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.

Zamboanga’s Pink Sand Beach

With its uniquely beautiful pink sand, Zamboanga City’s Santa Cruz Island is perhaps one of the country’s best island beach destinations. Indeed, as it makes its case by being the only one of its kind in the Philippines.
From afar, the island’s powdery coastline looks blindingly white. But if you look closely, you’ll see glints of pink, especially where the waves crash into the shore. Locals explain that the island gets its pinkish hue from red organ pipe corals (tubipora musica) which have been pulverized by eons of surf erosion.

Although the island is merely 4 kilometers south of the downtown at the Santa Cruz Bank in the Basilan Strait (about a 15-20 minute boat ride), the place has thankfully remained pristine and well-maintained.
While the nearby Little Santa Cruz Island is kept as a military installation, the Greater Santa Cruz island contains a few covered picnic cottages and bathroom facilities for day-trippers. The island is lushly covered with island vegetation, flowering grass that resembles sea urchins, and a big mangrove-laden lagoon—whose beauty is surpassed only by its picturesque coastline.

With its translucent waters, you will definitely enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving. Its underwater scenery and colorful coral reefs, which are just a few meters away from the shore, are awe-inspiring to say the least.
However, the current in Basilan Strait is quite strong, as it acts as a natural channel between two vast seas (the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea), thus swimmers should take precaution.

An interesting aspect of the island is that it contains an old Badjao burial ground beneath a canopy of banyan and frangipani trees. The Sama Badjao, known as “sea gypsies,” believe that the journey continues in the afterlife. Thus, relatives of the departed decorate the tombs with carved vintas or wooden boats. Women from the Badjao Village sell some handicrafts and souvenirs on the island, as well.

Text by Kara Santos

Misibis Bay – The Luxurious Island Getaway

We all dream of whiling our time away in a secluded beach somewhere—away from the stifling conditions of the city. When the drudgery of work has gotten to us, we can’t help but picture ourselves lying in a hammock under the warm sun, looking out to the calm turquoise sea, and sipping our cold tropical drink.

We’ve all daydreamed about getting away from it all, but not all of us have had the luxury of escaping from the daily grind. And no resort could offer a luxurious island getaway experience quite like Misibis Bay.
Located on an unspoiled stretch of beach along the southern tip of Cagraray island in Bacacay, Albay, this breathtaking private tropical sanctuary offers the most exquisite island getaway experience.

Being in a remote island does not mean forgoing modern conveniences. The 37 luxurious, Asian-inspired villas are equipped with a daybed, LCD TV, iPod dock, hot and cold shower, bathtub (except for one Junior Suite Deluxe) down pillows, DVD player, hair dryer, in-room safe, multi-line telephone, refrigerated private bar, tea/coffee maker, and wireless internet access.

Things you can do

Need to get your blood going? Activities in Misibis Bay are limited only by your imagination. You can begin by swimming in its clear, turquoise waters. You can also enjoy a leisurely swim at the infinity pool and the lagoon pool while enjoying the view of the sea. For a more adventurous experience, you can try kayaking, banana boat ride, wind surfing, Hobie Cat sailing, Stand-up Paddle surfing, and jet skiing.
Be spellbound by the marvelous marine life and the awe-inspiring underwater scenery of Albay gulf by snorkeling or
scuba diving.

If you just want to enjoy and have a relaxing time with your friends and family, then you can go on a Sunset Cruise where you can adore the majestic view of Mt. Mayon and explore the nearby islands of Cagraray.

“Land Ahoy!”

Are you a landlubber? There is no shortage of activities for you either. You can go on a Segway ride and explore the vast resort grounds. If you feel safer on four wheels, then you can take an ATV and make your way to the Eco-Energy Park. You can also take a dune buggy and go on a scenic ride around the island.
Need to get those juices flowing? You can try the Zip Line at the Eco-Energy Park. You can get an adrenaline rush while enjoying a picturesque view of the sea.

To fully appreciate what this region has to offer, you go on Special Tours like the City Tour, ATV Tour to the Lava Wall, Whaleshark Interaction Tour, Chopper Tour, Cave Exploration, and Water Falls Exploration.

Truly, Misibis Bay is everything you’ve dreamed of and more. So tarry no longer and head down to the luxury island getaway of your dreams. Go ahead and reward yourself; you deserve it.