Taal Crater Up Close

The Philippines is indeed a haven of natural wonders. I braved through the waters of Laguna Lake and hiked for hours just to see the crater of the world famous Taal Volcano.

No, this is not yet the Taal Volcano! This is what our tour guide said to us.

The crater can be found on the other part of the mountain.

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This is the other side of the mountain.

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Yes, there are people living peacefully at the foot of the volcano.

Most of them are fisher folks.

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Ahh, the sight is breath-taking!

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To reach the crater, we had to endure the mini-sandstorm created by our own sandals.

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Frt. Gil, Frt. Jojo and Fr. Raul rested for a while.

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Lo and behold, the Taal Volcano crater!

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In this very crater, a small island is growing.

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It was a great experience to see the Taal crater.

Just like every nature-friendly mountaineer,

we took nothing but pictures;

we left nothing but footprints;

we killed nothing but time.

Underground River is a Wonder!

I am supporting the Underground River’s bid for its inclusion in the New Seven Wonders of Nature. I have been to the different parts of our country from A (Abra) to Z (Zamboanga) and in one of my journeys, the Underground River left a deep impression on me.

one of the scene stealers on the way to the underground river

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the beautiful rocks of palawan

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underground river, here i come!

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ako ang taga-hawak ng flashlight

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From Puerto Princesa City of Palawan, I traveled for two hours to reach Sabang, the gateway to the Underground River. My tour-guide Kuya Boboy showed to me “the century old tomato tree.” Believe me, he is the best tour guide I ever had. If you go to Palawan, everybody knows him (Note: He is a Dabawenyo).

From Sabang, I rented a boat going to the Underground River. It was like being transported to a new world. Kuya Boboy told me that in Underground River, animals and humans lived in peaceful and loving co-existence – and it unfolded before my very eyes! Giant lizards can walk freely without being threatened by the presence of the many people in the area. They even stop for light pictorials. Monkeys are friendly too. They could even walk with you.

Beautiful Philippines

If you don't like this island,




There are 7, 106 other Philippine islands to choose from...

The Pink Sister's Convent of Davao

If you want to find peace and serenity despite the hustle and bustle of the city life, the Pink Sister's Convent of Davao City is the best play to go. There you could experience calmness. The sight of the sisters praying before the Blessed Sacrament makes you also feel the presence of the divine.

The Pink Sister's Convent of Davao City is situated at the Seminary Road of Skyline Road, Catalunan Grande. From the city proper, it is around 15 minutes taxi ride.

Wow Davao!

I have been to the different places in the Philippines, practically from A (as in Abra) to Z ( as in Zamboanga). I have conquered mountains, explored caves, photographed peoples and swam our seas. But still, I have to point out out: Davao remains the best place in the Philippines.

Maraming dahilan why many people like Davao. As varied as the reasons and factors may be, still they all summed up to one thing- quality of life: The air is fresh. The city is clean and green. There is real abundance of the freshest harvests from the land and sea. To top it all, the quality of potable water is among the best in the world.


There are many restaurants in Davao that serve unforgettable so-tu-kil (sugba, tula, kilaw) dishes. Marami pang mga eat all you can na pwede mong puntahan!!!

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Crocodile Park is one of the most visited parks in the city.

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If you go to Davao, do not forget to visit the eagle parks. Medyo malayo nga lang sa city, but the visit to Malagos Garden is worth it.

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Visit also the Pink Sisters at the Seminary Road, Catalunan Grande. That is only ten minute taxi ride from downtown.

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Opposite the Pink Sisters is the SVD Formation House at the Skyline Road, Catalunan Grande.

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The Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague is situated atop Davao’s Matina Hills, where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the city’s sprawling landscape and the other sights to be seen within and beyond it. This place is also good for pilgrimage and worship as the elevation of the terrain has made the shrine serene and tranquil.

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Eden Garden resort is located in Toril, Davao city, it is about 10 hectares of forest land which have been turned into a mini garden, forest park. In this place you cannot fail not to appreciate the beauty of the flowers EVERYWHERE. There are all types of orchids found in Eden, in fact, the place very much lives up to it’s name.

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Pearl Farm Resort lies in a secluded island off the coast of Davao city. This 11-hectare spread was once a pearl farm, where thousands of white-lipped oysters, transported from the Sulu Sea, were cultivated for their pink, white and gold pearls.

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The houses here in Pearl Farm are patterned after the stilt houses of seafaring Samal tribes of the Sulu archipelago.

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Davao -- a sight to behold!!!

History of Olutanga

(Photo Credits: Olutanga Friendster)

Long time ago, before the Spaniards came to the country, the island of Olutanga was inhabited by a native tribe, under the leadership at Panglima Santikan and his wife Indah Dindah. This tribe were known as “LUTANGAN”, the origin of the name of the island Olutanga. The main economic activities of this tribe was fishing and some “slash and burn” farming. The island then was dominantly covered with virgin and verdant forest. The Lutangans, because of their nomadic character and love of the sea, wondered from coast to coast around the island in search of rich fishing grounds.

It was only during the Spanish era, that the Lutangans had started to live semi – permanently along the sea shores. Then as years passed, the Tausogs, Samals and the other tribes came to live in the island, which was later named Olutanga after the Lutangan tribe. The first Christians who came to the island were hunters in search of wild life such as wild boars, deer, tamaraws, etc.

Later in the 1920’s, the Cebuanos, Ilongos, and other tribe from Luzon and Visayas came to the island to settle and farm. In 1948, the opening of the Hercules Lumber Company in Subanipa (the trading center of the island now renamed Solar) paved the way for the steady flow of people from the Visayas and Luzon. The establishment of the Lumber Company in the island and the influx of settlers reduced the verdant forest into an agricultural land.

POLITICAL BACKGROUND

Olutanga (the whole island) was formerly a regular barangay of the Municipality of Alicia. On November 17, 1957, Olutanga barangay was elevated into a municipal status, with a juridical personality by virtue of Executive Order # 274, enunciated then by the late President Carlos P. Gracia. Originally, Olutanga was attributed to the whole island itself. However, ten years later on May 18, 1967 the barangay of Mabuhay on the north-eastern side of the island, was created into a municipality by virtue of Republic Act No. 4876. Twenty (20) years later, on November 11, 1977, the Municipality of Talusan was created by virtue of Presidential Degree No. 1237 signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. This new Municipality was carved from the Municipality of Olutanga representing the northwestern sector of the island.

The first appointed Municipal Mayor was Honorable Eufemio Quijano. He was later elected as Municipal Mayor, but he served only served for one term. The next Mayor elected was Hon. Gonzalo B. Pidor who served for two terms from 1964 to 1971. He was followed by Hon. Cecilio C. Macion, 1972 to the EDSA Revolution era. Then, in the 1993 local election Dr. Joel G. Capotulan was elected as the Mayor to the present.

Source: Bert2776

Strolling in Heritage Vilage

The Vigan Heritage Village is a town in Vigan, Ilocos Sur that is considered the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. In November 1999, it was placed on the World Heritage List commemorating its cultural significance.

I first went to Vigan Heritage Village in 2003. These pictures were taken on 2008 together with some friends.