Davao Panoramas from the Mount Apo Perspective

 the Davao Gulf, from the Mount Apo perspective. (",) 
 

At the Boulders (click for large preview)

From The Crater (click for large preview)

At the Boulders (click to view in full)

Lake Venadao (click for large preview)- not Davao anymore (",)

at Sitio Paradise, Digos Davao del Sur

Last weekend, we climbed the Philippines' Highest Peak, Mt. Apo, and of course 'di ko na naman pinalagpas to take photos of the places kung saan kami nag-camp... Although it was getting cold every time I went out of our tent during the night, it's worth a scarf of warmth satisfaction kapag nakukuha ko ang mga best shots...

Our first camp was at Sitio Paradise (last community before jumping off) at Baranggay Mainit, Digos, Davao del Sur... And here are some of my clicks...

Tent City as the Rain Clouds were Getting Ready to Pour some Shower

 Exposure: 10 sec @ F3.5
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO speed rating: ISO 1600

Flash: Did not fire
Make: Sony
Model: DSLR Alpha 300

3:52 A.M. Skylights

 Exposure: 15 sec @ F3.5
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO speed rating: ISO 1600

Flash: Did not fire
Make: Sony
Model: DSLR Alpha 300

3:56 A.M., Majestic Mount Apo

Exposure: 20 sec @ F3.5
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO speed rating: ISO 1600

Flash: Did not fire
Make: Sony
Model: DSLR Alpha 300

Sunrise, 5:47 A.M.

Exposure: 1/60 sec @ F13

Focal Length: 24 mm
ISO speed rating: ISO 100

Flash: Did not fire
Make: Sony
Model: DSLR Alpha 300

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Fullmoon by the Beach (Bauing, General Santos City)

These photos were taken at Rajah Beach Resort last Sunday... Just in time when the moon was on its full shape. It's really a dramatic scene. Kung meron lang akong talent sa paggawa ng tula o kanta, nakabuo na ako... Ganda ng reflection ng buwan sa dagat.

 

 

Exposure: 30 sec @ f22

Focal Length: 50mm

ISO speed rating: ISO 800
Flash: Did not fire
Make: Sony
Model: DSLR Alpha 300

Exposure: 5 sec @ f36
Focal Length: 50mm
ISO speed rating: ISO 400
Flash: Did not fire
Make: Sony
Model: DSLR Alpha 300

Silhouette of Nor Rayray of the Ezra Band

We're lucky also to have joined by Nor Rayray, pianista ng Ezra Band from Pilipinas Got Talent... Such a nice person...
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Got Drowned with the Delicious LOW TIDE

It was indeed a boring Saturday. 'Di na naman ako pumasok sa aking sideline job... (Pasensya na bawi na lang ako on Monday, ok.) At buti na lang napakiusapan ang mga pinya na huwag na munang mahinog. I'm sure everyone in the company's been praying for it. Especially now, that they've received something great. (Lol! 'Di naman siguro lahat, pero i-majority na lang natin.)

Anyway, before I'd kill myself with the silence of the afternoon (Lol! Just kidding! I'm not suicidal..), I invited my li'l bro to watch a movie. This was the only opportunity for a busy man like me so I grabbed the free time. Tamang-tama, Harry Potter 7 is still on the hot movies topic. I've read the book about three years ago, so it's time for me to refresh kung anu-ano ang mga nabasa ko doon.

But... (Naging maingay na spoiler na sana ako, kaya lang natapos na ang movie... so let's wait for the 2nd part to be shown next year)... The "Deathly Hallows" has no connection with the title, by the way... Let's fast forward it during Dinner time.

It's already 9P.M. when we went out of the moviehouse. I felt a bit hungry so we headed to Sun City to look for a resto to eat. It seemed late for dinner time and some of the restaurants at Sun City were closing already. We came across Ocean Caves Seafood and Steaks, where we heard acoustic country songs playing. Yes, we decided to eat there.

The waiter handed down the menu and when I opened it and saw the prices of the food, huh!, parang gusto kong tumayo at lumipat na lang sa McDo (Mac-Duku-duko)... Lolz... Pero, we sat down already and it seemed awkward for us to leave, kaya, pinanindigan... can afford naman a...(",)

I glanced at their food sets pages (which are good for 3-4 persons). What enticed me most were the HIGH TIDE and the LOW TIDE sets. I ordered the LOW TIDE. Well, let's see if the taste gives justice to the price (as what I'd whispered to myself)... At 'yun nga isa-isa nang dumating ang mga nasa listahan. 

 

Ang masasabi ko!!! Buti na lang at kinunan ko ng mga photos ang mga pagkain bago pa man sila napag-piyestahan... Well, ubos lahat siyempre! The food deserves a high 5 rating. Di nga ako nanghinayang na doon banda kami naupo. Trully, I got drowned with the Delicious LOW TIDE of Ocean Cave's Seafood and Steaks.

