Carnaza Island, one of Northern Cebu's paradise

We have been stuck in our homes for the past few months due to COVID-19. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we are living through a world crisis the likes of which haven’t been seen in 100 years.

The enormous scale of the crisis and the impact it is having are naturally causing a lot of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety across the globe. Add social isolation, disrupted work and family routines, cabin fever, and economic instability, and, understandably, our mental health is suffering.

The COVID-19 situation is particularly stressful because it’s hard to predict how things will develop and because our circumstances are changing rapidly. This can leave us feeling powerless, like we’re no longer in control of our own lives. As is the case in many aspects of our lives, there are things we can’t control in this situation. These include the actions and reactions of other people, how long the situation will last, and what might happen in the future.

Although these things might leave us feeling helpless, in reality, there are still a lot of things we have power over in our lives, even during these trying times. Redirecting our energy towards these things will help us deal effectively with this situation.

The Alluring Gem of Canigao Island: Matalom Southern Leyte

The Philippines is composed of hundreds and thousands of stunning islands and more than hundreds of them are still unnamed and not expose to the public. 

Visayan Islands, also called Visayas or Bisayas, island group, central Philippines. The Visayan group consists of seven large and several hundred smaller islands clustered around the Visayan, Samar, and Camotes seas. The seven main islands are Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar. These islands and their smaller neighbors make up the central group of the Philippine archipelago.

About Canigao Island

Canigao Island is located in the municipality of Matalom, Northern part of Leyte. Canigao island is just one of the alluring island in Leyte. Sambawan Island, Kalanggaman Island, Digyo Island, Limasawa Island and more others are just some of the famous island in the place. 

Canigao Island is known for abundant fishing grounds and scenic coral reef areas suitable for diving. The beaches have white sand, with tropical sea creatures and extensive coral reef in the surrounding waters.These natural features often attract tourists and scuba divers, who arrive at the island by traveling from Matalom.

Preparation of Leyte Escapade

Basically, few days after I was admitted to Perpetual Succour Hospital a friend of mine, Denisa, asked me if I wanna go to Leyte for free. So to make story short, we went to Leyte and all expenses have been taken cared of our very humble big time friend, haha, Judy. Well, they are just the owner of Gabisan Shipping Line, we went to Leyte riding one of their ship heading to their place with no charge at all.

Beach, Falls, Springs, Mountain, Snorkeling - All in Sweet Lanzones Island : Camiguin Island

Summer is fast approaching, surely you will have an outing so soon kung dili drawing. Summer is the season wherein most of laag's are in group chat only. Drawing here, drawing there, drawing everywhere. Lol

Do you already have a place for summer? Why not considering Camiguin Island? Camiguin is just a small island but is composed of stunning spots that will surely tickled your adventurous spirit.

If you are into beach, springs or into waterfall chasing or mountain climbing, then Camiguin would be the best place for you.

About Camiguin

Camiguin is an island province in the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometers off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is politically part of the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental province.

Camiguin is the second-smallest province in the country in both population and land area after Batanes. The provincial capital is Mambajao, which is also the province's largest municipality in both area and population.

The province is famous for its sweet lanzones, to which its annual Lanzones Festival is dedicated, the picturesque Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin, and its interior forest reserves, collectively known as the Mount Hibok-Hibok.

How to get to Camiguin Island from Cebu City? 

There are actually 2 options in getting to the island, its either by the sea or by the air.

By Sea. Basically, if you are coming from Cebu City you have to go to Jagna, Bohol wherein you can ride a vessel bound to Camiguin.  As per advice from my cousin who is currently living in Camiguin Island, the trip going Camiguin from Jagna, Bohol is only during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There's also an upcoming new shipping company that will soon operate in Camiguin. Fastcat will have a trip from Bohol to Camiguin (vice versa) that may only take 45 minutes to 1 hr.

Gibitngil, One Of Best Beaches in Northern Cebu: Exploring and Conquering High Cliff Jumping at Funtastic Island

Do you know that feeling when you are so tired of city life and you want to go away but you just cant? Well, this is exactly how I feel.

I can't go because I have CLASSES

I can't go because  I don't have enough MONEY

I can't go because  I WORKED weekdays and weekends.

If I have the  MONEY, where should I go?

If I have TIME, who's gonna go with me? 

This is just the basic question I have in mind when planning to go on an adventure. I know there are lots of things that we need to consider when doing an adventure, regardless of what kind of adventure (mountain or sea adventure), such as, the place, money, weather and of course SAFETY, this should be our main concern YES?

