Situated at the Southeastern coast of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean, Surigao del Sur’s Bislig City is 158 km south of Butuan, 152 km south of Tandag City and 208 km northeast of Davao City. It may be reached via a 6-hour bus ride from Davao or a 5-hour bus ride from Butuan.

We took the Manila – Davao route as our jump off point to Surigao del Sur because our flight to Butuan has been cancelled a week before our scheduled flight. From Davao International Airport, we went to the Ecoland Bus Terminal and then took the 6-hour bus ride to Mangagoy, Bislig. We arrived at the Paper Country Inn in Bislig at around 7.00 p.m., where we spent the rest of the night after a long, tiring, half day trip.

On our second day, we woke up early, got ready for our tour and left Paper Country Inn at around 8.00 a.m. We took a multicab to Bislig Terminal and then hired a jeepney that would take us to Tinuy-an Falls and Hinatuan’s Enchanted River. From the terminal, we took a one-hour bumpy ride to Tinuy-An Falls and as we reached the place, everyone was truly amazed with what welcomed us – a stunning three-tiered waterfalls (there is actually a fourth one which is not visible from the view.)

Dubbed as the “Little Niagara of the Philippines,” Tinuy-an Falls is approximately 55 meters high and 95 meters wide so one will surely be awed by its unique and magnificent beauty. The best part for swimming and bathing is in the second level. You may also rent a bamboo raft that would take you towards the falls. There you can enjoy a refreshing shower massage under the falling waters of Tinuy-an Falls.

We were also lucky that the water level is not so deep when we visited the place so we had the chance to climb the top of the waterfalls. The hike to the top is a bit strenuous but it’s all worth it because the view of the waterfalls from the top is simply incredible. One should be extra careful though because the trail to the top is really slippery and were mostly covered with moss.

After having lunch and enjoying the thrill of playing in the waters of Tinuy-an Falls, we all packed up and then headed to our next destination – Hinatuan’s Enchanted River.

Getting There

The following airlines both have flights going to Davao and Butuan:

Cebu Pacific (CEB)
Website: http://cebupacificair.com/
Tel. No: (+63 2) 702-0888 (Manila Office) / (+63 32) 230-8888 (Cebu Office)

Philippine Airlines (PAL)
Website: http://www.philippineairlines.com/
Tel. No: (+63 2) 855-8888

Upon reaching Davao, ride a cab to Davao Ecoland Terminal. Catch Bachelor Bus for the 6-hour travel to Mangagoy. But if your coming from Butuan, you may also take the Bachelor Bus for the 5-hour travel to Mangagoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur.

From the jeepney terminal in Bislig, Tinuy-an Falls is accessible by a 1-hour jeepney ride.

Fees

Jeep + Guide: P3,000.00 (Includes travel to Tinuy-an Falls and Hinatuan’s Enchanted River)
Entrance: P10.00/pax
Cottage: P100.00
Raft: P50.00
Ring Buoy or Salbabida: P30.00

We received an email from Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino.com last November 5, 2009 informing us of this great news. Unfortunately we were only able to read the email a week after so we were not able to join the awarding ceremony which was successfully held last Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental, Makati City.

On behalf of Pasyalera, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Madelin M. Galvez for nominating us, our readers, Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino.com, the members of DigitalFilipino Club and all the sponsors of DigitalFilipino E-Commerce Summit and Web Awards.

Congratulations also to all the other finalists and winners!

By the way, we still don’t have our trophy but we will post a picture of it as proof as soon as we get it.

UPDATE:

As promised, here are some pictures of the trophy:

Again, thanks everyone! 😀

Baler, the capital municipality of Aurora Province, is situated in the Eastern Central Luzon facing the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 230 kilometers from Manila and can be reached by traveling the roads (via Pantabangan or via Bongabon) that twist through the Sierra Madre mountain range, where maybe the only remaining lowland virgin forest, as well as the largest areas of upland virgin forest, in the country is located.

The town is also the birthplace of Philippine surfing – thanks to the production crew of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 cult classic “Apocalypse Now” who left their surfboards, which were later used by the locals. It is famous for its numerous surfing points like Sabang Beach (best for beginners,) Cemento Beach (for experienced surfers,) and the famous Charlie’s Point (the setting of the surf scene in “Apocalypse Now.”)

After an almost 8-hour ride from Makati, our group finally arrived in Baler, Aurora at around 8.00 am. We then checked in at Bay’s Inn Resort, ate our breakfast, rested for a few minutes and finally went off to begin our great surfing experience.

