Beautiful Mindanao

Beyond the Bay - Experience Gensan

2012-01-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Home of the Champions!

Lolong: The World's Largest SaltWater Crocodile

2011-11-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

Lolong housed in Bunawan Eco-Park

Lolong would be the world's largest saltwater crocodile in the world, according to National Geographic representatives led by Dr. Adam Briton.

Briton confirmed that Lolong has a measurement of 21feet and one-inch while the Guinness record holder named Cassius Clay from Australia was 18ft. And it is for sure will it will replace Cassius, but the process would take six months before the Guinness World officially recognizes Lolong as the largest saltwater crocodile in the world.

But despite this, Lolong's popularity dramatically increases from the time it was captured. He became the top story of different media sources, including search engines like Google. It also earned almost half-a-million from donations, entrance and parking fees at the Bunawan Eco-Park stated by the Bunawan town mayor Edwin Elorde. Experts hoped Lolong will improve the tourism to Agusan Marsh, and to Mindanao once it became the largest saltwater crocs in the world.

The Find: Lachi's Sans Rival Atbp

2011-05-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

When I was in Davao City (for almost 3 years), I thought nothing can beat Ctres as my favorite. But the day I swore I won't eat beef anymore for the sake of all cows on earth, Tong Yang - a Korean restaurant became a top choice. I must have fixed with that until I joined the Davao Food Appreciation Tour 2011. So you're wondering what's my favorite now?

A lesson learned: Don't Stick with Favorites, instead be open - mouthed and be ready to explore. Delicious food can be found anywhere. And my new find? Tantaran... Lachi's San Rival atbp. It is just a small restaurant/shop along Ruby Street, Marfori Heights, but the twin owners Mike and Melvin Aviles pride themselves on preparing dishes and baking freshly cakes.

Upon entering, the smells were so right. Inside you can see tables and chairs occupying most space of the restaurant, the menus and a periodic table of the desserts were posted on the wall, and of course the display of a variety of snacks and cakes.

The rest of the DFAT participants seated on the long table when a nice lady gave us trays and told us to wait a few minutes and our food will be served. After a few minutes, a miracle comes (biglang umulan ng pagkain).

They served Unforgettable Pork Ribs, when you take a bite, it's so tender, after a few chew, you can utter "unforgettable nga".

Beef Tapa & Oriental Friend Chicken

Chili con Carne & Bangus Belly

Laing & Adobong Bangus Belly

Pork Marinara & Oriental Pork Surprise

But the happiest miracle of all - plenty of desserts, especially if you have a sweet tooth. The desserts are a mixture of cheesecake and their special San Rivals.

Lachi's offers to their customers different San's Rival including the classic, coffee and durian I think :) It is the Sans Rival that Lachi's is known for.

Aside from Sans Rival, Lachi's also bakes various cakes and tortes.

Btw, you can order cakes at Lachi's Sans Rival ATBP for any special occasions such as birthday, wedding, or Sans Rival to make friends get together more memorable and sweet :D

LACHI’S SANS RIVAL ATBP
Address: VAL Building, Ruby Street, Marfori Heights, Davao City
Contact Numbers: +6382-2245552
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/LachisDavao
Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/venue/3258221

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The Review: Trellis n Vines in Davao City

2011-05-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

"Heavy meals for small tummies"

Trellis n Vines offers a huge selection of food, from appetizers up to the desserts and fruit shakes. What do you want to eat? Chicken or some fatty pork? Great if you already know what you want. If not, perhaps you might be missing the specials. Here's my recommendation, try their Baby back ribs, Chicken Biryani, Sinuglaw, Pan-fried Bangus with Tomato Sauce and Adobong Kangkong, Crispy noodles and Banana Roll.

Every meal starts with a bowl of soup. Ours is Corn & Crab soup with some slices of bright-orange crab, corn kernels and seasoned with cream and salt. This cozy little restaurant offers Sinuglaw - a grilled pork belly. It was decorated heavily with herbs and vegetables. A good appetizer, indeed. Craving for Chicken? Order Chicken Biryani seasoned with curry and a cracker on top. Large sliced chicken are so tender, plus the combination of Indian spices is hot enough once you bite into them.

But my attention got distracted when a baby back ribs is served on the skinny long table. Crowned with BBQ sauce and the meat is to tender. It is one of the best servings here. But even the usual Pan-Fried Bangus with Tomato and Adobong Kangkon is worth contemplating. A plate of Pan-Fried Bangus has come with full of surprising tomato sauce flavor and wonderful adobong kangkong on it.

