Mindanao's best

Apo volcano is the highest mountain in the Philippines, and its name means “Master” or “Grandfather”. There are no known historic eruptions, but the volcano is considered still active.

Apo volcano is an a basaltic to basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano and part of the Central Mindanao Arc, but its volcanic history is poorly known. The densely forested volcano has a flat summit with 3 peaks, the highest of which in the SW is known as Davao volcano and has a 500 m wide crater with a small lake.

The youngest crater is located on the northern peak. Several fumaroles and sulfur deposits occur on the volcano, most notably fumaroles along a fissure on the SE side down to 2400 m elevation.

The Mt. Apo Geothermal Field is a 8.4 km2 geothermal exploration field near Mt Apo, which has been being exploited since October 1996.

Mt. Apo, as the highest mountain in the Philippines, attracts a lot of attention from hikers all over the world.

The Kidapawan-Magpet trail, though one of many trails, is the easiest. The trail will first lead to Lake Agko. From there, hikers will have to cross Marbel River by walking on coconut logs without anything to hold for support. The threat of sudden flashfloods, emphasized by the strong flow of water, will remind the intrepid hiker that he not climbing an ordinary mountain.

After three hours of river crossing, the first campsite will be reached – the Mainit Hot Springs. Here, hikers can dip in a hot and soothing pool. This first campsite must be reached before 3:00 PM, because the next campsite, Lake Venado, is 5-6 hours away.

Between the two campsites is a thick forest. There, two “killer trails” will be encountered: the “87-degree” and the “90-degree” trail. Each taking around 15 minutes, these trails are known to have taken their toll on climbers. As of 2006, ropes are in place in the ‘90’ to make it a little bit safer.

After the difficult ascent, the next landscape is the swamp that heralds the proximity of Lake Venado. This is where many Mt. Apo trails intersect. The peripheral areas can be used for camping. During summer, Bagobo tribesfolk would also camp here and put up stalls. Hikers can choose to camp here, or proceed to the summit.

From Lake Venado, the summit is still 3 hours of trekking. This time, the environment changes into a cogon grassland. Then, the otherworldly summit area is reached. It is rocky, with wild berries, and temperate plants. Beneath is the old crater of Mt. Apo. The beauty of the summit, the highest point in the Philippines, has captivated countless climbers.

Going down, the Magpet trail is suggested, even though climbers typically do a traverse to the Davao (south) side. The Magpet trail, said to be easiest of all trails to Mt. Apo, will lead to what is called the Bobbong campsite, and from there, a beautiful waterfalls will be reached, called the Bongolanon Falls. It appears as if the water curves and bends, before descending. Weary hikers can swim in the pools beneath, and it is perfect refreshment after a grand Mt. Apo experience!

Known to be the largest city in the Philippines Davao city. This is also the hometown of our newly elected President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte. Well, Davao city has a lot of showcases when we talk about tourism. Davao is a home of the Philippine Eagle and known as the Durian Capital in the Philippines since this is the city where you can find varieties of Durian. The Samal Island is one the most visited tourist spots in the spots in the City when it comes to relaxation and recreational activities. In fact, there are around 70 resorts and world class accommodations that are being offered in Samal Island.

The Philippine eagle, the country’s national bird and considered the largest eagle in the world, is endemic to Davao.^[ The orchid waling-waling and fruits such as durians, marang, rambutans, pomeloes and mangosteens are popular and generally cheaper in the city. Tourist destinations in the city include the Philippine Eagle Foundation and Nature Center, Mount Apo, Gap Farming Resort, the Davao Crocodile Park, Malagos Garden Resort, Eden Nature Park, and People’s Park in the city center which is popular for its sculptures of indigenous people and dancing fountain. Samal Island, a part of Metro Davao, is an island city situated immediately off the city’s coast in the Davao Gulf, popularly known for its scenic beaches.

Two major annual festivals are held in the city: the Araw ng Dabaw (Day of Davao) on March 16 (The city’s incorporation day) and the Kadayawan Festival in August. Also celebrated in the entire month of December, Pasko Fiesta sa Davao is an integration of festive and competitive Christmas activities showcasing colorful lightings and array of decorations in barangays, public parks, roads and buildings, and a series of competitive performances. Another annual festival, the Torotot Festival, is held annually every New Year’s Eve. First organized in the last day of 2013 during the 2014 New Year’s Eve, it was organized as a recompense for the city firecracker-pyrotechnics ban; it includes a number of people simultaneously blowing party horns, locally known as torotots. It recorded a number of 7,568 people participating in the first event, aiming to break the world record set by Japan for the most people simultaneously blowing party horns.