CEBU, as we all know, is composed of stunning and adventurous places. Regardless of which part of Cebu province (east, west, north or south), adventurous and instagramable places are everywhere in which you and your friends may want to wander around. 

I've been to different places in Cebu South but not much in  Northern part of Cebu. Northern Cebu has lots of beautiful white beaches such as Virgin Island in Bantayan, Gibitngil or commonly know as Funtastic Island and many more. 

A day of chilling with awesome mates in the company

Most of the people around do love beaching, especially during summer. Chilling in a crystal clear and blue water with white fine sand is everyone's dream.  It may be not easy to go outside of the City especially if you are working person but as what others said: "Kung gusto may paraan, Kung ayaw may dahilan". Despite of my hectic schedule, I do manage to have a little break just to balance my lifestyle. Lol. Few days before this event, I was imagining myself, setting up a tent, laying in the sand my with my wave music album in Spotify is played and a cold beer on my side. That imagination came to reality when I and my classmates (Angel, Vince, and Denise) went to Lambog Beach in Badian.

About Badian

Badian is located in the western part of Cebu province. It is 106 kilometers away from Cebu City via Cebu S Rd/Natalio B. Bacalso S National Hwy and Santander - Barili - Toledo Rd. There are heaps of tourist attraction in Badian that you may want to visit. Kawasan Falls is the most popular tourist destination in the municipality of Badian, it is one of the most visited and crowded for its magnificent and amazing waterfalls. Aside from Kawasan Falls, there is also other tourist attraction that you may want to add to your list, like the Lambog beach, Kansanto spring and much more. Trekking to Kandungao peak from Badian is also possible, but it may be a kind of costly trip since you have to have a ride a single motorbike going to a small village where the jump off is located. 

About our Laag

We went to Badian right after my Saturday shift via Ceres bus. Despite of very hot day, I have no choice but to ride an unairconditioned bus because my mates are afraid of having seasick in the middle of our travel. We safely arrived in Badian around 12 nn which is lunch time, so from Badian national road, we have to ride a tricycle going to Lambog beach. There's nothing to worry about the foods, accommodations and taking shower because you really have a super easy access in the place. There is no need to bring foods for there is small sari-sari store in the place wherein you can but food or eat. If you are microphone lover then you can have a sing along with your favorite track. The people there are really helpful and approachable.

Exploring Bohol's finest and white sand beach, Anda de Boracay

To wander or to stroll? Nah, its just the same. Bohol, as we all know had lots and lot of places that you may want to wander with. Our 2 days and 2 nights stay in Bohol is indeed amazing. We did visit a lot of places that you didn't hear always about Bohol.

As I've mentioned in my recent post about Eleuterio's Can-umantad Falls and Rice Terraces Resort Inc., the excitement and fun will not end in just one place.  After we wander and explore the beauty of Candijay, we went to Anda, a nearby town of Candijay Bohol.

 

About Anda

Anda is located in a small peninsula at the eastern tip of Bohol, 99 kilometers from Tagbilaran City. Anda has 16 barangays in total and it's under the 3rd district of Bohol. It is indeed, far from Tagbilaran City but surely you will enjoy and you will be wowed to the magnificent beauty of Anda Bohol.

 

Accommodation

After exploring and enjoying Candijay Bohol, we went directly to Anda, of course, to wander around. It is more likely 2 hours travel period from Candijay to Anda. Before we went to Anda, my friend contacted someone there to ask for a help for our accommodation. AS soon as we arrive in Anda Public Market, we went directly to J&A Travellers Inn wherein we stayed our night. We're actually lucky that time because the village together with owner of the Inn was celebrating their annual feast, also a Sinulog Festival so our dinner was saved. Boholano's, even if we are a total stranger in the place but still they don't hesitate to invite us together with the other guest to join their dinner, that is just how Boholano's work, they're so kind and hospitable.

Antig Tingko Alcoy : Island Hopping

This story is just a continuation about our Laag in Dalaguete Beach Park. Supposedly, we will go to Mountain Coal resort after Dalaguete Beach park, however, for some reason the lady's changed their mind, well lady's always changed their mind. Lol. So instead of Coal Mountain resort, we went to Antig Tingko Beach in Alcoy. 

Antig Tingko Beach is a popular getaway located in Daan Lungsod, Alcoy in the province of Cebu, Philippines. It is the most common and popular beach in Alcoy. Alcoy is located in the southern part of Cebu next to the Municipality of Dalaguete. It is 90 kilometers away from Cebu City. You can reach Alcoy via Ceries bus or Sunrays. In our trip, we traverse from Dalaguete Beach Park to Alcoy via tricycle for 30 php per head. 

