Verbalizing lapses in the brain

Apo View Hotel, one of Philippines’ oldest hotel (top 3)
is celebrating kadayawan till August 19, 2012. Read the rest of this post »

The alarm didn’t go off as expected.  I have to be up by 6:30am to get ready for the 7:30am call time, as set (and firmly he did) by our team leader.  In case, you are wondering who, it is the travel teller that’s gonna lead our pack today.  Like drugged sacrificial lambs, all participants for the Davao Bloggers’ Tour individually arrived at the already packed Matina Branch of McDonalds.  People, grouped in shirts of the same colors (sky blue was the most dominant), was loudly preparing for cheers I could not remember being instructed.  Turned out they were ADDU college students, and my group, instructed to wear a red shirt for the activity, seamlessly fitted in while the others (we are four different groups) were looking like high school misfits with their mix and match shirts.  Oooh they would have rolled their eyes had I brought my sticks for our mini flags (chattee got her boards ready for it). Too bad, it would have been an overkill– and I meant that as a compliment.  Anything fun and outrageous is forgivable this day.

Perked up (be it caffeine driven or not–doesn’t matter), we sped off to our first stop, the Japanese Tunnel.  It’s along diversion road. I initially thought Japanese tunnel was located in Samal.  Good thing nobody asked me.  I would have confidently led them to a different place… Read the rest of this post »

It was musky but not as stinky as you would enter a chicken house.  The goats have a relatively cleaner, less stinky, well defined, round pellet poop (that doesn’t splat itself upon hitting the ground– gross).  And in the goat house, the ground is more than 10 feet below. Read the rest of this post »

Mae Paner, the brilliant mind behind the fictional character we call Juana Change.  She is a media advertiser by profession, an activist, and a national symbol of Philippine Politics (juana change).  She was just one of the exceptional figures who came to attend and speak at the Blogfest 2.0 in General Santos City.Juana Change with the Fab Brothers Orman and Avel.

Read the rest of this post »

Never heard of River Pangi till DTI-Socksargen took us for a Saranggani Adventure last year. And I still love the experience. During the S3x Tour Tres, water tubing was also part of the itinerary…the damn thing is getting famous!

So if you are still unconvinced as to why you should go water tubing in Pangi River, here are the reasons why:

1.) You’ll be fulfilling your childhood dream of being in the washing machine!
Remember when you used to imagine what it feels like to be inside the washer as it whirls the clothes clean? well! imagine no more! Read the rest of this post »

An hour and a half away from Davao— Well, 26km away from Digos to be exact, is a great adventure spot that I’m sure extreme sports enthusiasts would love.  Apo Highland Adventure is a sports haven located in Kapatagan that’s why this sports resort was intially named Camp@Tagan.  Owned by no other than Mr. Dizon, the man behind Maxima’s giant water slide, Zorb, and Davao Wild River Rafting, to name a few.

The resort is eco-friendly.  You can camp and there is also a designated bonfire area which means, you can safely start a fire without having to risk burning the whole community surrounding the place.  You may rent a room as well if you don’t feel like camping. Read the rest of this post »

Mount Puting Bato is the highest summit in Island Garden of Samal standing at 410 MASL.  Mt. Puting Bato (white stone) is named after the white limestone walls, a prominent feature of the island.

For those who has a limited vacation time but wants to do a dayhike, Mt. Puting Bato is the perfect trail to follow. Read the rest of this post »

Monfort Conservation Park is a 24-hectare property located in the Garden Island of Samal. It is the Guiness title holder of Largest Fruit Bat Colony in the world, Monfort Bat Cave is home to more than 1.8 million Geoffry’s  Rousette Fruit Bats.

These bats are also the reason for Davao City’s abundance in durian.  They are, in fact, the major reason why rainforests exist—70% of trees in a forest exist because of bat pollination activities; they eat fruits and insects and distribute seeds in the process.  A bat can eat as much as its own body weight of insects and pests every night, thus loss of bats will certainly effect an increase of pests in the world. Read the rest of this post »

I’ve never heard of a Mangrove Park until Olan took me to one.  The first impression I’ve had when I first saw it was bewilderment.  Olan forgot to mention what a Mangrove Park is. ..and before I get too much into details of how I felt when I saw it, let me tell you what it is.

A Mangrove park is a protected natural park.  Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow in saline coastal areas.  The reason why it is protected is because it is an ideal habitat and breeding ground of several important species of fish and coastal birds. Magrove Park’s significant value to a coastal area is high because of its contribution to the coastal fisheries and the benefits it produces for the wildlife and ecosystem in general.

Guang-Guang Mangrove Park has low water that you have to wade yourself all through out the park, thus, pants is off-limits here.  Wear light clothing and bring a volleyball because the water is shallow enough for you to splash around but not drown. Read the rest of this post »

Barangay Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental is a three hour drive away from Davao City.  Roads are paved, don’t worry.  Best to visit this fabulous place on April where they hold an annual skimboarding competition.

The 7km of pure white sand coastline is beautiful…the beach is facing the Pacific, thus, its great waves are perfect for the beach bum looking for an adventure.  It’s glorious day to laze around the beach.  But if you are the type that doesn’t want to camp out in a tent and is used to room service, Dahican may not be for you.  This is a backpacker’s place.  It is not yet developed and no hotels to accommodate the luxury you are accustomed to. Read the rest of this post »