surigao del norte — Page 3 — Caraga rising paradise

Red Sea Turtles – how sweet they are!

June 16, 2008 6 Comments

Coming in to the place called Bagacay in Siargao Islands, you can reminiscent how sweet your encounter with all these cute red sea turtles as I watched them live in a marine sanctuary. Taking a look with them remind us how important the relationships between man and natures. They are here to tell us that this is how nature works with them as time goes by. Clean environment and normal living is a harmonious way of creating a wonderful place to live with.

Opening all my senses and peace within your mind and your soul as I journeyed back to where they are. As I sit back and take a look, you will never miss single seconds of the day taking a look as I remind myself of what’s happening when I face them live. The joy in your heart cannot be taken away by anything in this world when you are with them, or something that you will forget and makes peace with yourself.

Experience likes this will never forget, that was your priceless possession in life!

This video became my taste of the day. Find out why is it stress-free…

Siargao Escape – at bagacay making peace with natures!

June 1, 2008 8 Comments

Caraga was a home to a different islets and islands that is untouched and unexploited by local and international tourists. One name I will never forget was the place called Bagacay. Bagacay is a barangay that is found in an island separated from the mainland Dapa, Siargao Island, province of Surigao del Norte.

After reaching Siargao with MV Sweet RORO in the town of Dapa for 4 hours from Surigao City, I proceeded with my friends to Bagacay, a 15 minutes ride using pumpboat. When I first heard the word bagacay I thought boracay which is not. I misheard it, maybe, due to some excitement on my part.

When the pumpboat began to cross the island, you will see corals below with white sands. The way I see it, it would be best for diving and fishing activities. As you get near the island, a lot of mangroves standing on the side in another island. A unique blend of nature that I have not seen before. Reaching Bagacay was a sweet experience for a trying hard traveler like me (hehehe!).

Stepping Into A Residential Paradise

When I jump out from the pumpboat, I am stepping into the place that is surrounded with large body of seawater. You can view different mountain ranges, mangroves on the neighboring island, never ending horizon in the east and in the west. You can feel the fresh winds mixed from seas and mountains embraces your being, and take a long, long breath to rejuvenate your lungs that have grown from the city.

The place located separately from the mainland Bagacay, and isolated like an island –only mangroves on the other side that is linking to the mainland Bagacay. This is the home of Mayor Peter Ruaya. The simplicity of living takes you back to the older times when man and nature blend each other in a simple and harmonious way. I have discovered a paradise that is right into the home of Ruaya’s family. Hopefully, they can transform the area into a resort for local and international tourists in the near future. You cannot only appreciate the location, but the place was a sanctuary of some marine life in the ocean. While you are here, one of the most interesting attractions in Bagacay was hopping from one island to another island, fishing, and diving coral sites. Atmosphere in Bagacay is a very calm and peaceful place to live endowed with a gift that natures possess.

Vicinity And Delicacies

The foundation of this future resort was made of mixed concrete sands and stones from the deep of the sea to the surface – a solid ground against rising sea waves. Family house was standing at the edge facing another island. Outside of the house were lots of big cages that will serve as marine sanctuary to some animals living in the ocean. This will create attraction that can draw so much attention to the visitors coming to the place. In your best time, you can go to the cages, seeing them not only refresh your body, but refreshes your mind as well.

Coming inside the house mostly made of hardwoods. Some furniture were created out of bamboo that I’ve noticed one unique swinging chair on the left side of the house that is best for resting and sleeping. Winds coming in and out the whole day. A quiet place to live with. A healthful way of living, and if God’s well, it will make your life longer.

Foods were already served in the kitchen table. Grilled liplipan and kinilaw (fresh fish) became my food of the day. I have tasted the sweetness of banagan (lobster) that is freshly picked at the bottom of the house. Also became a fan of eating tajom and saang (sea urchins). These could be the healthiest food I’ve ever swallowed. Seafoods were the best delicacies of Bagacay. You will never forget the temptation and mouthwatering sensation of the foods that is rightfully fit into your stomach (hehehe!). The best of the island!

