Marvelous Life

The last time I was in Surigao was about four years ago. Surigao City in particular is by far a peaceful city.  This part of the country is the nearest to the Visayas particurly Southern Leyte.  The port of Lipata in the outskirts is the gateway to the Visayas region. Today there are fastcraft vessels plying from Lipata, Surigao to Liloan, Southern Leyte.  Four years ago we only have the slow boats and the roro boats which carry vehicles and other travelers going in and out of Mindanao.  Roro boats takes only one hour from Lipata to Benit, San Ricardo but when you reach San Ricardo you pass by Liloan before reaching Maasin City. From San Ricardo to Maasin is about two hours.  From Liloan to Maasin is only an hour travel.  But there are no fastcraft plying Lipata to Benit, only from Lipata to Liloan. If fastcraft vessels would ply Lipata to Benit most probably it will take only around twenty minutes.  Its really very near.  If you take the roro boa...

I have left Mindanao few years ago and since then I haven’t put new ideas about that beautiful place, but memories of those places that I have been to are still fresh. The year was 2012 when I was directed to be transferred to another place (my home town) which is another beautiful place called Bohol. Every now and then I still go to CDO for some meetings few years after. Tabilaran City to Cagayan de Oro city is just one overnight boat ride. Or you can go there via Jagna to CDO via fast craft or slow boat. CDO is a bigger city compared to Tagbilaran City and when you arrived at the port easy transport are available be it jeepney, tricycle or taxi. Another thing that CDO fascinates me are the various fruits available from sweet lanzones to red pomelo. If you go around town during night time, there is this particular place called Luneta, where in you can see night market of Okay-okay and a wide array of service massage all around and if you are tired from traveling just get out from...

Camiguin Island taken from a fast craft I have never explored the island of Camiguin yet but I have passed there twice already. The first time was when I was on my way from Jagna, Bohol, Philippines to Butuan city.  It was a long journey but it was the nearest to my destination then.

A panoramic view of the Mainit Lake is what you get when you take a trip from Surigao City to Butuan City.

This pebbled beach is in Mabua, Surigao City, just a plane away from Manila or Cebu.

I was able to go to Camp Sabros last 2009.  Camp Sabros is located in Sitio Barras, Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur. How to get there is easy.  A bus ride from Davao City for about 2 to 3 hours to Digos. We didn't have a private car.  We rented motorcycle to go there from Digos proper but not to the Camp itself because it was difficult at the time since the earth was very soft. Some of us went on foot but I chose the horseback ride going uphill to add to the thrill of the zipline.  The zipline was 850 meters and doing that was a leap for me since I have some fears of heights but no fear for sightseeing. The experience was really breathtaking seeing those trees below.  And another breathtaking scene is the site of mount Apo nearby. You should try Camp Sabros' experience!

The Divine Mercy Shrine is just few minutes away from Cagayan de Oro city. It is situated on top of a hill overlooking the city.  To enter the shrine one has to wear skirt if you are a female and long pants if you are a male as it is considered a place of pilgrim.  But even if you are not dressed appropriately the staff at the gate will provide you with skirts to wear sort of piece of cloth for covering. Drinking water is free. Silence should be observed as you enter the premises.