Maragusan is located in Compostella Valley’s highland region. A mountain range surrounds this small town. Looking for something unusual wasn’t hard, as Christine Dompor, the Provincial Tourism Officer, took me to the town’s favorite hangout.

Haven’s Peak is a resort nestled on Tarago Hills facing Maragusan. It offers a panorama that would keep the visitors coming back. I was lucky to witness it.

Mist slowly moved to my direction. The town was nowhere in sight after half an hour. It was like what happened to a Californian fishing town in John Carpenter’s “The Fog.” An otherworldly sight it was.

Henrich Nalzaro, a local government unit officer, was delighted at my reaction. He remarked matter-of-factly that the mountains hid numerous waterfalls. He invited me to see Pyalitan Falls, which is several kilometers away from the town.

About 40 minutes later, we trek on a muddy footpath. Here and there were plants and trees that were only found in Mindanao. It took us nearly 30 minutes to reach a two-tier falls. The first one was about a few feet high, while the second has a drop of 10 feet.

Nalzaro told me that we must climb up in able to see Pyalitan. Ascending the rocky slope besides the first falls wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t the case with the second.

He pointed to the two boulders located a few meters away from the top of the second falls. We needed both rope and bamboo to able to pass through the small opening between it. With a little help from Dompor’s staff, I managed to bring my overweight body up there.

We saw another two-tier waterfall, but this one was more dramatic. The first falls was about 15-feet high, while the second one was probably 150 feet in height. Fatigue was setting in, but we couldn’t stop. We crossed a rocky creek and climbed another rocky slope to be able to get close to the grandest of the four falls.

Pyalitan looked like a mini version of Venezuela’s Angel Falls. The sky seemed so close. If ecstasy is about elevation, then this huge waterfall is the tops.

Descending wasn’t difficult, as I used my butt to keep my feet from slipping. We were back to starting point about an hour later. As we passed by the mountain range, all I could think of was the waterfalls up there. How I wished I could stay there.

By:  Francis Rex Alger

(First published in Manila Times on May 30, 2009)

I was told that there are more than 20 waterfalls in this city, and that one needs to stay for two weeks in able to see most of it. It was hard to doubt it, as much of Iligan’s landscape is mountainous. I don’t know of any place in Mindanao - or even in the Philippines - that is gifted with this unique natural feature.

Some of the country’s most gorgeous cascades can be found here. As a matter of fact, Barangay Buru-un is lucky to have three falls that are close to each other, namely Maria Christina, Tinago and Mimbalut Falls.

Maria Christina Falls

Maria Christina is one of the few twin falls in the country. A hydroelectric plant harnesses its water for electric power, which is why visitors must be there on weekends from 11 AM to 11:30 AM in able to see the 320-foot falls in full blast. Locals and tourists alike would surely be hooked to its majestic view.

Tinago Falls

A river or lake is the source of most waterfalls. Tinago is an exception. Hidden in a deep ravine, water seeps out from a rocky wall that is about 420 feet high. Visitors will be challenged to climb down and up the 340-step staircase. The rewards are a spectacular view of this one-of-a-kind-falls, and a chance to frolic on the basin-like pool below.

Mimbalut Falls

Mimbalut is another unique waterfalls. Parallel lines of water cascade down a 90-foot slope, which can be an arresting sight if one is standing close to it. This falls looks best at morning, when the sun’s rays make the scenery captivating.

These three falls can be visited in a day. A few more days are needed to see the others, which is a good enough reason to return to Iligan.

HOW TO GET THERE:

1. Philippine Airlines (www.philippineairlines.com) and Cebu Pacific (cebupacificair.com) have daily flights to Cagayan de Oro. Visit their websites for their list of flight schedules.

2. Take a taxi to Cagayan de Oro’s bus terminal. Once there, hop in a Rural Transit bus that goes to Iligan. The journey is about one and a half hours long.

