full. I arrived in Sagada at about 12NN. The bus fare is only P250.00. I was able to stay at the Green House Inn for P300.00 a night. The inns/ stay-homes there are cheap, but the food are a little bit expensive. Since I was able to tour the place the year before, I just took a tour within the town proper and savor the cool and refreshing weather. At night, I had dinner at Kimchi Bar, a Bob-Marley inspired bar.

Bob Marley bar.

St. Mary the Virgin Church.

            For first timers, there are really a lot to see in Sagada. To name a few are the Sumaguing Cave, the Hanging Coffins, the St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Echo Valley. One can also take a trek to Bomod-ok Falls and of course fall in love at Mt. Kiltepan, one of the shoot locations of the famous Tagalog movie, That Thing Called Tadhana.

Bontoc

Tools of early Bontoc tribe.

            After staying for a day in Sagada, I proceeded to Bontoc. It’s just a 45-minute jeepney ride from Sagada and the fare is only P45.00. I just strolled in the town proper and went to Bontoc Museum. After that I went to Banawe.

 

Banaue

The amazing Banaue Rice Terraces.
Largest human-made architecture.

Finding foreigner friends in Banaue.

    My trip to Banaue was a surprise. I really have no plans of going to Banaue again since, the year before, I already saw the Banaue Rice Terraces, the one in the One Thousand Peso bill. I was planning to go to Nueva Viscaya but I was not able to catch the last trip to Solano. Fortunately, there was a van, a special trip to Banaue since there were passengers who requested. The driver told me that I could take a jeepney from Banaue to Solano. But we arrived Banawe at almost 6:00 o'clock, so I decided to stay overnight. It was just a right decision. I was amazed to discover that most tourists visiting Banaue are foreigners. I was even mistaken for a Vietnamese, hehe. I stayed at Halfway Lodge an Restaurant and all my lodgemates were foreigners. The lodging houses were cheap. It can range from P200 - P300. The food are a little bit expensive, kind of a hotel price.

Anitos of the Ifugaos

Skulls of animals captured by Ifugao hunters.

     The following morning I took a short tour to the tourists spots via a tricycle. I paid only P200.00 for the tour. Then bought some souvenirs and went off to the terminal bound to Solano. 

Nueva Vizcaya

St. Dominic Church in Bayombong,
Nueva Vizcaya.

     From Banaue I took a jeepney to Solano, Nueva Vizcaya via Lagawe, Ifugao. It was an almost 2 and 1/2- hour ride and the fare was P100.00. It was still cold when I left Banaue, but when I reached Lagawe I could already feel the heat and the dusts are coming in. So I realized that not all parts of Ifugao Province are cold, as what I always assumed.

     When I reached Solano, I made a quick change in the restroom of a gasoline station. Then I left my backpack in the baggage counter of a department store, ate my lunch and took a tricycle for a quick tour in Solano and Bayombong thru a tricycle. 

     I went to Heroes Park in Solano and the tricyle took me to St. Dominic Church in Bayombong. I was also able to see their provincial capitol. 

 Isabela

LaSalette Shrine

     My itchy feet brought me as far as Isabela province. After Nueva Vizacaya, a van took me to Santiago, Isabela. Since I already ran out of time as I need to go back to Manila that day, I just had a very quick tour, again, via a tricycle. I just went to Balay na Santiago, the Chapel of Transfiguration and La Salette Shrine.

     After a tiring but interesting day's tour, I rode on a night bus going to Manila. I took the 9:00 o'clock bus so I wouldn't be late for my 10AM flight to Davao City the next day. The trip from Santiago to Manila was ten hours and cost almost P600.00.

Chapel of Transfiguration

Giant statues of The Way of the Cross.

     Travelling alone is just so fun. Aside from the learnings, experiences and self-discovery, it is also empowering.

SARANGANI - THE HIDDEN PARADISE OF THE SOUTH

This magnificent sunrise greeted us as we sail towards Balut Island.

     In the southernmost part of Mindanao lies the Municipality of Sarangani, the farthest municipality of Davao del Sur. But in the year 2016, Sarangani will formally become part of Davao Occidental. In truth, Sarangani is nearer to Indonesia and Malaysia than to the Philippines. It is composed of two main islands, Sarangani and Balut. Balut Island is where the seat of government lies.  Most barangays are composed of islets. 

Balut Island

     This year was my second time to go there. Last year was my first and both times the trips were smooth. I was glad to have been spared of the horrific, gargantuan waves brought about by strong ocean currents and deep sea trenches, as we crossed the Sarangani Strait, a part of the Celebes Sea. I have been told of horrible stories by every person I met who had already gone to Sarangani. The first time I went there I and my other first-timer companions sought for a prayer brigade for our safe travel. It may sound over-acting, but it's true. These horrific, gargantuan waves are the reasons why many travelers turn their backs on Sarangani. This time around, I got the chance to tour the place.

How to get there

     From Digos City, the capital of Davao del Sur, we traveled to General Santos City for almost two hours. From the terminal we went to the port of Puting-Bato where boats which ferried us to Balut Island are docked. There are also boats going to the island docked at Lion Beach. The boat departs at 11:00PM and arrives at Balut Island the next day. It usually takes 6 - 7 hours to reach Balut island, depending on the weather and the gargantuan waves, of course.

