KADAYAWAN SA DABAW

Mindanao’s Queen of All Festivals

Davao City is known for its royalty titles.

Mount Apo, which towers over the city, is called the king of the country’s mountains. Waling-waling, the endemic species that thrives in the forest of Mount Apo, is touted as the queen of orchids. Philippine eagle, the country’s icon, is the king of birds. Two fruits – durian and mangosteen – are bestowed the sobriquets king and queen of Philippine fruits, respectively.

Every August, the city also observes what spectators call as “The Queen of All Festivals in Mindanao” – the KadayawansaDabaw. It is Davao City’s thanksgiving for nature’s gifts, the wealth of culture, bountiful harvest, and peaceful living.

It is a month-long celebration, interfacing three aspects: tribal, industrial, and arts and entertainment; but the third week is the most anticipated as the weekend is highlighted with floral floats and streetdancing competitions. Throughout the month, there are exhibits that showcase the island’s tourism products and services.

Anciently, ethnic tribes like the Bagobos, Mandayas, Manobos, Mansakas and T’boli and others residing at the foot of Mount Apo would converge during a bountiful harvest. This ritual serves as their thanksgiving to the gods particularly to the “Manama” (the Supreme Being).Although times have changed, this practice of thanksgiving (pahinungod in local dialect) is still very much practiced by modern day Dabawenyos. This tradition flourished and evolved into an annual festival of thanksgiving. And that’s how KadayawansaDabaw came into existence.

“Ten tribes, One vibe.” That is the theme of the festival. Explains the Kadayawan Festival website: “Davao City has ten indigenous tribes, the Ata, Matigsalug, Ovu-Manuvo, Klata-Djangan, Tagabawa, Tausog, Maguindanao, Maranao, Kagan, and Sama. Though diverse in cultures, traditions and beliefs, these tribes are very much connected by a common origin that binds them together as one and the same – an origin that traces to the very core of the history of Davao City.”

Motorcycle Diaries: Angono Petroglyphs

The town of Angono in the province of Rizal is known as an artist’s haven. Aside from being the home of two National Artists (Carlos V. Francisco for painting and Lucio D. San Pedro for music), it is also boasts of having the country’s oldest prehistoric work of art, making it an interesting destination for a quick ride.

One point of interest is the Angono Petroglyphs, which sits along the boundaries of Angono, Binangonan, and Antipolo. The petroglyphs are included in the list of the National Cultural Treasures of the country and World Inventory of Rock Art, and are thus considered a highly significant cultural landmark.

Getting there requires a drive up a steep uphill road with some great vantage points of the scenery of Rizal below and a short hike through an artificial tunnel leading to the site. Scribbled on the volcanic turf of the cave walls are engravings of stick figures resembling animals and humans dating back to circa 3,000 B.C. However, it was only in 1965 that the site was discovered by the late renowned muralist and National Artist, Carlos “Botong” Fransisco during a field trip with a troop of boy scouts.

Captivating Contrasts in Misibis Bay

Bicol is a land of contrasts. Spice, fiery heat, and volcanic eruptions are juxtaposed to lush, cool forests and mountains, clear and blue waters, and a relaxing vibe; making for some interesting combinations. Misibis Bay is one place that embodies the fire and cool of Bicol. Located in the remote island of Cagraray, just off the coast of Albay, Misibis Bay provides both the adrenaline rush adventurers seek and the quiet those looking to unwind crave.

Misibis Bay is paradise for the stressed and burnt out. The beach is just a few feet away from plush villas, with crystal clear blue waters and comfortable cabanas. And for those who don’t like getting sand in their bathing suits, the resort has two swimming pools and a wading pool, where guests can still catch the sun’s rays while lounging and reading the latest best-selling novel.

Adventure junkies can rejoice with the astounding amount of activities they can take part in. Take an all-terrain vehicle to go off-road on Cagraray’s many hills and mountains, or zip line 450 meters down the side of a hill. Water babies can get their fill of water sports, jet skiing at 70 kilometers an hour on the waters of the Albay Gulf, or going deep down into the ocean blue, watching tropical fishes swim and play on the coral reefs. If that’s not enough to satiate the most ardent of nature lovers, visit the resort’s Eco Park where the gorgeous ampitheater overlooking the Pacific Ocean is found.

Guide to Baler, Aurora

I’ve been wanting to visit Baler, the capital town of Aurora Province for a while now but never had the chance to until recently. Thanks to an invitation to join Journeying James Baler Dos: Camp, Bike, Surf & Trek tour last August, I finally stepped foot in the scenic coastal town known for its waves. The town up North offers some great land-based attractions as well. Though most tourists come for the surf, Baler and surrounding towns have plenty to offer in terms of historical and cultural sights, natural attractions and food adventures.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Manila, Baler is roughly a six-hour drive by private car or chartered van (which was our mode of transport). If you’re commuting, the most direct way to get there is via the Joy Bus of Genesis Transport, which only has 2 trips a day. You can also reach Baler via Victory Liner bus to Cabanatuan. From there, you’ll have to transfer to a van or another bus to bring you to Baler.