What I enjoyed the most is the Crispy Noodles. The serving of this creative dish is good for 3 - 4 persons. The crispy noodles is scribbled with vegetables and a sauce similar to chopsuey that covers the taste of the noodles. It is best to devour this crispy canton right after it's served so you will enjoy the crispiness of the noodles.

Of course, a meal is not complete without the refreshing fruit shakes or Banana Rolls with a very soft texture and sweetness of honey and peanut butter that made the combination right. Or, if you are interest with fruit shakes, ask the staff, and they will surely suggest something from their long list.

Lastly, service is a big plus. Not to mention it has a good ambiance - for it is not crowded and noisy. And for some tips to fully enjoy your dinning at Trellis n Vines, it is best come early or avoid coming with hungry tummies. It is not a fast food chain, so it will take time before your orders will be served. Also, bring your family or friends with you. Most of their servings cater for 3 - 4 persons. You can hardly consume all the baby back ribs if you're alone.

About Trellis and Vines

Trellis and Vines is ready to serve you. Visit their restaurant at lunch, or better, for a night out with your buddies.

Location
Main Branch: Mc Arthur Highway, Balusong, Matina, Davao City
Contact Number: +6382-297-8463

Branch: F. Torres Street, Davao City
Contact Number: +6382-221-5566

Branch: A. Mabini corner Araullo Streets, Davao City
Contact Number: +6382-2263117

Branch: Casa Maria Inn, Eco-west drive, Ecoland, Matina Davao City
Contact Numbers: +6382-2951883 and +6382-3032218

Mobile Numbers: +63922-8832282 and +63917-7000243
Website: http://www.TrellisnVines.com/
FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Trellis-n-Vines/342201880991

Thanks to Diyosa Blogger of My Davao City for the photos.

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DoleFil ClubHouse in Kalsangi, Polomolok

2011-03-07T23:31:00.000-08:00

After an hour of swimming and diving in Tuka Sanctuary, we (SEX Tour participants) go to DOLEFIL Clubhouse in Kalsangi. And if you happen to visit it for the first time, you will be overwhelmed by the ocean of pineapples. Exaggeration, but it is. It is a home of the biggest pineapple plantation (around 12,000 hectare) in the country. The other things you will notice upon arriving in the place are the family of pine trees. The image of Bagiuo City will usually pop up into your mind.

Kalsangi Clubhouse

This large property also has a school, church, hospital and a clubhouse also known as Kalsangi Clubhouse. It is a private place meant for DOLEFIL employees and guests only. That's why we're so lucky that Kalsangi is part of our Itinerary that day. But what I love the most inside the Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) is the golf course with landscapes near Kalsangi Clubhouse.

Aside that we're mesmerized by the scenic view, we also enjoyed the snacks they served on us. Pineapples slices and juices were there together with palabok, and club house sandwich. They also have a variety of products such as pineapple slices, chunks, tidbits, and juices in can. Of course the fresh fruits, the first thing the DoleFil Philippines is famous for.

And while we are enjoying the snacks, Gwynee Ebol of Dole Philippines is giving us the general infos about the DoleFil. I found out that they support farmers to plant pineapples. They also help community through tree planting, donating classroom chairs and a lot more and DoleFil got an award bcoz of that.

In order you can visit Kalsangi Clubhouse, first you need to ask from a DoleFil regular employee a get pass since this place is not open for everybody. Once you have it (get pass), it is sure you will enjoy what Kalsangi Clubhouse has to offer.

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Kiamba's Children Park and Tuka Marine Santuary

2011-03-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

Destination #3 of Day 1 of Soccsksargen Experience Tour Part Deux (SEX Tour II)

After the whitewater tubing in Maitum, our next destination for Soccsksargen Tour (also known as SEX Tour) was Kiamba Children's Park which is free entrance. We enjoyed our lunch at an elevated place overlooking at the beach and the other portion of Kiamba, this place is good for hang out with family and friends. It was surrounded by flowers, some landscapes and mini zoo – where you can spend time getting acquainted with birds, snakes, turtles and a lot more.

(Lunch at Kiamba's Children Park, thanks to Kiamba Tourism Council)

Of course, visiting Kiamba Children's Park gets more interesting when accompanied by a trip to Tuka Sanctuary. It is a good thing I joined the said SEX Tour, I found out that aside from Quezon Beach somewhere in Julu, Sulu, Tuka Sanctuary, is one of the best undeveloped-white-sand-beaches. It comes with a crystal clear water even on the seashore. The four-coves could be a great picnic destination if you want to relax between white-sand-sea and lush mountain.