Our surfing lessons were provided by top surf instructors from Mahdox Surf School and Surf Shop, the first registered surf school and surf shop in Baler which is owned by one of the country’s top-ranking surfers and an 11-time Men and Junior’s Event Champion in surfing, Engr. Rommel “Okoy” Rojo. The instructors, aside from being excellent surfers, provide personalized one-on-one coaching and are very also courteous and friendly.

To begin with, we were first taught of the basics of surfing – the different parts of the surf board, proper positioning, standing, balancing and popping up techniques. Right after the quick orientation, we all headed off to the beach for the real action and began our surfing session.

After several tries, most of us managed to stand up on our boards without falling. We were able to ride the waves as far as we can go – one of the best feelings ever! Yes, it was very exhausting, yet it is truly one of the most thrilling experience ever.

On a side trip, we also visited the following places in Baler – Cunayan Falls, Baler Church, Quezon Park, Museo de Baler and the Pasalubong Center.

For those of you who would also like to visit Baler, here are some information about the packages of Istokewa Surf Tours:

All overnight packages of Istokewa Surf Tours are scheduled on a weekend and depend on the weather and wave forecasts. Packages for long weekends and weekdays can also be arranged as long as the organizer is available. Here is the usual itinerary but still may be subject to change:

Package Rates

• Php 3,000 per person (complete package)
• Php 2,650 per person (if with only 1 hour of surfing lessons)
• Php 2,300 per person (if without surfing lessons)

Package Inclusions

• Private Van Transfers (Manila – Baler – Manila)
• Beachfront Lodging (sharing will depend on the number of people in the group and room availability)
• 2 Set Meals
• 2 hours of surfing lessons from Mahdox Surf School (Board rental and instructor fee included)
• Tour of Baler Church, Quezon Park, Museo de Baler and Pasalubong Center

Booking and Reservation Guidelines

• If the group is less than 9 persons, they will try to find other people to complete the number so as to push through with the trip
• Half of the payment is to be deposited as down payment (3 weeks before the trip) then the other half is to be paid upon meet up
• It is non-refundable but is transferable to other individuals (just kindly inform them at least one week before the trip)

Contact Details

For inquiries and reservations you may contact Istokewa Surf Tours directly at:

Mobile No: (+63 917) 256-2040 and look for Bart Dumlao
E-mail Address: istokewa@yahoo.com
Websites: http://istokewa.multiply.com / Istokewa Surf Tours on Facebook

Our group was supposed to visit these two falls on our third day in Sagada but since we didn’t have much time, we decided not to push through with our trek to Bokong Falls and just headed on to the 200-feet tall, Bomod-Ok Falls.

From the town proper, we rented a jeepney that took us to Banga-an, the entry point to the Big Falls. The trek begins near a basketball court in Banga-an, then passing through the villages of Modongo, Banga-an, and Fidelisan. The downhill trek has already been made easier because of the concrete walkways that were built across the maze-like trails of the rice terraces. The whole trek was really long and exhausting, with the sun scorching at times. This, however, was worth all the effort because the views and sceneries of the picturesque rice terraces on your way down were truly stunning and breathtaking.

We were also lucky to have met GMA-7 news reporter, Steve Dailisan, together with his news crew on our way to Bomod-Ok Falls for they were about to feature the Big Falls on 24 Oras’ Gimik sa Tag-init portion. And after about an hour and a half of trekking, our group finally reached the huge boulders of rocks that surround the Big Falls. From there, we all had a spectacular view of Bomod-Ok Falls.

Upon arrival, we eagerly dipped into the swimming area and enjoyed the icy cold water of Bomod-Ok Falls. We had to be extra careful though since there were some deeper parts of the water.

After our freezing swim, we all headed back up to Banga-an. Before leaving the place, two of our colleagues were even interviewed by Steve Dailisan for their report. We also witnessed a woman who suffered from a sprained leg and knee who was then carried back to Banga-an by the tour guides in the middle of our trek. Expect the trek to be more tiring and strenuous since most of the trails were uphill.

Btw, here’s the video of GMA-7’s 24 Oras featuring Sagada’s Bomod-Ok Falls:

Bomod-Ok Falls is a 20-minute jeepney ride or a 2-hour walk from Poblacion to the drop off point in Banga-an. From there, you will need to trek for about an hour and a half before reaching the falls.