Baked Tahong

Garlic Shrimp

Kinilaw

Grilled Pork Belly

... Isa pa, live pala 'yung music nila. Galing, galing pa ng mga performers... ...Read more

Be Enchanted with the ENCHANTED RIVER

 

 

I’ve been hearing a lot about the Enchanted River of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. By the name itself, I was really wondering how enchanted the river is. I’ve read from a blog that this lagoon have been taken cared of and watched by charmed spirits, especially at twilight. There were even sightings of strange ladies walking on the river… Well, I am not after these enchanted experiences… I’m not even hoping to see strange creatures walking through... All I wanted is to take a plunge in its cool waters… And actually I did, together with my friends last weekend (October 31, 2010).

The Enchanted River is such a hidden paradise. This spectacular blue tarn fills the deep crevice of the forest wall. The deepest portion of the river in the middle was measured 24 meters, but, another wondrous feature is the deep hole where the water of the Pacific Sea percolates. This is said to be the channel of the big fishes passing from the sea to the river. During a calm moment of the day, when nobody is swimming or diving around, those big fishes come out and you can gently toss bread crumbs to feed them. With a big awe, it’s been said that no one has ever caught even one of these vast marine fishes, neither by hand nor by net. It made me more curious why they prohibit anybody to take a swim beyond 6pm. It’s making the place more mysterious, huh.

Having been into this blissful place, I would say, once you dive in its cool blue waters, you will be unwilling to get out. We went spelunking into the low cavern at the rim of the mountain wall and found the spring. The water is cooler and there’s a portion where it is just waist-deep. We were not able to bring our cameras at the cave since you need to pass through the deep section of the river… So no picture was taken but, the next time I get back, I’ll be more prepared with gadgets.

The government of Surigao del Sur has already developed the surrounding place. There’s a parking lot for vehicles. An entrance fee of Php20.00 is required for more development and there are Php50.00-cottages for the picnic goers. There are boats offering island hopping trips passing through the mangroves plantation at the opening of the Philippine Pacific Sea and going to the surrounding islets of Hinatuan.

The Enchanted River is about 12 kilometers away from the national highway. The road is quite rough; a challenge for the urban vehicles. It is exactly located at Brgy. Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur which will take an estimated land travel time of 9 hours from Davao City.



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RONALDO's INN at General Luna, Siargao Island

For you who want to visit, get at ease at Siargao but are on the tight budget, Ronaldo’s Inn is recommended for you. They have air-conditioned rooms, each with a rate of Php 800 per night and can accommodate up to 5 persons. A big fan room cottage goes for Php300 a night during the off season (excerpt from http://www.dutchpickle.com/philippines/siargao-island/renoldos-inn-siargao.html).

They also have a native-style Resto Bar offering affordable Tropical/Continental food. Of course, their famous mouth-watering barbeque specialties every night have already been loved by tourists and locals alike.

Ronaldo’s Inn situates in General Luna, which is around 20 minutes away from the port of Dapa. General Luna is just about a mile away from the famous Cloud Nine Surf sites.

How to get to Ronaldo’s Inn (rates as of November 2010):

From Surigao City Port (Boulevard), ride a RORO barge (M/V Montenegro) which will take 3 hours to reach Dapa Port.

            Vessel Schedule going to Dapa Port (Siargao)- 0600HRS and 1230HRS
            Transportation Fee- Non-Air (Php144)
                                           Air Conditioned (Php200)

From Dapa Port, you can either ride a van, a jeepney, a tricycle, or a motorbike going to General Luna.

            Van Rate- Php 700 (good for 10 heads)
            Jeepney Rate- Php 40 per head (maximum of 20 pax)


For more inquiries, please contact Ms. Alda of the Ronaldo’s Inn:
Mobile Phone Numbers: +639074214993 / +639077397898

Souvenir Shop fronting Ronaldo's Inn

General Luna Foot Bridge going to the Municipal Plaza

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Siargao Island



The 14 hour travel by land and sea from General Santos City paid off the time we stepped on Dapa Port (RORO gateway). I was just reading feature articles about Siargao Island before, but now, I will be an addition to those people who are proud to have reached this Cloud 9 destination.

Siargao is composed of 8 municipalities. We stayed overnight in General Luna where the famous Cloud 9 waves are just about a mile away. The island has gained reputation as the Philippines’ Surfing Capital because of Cloud 9. This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.

We checked in at Ronaldo’s Inn. Among the resorts in General Luna, I should say, Ronaldo’s Inn is the cheapest. But despite of it’s low rate, it still provides its patrons the right satisfaction.

Aside from the surfing stuff, some shops in General Luna also offer Island Hopping Trips. I recommend ReefBreak. They have a 16-hp motor island boat that can accommodate at most 20 passengers. It was an off season when we went at Siargao, so we were able to negotiate their island hopping rate to as low as Php 2,500 for 3 Islands (Naked Islet, Dako Island, and Guyam Islet).

 

Pansukian Islet (also known as the Naked Island)



Daku Island



Guyam Islet

Excerpt from Wikipedia:

Siargao Island contains the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao, at Del Carmen. Long stretches of wetlands indicate a potential for commercial seaweed propagation. Siargao Island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uninterrupted from the Pacific Ocean, intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait.

General Luna Shore

Mangroove Reserves

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