Lessons on the Road | Zamboanga-Basilan-TawiTawi

Can't be thankful enough as our Zamboanga-Basilan-TawiTawi trip went well. All flights were on time. The weather was very cooperative. There are no red alert or safety advisory whatsoever. We encountered interesting and memorable people along the way. We were humbled and overwhelmed with this experience. All glory is HIS for keeping us safe.

Aside from the scenic and unspoiled views, Im always fascinated with the culture and religion of a place. A trip to the country's southernmost provinces didn't disappoint. It was an overwhelming experience. I began to understand and appreciate the similarities and differences on our cultural heritage and religious beliefs - beyond books and online information can explain.

Sharing some of our memorable experiences and lessons learned on this heart-pounding southern eskapo.


Zamboanga

Worry not about security but be ready to swim with the military men in Sta.Cruz beach.

thank you Soler family for adopting us

Sta.Cruz is also called the Pink Beach because of these tiny red corals mixed in the white sand.

There's a nearby Muslim cemetery in the island, and you can tell whether the tomb belongs to a Yakan, a Tausug, or a Badjao.

Precious black corals are still for sale- legally!

A deep sea crab called curacha is a very expensive dish. It tastes like a regular crab though. Anyway, the word "curacha" in chavacano means roach. ipis!

The famous snack Knicker Bucker is basically a fruit salad with mango + watermelon + ice cream.

These badjao kids don't only have great diving skills, but they also have superior night vision! They can do deep diving for a precious coin- even without goggles. Hameezying!

All mosques are built facing the direction of Mecca. We hitchhiked and met a Hadji on our way back from Taluksangay.

The cross in Metropolitan Cathedral is exaggeratedly built to be huge to emphasize that Zamboanga is a Christian dominated city. 60% of the population here are Christians.

Basilan

Dont Tell my Mother I Spent Summer in Basilan

Since 80% of the residents in Basilan are Muslims, this church has always been the most favorite target for a terrorist attack. Having been bombed a lot of times, military soldiers are right outside the church entrance.

Nonetheless, it's such a great pleasure to see and touch this Last Supper mosaic which came all the way from Italy.

The White Beach in Malamawi Island is one of the finest beaches I've been to.
photo credit: Dong Ho

..not to mention this beach has a very unique lifeguard ^_^

Tawi-Tawi
Tawi-Tawi | a Trip to the Philippine's Southernmost Province

Almost everyone in the Philippine's southernmost province is a Muslim. We even glanced a Muslim wedding when we're strolling Bongao.

○ residents speak Tausug, but most of them can understand Tagalog as well.
○ placing your hand in your chest right after a handshake is their form of respect.

Alhakim became our driver, tour guide, and younger brother when we're in Tawi-Tawi. This young man's words of wisdom made our trip more fun and memorable.
Alhakim - 0947.336.4393
tell him you got the number "from kuya na malakas kumain at kay ate na takot sa monkeys." haha!

...on our first glance on top of Bud Bongao
Dong Ho and I: ha-meey-zing!
Alhakim: kuya, ate, ano yung "amazing"?
---> insert matinding mental block here
Us: nakakamangha!

Stilt houses are very common in Tawi-Tawi. It's cute to see they have gates as well.

Muslims dont like dogs, they are afraid of them. Maybe this explains why there are lots of goats instead. They are everywhere!

The monkeys in Bud Bongao are not fierce. They also dont attack people. Im afraid of monkeys, but Im okay with feeding these gentle monkeys. See, this one's got a cute baby!

Bud Bongao is the highest peak in Tawi-Tawi. Located at the peak is a sacred shrine where locals can pray, pay respect, and ask forgiveness.

Tying up knots on tree branches as you say your wishes silently is a practice made in Bongao mountain. A little warning though, those who dare remove these "knot wishes" will experience bad luck and curse.

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Meet my Travel Buddy | Southern Mindanao edition

Dominic of Dong Ho's Eskapo

"This trip to the country's southernmost islands is one of the best experience. Despite being familiar with Basilan and Zamboanga our experience of visiting Taluksangay and Bongao still imposed the challenge of moving from one spot to another with the right precautions. But with all our efforts to interact with the locals, we were rewarded with unforgettable experience including hitchhiking with strangers, feeding the monkeys of bud bongao and having a Muslim brother." - Dom

is it safe to travel to basilan and tawi tawi?

