Exploring isla Gigantes

This island is located on the northern east part of panay island. The island has been popular because of its beuty. For the foodies it is a must visit because of their boomerang shells. Or localy called as "wasay wasay". Aside for the internationally exported scallops. It is the scallops capital of the Philippines. The shell is accepted by the European standards.

The easiest and most accessible jump off for an island hopping or public transport to the island is thru Estancia port. You can either hire the whole banka or hop the boat that travel passenger and products to isla gigantes. The price of the whole boat for the hopping start from Php 4000 to Php 10,000. The cheapest can accommodate up to 6 and the larger once can carry up to 20 pax. The hired boat will at your service the whole day.

Estancia Port

The island has different beautiful destinations. The usual time tourist travel to the island is around 7am. After you have your breakfast hop on the boat for a 2 hours boat ride to the 1st stop. In the morning water is calm, the bankero suggests that we go straight to the "tanke" lagoon. During summer time the lagoon has low level of water. According to the "bantay dagat", it is nice to visit the lagoon during rainy season were waves are bigger and harsh.

Tangke Lagoon

South east of the lagoon is Cabugao island. This island is own by a private citizen, it has an entrance fee of Php50. The main attraction of this island is to climb the other end of the island. Overlooking Bantigue island and Cabugao grande. The island staff cooks for a fee from fishes and shell that is only found in the island.

Cabugao Island

Cabugao Island From the Top

Next on the list is Bulubadiang island. It is near the Isla Gigantes Norte. The island is develop as an extension of Hide away resort from Isla Gigantes Norte. This is the farthest destination of the island hopping. It is were tourist have a lunch and enjoy the water. The resort also offer cooking services for a fee. The place has their own stock of food to be cooked.

Bulubadiang Island Hut

On the next stop we visited Antonia Beach. This island is connected to Isla Gigantes sur. according to the owner, this part of the island has a cave. They use it as a shelter when "bagyong Yolanda" hit this part of the island.

Antonia Beach

A sandbar near Isla Gigantes Sur can be found named as Bantigue sandbar. Connected to the sandbar is Bantigue Island. Locals usually visit this sandbar to unwind. This island has no entrance fee. Residents also sell food for visitors.

Bantigue Sandbar.

Years from now many tourist will witness the beauty of Northern Iloilo. Services for visitors are emerging and getting better.

North Gastromy

Ilocos province in the northern tip of Luzon was not popular only because of being one of the 7 wonders of the world in the fast year; but also for its good taste in foods and good supply of spices. 

Pasuquin spice outlet

Garlic in ilocos

Coconut Crab

 Coconut crab is common in Calayan group of island, were fisherman from ilocos norte use do fishing.

Dried fish in Pagudpud

Empanada and fried lumpia

Traditional dinner

Bagnet and longanisa

Mouth watering bagnet

Soup in vigan

Vigan version of pampalamig

Churches of the North

Paoay Church

Batac Church

Batac Church back

Paoay Church Bell

St Williams Cathedral(Laoag)

Laoag Sinking Bell Tower

Simbaan a Bassit(Vigan)

Plaza Salcedo 

Vigan Cathedral

Bantay Bell Tower

Bantay Church

Caving in Pisan Cave Kabacan, Cotabato

Pisan cave is located in Kabacan, North Cotabato. This cave is commonly visited by local tourist or students of University of Southern Mindanao, who loves nature trekking. 

This is accessible by a motorcycle or a trick. From the town proper of Kabacan it is a 15 to 30 minutes drive to the barangay hall where participants needs register and pay a minimal fee of Php50. Pisan is approximately 10 kilometers. 

Usok Cave entrance

After the registration, it will be a bumpy 3 kilometers drive to the jump off area to the caves.

Passing through Usok Cave

Usok is a Ilocano word that means to crawl. Usok is the way you enter the beauty of this creature. This cave is the first of a series of cave in the area. 