This place is also a haven of different species of fish and rich in marine life. I was tempted to try diving in deep areas, but I was too chicken to even think of drowning. I really don't know how to swim. :( But one thing is for sure, water sports enthusiasts could really enjoy a wide range of activities on their one-day stay.

Unfortunately, according to one of our guides, multitudes of corrals (which are the main attractions of the beach) are being attacked by crown of thorns, and brought a lot of damaged. To help save Tuka Sanctuary, you can coordinate with Michelle Solon and Kiamba Toursim Council.

Reaching Kiamba from General Santos City is so easy through vans or motorcycles as the main form of transportation, while the Tuka Sanctuary is accessible via the motorboat.

thanks to Dabawpinoy for the photos.

White Water Tubing Experience At Pangi River in Maitum, Sarangani

2011-03-05T16:54:00.000-08:00

Day 1 of Soccsksargen Experience Tour Part Deux (SEX Tour II)

When it comes to whitewater river rafting, Cagayan de Oro is favorite. However, if you wish to enjoy a new white water tubing, Pangi River in Maitum is a good alternative. As a traveler, we typically crave for something extra-ordinary. So I assure you that this activity actually deserved a try.

Who would not want to experience water tubing in the midst of beautiful scenery anyway? Including this activity to our iterinary by our organizer Avel Manansala really added more excitement for the SEX tour. After we ate our breakfast in Cresings, we headed to Pangi River together with Tourism boys Arnelito Ramirez (Tourism Operations Assistant) 0918-6133022; Arlex Narte (Tourism Operations Assistant) 0919-3738007.

The day seemed to be perfectly sunny, plus seeing the rushing rapids perked me up for this newly experience. Some of the bloggers teased us (first timers) that if we broke our bones, we had a doctor and nurse with us. And if ever we smashed our tooth, we had a dentist. So no worries, but I only felt purely excitement that time.

After a short briefing, all of us seemed ready to take on this splashing adventure. I don't know how many rapids, but it took around 30- 45 minutes padding through the long stretch (1.6 kilometer) of Pangi River.
My guide assured me that I would not fall off from the improvised floater/tube. But I want to let go of it, so I can get the most out of this experience. I want to jump off to the water, but I'm too tiny that my guide can carry me. Alright! Falling off into the water is not my option, but I know that could be exciting. See the photos below:

Aside from white water tubing, there are other places to enjoy in Maitum. Among its tourist spots are Bat Sanctuary, which is a home of thousands endangered bats; Pawikan Sanctuary with Hawksbill, Green, Olive Ridley and LoggerHead turtles; and the Twin Falls in barangay Bati-an You can also go diving or trek across the forest to explore caves and other exotic flora and fauna in the area.

If you want to take challenge of a 1.6km tube-ride, Pangi River is located in Brgy. New La Union, Maitum Sarangani Province. A few hours away from General Santos City. You can enjoy a 30 min white water tubing for just P130.00 only.

Thanks to DabawPinoy and jaypee for the photos.

Heavy BreakFast in Cresing's at Maitum, Sarangani

2011-03-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

Destination #2 of Day 1 of Soccsksargen Experience Tour Part Deux (SEX Tour II)

After a short visit in Museum, we (bloggers) headed to Cresing's for our breakfast. They served a variety of organic foods and there were really an eye-opener. We began our meal with a roasted brown rice with turmeric and lemon grass tea while our host gave us an overview of each meal. The tea is served in hot or cold drink, but I preferred the cold one as I loved the calamansi and honey added into it.

Heavy Breakfast

Salted Eggs with Tomatoes

The combination of roasted brown rice, turmeric and lemon grass is packed with healing ingredients. Brown rice has Manganese for immune system and blood sugar balance; the turmeric has medicinal properties for various illness and even psoriasis and different forms of cancer; lemon grass has a great healing effect for cancer patients. I felt no guilty at all, even that I overdosed myself with these healing benefits in just one sitting. :D

Organic Black Rice

After this, they served organic rice (black, brown and white rice), salted eggs with tomatoes, ginataang suso, pritong bangsi (flying fish) and the fresh vegetable salad. Honestly, it is so difficult for me to remember all the names of herbs combined in every food. All foods were delicious, but I ate a lot of salted eggs and pritong bangsi.

Organic Brown Rice

As our first meal for day one of Socksargen Experience Tour (SEX Tour), I was impressed to experience organic foods and found a new enjoyment even for the familiar foods, maybe because of the health benefits info that accompanied the meal.

Pritong Bangsi (Flying Fish)

I highly recommend that do not leave Maitum without having a taste of the salted eggs and the bangsi. Regrets that I didn't take home some of their products, especially the turmeric and lemon grass tea. Well, there will always next times, for I will visit this place again and again.