"It is relatively safe. With a local guide and the goal of being one with the communities will optimize a trip to this part of the country. Some precautions are required specially on knowing the latest situation in the area before getting there. This is best done by coordinating with a local." - Dom

why I like traveling with Dom:

He's born, raised, and spent 17 years of his life in Basilan. Now you know why I never hesitated to pursue this trip, I know very well that Dom can manage. And of course, I only travel with adventurous, funny, and crazy people. We originally planned to be discreet, serious, and quiet while waiting for our flight to Tawi-Tawi. Ang hirap! Haha We ended up befriending and sharing laughter with a bunch of Muslims who were seated around us. That was more fun.

why I dont like traveling with Dom:

He speaks fluent Chavacano, Ilonggo, and Cebuano - and that makes me pity myself big time! I feel very unprivileged for only knowing Tagalog. Life is unfair. Toinks!


thank you for being a travel buddy, a tour guide, an interpreter, and photographer all at the same time. til next time, at sana pahiramin mo na ko ng headware mo. damot! ^_^

Surf, Trek, Swim | Baler

Last February 1, 2012 - I received a retrenchment letter. Half of the employees in my company signed the promising retrenchment package, including myself. So yes, I will be jobless effective March 31st. (for the record, hindi ako naghahanap ng trabaho sa ngayon..)

For our farewell trip, my dear officemates planned a trip to Baler! Ang yaman di ba, magiging jobless na nga, todo gastos pa din. Thank you to my boss who sponsored our transpo and food.

*picture heavy post

Day 1: Surf and Taste Baler
Genesis JoyBus is really a joy to everyone who wishes to go to Baler. This bus has comfy and reclining seats, with pillows/blanket,snacks, wifi on board, with restroom, and with a very jolly stewardess.

direct trip from Cubao to Baler (without stopovers)
Genesis JoyBus - P695 per way
reservation / contact number: 709.0545 / 709.0544

comfy seat with pillow, blanket, and refreshment for each passenger

We left Cubao at 12:30am and before daylight at 5:30am, we arrived in Sabang, Baler. We took a tricycle to our accommodation which is Amco Beach Resort. This is not a beachfront and luxury resort - but for the price of P2,150 for 7 persons - I can refer this place to anyone, specially on peak seasons when beachfront resorts are fully booked.

Amco Beach Resort
the only place where we found available rooms

triple room at Amco
P950 for this decent room with aircon + hot&cold shower

the boys' quarter
quadruple sharing room for P1,100

Good enough although the place is quite a walk from the surfing lessons area. We only paid P2,150 and the Amco staff let us check in as early as 5:30am.


After settling down and a quick breakfast, we headed to beach right away. Excited lang. ^_^

brand new day in Baler

surf lesson + board for P350/hr

I noticed the waves in Baler are more fierce than those in La Union. I got excited to see the swell, ang laki ng alon. Pero nakakatakot.

batang baler - doing some stunts

Rick and Arpee effortlessly learned to surf right away. May future kayo ha, eto gawin nyong trabaho after March 31.

batang baler Rick

batang baler 2 - Arpee

yabangers! ^_^

While some managed to stand up right away, I had a hard time doing it. Parang ang hirap, na-ooverwhlemd ako sa laki ng waves. There were times that the waves turned my board upside down. It almost hit my instructor's head. Anyway, after some time, I finally managed to ride the waves. Wee!

effortless surfing as my instructor pushed me against the waves

finally, a long ride!
kunyare ang galing ko dyan.. ^_^

sulit na sulit ang rashguard na to!

Here's how to surf, the newbie way:

thanks Arpee for these continuous shots

Baler waves are huge compared to those in La Union. It's better to learn to surf in Baler, not to mention the fact that it is cheaper. =)

surfing the big waves in Baler

After we had a great surfing time, it's time to eat. We had our early lunch at Bay Inn's. Prices are very reasonable and the dishes are good.

sizzling plate - P75
tokwa't baboy - P140
nachos with meat sauce - P80
sisig - P120

We surfed in the afternoon too. Adik lang. ^_^
Since Rodel, my surfing instructor, offered a tour around Baler, we made a deal with him for our next day activity.

Day 2: Trek and Swim
At 7:30am, we started our journey to Ditumabo Falls, also called the Mother Falls in San Luis, Baler.

Rodel - 0948.311.6033
P500 per tricycle

The ride took 40mins to the drop off point. We registered our names and off we go to the falls.
I never imagined this trail would be very refreshing. Sure there were slippery and steep spots, but it was a good adventure to reach the falls.