Tingko is great for families or team outing  because of its wide and sandy beach and shallow waters that offer relaxing environment and fun activities to do.

Mabad - on Reef - Snorkeling area

The white sand Beach

There are several things that are FREE in this beach…

Sand, sun, sea water, and entrance but not anymore... They will collect, I think 10-25 php per guest, its that much though maybe this is just for the maintenance of the beach.

Dalaguete: The Epic Mis-Routed Laag with so much Ninja Moves

Hello. Summer is about to end so soon and I'm so thankful if it will end na 'cause its not easy to struggle everyday with the damn hot sun. Escaping from the city is everyone's desire nowadays due to high/hot temperature. We had this pretty amazing and epic trip in Dalaguete Cebu when unexpected things happened. Actually, we didn't plan for this trip and no preparation at all unlike with the other Laags.  It was our lunch time when Felimae and Jessa (my workmates) decided to go to Dalaguete. The next day, right after our shift's Friday the 5th of May we went to Southern part of Cebu. It was really my intention to go somewhere far from the City because I was so stressed after my midterm exams. You know being full time student and full time employee is not that easy. I really  need to have a life style balance the reason why I went out far from the city often times to relieve my stress. Other person can just relieve their stress just by eating something, go window shopping or etc but I'm not that kind of person unfortunately.

Municipality of Dalaguete

I don't know if you guys already heard about Dalaguete Beach Park in Dalaguete Cebu. This article is basically something about Dalaguete Beach Park and our epic ninja moves. The municipality of Dalaguete is located 84 kilometers away from Cebu City proper and the travelling time will take more or less 3 hours via sunrays or ceries bus. Guys, when you hear about Dalaguete, first thing that will come out into your mind is Osmenia Peak, I am pretty sure to that. Other stunning peak that is located in Dalaguete is Kandungao Peak. It was a few miles away from Osmenia Peak. I actually wrote a short story aboutour laag in Kandungao peak, you may check it here. 

Dalaguete Beach Park

In this Laag we didn't went to Osmenia Peak or any mountains in Dalaguete, we went to Dalaguete Beach Park and as per agreement we will go to Coal Mountain Resort the next morning. We spent our night in Dalaguete Beach Park, of course brought our sleeping gears (tent, pillows and etc). Before we went to the beach to set up our tent and to sleep, we stayed in Bart's Resto grill just a walking distance from the beach, to eat our dinner and we also had a budgeted drink. Lol! And of course we had so much fun in everyone's favorite part, the videoke. lol! We stayed there and had fun until 12 midnight and sooner went to Beach Park to set up our tent but the fun didn't end there because Rhona brought one bottle of RH. hahaha. We had a little drink in the beach and I took a walk in the shore. Sooner, the guys fell asleep and I am the one standing. I swum/wade in the sea around 1 am alone, its a little bit creepy knowing that someone died in the place because he/she was drowned.

Chasing sun rise

The place is really good for camping because you can definitely see the sun rise early morning. We are not the only group who wanders the place since there were also a few groups who stayed and spent their night in the beach. I don't exactly know what is the scenario during day time or during normal operation time since we left the place before 6 am. 

Tabogon : Featuring Archt. Raagas's Rest House

G’day mate! How was your summer so far? Mine is so stressful due to a hectic schedule, char Lol. But seriously I was busy with my studies and at the same time for my work. I wanna share something about what I’ve experienced in Tabogon in the Northern part of Cebu. As we all know, living in the city during the summer season is not easy, especially when you’re stuck in the middle of the traffic, it is very stressful and can cause frustration to people around. Stressful in a way that we are experiencing a very hot season and that is why we need to hang out sometime or “kung may time”, go to a place to relax or to cool yourself down. I am pretty sure that I’m not the only one who is craving for a place to relax with magnificent cold water such as cold spring or a water falls or even sea water. But for me, beaching is not a good idea because of the very hot temperature. But of course, it will depend on your preference.

Municipality of Tabogon

Tabogon is one of the municipality under 4th district in Cebu province. It is more likely 90 kilometers away from Cebu City proper and the travel period will take more or less 3 hours depends on the traffic. One spot that I know in Tabogon is their enchanted Guiwanon Cold Spring. It is located in a few distance from Tabogon proper. Guiwanon Spring is almost the same with Ubong Spring in Dalaguete (Southern part of Cebu). The spring is connected directly to the sea and of course, the water is kinda salty and most especially the attractive and enchanted Balete tree.