Spectacular Siquijor

For most Filipinos, mere mention of Siquijor conjures images of mysticism and the supernatural. It has a reputation for being a place of magic and sorcery. But what Siquijor should be better known for is the diversity of its natural wonders and spectacular attractions: white sand beaches, springs, waterfalls, caves, limestone cliffs and mountains, mangrove forests, and rich coral reefs teeming with abundant marine life.

The island province of Siquijor is located in Centra Visayas, southeast of the islands of Cebu and Negros. It has six municipalities, with Larena as the main port town and Siquijor as the capital town. It was called as “Isla del Fuego” or Island of Fire by the Spaniards of the soft glow generated by abundant fireflies in the island when they first saw the island from afar.

The best way to travel around Siquijor is to rent a motorcycle for a day or two and follow the 72-kilometer coastal road that circumnavigates the island. Traveling this way will give you the opportunity to stop and enjoy secluded beaches and mangrove forests. You can also visit villages along the way to experience the rustic life in Siquijor. The people of Siquijor are definitely the island’s best attraction. They are so accommodating that they would even go so far as to provide lodging and food to travelers.

Commercial tourism is still not that big in Siquijor, but there are various beach resorts and inns that cater to different types of travelers such as backpackers and scuba divers. Although most resorts will offer you good access to the beaches, it is still possible to find secluded beaches that are accessible to intrepid travelers.

Popular places to visit

Here’s a short list of places to visit when you have a day or two in Siquijor:

Pangasinan: The Heartland of the Philippines

Feel like going on a road trip? Why not go to Pangasinan, the heartland of the Philippines? It is home to the famed Hundred Islands National Park, the Bangus Festival, and the white sand beaches of Bolinao and Dasol.

Balungao Hilltop Adventure
Nestled at the foot of Mt. Balungao, this nascent hot and cold springs resort offers both fun and relaxation to weary travelers. The resort also boasts of having a 600-meter long Zipline—the longest in Region 1. For those who are looking for some adventure, Balungao Hilltop Adventure also offers ATV Riding, Hiking, Mountain Climbing, Mountain Biking, and Trail Walking.

Goat and Sheep Farms
The trip to Balungao’s goat and sheep farms was both engaging and enlightening. Not only did we learn a lot about raising goat and sheep, but we also got to interact with these beautiful and docile creatures. The farms came about as part of the livelihood project of the local government for the farmers. Consequently, the project has paved the way for the development of agritourism in the area.

Agew na Pangasinan 
We were fortunate enough to be in town to witness the colorful celebration of the province’s founding anniversary. A Commemorative Program featuring the awarding of prizes to the winners of the Kurit Panlunggaring Literary Contest and Balitok a Tawir Culture and Arts Festival kicked off the celebration. A colorful float parade from the various participating municipalities and establishments followed suit. Another highlight of the fete was the lively street dance competition.

Calasiao Church
If you like visiting old buildings and learning about history, then a trip to the Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church in Calasiao would just be the thing. This Baroque church, which was built during the Spanish colonial era, was declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Princesa Urduja House
Named after the legendary warrior princess Urduja, this attention-grabbing building serves as the residence of the provincial governor. The building’s impressive architecture and ornate furnishings are a sight to behold. A portion of the residence is open to organized public visits.

The province of Pangasinan truly has plenty of natural and man-made attractions which you must visit. Among them are the Mangrove Nursery and Fish Farm, the Capitol Building, the Veterans Memorial Park War Museum, the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center Lagoon Ride, the St. James the Fortress Church, the Baniaga River Water Sports Adventure, the Umbrella Rocks of Agno, the Bolinao Caves, and Tondol Beach.

Legazpi City, Bicol – A Place of Fun and Adventure!

Popularly known as the “Gateway to South Luzon,” Legazpi City, Albay is situated right at the heart of the exciting region of Bicol, Philippines. Conveniently accessible for about 45mins by Air from Manila or Cebu, and about 10 hours by land from Manila, it serves as a bridge way to all sorts of travel activities whether by land, water or even Air. If whale shark-watching (Butanding) is what you are looking for, the province of Sorsogon is just about an hour’s drive away. If you’re in for some historical sites and enjoy pilgrimage tours, Naga City is also close by, but nothing beats a hike to the majestic Mayon Volcano, 8,081ft. Above sea level!

But there is something about Legazpi City itself. Apart from its archaic sites like Cagsawa Ruins and Daraga Church, the City is now tagged as one of the county’s next 10 wave cities for the Business Process Outsourcing industry. In turn, local economy has improved, and has made the City more charming and attractive to local and foreign tourist alike. From the opening of the Embarcadero de Legazpi and Ligñon Hill Nature Park where one can enjoy an exhilarating zip line experience overlooking Mayon to the rugged individual ATV drive to the volcano lava bed, Legazpi City is surely perfect for the adventurous down-to-earth travellers. Food and dining is just as interesting with the classic Bicol Express, Pinangat and the exotic sili (chili) ice cream. And with the influx of visitor arrivals from national conventions and seminars, the City is unceasingly finding and creating new ways to entertain its guests.

So when planning a trip to the Bicol region, whether in the islands of Caramoan or Masbate, one cannot simply overlook the city of Legazpi, else risk an incomplete South Luzon experience!

For a cozy and casual stay, feel right at home at Pinehurst Suites Legazpi! Located at the main artery of the City and just 5 minutes away from the Airport, it provides convenient access to public transportation and to the entire lively City has to offer.