Usok Cave

Waterfalls inside Usok Cave

A minutes walk from Usok cave  is the biggest cave of all. The locals name it Cathedral. It is name a such because of its vastness. The cave is the house of thousands of bats. The roof of the cave is about five building stories were a small hole that give sunlight on its altar. 

Altar of Cathedral Cave

Small cave inside Cathedral Cave

This caves are good for individuals who want to learn and do spelunking. 

Usok Falls

Usok Falls

Visiting the Monastery of Transfiguration in Bukidnon

When I was assigned to be in Malaybalay, Bukidnon for a week related to work. I right away made my mind to come back to the Monastery that has a pyramid shape church. I been there last 2008 for the same assignment and visited the farm of monks. It was share by my (late) mother that is was a beautiful place to reflect.

Corner leading to the monastery

It was a foggy morning (its usual for Malaybalay) when I was going to Barangay San Jose. When I went for the first time their is a single motorcycle (commonly known in the are Habal-habal). This time around there is non. I tried to wait for almost 20 minutes. But their  is no free ride nor habal habal available.

I opted to walk. I saw motorcycle going to the road leading to the monastery with a passenger. I wondered why their is no motorcycle travelling in the area. Walking for almost 15 minutes I pass by a house that has a motorcycle. They offered a ride and immediately answered yes. I offered the good samaritan a tip to giving me a ride for the tour around the monastery.

Rocky road on the way to the monasteries entance

Seeing the new church of the monastery from a distance make me feel in heaven on earth.

The new church from a distance

While travelling going to the new church I ask the driver why is it their are no motorcycle leading to the monastery. He answered that it has only a few who usually travel the route. Most visitor has their own vehicle, for some like students opted to walk. According to him the cost of the habal habal ride cost at Php 30/head. He said security guards of the farm toke the route during their day off.

The Alter of the new Church of the monastery

Unlike other churches the church in the monastery has only one saint on it. Aside from the crucified Jesus Christ floating. It is the image of Our Lady of Montserrat. This is a replica of image from Barcelona, Spain. This was a gift for the commemoration of the presence of Benedictine in the Philippines by the abbey of Montserrat. 

From the alter view

The altar table is a simple rock curve to celebrate the Eucharist. 

Kitanglad Mountain range at the background

This place is the best spot to meditate pray and eat, its a way to stay away from hectic schedule and the city life. Kitanglad mountain range also can be seen at panoramic view from the new church. The monastery offer a retreat for a group or even solo who wants to pray and find a silent place to reflect. If you join a retreat you can have a chance to be with the monks. None the less food are prepared by the monks. According to the caretaker of the new church, the cook of the guesthouse is a Kapampangan monks. 

The Guesthouse

Me with the new church in the monastery of transfiguration

After revisiting the new church we went to the old monastery church. It is located near the entrance of the monastery gate. The Church is smaller than the new one. It is also the location of Paul VI institute of liturgy. It is where lay minister and even priest and nuns update the liturgy or having their retreats. 

Altar of the old church

When I went to the church to visit the holy sacrament and take photos. Their was a group of lay minister was having a mass that is about to conclude. I notice this OND nun who looks familiar. When I approach hear, it was my teacher in religion way back my high school days. She was the one of the organizer of the seminar. I was happy to see my teacher (Sr Marivic Ratilla) after many years of not seeing her.

Priests, Nun and lay minister

The flowing brewed coffee of the monks

 I was able to have a breakfast with them when I already attended the mass that they celebrated. Spend time with a bountiful breakfast and a cup of coffee (Freshly brewed by the monks).

With the organizer and speaker

 Paul VI Institute of Liturgy is founded by Fr. Anscar Chupungco, who is also a Benedictine monk.

With Sr Marivic in Paul VI Institute of Liturgy

The monastery has a souvenir shop that sells the famous coffee bean of the monks and different products from their farm. Aside saints and novena books.

Souvenir Shop 

For inquiries  about the retreat in the guest house in the monastery you can contact Fr. Martin at 0917 51505585. The good Samaritan habal habal driver is Anthony at 09057870952.