Balete Tree

Balete tree (also known as Balite or Baliti) are several species of the trees in the Philippines from the genus Ficus that are broadly referred to as balete in the local language. There are heaps of freaky story about balite trees but for me, all of them are just fairy tale and was made by old folks. Guiwanon Cold Spring is 4 feet in depth when low tide and has estimated the depth of 7 feet when high tide. We went there early in the morning because we’re expecting that no guest yet during early morning but unfortunately we are wrong, absolutely wrong! A weekend trip is not an ideal time when visiting the place because there are heaps of tourists from other or different places.

Siquijor Island : A 24 hours and Budgeted Adventure with so much Fun and Great Experience

Every working person deserves a little break and even those who have no work at all claiming to have their break also. Lol. Being a full-time student and full-time employee can be very stressful, I can say because that's what I am doing right now. You're wondering how I manage the stress I had every day, well, just simply Laag to where I want "in my dreams" lol, inhale fresh air and wander in a placing that I've never been visited. There's a lot of places in region VII that you may want to wander without heaps of expenses. It is actually not necessary to have a fancy laag just to relax.

About Siquijor Island

Siquijor Island is a bewitched place according to others but I don't have further information about it because, to be honest, I don't care. When you hear about Siquijor, something thing came out to your mind is about the fantasy of horror things, right? We'll if that's what you think then you are absolutely wrong.

Siquijor Island is just a small island that is full of magnificent nature spots. It is located in Region VII of the Philippines, the nearest City in this not so big island is Dumaguete City. There are heaps of beautiful, nerve breaking and stunning places in Siquijor. Among the places that I've wandered, so far, Siquijor is the best.

Siquijor does not have an airport with scheduled services yet. We can only reach the island via ferries. The current/nearest airport is in Dumaguete City, a short ferry ride away. The main air hub of the region and the only one with international flights is in Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Metro Cebu. Siquijor Island can be reached via ferries also from Cebu City to Dumaguete City then ferry to Siquijor Island. There is also another ferry from Bohol to Larena, Siquijor..

Apo Island: A Total Package for Perfect Unplanned Getaway

Traveling is a perfect a way of collecting memories, having an awesome experience, having new friends and for others, its a way of moving on from one thing to another.
There were some instances wherein our organized travel will be ruin, for instances, an unexpected weather. As we all know, not all the time that the weather can be our friend, sometimes the weather is our secret enemy.

My friends (Zaza, Ness, and Judy)will supposedly go to Camiguin Island to explore its majestic spots, however, due to bad weather condition, they have no choice but to change the plan.  It was cold morning when my friends Ness and Zaza called and asked to go with them to Dumaguete. With no plan and almost empty pocket, I go with them and just enjoy the travel. 

At 2:00 pm the same day we ride series bus direct to Dumaguete City. We stayed in El Oriente resort for 1000.00 Php per night, standard room

It was a rainy night when we arrived in Dumaguete City so I can't exactly describe the place. From bus terminal we ride a tricycle to El Oriente where we stayed overnight. Supposedly, we will go stay at Vintage Inn, however, they are fully booked that time. 

Before lights off, we did some research about tourist spots nearby, then we found an article about Apo Island.  We did a quick research about it next day morning, we went to the place.

Basically, we travel few miles away from Dumaguete proper. The travel from Dumaguete proper to Dauin takes more or less 30-45 minutes via jeepney for 20.00 Php.

Exploring Bohol and Its Natural Beauty

During Cebu's Sinulog Festival this year 2017, me and my friends (Louren and CM) decided to go out of town or out of Cebu. On a rainy morning after our shift's, we went to Bohol via Tagbilaran  City - Ocean jet.

Plaza Rizal

When we arrived in Bohol we visited Plaza Rizal that was full of pigeons. They are amazing and they love to eat pop corn and peanuts. When you feed them they will literally flying and be scratching your skin. Note, if you have sensitive skin I would highly suggest not to bring any food in the plaza to avoid calling their attention. Lol

Plaza Rizal

Panglao  Island - The Buzz Cafe

From Plaza Rizal we quickly went to Panglao  Island, we just take a walk in the seashore near Henan Resort. We eat our lunch at The Buzz Cafe, we ate the fresh salad with petals of a flower, yes it's literal petals of a flower. I was amazed because that was my first time eating fresh salad with petals lol, love fresh salad though.

The Buzz Cafe

After we eat our lunch we went to bus terminal near ICM Mall to ride a vhire going to Garcia Hernandez, we stayed at Charice's house. We met her mother for the first time and she was amazing and funny.