The host of Crising was so friendly and entertaining. In fact, they never get tired of answering all our questions, from the tea, the process of making salted eggs, the price of organic rice, and a lot more.

Going to Cresing's Food Products is so easy. It is located at Purok Namnama, Maitum Sarangani Province. Contact Cresing's at +63919-3045279 or ferminc.rivas@hotmail.com if you want to experience their salted eggs, bangsi, organic rice and other processed food products.

Photos were taken from DabawPinoy's Product Sampling at Cresing's & KusinaMaria's Breakfast at Cresing's.

Punta Isla Lake Sebu Resort In South Cotabato

2010-06-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

Punta Isla Lake Resort

Where is Punta Isla Lake Sebu Resort, and How to Get there? Punta Isla Lake Resort is located kilometers away from General Santos City and Koronadal City. Because of the availability of local buses, you can easily reach this resort. First, for those guests from other places, you take a plane going to General Santos City. From the Airport, you have to take a ride to reach Public terminal in Bulaong. After that you need to take 1 hour ride going to Koronadal City. As you passed by some towns in South Cotabato, you will enjoy different scenery. You can see a pineapple plantation of DOLE, the Mount Matutum and a lot more.

From Koronadal City, you need to transfer to another bus or mini vangoing to Surallah. It's a nearby town of Lake Sebu, the councilor of this place is the owner of Punta Isla Resort. Your next and last ride is from Surallah going to Lake Sebu where Punta Isla Lake Resort was located. Finally, after a long long ride, you are now in Punta Isla Lake Resort.

The Main Features of Punta Isla Lake Resort
Aside from the nice view, this lake resort offers many things. They have a restaurant on top of the hill with a nice terrace. This is a perfect place to view the lake, where you can see a lot of tilapia breeding nests. There is a little pavilion floating in the lake, where the most guests enjoy their lunch. Once you are in Lake Sebu, the first thing that will pop out in your mind aside from the lake is Tilapia. You can enjoy tilapia in different servings from kinilaw, adobo, grilled, and my favorite is Chicharon tilapia.

Native Delicacies

Nilasing na Tilapia ________________ Spicy Tilapia Fellet

Tilapia Vegetable ___________________Kinilaw na Tilapia

Sizzling Tilapia w/ Brown Sauce ______________Tilapora

Chacharon Tilapia ________________Pinaputok na Tilapia

Sinugba na Tilapia w/ Atchara ___________Laswa na Tiapia

Sinugnug na Tilapia ___________Sinigang na Tilapia

Sinangay na Tilapia _________Tilapia Vegetabe w/ Zepo Guizado

Hototay Soup __________________Pinakbet ng Punta Isla

Roaming around, a touch of Filipino artistry in every cottage is so obvious even at your first look. They have double bungalow and different rooms too. However, double bungalow is the best choice as you can see the lake from the terrace. Plus you can request to serve your meals on it.

Rooms & Rates

Twin Bed Single Bed

Room	Rate	Notes
VIP Room - Single Bed w/ Bath, CR & TV	Php 750.00	Good for 2 person
Family Room Twin Bed w/ Bath, CR & TV	Php 850.00	Good for 4 person
Family Room Twin Bed w/ Bath, CR & TV	Php 950.00	Good for 8 person
Family Room Dormitory Type	Php 500.00	Good for 4 person
Family Room Dormitory Type	Php 650.00	Good for 6 person
Boating Trip (Around the Lake)	Php 400.00	Good for 15 person
Cottage Fee	Php 100.00	Lakeside

This Punta Isla Lake Resort is an ideal place for any occasion like birthday, wedding, family outing, honeymoon, corporate meetings and seminars.

Contact Punta Isla Lake Resort

photo grabbed from PuntaIsla Resort and ocadc

Deca WakeBoard Park In Davao City

2010-04-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

After the success of construction of Deca WakeBoard Park in Mintal, Davao City, it is now open to the public and everyone can now enjoy the enjoyment it offers.

The Davao Wakeboarding is a perfect water sports for those who are fond of extreme sports and looking for new way of getting adrenaline rush. If you are an adventure seeker, you can head out to Mintal, Davao City and enjoy to spend your summer on a water even in a short period of time.

photo credit:teenspace

Goodbye Summer With Samal Island Tour

2009-06-08T05:23:00.000-07:00

Summer has finally ended and the cool winds and rain drops taking over the heat from the summer season. And there's no better way to say good bye to summer than spending one - day island hoping in the middle of calm and blue waters of Island Garden City of Samal.