3. Upon reaching Iligan, go to Monterey/Masonic Temple where there are taxis and jeeps that travel to Barangay Buru-un. It’s less than 10 kilometers away from the city proper.

4. In case you’ll take a jeep, it’s advisable to go to the talipapa (stalls selling fishes) where there are habal-habal (motorcycles used as public transport) in line. Hire one to take you to the three waterfalls.

(For more details, visit www.iligan.gov.ph)

Text and photos by Francis Rex Alger

GuestBlogger

I didn’t expect much when I was on my way to Davao Oriental. I thought I saw the best of eastern Mindanao after visiting the nearby provinces a few years earlier. I was dead wrong when I reached Mati, the provincial capital.

Not far from the city is Sleeping Dinosaur Island, one of the eye-catching sights in Pujada Bay. I kept on staring at the shape of the isle’s landscape, which looks like a reptile at rest (thus the moniker). So I wondered then and there what else this southern province has in store for visitors. Hans, my guide, showed me the way.

For the next two days, we passed by verdant mountains, lovely coastlines and white beaches that I lost count of. There would be a next time to explore them, he said, as we went to the province’s main attraction.

Not far from the town of Cateel is a rocky stairway where cool water cascades toward a crystal-clear river. Public buses from Compostella Valley slow down so that passengers could stare at this majestic falls.

Locals call it Aliwagwag. I don’t know the origin of the word, but I bet it means breathtaking. It may also be the most gorgeous waterfalls in the Philippines.

I submerged my feet into the knee-deep river. I was invigorated from its coolness. I was about to walk to the stony steps when Hans called my attention.

He reminded me that we have no place to spend the night in Cateel. We have to leave the falls, but he promised me a better place: a white-sanded islet between Pujada Bay and the Pacific Ocean. He claimed that it changes its shape according to the ocean current.

White beach. Islet of fine sands. Nothing but the sand and the sea. It was hard to resist.

HOW TO GET THERE:

1. Philippine Airlines (www.philippineairlines.com) and Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com) have daily flights to Davao City. Check their websites for their list of flight schedules.

2. Bachelor buses travel from Davao City to Mati on a daily basis. There are also vans in SM Davao that will take you to Mati on a shorter time. It’s advisable to depart at early morning, as commuting would be three hours (at the least).

3. Bachelor buses also travel from Mati to Cateel (and vice versa). It’s better to leave at early morning, as there are hardly any buses during late afternoons and evenings. You can visit the Provincial Tourism Office for more details.

The Philippines, being a tropical country, has attracted both local and foreign tourists and investors. Although the West’s White Christmas is never felt here, beaches welcome vacationers almost any day of the year.

People can visit famous tourist spots in the country with just enough cash advance. Not only do they get to see the sparkling water, they also get to taste sumptuous Filipino delicacies at a very reasonable cost.

Whether they aim a top beach destination down south to the party place of Boracay, or nature tripping up north to the unexploited scenery of Pagudpud, families will certainly enjoy the Christmas spirit inspired by nature.

I always see this phrase online on some travel sites. As I see my goal last year to travel to Disneyland and meet Mickey mouse. But it was not realized, hopefully this year we could. Browsing different discount travel packages is what I do now in preparation for that long time dream. I’m looking for any agency that offering low cost, quality vacations for just about any vacation interest anyone may have.

I find this site also on online cash advance which is relatively easy to obtain, provided one meets the basic eligibility requirements of the lender. We’ll it’s just for unexpected or emergency expenses.

I just want to have that exotic vacation and I know that many travel agencies along with their usual full cost, luxury trips offer these options. And a full service options include airfare, other necessary modes of travel while at the vacation destination, hotels, meals, touring interests and any other perks offered in the package.

A worry free vacation from the time a person steps onto the plane until the time they return home is what I want. Traveling to Hong Kong? It is possible, just want to make sure my finances is okay.

The most common belief is they were an ancient coral limestone reef that was shaped by many thousands of year’s erosion by both water and wind. That is why, I’m planning to go this summer and explore my father’s hometown.

