Mabua Pebble Beach

Mabua Pebble Beach is the home to the infamous multi-sized pebbles, fresh squids, and delicious ground-rice cakes or bibingka.

Just about a 30 minutes drive westward from the downtown, this pebble beach is the local's favorite place to unwind and is frequented during weekends and holidays by avid picnic-goers.

You can see them seating on the rocks under the shades of the scenic coconut trees located at the mountain top which has the coolest vista...

..grouped on the other edge of the beach bordered by rock formations,

..or simply settled above the huge rocks along the shoreline.

While some groups prefer to be secluded from the crowd and have their moment cherished among them, others want the experience lively with the presence of many beach goers plunging and splashing in the water.

..Others wanted their piece of solitude, too.

But no matter how everyone performs their drama, Mabua Pebble Beach surely is a place for bonding and chilling.

And a perfect site for a dramatic sight of sunset too. Mabua Pebble Beach is the paradise of photographers who are captivated by sunsets.

The shore is laid with cottages made of indigenous materials. But if one prefers a more private space, well equipped accommodations and facilities are readily available with the presence of the Mt. Bagarabon Mountain Resort with its Hajahay Suites located closer and facing the shore.

I did mention about the rice cakes, but sticky rice cones are also available in the nearby.


P.S.: Photos are taken on the afternoon, perfect time to experience the beauty of sundown.

Capalayan Falls

This has been one of my escapes during summer time when i need some place to cool down. Although beach is a good option, i just cant stand the salty feeling of the seas under the sun. Thus, taking refuge in the free-flowing water of the mountains.

Capalayan Falls is located in Barangay Capalayan some 12.75 kilometers off the city of Surigao. A very far estimate if you'll look at the numerical figure of the distance. But once you're on the road traveling the coastal strip with so much vistas along the way, you will just hope you're not any closer for a stop in Capalayan.

Getting to the falls. There were no signs installed as of the moment that provides direction to the location of the falls. An inquiry from some of the locals who will amiably entertain and assist you with the landmark leading to the area will do. And that landmark, a field with a deep cut like the photo below, is not even recognizable by a glance. Again, you can carry one local for a guide.

Taking the trail after this 7 feet cut in the ground will lead you to a drained irrigation canal which you have to follow in proceeding to the falls.

Once you reached the drained mini dam, a cute display of little stages of waterflows channeling in the sediment bedrocks is a sign that you're closer to the spot.

A cross in dam and a little climb in the mountain following the trail will finally lead you to the 20+ feet Capalayan Falls.

...just like what everybody usually do.. a pictorial will follow.

...then the most soothing experience, feeling the rush of the water over you. A wonderful feeling beyond the usual bathe.

Reminder: Bring some light snacks but do not leave the trashes there. No one maintained the place.

Surigao's Fiesta Season

Surigao City has one of the week-long festivity in the country that runs for two weeks and starts from the Charter Day Celebration every August 31. From end of August, activities are lined up commencing from the Float Parade participated by the different sectors up to the Alumni Homecoming events that stretches even on the post-fiesta days.

Like what i have listed here...

Simple yet elegant designs of floats add color to the Charter Day celebration of Surigao. In the earlier days, Drum and Lyre Corp competition used to be held during this event. So still hope to witness another drum and lyre competition to be conducted next year when the construction of the multi-million funded oval field and gym is done.

Another activity is the Tilaw sa Pagkaong Surigao (A taste of the Surigaonon Food), a food festival showcasing the talents of local chefs in Cooking Show Competition as well as creativeness of the students in the Table Setting and Skirting and Cocktail Competition for.

A Community Night is also conducted not only for nightly entertainment but to foster solidarity among the different sectors of the city ranging from the civil society organizations, NGOs, up to the mining and banking sector by gathering them in one venue and celebrate the good times. Community Nights are held by sector on the nights before the pre-fiesta.

On the 9th of September, Surigao's pre-fiesta day, the Bonok-Bonok Marajaw Karajaw Festival is usually held showcasing the tribal history through the graceful street dances paired with the colorful costumes of participants. This event is one of the anticipated activities in town.

Then on the fiesta day, September 10, several events are hosted in the Luneta Park Plaza for the pleasure of the visitors that includes balikbayans and some foreigners. The organizers call it Pabibo Sa Pyesta, sponsored by the Barbers clan.