During 2011, there were 1,075,000 recorded tourist arrivals in the city, totaled from 81,081 foreign travelers, 983,315 local citizens, and 10,604 balikbayans/overseas Filipino workers. Estimated tourist receipts were recorded at 12.81 billion pesos while estimated economic benefits were 28.19 billion pesos.^[

The Hinatuan Enchanted River, also called the Hinatuan Sacred River, is a deep spring river on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It flows into the Philippine Sea and the Pacific Ocean at Barangay Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It is found between the boundaries of Barangays of Talisay and Cambatong. It earned the moniker “enchanted river” from the diplomat Modesto Farolan who described the river in his poem entitled “Rio Encantado”.

The river’s unusual colors and unexplored depths has inspired various local legends. One story tell of fairies that added the colors of sapphire and jade to the river to make its unique shade. Local fisherfolk also report seeing fish in the river that cannot be caught through any means. According to locals, the river was called the Enchanted River because of the engkantos that dwell there. Their legends also say that the river is haunted by supernatural beings which act as its protectors.

Since 2017, the local government of Hinatuan prohibits tourists from swimming on the main pool due to preservation and maintenance. However, they still designated a swimming area for tourists near the center of the lagoon which is 10 metres (33 ft) away from the main pool. Daily fish feeding schedule was also changed from 12 noon to 3 in the afternoon. This is done by playing the “Hymn of Hinatuan”.

Camiguin White Island is a sandbar of white powdery sands that is surrounded by clear turquoise water which is just one of the many sandbars in the entire 7,107 islands of the country. Also, camiguin is famous for their diving sites if you want to see something different try diving to see their giant clams. The sunken cemetery is also located at Camiguin the sunken cemetery is the remains of that havoc which had once beset the island and almost swept it out of existence. It is represented by a huge cross of what have been old chapels.

The ports in Camiguin are located in Guinsiliban, Benoni and Balbagon. There is also an airport located west of Mambajao. Cebu Pacific and Philippines airlines fly to/from Cebu. There are ferries from Balingoan port (2 hour bus ride from Cagayan de Oro) (15 daily, 75 min), and from Jagna in Bohol. As of Nov 2014, Ocean Jet no longer runs the Jagna-Benoni line. So the only way to go directly from Bohol to Camiguin is with the (Super Shuttle Ferry). The ferry has been suspended for a while, but resumed a service on April 19, 2015. Please note that schedules often change, depending on demand and the season. As of 25 June 2015 the slow ferry leaves Jagna at 08:00 AM (arrival 12:00 PM in Balbagon) and back from Balbagon to Jagna at 13:00 PM (arriving 17:00 PM in Jagna). The ferry does not run on tuesday and thursday. It’s recommended to make sure this line still operates prior getting to Jagna. The journey takes four hours (450 PHP). Upon getting to Jagna with bus/jeepney, you can walk to the port, no need to take a tricycle, as it’s a 5 minutes walk.

As at June 2018 – The Super Shuttle Ferry makes daily trips between Jagna (Bohol) and Camiguin. The journey time is 2h45. Price is 450P or 375P with student card. Ferry has a small shop selling snacks. Departure from Camiguin is 8am with boarding at 7am. Departure from Jagna is 1pm. Tickets are bought at the ferry terminal. This info is still valid (Nov 2018).

There is also FastCat Speed Boat wich tend to operate the odd days. Departure at 12pm. However be carefull because it’s frequently cancelled.

Ask your hotel/hostel for information about renting motorcycles. Expect an informal process. Usually 300-500pesos/day. There are several gas stations around the island, along the main road.

Take a jeepney around the island. A jeepney within Mambahao, from your hotel to town, costs 8-10P.

Rent multicab to tour around the island. The mulitcab from Mambajao town to Benoni Pier costs 25P.

Upon arrival at the airport, there were a number of vans and bikes waiting for guests. It is 20 metres from the terminal to the road, should you prefer to take a trike in either direction. You can rent a bike immediately at the airport for 350P a day.

Maria Cristina Falls is a waterfall of the Agus River on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is sometimes called the “twin falls” as the flow is separated by a rock at the brink of the waterfall. It is a landmark of Iligan City, nicknamed the City of Majestic Waterfalls, because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls in the city. It is located 9.3 kilometers away southwest of the city proper at the boundaries of Barangays Maria Cristina, Ditucalan, and Buru-un. Known for its natural grandeur, the 320 – feet (98 meters) high waterfall is also the primary source of electric power for the city’s industries, being harnessed by the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant.

The National Power Corporation has recently taken the initiative to develop the National Power Nature Park in the adjoining area of the waterfall, so that tourists and visitors can enjoy adventure sports like rock climbing and trekking. Also, there are seating arrangements and a souvenir shop where one can purchase painted T-shirts and other items related to Maria Cristina Falls. Other amenities are still being installed. In fact, under the President’s Mindanao Super region development plan, the entire area has been subjected to a 1.856 billion peso upgrade.

Getting here is easy, as there is an unending supply of jeepneys from the port area of Iligan City. They’ll take you to the Agus Bridge, which is almost half an hour away from the falls by foot. You can also hire a cab.