Rates

• Jeepney Rental – P600
• Registration Fee at Fidelisan – P10/pax
• Tour Guide – P600 (for a group of 10 pax or less)

Must Haves

• Comfortable and light clothing
• Extra clothes
• Comfortable shoes/slippers/sandals
• Cap, hat or bandana
• Shades/sunglasses
• Sunblock
• Walking stick
• Camera (Extra batteries, extra film, extra CF or SD Cards and tripod)
• Water, water and lots of water

On another side trip, we also visited these nice and historical places in Sagada:

Kilterpan Viewpoint

Another must-see place in Sagada is the Kiltepan Viewpoint. The place got its name from its three bounding barangays namely Kilong, Tetep-An, and Antadao. The highest point of the place offers a cool temperature and great panoramic view of the rice terraces and mountain ranges within Sagada.

Latang Underground River

Latang Underground River is another pathway to Sumaging Cave which is composed of different formations of rock minerals and ancient corals.

Echo Valley

A memorial cliff where the beautiful views of lime stones and the most visible hanging coffins can be found is the Echo Valley. From St. Mary’s Church, you will be passing through a cemetery and trek for a few minutes before reaching the view deck. The place was named as such because of the echo it produces when somebody shouts at a distance.

Sagada is located 275 kilometer north of Manila and is adjacent to its provincial capital, Bontoc. And after enduring the four (4) long hours of bumpy and dusty ride from Banaue, our group had finally reached the province of Sagada. Everyone in our group was so tired when we reached the place so after checking in at George Guest House, we all rested for a few minutes, walked around Sagada, ate our dinner and then slept early for tomorrow’s activities.

Sagada is well known for its popular activities such as trekking, spelunking, rappelling, hiking and visiting historical sites. It was on our second day, when everybody woke up early and eagerly prepared for one of the highlights of our Sagada trip – “spelunking.” Most of us are new to caving and some of our office colleagues were very much afraid of the “Cave Connection,” which is a 4 to 5 hour spelunking activity from Lumiang Cave to Sumaging Cave, so our group just decided to take the spelunking activity at Sumaging Cave.

Sumaging Cave is a frequent tourist attraction and is also one of the most popular caves in Sagada. Also known as the “Big Cave,” this cave served as the Filipino soldiers’ refuge from the Japanese guerrillas during the World War II. It is interconnected to other caves in Sagada such as the Lumiang Cave and one would usually take almost 2 to 3 hours to explore the cave.

As we go inside the cave, each of us tried to hold on tight to the rocks because the steps going down were really steep and slippery. There were also thousands of bats at the cave’s opening so you better watch out for dropping bat guano as you go down the cave. In the middle of the trail, we were then asked by our guides to remove our sandals since it is easier to walk barefoot on the steep rocks.

Inside the cave, one will surely be astonished by the cave’s natural and splendid beauty. You will see different and awesome rock formations with funny and interesting names, tiny waterfalls, a mini pool and magnificent stalactites and stalagmites as you trail down the cave.

There are also some parts of the trail wherein you will need to get in through tiny holes, pass by high steep inner passages, rappel using rustic ropes and walk or swim in waist deep cold water.

And after almost three (3) hours of spelunking, our group had finally found our way back out and we’re all glad and proud to say that we survived Sumaging Cave!

For those tourists who are more adventurous and who would want more adrenalin rush, you may also want to try the “Cave Connection.”

Rates

• Visitor Registration: P10.00/pax
• Guide Fee: Around P250.00 – P350.00/pax
• Kerosene Lamp: P50.00

Must Haves

• A good licensed guide
• Quick drying clothes
• Sturdy, comfortable and non-slippery rubber sandals with traction (However, you will be bare footed inside the cave)
• Headlamp (Though your guide will also be bringing a kerosene lamp)
• A pair of gloves
• Plastic bags or Ziplocs (To put in your camera, wallet and mobile phones)
• Camera (preferably waterproof) with extra batteries, extra film, extra CF or SD Cards
• Small backpack to put on your things
• Small towel

On a side trip, we also visited these historical and nice places in Sagada after our spelunking activity at Sumaging Cave.

Lumiang Cave

We passed by this burial cave on our way back to George Guest House. Referred to as the “Small Cave,” Lumiang Cave is a sacred burial ground for the ancient Sagadans where the pine wood coffins are stacked on top of the other. The coffins here can be viewed near the cave opening.

Lake Danum

After having our lunch, our group then headed to Lake Danum, a small lake which can be found at the borders of Sagada and its neighboring municipality, Besao. Lake Danum, which literally means “lake water,” is four (4) kilometers away from the municipal hall of Sagada and is a great place to have picnic, to relax and to watch the sunset.