The people

     One best thing in the place is the warm and nice people. Almost 90 per cent of the people in Sarangani are members of the B'laan tribe, Maranao and Sangil. Sangil is an ethnic of Indonesian origin, they are the first inhabitants in Sarangani. Only 10 per cent are Christians. 

The food

     Of course, the food was great. Being a coastal municipality, fishing is the main source of livelihood of the people. There I found sea foods of high quality with the cheapest prices. Call me naive, but I was so excited looking at those big and freshly-harvested lapulapu, talakitok and several other colorful fishes still moving their heads and tails while being displayed in the market tables. And the octopus, it's really amusing to see their inks running through their transparent bodies and arms. Who would not be awed by the P70/kilo assorted high-quality fishes and P70/kilo octopus? I just want to bring them all to Davao. But the best was the oh, so delisyoso Curacha - a crab that looks like a turtle.

The spots

     You should conquer your fear of the gargantuan waves and don't travel abroad without seeing Sarangani's magnificent spots. The place has so much to offer. Since it is composed of islets, island-hopping is an exciting activity.

     
1. Tuke' Maclang - It means Punta Putol or Broken Point. From the Port of Mabila, one can reach Tuke' Maclang 10-15 minutes through pumpboat ride.

Tuke' Maclang

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

   

Sunset at Tuke' Maclang

2. Tuke' Nun Sol - Also known as Punta Buslot because of the cave-like openings or holes. It can be reached through a 30-minute pumpboat ride from the Port of Mabila.

Tuke' Nun Sol

Sunset at Tuke' Nun Sol

3. Olanivan Island - Paraiso! That's how I describe this island. Located in Brgy. Patuco, this pristine island stands in solitary in the outermost part of Sarangani. From the Port of Mabila, it can be reached through a 45 minute to an hour trip (depending on the weather) via pumpboat ride. Don't ever die without experiencing its grandeur.

4. Ballistic Island - This historical island is also known as Port Villalobos. It's just a 5-minute pumpboat ride from the Port of Mabila. Accordingly, the Spanish explorer Jose Villalobos landed here and made a fortress.

                                                                If you want adventure, chillin' out and excitement, Sarangani is what you're lookin' for! 🚣

Exploring Jose Abad Santos

In the southernmost part of Mindanao and within the province of Davao del Sur lies the coastal municipality of Jose Abad Santos. By virtue of RA10360, JAS will formally become part of the newly-created province of Davao Occidental when the province will have its own seat of government through the 2016 elections. It is the farthest municipality of the province that can be reached by land on an 7-8 hour trip, depending on the weather, from Digos City - the capital of Davao del Sur. It is a home to the B'laan people, a tribe in Mindanao that is rich in culture and tradition.

     Travelling to JAS is truly an adventure. Vans which are strong as bulldozers (they should be) are used as public utility vehicles to transport travellers to JAS. From Don Marcelino, JAS' adjacent municipality, we experienced high, rough, tough, rocky slopes and winding roads. This is why vans left Digos City at dawn because it's too dangerous to drive along these slopes when dark. Gee, I could just imagine myself in an off-road drive challenge. 

     When we reached the place called Winston we had to alight from the van so that it could easily pass through a high slope going down, since a truck overloaded with sacks of copra accidentally tumbled over along a sharp curve and blocked almost half of the narrow road. So, there we went walking almost a kilometer down the rocky road. But below those slopes is a vast stretch of the clear, blue waters of the Davao Gulf. Such an endearing and refreshing sight to behold. How awesome is it driving in the mountainside with the blue sea below . . . so picturesque. The kind I only see in post cards.

     I've been in this place eight years ago. The first time was for a short visit, now was for work. A lot has changed. But, it still amazed when I saw again those dried up rivers  and a few flowing ones where vehicles would literally pass through. 

     After a grueling but exciting trip, we arrived in the town's poblacion. We eat our lunch and settled at JAS Travellers Inn. It is a beachfront resort with cozy nipa cottages. Then, off we went to the municipal hall which is just in front of the Baywalk.

    Walking along the Baywalk in the afternoon is so refreshing because of the soothing sea breeze. You can sit on the benches under the talisay trees, looking at the horizon, reflecting, reminiscing . . . lost in your thoughts and imagination.  In the nighttime, isn't it romantic watching the stars while walking along the beach? It seems the stars, as in millions of them, are so near and shining brightly.

     And oh, the sunrise is perfect! And there's a kind of fantastic feeling when you're swimming and big waves roll over you and toss you to the shore. 

     JAS indeed is one of a kind, worthy to become a tourist destination. It has limitless awesomeness from sunrise to sunset. Its long stretch of beaches with both black and white fine sands, and pebbles is truly nature's gift. It's big waves are good for surfing. It's laid-back ambiance is so comforting. And, not to mention the seafood . . . fresh, big and colorful species of fish like lapulapu, squid and several kinds of lobsters, you can have them of course at lower prices. Since JAS is mostly planted with coconut trees, expect an unlimited servings of cool and refreshing buko juice. You can have them for free, just make friends with the warm people in the neighborhood.

     Indeed, JASsing was quite a wonderful experience. ♥