Camiguin: Early Morning at White Island

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
www.walkflypinoy.com

There was one more thing we were to do in Camiguin before we make our way back to the airport, and then back to being drones in our mundane worlds. We had to see Camiguin's one and only white-sand beach, White Island.


We had to get up early for this one. Our flights back to Manila/Cebu departs around 2 p.m. that day and the Cagayan de Oro airport was in another island, literally. It would take us at least 4 hours to get there from Bahay Bakasyunan in Camiguin.


Anyway, some of us, myself included, were a little apprehensive about forcing ourselves to get up that early. We were in vacation after all. But knowing we had to make the most out of our short stay, we got up and headed out. Totally worth it. Totally. The hues of the Mindanao sunrise that day was spectacular.


White Island is on the western side of Camiguin. Our hotel was on the eastern coast. The sun was high up by the time we got to the boats that will take us there. The small island can be seen from Camiguin's western coast. The boat ride will take you no more than 30 minutes.


White Island is actually only this strip of white sand, this sandbar, in the middle of the sea. The island has no shade, no trees, no land. Just sand. It still fascinates me how fine and white the sand was compared to how coarse and black the beaches are in Camiguin mainland.


We had a little swim, our photos taken (yes, jump shots included). It was our final relaxed moments before we headed back. Before we even got back to the city, though, stress crept its way up our faces. We ran a little late that five minutes later, we would have missed our flights.


All's good, though. We knew everything was worth it. There were eleven of us in this trip. Successful, I should say. And we never really realized it but we were in fact celebrating the twelve years that we've known each other. Twelve years. Twelve freakin' years! That's a long time. We did not know it back then but what we started in high school was going to stay with us for the rest of our lives. You couldn't get a friendship more real than that.

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Camiguin: Spring and Fall

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
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Upon arrival on Northern Mindanao's island paradise Camiguin, we did not waste any time laying around. After checking in Bahay Bakasyunan, we hopped on our van and headed off to see a "spring" and a "fall." Ardent Hot Springs and the Katibawasan Falls.


The road to Katibawasan Falls is a treacherous one. The waterfall is hidden somewhere in the island's interiors surrounded by a tropical rainforest. At some point, the pavement disappears and all you have is this dirt road on the side of a mountain. It is all worth, though. The waterfall is lush and beautiful.


Katibawasan is a really high waterfall. As you approach it, you will hear the sound of the water falling on the side of the cliff. And as you stand before it, cold wet wind will literally blow onto your face. Not surprisingly, the water here is very cold, like fridge cold. You'll have to suffer through it, though, to get near the spot where the water touches the ground. Being there, you will find yourself standing before something awesome and breathtaking.


Come to think of it, it is the first waterfall that I have ever seen in my life. Maybe that's why it took my breath that much. I'm really more of a "sea" person and I haven't done much forest exploring or mountain hiking. Only now do I realize that this was another first for me. That's good.


The other place we went to is called Ardent Hot Springs. They have a restaurant here so we ate here for lunch. They serve hearty Filipino dishes. So be prepared to stuff your faces. Anyway, as I am not really a big fan of hot springs, I didn't do any bathing or swimming. Instead, I practiced my slow-shutter-ethereal-water-photography or whatever it's called. :)

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Northern Mindanao: From CDO to Camiguin

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Travel, Photography, Asia
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This Northern Mindanao trip was only to be done in three days and two nights. At this point, we have covered a lot, what with Cagayan de Oro's white water rafting and Bukidnon's zip lining. But there are roads that are yet to be treaded. So the next day at 5 a.m., we left CDO, and headed towards this region's island paradise, Camiguin.


To get to Camiguin from CDO, we rented out a van that took us from our hostel in the city center to Balingoan Port, Misamis Oriental. Travel from CDO to Balingoan takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. It was really early in the morning, so we got there within 40 minutes.


Balingoan Port is the port on Mindanao mainland closest to Camiguin Island. Ferries to Camiguin leave the port at around 1.5-hour intervals. So plan ahead. The ferry ride takes about 1 hour. You'll find yourself in Benoni Port, Camiguin in no time.


The hotel we stayed in the island was the Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin. Quite a poshy resort, I must say. It set us back 1.3K pesos each to stay here. A bit pricy, yes. But I would say that that's reasonable. For that price, we got pretty decent villas with well-designed interiors and a very nice, clean shower room.



What luxury in accommodation they had in excess, though, they lacked in food quality consistency and service. On the one hand, the pizzas and the eggplant parmagiana were outstanding and worth the money. On the other, you get 150 to 200-peso pasta dishes you can get for 30 pesos back at home. Food quality does not apply across the board is what I'm saying. And let's not get started with the breakfast buffet. Too few dishes and too early they stop serving. But anyway.