The whole experience was really strenuous but it was truly fun and exciting. This was definitely an experience of a lifetime that one shouldn’t really miss.

Getting There

From Manila, Sagada is accessible via these routes:

Manila – Baguio City – Sagada Route

From Manila, Victory Liner has daily trips to Baguio and vice versa which leaves these terminals – Caloocan, Pasay, Cubao and Sampaloc every hour. It is a 6 to 8-hour travel for P460.

From Victory Baguio Terminal, take a cab to the Dangwa Bus Station. It is a 10-minute ride for P40. At the bus station, take either a Lizardo or GL Transit bus to Sagada. First bus leaves at 6.30 a.m. while the last bus leaves at 1.00 p.m. It is a 6 to 7-hour travel for P220.

Manila – Banaue – Sagada Route

From Manila, the following air conditioned buses usually have daily trips to Banaue and vice versa:

Dangwa Tranco Company Incorporated
Terminal: 1600 Dimasalang St. Sampaloc, Manila / 832 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City
Tel. No: (+63 2) 731-2879 / (+63 2) 410-1991

Autobus Transport Systems Incorporated
Terminal: 1455 SH Loyola St. corner F. Cayco, Sampaloc, Manila
Tel. No: (+63 2) 493-4111 / (+63 2) 740-7959

Florida Bus Lines
Terminal: Lacson St. Corner Espana (near UST) Manila
Tel. No: (+63 2) 731-5358 / (+63 2) 912-5354 / (+63 2) 743-3809

Trip Schedules: These buses usually leaves Manila at around 10.00 p.m. daily
Fare: Ranges from P450 – P475
Duration: 8 to 9 hours

Upon reaching Banaue, ride a tricycle to Banaue Town Proper for P20. Catch Immanuel Bus Line for the 2-hour travel to Bontoc for P100. From Bontoc, take a 45-minute jeepney ride to Sagada for P35.

Manila – Bontoc – Sagada Route

From Manila, the following buses usually have daily trips to Bontoc and vice versa:

Cable Tours
Terminal: E. Rodriguez Quezon City (Near Trinity College)
Tel No: (+63 74) 602 1068
Cell Nos: (+63 918) 521 6790 / (+63 921) 448 8814
Trip Schedule: 8.00 PM [Manila – Bontoc] / 3.00 PM [Bontoc – Manila]

Kasilen Transport
Cell Nos: (+63 917) 862 9574 / (+63 916) 360 3483

It is a 12-hour travel for P500 – P650. From Bontoc, take a 45-minute jeepney ride to Sagada for P35.

We made our research and tried to contact Jove Francisco, one of the hosts of the said program and he confirmed us the news. And after searching the archives of PinoyChannel.tv, we found out that Pasyalera was featured in the “Sidetracked” segment of The Evening News episode which was aired last July 22, 2009.

On behalf of Pasyalera, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Jove Francisco, Cheri Mercado, Martin Andanar and all the staff of TV5’s The Evening News for all the compliments and recognition.

To begin with our 4-day Sagada adventure, we left the Florida Bus Lines’ terminal in Manila past 10.00 p.m. for an almost 9-hour bus ride to Banaue. Our team decided to take the Banaue route as our jump off point to Sagada for us to take a peek on one of the natural wonders of the world – the Banaue Rice Terraces.

It was past 6.00 a.m. when we reached the Florida Bus Banaue Sub-Station in Ifugao and from there, we hired a vehicle that would take us to Sagada Province. But before heading to Sagada, we made a quick stop in a small area that has a view deck where one can see the stunning and breathtaking views of the Banaue Rice Terraces.

Located in the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines, the Banaue (also spelled as Banawe) Rice Terraces are commonly referred to as the “Eight Wonder of the World.” These spectacular manmade terraces were built and carved by the Ifugao natives 2,000 years ago with the use of primitive tools and olden methods.

They are approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level and is said that their length would encircle half the globe if put end to end since they cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4,000 square miles) of the mountainside. Aside from the Banaue Rice terraces there are four (4) other similar rice terraces in Ifugao namely:

• Batad Rice Terraces
• Mayoyao Rice Terraces
• Hapao Rice Terraces
• Kiangan Rice Terraces

These rice terraces used to stretch northeast to Cagayan and as far south as Quezon and an ancient irrigation system that flows downhill from the rainforests and springs above were also used to feed them. At present, these terraces are slowly being abandoned and are already showing signs of damage and deterioration due to lack of maintenance.