We reached Sasa wharf 8:00 o clock in the morning. As our island hoping begins, I am thankful that I chanced upon the opportunity for island hoping in a discounted price. I really love the idea of carrying a backpack and move from one place to another and be able to do much things as you can.

Meals are not included in the package, but still its okay, since we can bring any foods we like. While onboard, you can stroll around all over the ship to breathe in the nice air and feel the sea winds against your skin.

The ship has three stops: Kaputian Beach Park - where we ate our lunch, San Remegio, and Cannibad Island.

Although it is not a class- A cruise, but still you can get the luxurious feel of the ship and at the same time get to visit an island and pack in as much activities while the ship on docked cycling around the island. We have seen the Rainbow Breeze Resort along with Bluejaz Beach Resort. There are many people enjoying a weekend stay at Paradise Beach Resort.
We also passed by in the so- called Wishing Island. The beach resort that amazed me so much is Pearl Farm Beach Resort while on its right side is the Malipano Island. I can't help but told myself someday I want to spend one day or two on Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

Our first stop was in Kaputian Beach Park. It is being developed into a beach park by the government while it has the lowest rates in town. A picnic lunch in this beach park is the best activity while sitting ala "cowboy" with its fine white sand.

to be continued....

Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Island Garden City of Samal

2009-05-28T02:10:00.000-07:00

There's no doubt Barcelo Pearl Farm Beach Resort is one of the best resorts in Davao City area. It is located on the western shore of the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte. Since this area is in the western side of the island, viewers can witness the spectacular sun set.
It was named as Pearl Farm because it was 1958 this area is a spot for cultivation of pearls. Thousands of oyster were brought in this place from Sulu and grown in here to produce pink, white and gold pearls. But today, Pearl Farm Beach Resort now is a world - class Triple - A resort and can be reached by a 45 - minute boat ride from Davao City.

The area is composed of 14 hectares, including the Malipano Island half a kilometer to the west. Pearl Farm now has 73 units of accommodations 73 units of accommodations, a three-hole golf course, tennis court, and plenty of water to go to kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, jet skiing, and water skiing according to Pearl Farm Beach Resort review.

Guests can also enjoy the free Wi - Fi aside from the rich marine life, different rock formations and different flowering plants in this area.

Talicud Island: A Complete Package for the Weary

2009-04-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

It was cloudy Saturday afternoon when I and my companion arrived at Talicud Island. Perhaps the sun is too shy that time and wants to hide on thick clouds. But that kind of weather inspires me to play healthy ideas on my mind while waited for the sun to shine up, so we can witness the spectacular view together.

Before I have always thought of Samal as an expensive escape and only accommodates those who can afford it. How wrong I was, the Talicud Island had all the elements needed for a perfect gateaway for the weary soul at a very cheap price. There are many places to choose from and many activities like water sports, eco tours in beaches or waterfalls, just name it Samal has it.

Going to Talicudd Island is just a little over one hour boat ride so you don't need to hurry. For me, it is a sin not to enjoy the beautiful array of beaches in Talicud Island as the main attraction. One of the beaches in Talicud Island is Isla Reta Beach Resort. It has a white sand beach and serene environment enough to name it a paradise for lonely soul and want a silent escape. The warm welcomed of Llanos Beach Resort made me think to visit this beach resort over and over again.

Next to Llanos Beach Resort was Dayang Beach Resort. This beach resort comes in wide surroundings so each guest has enough boundaries to savour the beauty of natue. Last but not the least, the Babu Santa Beach Resort. This white sand beach resort is one of the simplest beach resorts in Samal Island that offers the sun and the beach for snorkeling, kayaking, and any kind of water sports.

Visiting Talicud Island for one day was not enough for me but nevertheless, it was definitely an unforgettable trip.

For more infos and photos you can visit Samal Beaches.

Traveling The Beautiful Mindanao

2009-03-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

Traveling around is one of my favorite things to do. That's why I come up to this Beautiful Mindanao web page. I know that most people are scared of traveling around Mindanao. Thus, they missed half of their life. :) Saying this, because there are many beautiful spots here in Mindanao that you hardly seen in other places.

I'm not telling that I only want to explore the down part of Mindanao, I am considering to visit up there. But this time I am limiting this niche for my favorite beautiful spots here in Mindanao. My hope you can come with me as I travel around Mindanao to present to you those beautiful spots as what I've said.

This niche also gives you ideas that Mindanao is of course, a safe place to travel and live on. Maybe, some news giving you bad impression with this place, but still I preferred Mindanao as the Promise Land. Feel free to ask me what beautiful places nice to visit, or you can simply ask me to feature some places. Thank you