Hospitality

Stepping the residential paradise likes a second home to me. I have never expected the extra warm accommodation that is afforded to us by Mayor Peter, and his beautiful and smiling wife, Madam Yolly. Welcoming us like their own family coming from a distant land – from the time we landed, put us to sleep, until we say goodbye the next day. This reflects the homegrown hospitality of peoples in Bagacay. Hospitality that cannot be compared – a true Filipino value.

Capturing Rare Moments

In this episode of life, Bagacay shows the best part of me. But here comes the location, early morning, when the moon still shining in the west, sunrise began to show in the east. Absolutely, almost meeting each other in one unique panorama. The place turned dramatic and romantic in a clear blue sky. What a show on earth before your eyes!

In this place were so many cages in which different marine life exist. In those cages were my scenes of the day. I’ve spent many hours watching those cute red sea turtles. For the first time I’ve watched them live, and not on TV! Along with them were different colorful fishes, big and small, even Nemo and his friends coming out in the open. Other cages were filled with crabs and big sea clams, and show to us how clams got angry when closing its mouth as it picked outside from the cage. Lobsters were unique and exotic creatures seeing them crawling the net at the bottom of the house. Outside the house, of course, body of seawater where you can see lot’s of different fishes coming, and became visitors too of Ruaya’s family (I hope no sharks here…hehehe!).

Seeing these marine creatures will make your day live and fruitful. You will never miss single seconds of the day when you are in these cages. The joy in your heart cannot be taken away as you sit back and take wild look of these cute and wild creatures from the sea.

I have told you the best in Bagacay. Experiences in life cannot be bought or steal. Simple pleasures will linger forever, and remain part of you memory as the days passed by. Bagacay takes a piece of me, and it will be part of my memory…forever.

Bagacay can be reached from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus, then Surigao City to Siargao for 4 hours by RORO or 2 hours by super cat, then at Dapa port to Bagacay for 15 minutes using pumpboat.

Caraga – a place of never-ending adventures

April 20, 2008 42 Comments

CARAGAcan be traced back to the 15th century when explorers discovered the existence of Kalagans, believed to be of Visayan Origin in one of the three districts in Mindanao. The word Caraga originated from the Visayan word “Kalagan”: “Kalag” meaning soul or people and “An” meaning land. The “Kalagans” have a long history of being brave and fearless. Thus, the region was called by early chroniclers as the “Land of the Brave and Fierce People.”

The “Kalagans”, called “Caragans” by the Spaniards occupied the district composed of the two provinces of Surigao, northern part of Davao Oriental and Eastern Misamis Oriental. The two Agusan Provinces were later organized under the administrative jurisdiction of Surigao and became the independent Agusan province in 1914. In 1960, Surigao was divided as Norte and Sur, and in June 1967, Agusan followed suit. While Butuan then was just a town of Agusan, the logging boom in 1950’s drew business and businessmen to the area. On August 2, 1950. by virtue of Republic Act 523, the City Charter of Butuan was approved.

CARAGA is an Administrative Region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines, and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act Number 7901 on February 25, 1995. The region is composed of five (5) provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and the newly created province, Dinagat Islands (from Surigao del Norte); six (6) cities: Butuan, Surigao and Bislig, and recently, the newly created component cities: Cabadbaran, Bayugan, and Tandag; seventy (70) municipalities and 1,346 barangays. Butuan City is the regional center.It’s haven for tourists and adventurers. The region hosts two of the Philippines’ 10 National Integrated Protected Areas – the Siargao Seascape, and the 100,000-hectare Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary – as well as world class dive, surfing, and sport fishing sites, mountains trekking and biking, white sand beaches, hot and cold springs, caves, rivers, forests, and waterfalls.If you are seeking a challenging experience or simply an escapade from the humdrum of urban life, venture no more… Come and experience adventure one can find south of the Philippines islands that simply lures visitors to frolic in its pristine beauty.