We didn’t have much time to stay longer on the place so after goofing around and taking tons of pictures, we just bought some few souvenirs and then headed off to Sagada. Above all these, the few minutes we’ve spent in Banaue is good enough to give us a breathless moment with the beauty that it possesses.

Getting There

From Manila, the following air conditioned buses usually have daily trips to Banaue and vice versa:

Dangwa Tranco Company Incorporated
Terminal: 1600 Dimasalang St. Sampaloc, Manila / 832 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City
Tel. No: (+63 2) 731-2879 / (+63 2) 410-1991

Autobus Transport Systems Incorporated
Terminal: 1455 SH Loyola St. corner F. Cayco, Sampaloc, Manila
Tel. No: (+63 2) 493-4111 / (+63 2) 740-7959

Florida Bus Lines
Terminal: Lacson St. Corner Espana (near UST) Manila
Tel. No: (+63 2) 731-5358 / (+63 2) 912-5354 / (+63 2) 743-3809

These buses usually leave Manila at around 10.00 p.m. daily. Bus fares usually range from P450.00 – P475.00. The trip usually takes about 8-9 hours.

Climate

March, April and May are considered to be the hot and dry months in Banaue. The months of June to October are the wettest months where you can expect rains while November to February on the other hand is cool.

Accommodations

Here are some hostels and guesthouses that are available within Banaue:

• Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel (+63 2) 812-1984 / (+63 2) 810-3655 / (+63 2) 810-3703 / (+63 74) 386-4087 to 88
• Fairview Inn (+63 74) 386-4002
• People’s Lodge & Restaurant (+63 74) 386-4037
• Terraceville Inn (+63 74) 386-4094
• Cozy Nook Inn (+63 74) 386-4003
• Greenview Lodge (+63 74) 386-4022
• Halfway Lodge (+63 74) 386 4082
• Native Village Inn (+63 916) 405-6743
• Sanafe Lodge and Restaurant (+63 74) 386-4085
• Banaue Homestay, Poblacion Banaue Ifugao
• Spring Village

Bohol, the tenth largest island of the Philippines, is situated at the Central Visayas region and is beside Cebu and Leyte. It is about 700 kilometers south of Manila and about 70 kilometers southeast of Mactan Island. Bohol has been considered to be one of the dream destinations in the Philippines because of its famous attractions and beautiful white sand beaches.

On our second day, I was very excited for our Bohol country side tour but unfortunately, our tour was cancelled because of the bad weather. It was on our third day that we pushed through with it and too bad, I had been suffering from a hangover that day. But despite these, we still went on with our tour.

We decided to visit these tourist attractions in the following order – from farthest to nearest:

Chocolate Hills

Fee: P50.00

The Chocolate Hills are probably the most famous tourist attraction in Bohol. These hills are covered with green grass that turns chocolate brown during the dry season, from which the hills derived their name.

Based on the latest survey, there are 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills which stand between 30 and 50 meters high that are distributed around the 50 square kilometers (20 sq mi) area in the town of Carmen, 55 kilometres from Tagbilaran City.

Bilar Man-made Mahogany Forest (Bohol Forest)

Fee: FREE

After leaving the Chocolate Hills, we passed by a 2-kilometer stretch of densely planted mahogany trees in the border of Loboc and Bilar towns. The area became one of the famous tourist attractions in Bohol because of its picturesque landscape and the beautiful formation of the thousands of mahogany trees planted in the area.

Hanging Bridge

Fee: FREE

Another famous attraction in Bohol is the Hanging Bridge. It is a bridge made of bamboos that hangs approximately 20 meters above the Loboc River. Crossing the bridge can be very exciting as it sways back and forth as you walk across. You can also buy some cheap souvenirs in this area.

Loboc River Cruise

Fee: P300.00

Another must-try activity in Bohol is the Loboc River Cruise. We decided to have our lunch on one of the floating restaurants along the emerald green water of Loboc River. This 1-hour cruise includes a buffet lunch with a local singer serenading you. While eating at the floating restaurant, one will surely enjoy the magnificent and breathtaking view of the river and its surroundings. The cruise starts from Loay Bridge and ends near the Busay Falls.

Tarsiers

Fee: FREE

Bohol Tarsiers are estimated to be 45 million years old and are considered to be the world’s smallest primate. These endangered species measure about 4 to 5 inches and weigh about 113 to 142 grams. Tarsiers derived their name from their elongated tarsus or ankle bone.