One entertaining event is the Tuhog-tuhog Nan Dagum (Thread and Needle Shooting) Competition for the aged groups. Imagine how hard for them to shoot the thread on the hole of the needle with their blurry vision and shaky hands.

Then the Lumba Inom Tuba (Palm Wine Drinking Contest) participated by the drunkards in town. Look how they managed to consume the 2-galloon of palm wine...

..and how their fellow contenders laughed at each other when they seem to vomit the wine they've overdrunk.

And there was this Jagan Paatras (1 km. Reverse Running Contest) which is quite hard to do.

The last activity for the day was the Pasayan (Shrimp) Festival celebrating the abundance of the shrimps in the locality.

They are cooked in different ways and given to the audience after.

And on the 12th of September, my alma mater called for an Alumni Homecoming which i participated for the first time. Compared to the attendance of every batches that jampacked the venue, we quite gathered a good number.

Here we are... the SNNHS Batch 98.

...marched on the presentation of batches

...settled in a bar thereafter

...and when drunk, danced and enjoyed the night.

For 3 days i have experienced how to live without a phone. And i must say, it was a peaceful one. My phone was pickpocketed while i was busy taking pictures of the Palm-Wine Drinking Contest. Aside from that frustrating happening, it was still a very memorable fiesta celebration for me.

LAGAL[OG] for PBA Bloggers Choice

To those who are avidly patronizing his blog, like me and some travel blog authors supporting him, it's no question at all why lagal[og] is being loved. His blog features posts that are delicately chosen with quality. Its wonderful header of Ha Long Bay shows how wide is his travel experience depicted in every context that is beyond leisure.

I envied every inch of the blog as well as the humility of the author. That's why my vote goes to him for the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards' Bloggers Choice.

Continue inspiring everyone as you make your travels.

Bonok-Bonok Festival 2008

It's fiesta season once again in Surigao and every Surigaonon's adrenaline is up. Fiesta, a Spanish word for religious festivities, is one of the activities in the country that brings the hype to the locals. And in Surigao del Norte, we call it Bonok-bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival, a festival of dances, colors, foods and goods in honor of the city's patron saint, Senior San Nicolas de Tolentino.

Sounds complicated? Let me help you picture it out in 4 words:

1. Dance. Similar to mardi gra, an annual street dancing competition is being organized by the City Tourism Office and usually participated in different levels by schools coming from within or outside the province. This street dance depicts the thanksgiving ritual of the Mamanwas to their God "Magbabaya" for giving them a good harvest through the outpouring of rain which in local dialect is translated as bonok. This year, 8 contingents from as far as Misamis Oriental vied for the grand prize.

Bonok-bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival

2. Colors. Banderitas or flaglets of different colors are normally installed zigzagging the street horizons. This is a common feature of the celebration that is of Spanish heritage. Added to this, the delegates of the street dancing competition also wear colorful costumes that adds more color to the event.

Colorful costumes and colorful banderitas on the backdrop

3. Foods. As this is a celebration of thanksgiving, every household, although not all, prepared some foods for their visitors. Among the foods in the table include bam-i, menudo, afritada, sinugba, kinilaw but the most popular are humba and lechon.

Grabbed from http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/blog/

4. Goods. As locals and visitors alike flock in the city during the season, traders also take advantage of the market. With this, the local authorities organize and assign places in the city for bargains. Goods on sale and display ranges from kitchen wares to shirts and souvenirs. During this time, goods are usually priced cheap.

Trade Exhibit at the side street of Luneta Park.

The annual fiesta is held every 9-10 September, that is when you have the foods overflowing the tables and the day-long dances entertaining your eyeballs. The Bonok-Bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival, that is when you have the colors and the goods normally lasts 5-7 days after.

Some more colors for you...

Festival Queens always carry the statue of San Nicolas del Tolentino

Contingents from Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.

Contingent from St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology, Surigao City.

Contingents from Siargao Island bagged the 2nd place.

Contingents from Cantilan, Surigao del Sur.

Contingents from Butuan City

Contingents from Jabonga, Agusan del Norte won the 2nd place.

More about the history of Bonok-bonok can be found here: Bonok-Bonok Maradjao Karadjao Festival