Siargao – surfing capital in the philippines

December 11, 2007 5 Comments

Siargao Island can be found at Surigao del Norte province, a tear-drop shaped island which lies face to face with Dinagat Island and the mainland. It is a well known name in Caraga as well as in the Philippines for having many beautiful spots to offer. It has the best location of the island as it faces the Pacific Ocean. It is a paradise with massive coral and rock reefs, islands and islets, popular white sandy beaches, caves, and waterfalls.Aside from those nature gifts, it has the biggest mangrove forest deposits in the entire Mindanao, found at the town of Del Carmen, where you can take the best shots of famous crocodiles there.

Although, I’m just talking here about those exceptional gifts of Siargao, but the most significant is the presence of many beautiful surfing paradise that unequaled the other destination sites in the country, which has the name Cloud 9, Quicksilver, Pacifico, Mabuntok Reef, Dako, and some are yet to be discovered. But to date, the most publicly known and established its name internationally already, is the Cloud 9 found in the town ofGeneral Lunaas the “perfect” waves for surfers to smash. In General Luna, beaches full of white powdery sand stretches across the miles added mass to the surfing area.

National and international surfers are flocking in the area at the start of September being at its highest peak of the waves, and there will be an international competition which will be held at the last week of the month. The saga continues until the end of holiday season, or even extends your never ending thirst for getaway until summer.

We have also other internationally known surfing area outside from Siargao, in the town ofLanuza,provinceofSurigao del Sur.

Aside from the surfing, Siargao has other beauties to offer. To name a few, here you can find Guyam Island, Dako Island, Bikini Island, Bucas Grande Islands, Bagacay, Magpopungko, and many others waiting to be discovered for an adventurer, like you. The islands I mention are purely white sands in nature. And, many other islands are still on the line for recognition.

If I talk about Boracay, but the best is Siargao (so sorry for Boracay), although it has wind surfing, and sugary white sands qualities, Siargao has it!. But Boracay has no surfing paradise! You can talk anything in Siargao, unless if you are dying. Hahaha!

Siargao is beautiful, untouched, unexploited surrounded with hospitable and friendly peoples.I really considered Siargao as the perfect destination for adventurers who loves the sea, and white sandy beaches, with a bonus point – the surfing paradise.

It’s really blessed from God’s creation of natural resources as the source of haven from heaven to all adventurers out there!

	pix from kathy chua
You can reach Siargao by MV RORO for 4 hours or by super cat for 2 hours from Surigao City, and from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus.

Guyam – white island can be reached by feet and hands

December 28, 2006 3 Comments

Pristine white island facing the town of General Luna of Siargao. Guyam island is so stimulating that it can be reached with your feet and hands during low tide. You can enjoy the ride by kayaking with friends or swimming or just walking before reaching the coral white island.

If you want to shout as loud as you can…go! and you’ll feel the excitement of this paradise..like no one else have shown it before… the experience that unfolded before your eyes.

Sometimes when I saw the island, it reminds me of other beautiful, cute, white coral islands within Caraga when I traveled to Surigao del Sur like the Hagonoy Island of Bislig City and General Islands of Cantilan, to name a few, but this one so unique for being closer to the mainland that really captivates your eyes curiosity. Those crystal blue water was tantalizing, and would love to swim before those colorful fishes on the ground. So much fun!

Guyam Island is one of the island that is found in Siargao, Philippines. In front of this island is the boom sugar white sand beaches of the town of General Luna across for miles. While on the other side was Dako Island, where you can see a bigger island with a stretch of fine white line of sands. Closer from this island is the surfing site known as Cloud 9 where internationally known competition was held in September.

You can reach Siargao by MV RORO for 4 hours or by super cat for 2 hours from Surigao City, and from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus.