Huwebes, Oktubre 18, 2012

Panas Waterfalls:The Hidden Falls by Cris Jean Ventura


Filipino people are born adventurous. We love to go to places wherein we can enjoy ourselves. Ane of those adventurous people who also want enjoyment? Here is the best place for you.

This fals is called “Panas”. Located at the province of New Corella, Davao del Norte. How to get there? Well, you have to ride on a vehicle that could travel along a rough road. Because the road going there was not yet develop. It takes about 15 minutes of travel from the town proper. Before you arrive at the falls, you to stop  first at the stopover and pay for your vehicle charge. 5 pesos for motorcycle and 15 pesos for jeepney, truck and other huge vehicles. The stopover is located at Carcor, New Corella. This is the barangay wherein Panas is located. Ten minutes from this barangay you are already in the said falls.

An amount of ten pesos is charge for the entrance fee and the price for the cottage depends upon the structure of the cottage. Panas falls is a very nice place for family trip. Panas looks like a paradise in the middle of the forest. Panas has also swimming pools. One for adults and one for kids. The water inside the pool is also the water coming from the falls. It is pure water and does not contain any chlorine unlike other pools.
The place is surrounded with different kinds of trees and rocks. The foot of the falls was very well developed. It seems that it’s ‘man made falls’ but then it’s not. It’s natural and the flow of the water coming from the mountain gives so much refreshment. That would make you stay longer.

Foods are also offered by some of the stores inside. Soft drinks and liquors are also present. And of course, videoke would not be absent. Beside the pool are 5 cottages and one shower, where you can take “banlaw” first before going into the pool.

If you want to savor one of God’s gift through nature, try to visit this falls and I assure you, you will totally be enjoy. Less expense, more pleasure!

Miyerkules, Oktubre 17, 2012

Monkayo: A Legion of Honors by Dianna Lhen C. Cabahug





            Mondabon kayo!
            Monkayo is a first class municipality in the Province of Compostela Valley, Philippines. This municipality is a political unit with a land area that was once and for a long period of time a wilderness in the Northern hinterlands of Compostela Valley. The name “Monkayo’’ is derived from a gigantic tree towering a top Tandawan mountains and its Northern tip between and immediately adjacent to the Agusan river. The gigantic Tree is called “MONDABON KAYO’’ (MONDABON TREE). It was however shortened by the first settlers of the area as “Monkayo’’.

            It has twenty one barangays, thirty seven public elementary school, nine public high school, one private, three colleges, one university, one former state-run while the latter is funded by the municipal government of Monkayo and one TESDA accredited. The economy of Monkayo is predominantly an agricultural town, with vast tracks of land planted to rice, corn and coconut.

Monkayo’s seat of government is located in barangay Poblacion, a highly developed rural town center, and is 120 kilometers away from Mindanao’s regional center of Davao City and some 30 kilometers from Nabunturan, the provincial center. There are various means to travel to Monkayo. The common modes of transportation within the municipality are multicabs, jeepneys, motorcycles. Tricycles ply the routes that are outside the main streets of the town. In mountainous areas, the habal-habal passenger motorcycle is the main mode of transportation. You can reach Monkayo from Tagum City for almost three hours riding a bus.
The popular food courts and entertainment establishments were Calle Otso, Arkees, Night Bars, Clarion, Randy’s Bakeshop and Chicky’s where you can find enjoyment and delicious beverages. Their cultural heritage was from the Spanish influence that remains up to this day just like the celebration of barrios or villages and of the day of their respective patron saint called “Fiesta”. In these celebrations, you can witness the extraordinary talents of Monkayoans wherein dances, songs, and other forms of arts and merrymaking from numerous cultures have evolved creatively into the sights and sounds of Monkayo.
The following celebrations were the pride of Monkayo that bring compensation to the populace:

The Kariyawan festival features pageantry with a Monkayo queen from one of the prominent families of the place, and a cockfight at the Monkayo Sports Complex, where cockfighting aficionados from all over the province converge. The innovative Monkayo Idol is the ground-breaking municipal-wide search for the most talented and versatile homegrown young singers, has opened a new dimension for the youth program of the Municipal government. The Binibining Monkayo, as the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual town beauty pageant which selects the beautiful girl throughout the municipality. The Monkayo Fiesta and Araw ng Monkayo are the heart of all celebrations. The most appreciative of all was the Drum and Bugle Competition where participants from different schools all through the town compete for the title.
            