This campaign organized by the non-profit New7Wonders Foundation, to choose the New 7 Wonders of Nature, is off to a promising start. This is my opportunity to vote. Let us support the country’s 3rd National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Chocolate Hills- Philippines

Photo Courtesy: davaophoto.com

• - World-renowned cone-shaped Chocolate Hills is Nature’s expression of beauty, mystery and romance.

• - Spread over the municipalities of Carmen, Sagbayan and Batuan, the Chocolate Hills is the province’s signature attraction.

• - It consists of approximately 1,268 hay cock hills with heights ranging from 40 to 120 meters.

• - Formed centuries ago by tidal movements, the hills are considered as a National Geologic Movement. During the summers, the dome-shaped grass covered limestone hills dry up and turn brown, transforming the area into seemingly endless rows of chocolate “kisses”.

Current Rank: 8

Live Ranking: see the Top 77 of today
Vote now for Chocolate Hills

It was not in my plan to go to Baguio because I was just attending for a wedding. But the group ( mikel, mito and mae ) decided to dropped by before going home since it was just I guess two hours from Pangasinan.The way to Baguio is just the same as going to Davao City via Buda. The long and winding road was along our way overlooking at the panoramic view of the place. Such a wonderful place away from pollution. You can mesmerize the cold breeze and see the foggy sky as if it was just early in the morning.

Long before, I used to dream that someday I could go boating in Burnham Park. It was really fun when you were the one to row your boat and sing,

” Row, row, row your boat dancing down the stream! Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily life is just a dream! “

Boating in Burnham Park really fascinated me, with its lagoon, trees, flowers, and picnic grounds. Burnham Park is a great place for relaxation and recreation which is ideal for family. Chairs and benches are distributed around the park for those who just want to sit down and relax. You can also go biking and strolling along the park where tennis and basketball courts, a few restaurants, outdoor kiosks, a children’s playground are within the park. Seeing beautiful and happy faces eased our lonely moments. Ideal place to take pictures. We went to Baguio Cathedral, the church where Aga Mulach and Charlene Gonzales happily wed. I was able to see also the overlooking view of the whole city at night.

That was my fascinating experience in Baguio. Someday I can visit again together with my family in God’s perfect plan. For me, it was just a Paradise Philippines, city of Pines Baguio.

See PhotoGallery for the Pictures.

The distant land to see

I long to go back soon

To sweet Bukidnon home.

Her lovely mountains high

Her forest old and grand

Bring memories to me

The home I long to see.

There my heart, yearns to be

In far away, Bukidnon land

Under its blue and starry skies

Where love and joy never die.

When you heard the word “Bukidnon” what usually comes in your mind? Definitely, you would visualize the long terrain of mountains and highlands. The highland Paradise Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao Region.Bukidnon is considered as the food basket of Mindanao. It is an agricultural economy where agricultural firms like Del Monte Philippines, Lapanday Diversified Products Corp., Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Development Corp are involved in the pineapple production. Dole Philippines and Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ventures, Inc is into banana production. Other business includes Bukidnon Sugar Milling Corporation (BUSCO), Crystal Sugar Milling for sugar milling, Phil-Agro Industrial Corporation for starch production, Menzi Agricultural Development for cacao. Agaropyta Phils. Inc., Bukidnon Greens Inc., FP Obrero Farms and ARDEM, Inc for cutflower production. San Miguel Foods Corp. (SMFI_PFC), Monterey Farms Corp., Swift Foods, Inc are food manufacturing giants.

Bukidnon is my home! For me, it is a Paradise Philippines in the mountain. I lived here for almost twenty four years and yet eager to explore more of its wonders in nature. Wherever I may be, my heart yearns to come home to my beloved hometown.

I always remember this song: “Bukidnon My Home” when going to different places. Truly love and joy will never dies.