Let me show you the refreshing trail.

ang manager kong pogi ^_^
ponkan na ponkan ang peg

After the fun and easy adventure trail, we finally reached the majestic Dimutabo Falls. It was awesome.

ang ginaw!

Next stop: Balete Tree in Maria Aurora
Around 30 mins ride and we reached the largest Balete tree. Some also call this as the Millennium Tree.

hanging out in the Balete Tree

There are some more spots to see in Baler but we chose to go back to Amco. After a quick and cheap lunch at Cusina de Baler, we hurried back to our hotel and prepared our things for our return trip to Manila. It was a very fun weekend getaway with officemates. Hope this wont be the last. Cheers! Ü

baler expenses

chris: alam mo chyng pagkasama ka, napapamura kami.
rick: oo nga, napapamura - natuto kaming magsabi ng "pakshet ka, gago ka, punyeta ka.."
me: hahaha! toinks! ^_^

Whale Shark Encounter in Oslob, Cebu

○ Even before I first heard of the appearance of whale sharks in Oslob, my friends and I already booked a promo ticket to Cebu. Swerte, we wont be needing to book a flight to Legazpi for a Butanding encounter in Donsol. We can just squeeze this whale shark experience in our 4-day itinerary. Actually, the first 3 days were really allotted for another Bohol trip. ^_^

○ From Cebu City, we boarded the Ceres bus which is bound to Tanaw-an Oslob at 4:05am. This bus left the terminal at 4:17am. Fare is P155.

○ And so I thought the trip would take 3-4 hours, I was wrong. At 6:22am, the driver informed us we were already in Oslob. Yes, almost 2 hours lang pala ang byahe.


○ We registered ourselves and I was greatly annoyed by the fees. Ang dami. Inferness, lahat may resibo, so I think it's an ordinance.

Whale Shark Encounter in Oslob | Expenses
whale watching - P300
snorkeling fee* - P20
camera fee* - P100
life vest - P50
resort/shower area/locker - P50

* note: may sarili kaming camera at snorkel set - at meron pa din kaming dapat bayaran?! 0_o
pakshet lang. nakaka-highblood ng very light. haha

○ Big smile, pikit-mata, and abot ng bayad nalang sa lahat ng fees. We've traveled far enough to see the whale sharks up close so deadma na sa fees.

○ We were given a number then we proceeded to the briefing area. To be fair, the tourism officers are really trying to organize the tour.

yes, the tourism officers are wearing uniforms

○ We changed clothes, gave our number to the boatman, and presented the receipts - and we're all set. We have 20mins of extreme close encounter with the whale sharks.

non-motorized boats are used

○ No need for spotters, the whale sharks were just chasing the food thrown by the specific boatman in charge.

hello mr. gentle giant!

○ Although the tourism officials reminded everyone about the proper distance from the whale sharks, the guests and the boatmen can't help but go closer to the gentle giant. oh well, talk about extreme close encounter.

○ It was fulfilling to finally see a whale shark. I heard there were days when not even one whale shark appears. So I guess we got lucky that time.


○ I was down in the water and I felt nervous as the whale shark headed towards me. Iba pa din yung makita siya in my snorkel mask- upclose and personal.

this is really a huge creature

chyng: nakakatakot naman
boatman: natatakot ka, wala namang ngipin yan.

toinks! haha. kelangan pa ba ng ngipin para magkasya ako sa bibig ng dambuhala na yan?

○ And these words made me realize these boatmen are not tour guides at all. They are just fishermen who switched to being guides.

○ Nevertheless, Im happy for this town. It means more job opportunities and income for the locals.

○ I heard they did not intentionally plan to pet these whale sharks. One time they just appeared and started to disturb/eat the fishermen's baits. So to distract the whale shark, some fishermen fed the whale shark in another location- in order to leave their baits alone. The following day is history.


○ 30mins after, we headed back to the shore. We unanimously agreed this was a great experience.

○ For the record, DOT supports Oslob's Whale Shark watching tour.



○ Anyway, for those who wishes to sleep or stay longer, here's a basic and cheap accommodation in Oslob. Contact Ms. Marilyn @ cell number 0906.586.9895 and 0933.509.5736. Room rates are P1,500 for a family room (6-7persons), P800 for a double room, and P350 for a single room.

photo credits to Rem