Now, Bahay Bakasyunan is on the eastern side of Camiguin island. So don't expect a romantic sunset in the evening. Quite a spectacular sunrise, though. But more on that later. For that night, I contented myself in calming the angry waves through my camera lens.

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Northern Mindanao: White Water Rafting & Zip Lining

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
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It was all so fast. A few minutes after we landed on mountainous Northern Mindanao, we were whisked away higher up the mountains to the starting point of our white water rafting course. We chose the advanced one (even though none of us really had white water rafting experience) solely because people who have tried this adventure told us so.


The starting point of the advanced course begins at some bridge by the Cagayan de Oro-Bukidnon border (CDO on one side of the river, Bukidnon on the other). We went with Kagay Adventures for this activity. They arrange these things for a fee, which may cover transfers, instructors, a photographer following you around, rafts, paddles and gear.


The advanced course runs for 4 hours. Of course, not all of time you'll be rafting through rapids. For the most part, you'll be floating along the river, which is very nice. Now I know, the prospect of being thrown off the raft, face smashed onto rocks, drowned by rapids, will seem frightening. Haha. But the experience is really enjoyable than what it seems. Photos above are from Kagay, which I don't think will ever do the experience justice.

~ o 0 o~
Right after the rafting course, we were again whisked to an even higher part of Northern Mindanao. We headed to Dahilayan, Bukidnon, around 1 to 1.5 hours from CDO proper. On the way there, you'll pass by what Bukidnon is known for. Hills upon hills upon hills of pineapple plantation. No kidding. Make sure to bring a van or any closed vehicle, though. The road is dusty as hell. We learned that the hard way. Don't ask.


The Dahilayan Adventure Park features, among many things, what they claim to be Asia's longest zip-line at 840m. From the park entrance, you need to be taken by 4x4 to the launch tower higher up the mountains. That's how far it is. You're strapped on the wires, prone position (i.e., Superman position), and when the safety personnel get the signal, away you go.


I think it's the closest thing you'll ever get to flying like a bird. You'll be soaring through fields and above trees. The ride (because ultimately that's what it is, an amusement park ride, just really amped up) is scary but by the middle of it, you'll learn to enjoy it. The best part is, the heavier you are, the faster you'll go. And faster is better. For me, at least.


It was late in the afternoon when we finished all of our thrill-inducing adventures. We boarded our ride and started the journey back down the mountain to Cagayan de Oro City. We were all exhausted by then. It was unforgettable, though, because I witnessed my first Mindanao sunset on the way.

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Plays to benefit Mindanao conflict victims

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WALK FLY PINOY:
Travel, Photography, Asia
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Two plays by acclaimed writer Rogelio Braga will be presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the UP Repertory Company to help raise funds to buy food and other necessities for some 900 families displaced by the war in Mindanao.

Ang Mga Mananahi and Ang Bayot, Ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte will be presented on October 29 and 30, 4 and 8 p.m., at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute.

The fundraising effort is part of the Pikit Relief Mission, which provides assistance to people severely affected by the armed conflict between government troops and the Muslim rebel groups in North Cotabato.

In the play "Ang Mga Mananahi," four Muslim women perform an act of bravery as the war rages between the government and Bangsa Moro freedom fighters.

"Ang Bayot, Ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte" is the unusual rendezvous of two beautiful and sharp-tongued creatures living on the fringes of society. They courageously travel the rough and "older-than-history" roads of discrimination, hypocrisy, bigotry, social divides, corruption and unspoken violence in order to arrive at a decent friendship.

Award winning filmmaker Nick Olanka directs "Habal-Habal" while Paul Santiago directs "Ang Mga Mananahi."

Tickets, priced at 250 pesos, may be purchased at any of the following venues:

~ UP Repertory office, Vinzon's Hall, UP Diliman (0915-588-1782, 0916-612-5404 and 0918-779-7982 and 0926-812-2336)
~ Young Moro Professional Network, g108 Jocfer Bldg., Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City, c/o Aradelria Belleng (0920-652-9066)
~ UP Office of the Student Regent, Vinzon's Hall, UP Diliman c/o Shan
~ UP Muslim Student Association, Vinzon's Hall, UP Diliman c/o Tani Basman
the CCP Box Office (832-1125 local 1409).

*Reposting or forwarding of this invitation is very much encouraged. Other forms of support and donation, are very much welcome. Please contact the UP Repertory office.

*Sources for this article: CCP events pages and this blog.

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