I will tour you in my place, Camp Phillips, Bukidnon. The home of Pineapple Plantation. The modern community of Camp Phillips is located in Agusan Canyon, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. The climate is relatively cool and moist throughout the year. Del Monte Pinapple Plantation has an area of 90 sq km, is one of the largest in the world. Just an hour drive from Cagayan de Oro is Camp Phillips. You will be able to see the big pineapple statue upon entering the community and taste the delicious pineapples. The people are very friendly and accommodating. You can see all houses are the same but only differ in colors. Del Monte Company provides free house and lot for those who are working in the company with free electricity and water. Such a good privilege that one could offer.

There is a clubhouse and a golf course within the plantation. Where golfers and ripening pineapples are found. Established in 1928, the famous Del Monte Golf Course’s first nine holes were designed by Peter Crawford while the second nine by Celestino Tugot.

As the lyrics of the song: Wherever I may be, I long to go back soon and sweet Bukidnon home. There is no place like home. Memories abound and my heart yearns for its wonders. You too can explore and visit! Try it yourself!

View : Gallery

]]> http://www.philippinesparadise.info/travel-destination/paradise-philippines-home-of-finest-pineapples.htm/feed http://www.philippinesparadise.info/travel-destination/paradise-philippines-a-city-in-bloom-in-blossom-and-in-boom.htm http://www.philippinesparadise.info/travel-destination/paradise-philippines-a-city-in-bloom-in-blossom-and-in-boom.htm#comments Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:26:06 +0000 admin http://philippinesparadise.info/paradise-philippines-a-city-in-bloom-in-blossom-and-in-boom.htm Cagayan de Oro City is the gateway to Northern Mindanao, city of Golden Friendship! And the city in Bloom, in Blossom, and in BOOM!

Quick Facts about CDO

With a land area of 488.86 sq. kms.If you travel by air, it takes an hour and a half of 491 miles (810 air kms) from Manila and by sea for just 24 hours. The climate is coldest in January and hottest in August. The local dialect is Cebuano but majority of the people can speak Tagalog and English. A narrow coastal plain along Macajalar Bay and Highlands that includes plateaus, terraces, hills, mountains, canyons bound the city from east to west. Lowland is relatively flat and elevation is not more than 10 meters above sea level. More of its adventure? Just follow the river!

Have you heard about white-water rafting? Rappelling? Discover it here in Cagayan de Oro! Paradise Philippines of an emerging adventure destination.

Photo Courtesy: raftingcdo.com

You can feel the rush of rappelling the 130 feet descent from Macahambus Cave down the river. And experience the exhilaration of a wild ride afloat a pinoy- style raft with a thrills of varied intensity or heights. If you want the breathtaking, heart pounding and gut-wrenching experience derived from white water rafting, then it is your chance to explore Cagayan de Oro River , classified as ripply stream, straights, extremely difficult and those requiring technically challenging maneuvers with an intervals not less than 10 to 15 minutes of each other.

River Taxis

If you want to cross the river wishing to avoid the jeepney thing traffic on the bridge above, river taxis are an unconventional means of transport in Cagayan de Oro for an alternative route. You can find also a floating restaurant dance gleefully on the river’s surface known as Reyna del Rio. Taste the foods and delicacies and experience having candlelit dinner afloat the river with your love.

Golf Haven
An indication of the growing sophistication of Cagayan lifestyle, Pueblo de Oro Golf Course is an 18- hole, par 72 all weather championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. Take a swing in the greeneries of the place with clubhouse, function rooms, driving range, pro shop and a hotel.

“Holding hands walking together in the beach while looking at the moonlit skies mesmerizing the cold breeze of the sea with your love.”

That was my fantasy when I will be in Boracay. The beauty of its sunset allures everyone to capture each moment and take a stroll in the beach by the moonlight. Boracay is an island you have to experience yourself. After sunset, it transforms into one exciting night of dancing and partying. For indeed, many visitors have come back to Boracay year after year. Some have chosen to live in this paradise island.