 The municipality of Monkayo is also host to the gold-rich barangay of Mt. Diwata, popularly known as “Diwalwal’’ (which in the local dialect means one’s tongue is hanging out due to exhaustation), a 1000-meter high range known worldwide for its gold ore deposit. This is one of the tourist spots that baited the ravenous eyes of the visitors because of its gold affluent place.
            Mt. Diwalwal is a small town of 40,000 people, mostly migrants from Cebu, Agusan and different places were all dependent on gold. Small-scale mining has been their major industry sice the gold rush in the area in the 80’s. You can sure one thing in this site, if it wasn’t for this man there would be no Gold Ore Capital in Asia. It has attracted a lot of foreign investors and has brought millions of dollars into our country.

            There are many scenic spots of Monkayo where you can spend all of your moment in time. Among these picturesque attractions was Octagon Farm, Upper Ulip Hot Spring, Lantawanan Inland Resort (Union), Inland Resort of Maite, Pasian Caves, Sagay Falls of Salvacion, Buenas Creek Inland Resort (Mt. Diwata), and Magdagandang Falls.
             Another scenic spots that we can’t take for granted are the Kumbilan Cave and Seven Waterfalls of Awao. These two creatures were conveying satisfaction and adventurous flash which you can treasure the most.

           
            Kumbilan Cave has tunnel-like features and wide chambers laden with beautiful formations. The presence of stalactites and stalagmites and other formations in one chamber of the cave responds to educational needs with regards to cave evaluation. Fauna observed as occupants of the cave are snakes and fruit flies. The cave is home to the “Kabyaw’’ fruit bats

            

On the other hand, the gushing water coming form the Seven Waterfalls of Awao was not that high in volume but still it does relaxed our bodies from the stoke of strong current. The falls is really wide if it was all occupied with water, water is cold not chilling and it is noticeable that the fauna on its surroundings as well as the moss that was formed above the rocks where the falls are flowing are still thick indicating that this falls is not frequently visited by outsiders.

All of those creatures mentioned above are all blessings form disguise. All of these blessings were part of the chronicle of Monkayo. Indeed, all of these are Legion of Honors!   
Proud to be Monkayoans! 

BE ENCHANTED: The Blue River in Surigao del Sur by John Achileeus M. Benonguil









BE ENCHANTED: The Blue River in Surigao del Sur
           

    If you want to be enchanted, charmed, enthralled, captivated and bewitched, the only place that exhibits the magnificence of nature is located in the province of Surigao del Sur. It was not new to anyone when they heard the descriptors that run as follows: “fascinated with the beauty of crystal lucid, unfathomable blue waters that soothes the blistering and burning soul because of its pacifying strength”. A great portrayal that describes the place. A river that flows from edge to edge- ENCHANTED RIVER!

    It is important to trace the history and foundation of the river. Starting with the name itself. Why it was named enchanted? Like the primitive and modern people answers, their basis is local myths. According to the residents, it was named enchanted because of a story- “two spiritual creatures, a lady covered by greenish like aura and a white like aura of a man that safeguards the river long before”. But if you will visit the river, local myth basis will be exterminated because the nature itself suggests, it was really enchanted!
           
    In early morning, the crystal blue water of Enchanted River at sunrise, touted to be 30 meters deep. The river turns aquamarine green when assembled by the sun rays’ reflection to the surface of water showing brilliance (at noon). The river runs to the coastline is approximately 600 meters.

            Beneath the river are some unfounded caves. It is evenly undiscovered what’s inside the caves because no one ever succeeded in a multiple trials of attempting to examine the cave. This is due to the strong water current.
            

     There are cottages of which visitors can rent. This cost only Php 100. For non-swimmers, there are kiddy and adult pools. Lifeguards are employed for safety precautions and life jackets are rented out at P100 each for a whole day’s use. Stalls offer various seafood at reasonable prices outside the cordoned area, just across the main gate. Tourists can also visit other places aside from the river. Like they can go to the nearby Vanishing Islands.


            Another added attraction to the majestic river ensues at noon. When the bell is rung and bathers are requested to get out of the water for about an hour. As the Hinatuan Hymn began to play, fishes nowhere comes and was fed by the thrower. This splendid appeal adds more beauty and fabulousness.


           Enchanted River opens at 6:00 am until 5:00 pm and the entrance cost is only P10.00 because it is maneuvered by their local government. Visitors, sightseers and tourists are permitted to bring foods and drinks but if you want to eat spanking new sea foods, you can demand people in the area to grill fish. Inside the area, there are several cottages ready for visitors.
            

    The most important thing when you are travelling is your destination. If you want to go to a certain place, you should know where you will be going. Likewise, when you are planning to spot the Enchanted River, you must know the location of going to places. You can reach Hinatuan from Davao City via San Francisco (6 hours) or from Butuan City to Mangagoy, Bislig by bus (4 hours).  From Mangagoy, seek assistance in the bus terminal for vehicle rentals, van or jeepneys that will take you to Hinatuan River.  The more adventurous can try the habal-habal (modified motorcycles) from Barangay Talisay going to the river.  Don’t leave Hinatuan without sampling its delicious crabs in the pier restaurant. Twelve kilometers from the highway junction, the Enchanted River shapes the boundary of Barangays Talisay and Cambatong in Hinatuan. Though some scraps of the well-looked-after dirty road are undulating. Enchanted River is 14.5 km from Hinatuan town proper, mostly on old logging roads. It is 10.3 km away on a straight line.
            

   Currently, the Enchanted River is the most visited spot of both the local and foreign tourists. This only proves that nature must be preserved for it is only the people who can benefit and utilize the rich natural resources of the world. The fascinating river was constantly administered and advanced. In fact, they held mass scheduled every first Wednesday of the month.










Martes, Oktubre 16, 2012

The Garden of Beauty


Maturan, Josephine T.                                                        
Eng.12 (Creative Writing)
BSED- 2se1                                                                         
October 17, 2012


“The Garden of Beauty”

The Philippines well-known for its many eye-catching Islands. That is why it attracts innumerable visitors each year. The country was known as the best and astonishing tourist destination in Asia which makes the Filipinos to be proud of. Samal Island is one of the best place to visit and a perfect place to rest because of its good beaches and resorts such as Kaputian Resort, Pearl Farm, Paradise Island, and many more. The Island is known as the “Island Garden City of Samal” because of its unblemished beauty and splendid beach resorts.

There are a lot of leisure activities you can do in Samal and these are: fishing, scuba diving, spelunking and mountain climbing. Fishing is the growing business sector in the city. Since the city is situated on the Island, people can do fishing and they can eat nutritious and fresh fish. Scuba diving is also the best recreational activity in Samal, there are many wreck spot namely: Islets Talikud and Liguid where you will find beautiful coral reefs and marine life. Spelunking where Great Caves thrive and these are: Balete, Mangongawong and Baga Caves. You will find Mt. Putting Bato right on the Island where you can experience the thrills of mountain climbing with a picturesque view of the land, sea and sky once you reach the top.

Your vacation will not be completed without food. You can check out Gimmix Restobar in Babak where you can enjoy their fried chicken, pork barbecue and some seafood delicacies. Nothing beats the buffet meals of Meranao Restaurant in Pearl Farm, you can get eight main dishes, five desserts and a wide array of fresh fruits and salads. The only problem to that is you have to pay for your drinks separately.
  
Pearl Farm Beach Resort is one of the best several resorts you can stay in, you can get a room which is already inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet. The room was built on stilts where you get to listen to the waves at night, plus an implausible seaside view. For those who cannot afford or suffering from financial problem, there are also cheaper resorts such as the Paradise Island Resort. It is praiseworthy and memorable experience.

Samal Island is located in Davao del Norte and the launch pad is in Davao City which is about 45 minutes away by motorboat. There’s a lot of transportation in Davao which will brought you in the city such as small boats and even a ferry or super ferry. It is the perfect place for you to have some fun and relax, where you can lounge around all day. And this only proves that “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”