Python Snake

Fee: P15.00

Our next stop was a mini zoo in Alburquerque, Bohol where a 23-foot python named “Prony” is being housed. Prony has an estimated weight of about 300 kg. Aside from this, you can also see other animals such as birds and flying lemurs inside the mini zoo.

Baclayon Church

Fee in Baclayon Museum: P25.00

Baclayon Church which was built by the Jesuits in 1595 is one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines located in the town of Baclayon. Centuries-old church relics, interesting artifacts and other antiquities dating back to the early 16th century are kept and can be viewed at the Baclayon Museum which can be found next to the church.

Blood Compact Site

Fee: FREE

Located in Barangay Bool, Tagbilaran City in Bohol, this site commemorates the blood compact that happened between Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol. The sculpture was made by the National Artist, Napoleon Abueva, who is a Boholano himself. This event depicts the historical promise of friendship which was sealed in Bohol last March 16, 1565.

Hinagdanan Cave

Fee: P20.00

Hinagdanan (“laddered” in Cebuano) cave is the most popular and easy to reach cave in Bohol which is located in the town of Dauis in Panglao Island. Inside the cave, you can see an underground pool and a large number of stalagmites and stalactites. Going down the cave can be comfortable because there are already cemented stairs, walk ways and metal handrails underneath.

Getting There

By Air, the following airlines fly to Tagbilaran from Manila and vice versa:

Cebu Pacific (CEB)
Website: http://cebupacificair.com/
Tel. No: (+63 2) 702-0888 (Manila Office) / (+63 32) 230-8888 (Cebu Office)

Philippine Airlines (PAL)
Website: http://www.philippineairlines.com/
Tel. No: (+63 2) 855-8888

Zest Airways (formerly Asian Spirit)
Website: http://www.zestair.com.ph/
Tel. No: (+63 2) 888-2003

By Sea, SuperFerry sails once a week from Manila to Tagbilaran and vice versa. The ferry leaves Manila around 7.45 p.m. every Monday and arrives in Tagbilaran early Wednesday morning around 2.30 a.m. For the return trip to Manila, the ferry usually leaves on Wednesday midnight around 11.59 p.m. and arrives in Manila Friday morning around 7.00 a.m.

SuperFerry
Website: http://www.superferry.com.ph/
Tel. No: (+63 2) 528-7000

Climate

The climate in Bohol is generally hot and dry but during the months of November to February, the weather is slightly cooler so this is the safest period to stay in Bohol. Expect the weather to be slightly hotter than normal during the summer months of March, April and May. In Bohol, it may rain any day of the year, but expect more rainshowers during the months of June until October.

Tours

For tours around Bohol, you may contact our very hospitable tour guide, Glecer “Dodong” Bongo at (+63 915) 201-1650. He uses a Toyota Innova for his tours and it cost us P2,000.00 for the whole day tour good for 2pax. (Entrance Fees not included.)

*Please note that the rate given to us was based on our May 2008 trip.

While I was searching the Internet for a nice place to stay in Panglao Island, I stumbled upon this stylish and very elegant resort – Amorita Resort. Amorita, which means “little love” in Spanish is owned by the 28-year old Ria Hernandez-Cauton. The resort is nestled atop a beach sided cliff which offers spectacular and breathtaking views of the sky and Panglao Island’s Alona White Beach. It is quite new since it was built just 2 years ago, I think.

As of August 2009, the price of each room ranges between P5,600 – P11,200 during lean season but these rates could go up to P8,400 – P15,120 during peak season. And since we cannot afford to get a villa, we decided to avail their Deluxe Room with the following inclusions:

*Please note that these inclusions are based on our May 2008 trip.

• 4 days / 3 nights Deluxe Room Accommodation
• Complimentary Breakfast
• Roundtrip Airport Transfers
• A choice of – Complimentary use of Kayak and Snorkel Equipment OR One (1) hour full body massage
• Welcome drink and cold towel upon arrival
• Vat and Local Government Taxes

As we arrived at Tagbilaran Airport, the driver was already outside waiting for us. He was holding a placard with the Amorita sign on it and as we approached him, he welcomed us, took our things and assisted us towards the van. The resort was just a 30-45 minute drive from the airport and as we reached the resort, we were then brought to the reception area. The staff of the resort welcomed us, handed us our cold towels and welcome drinks then assisted us to our room.

As we walked toward our room and passed by the tropical gardens around the resort, I was completely stunned by the beauty of the place – good location, great landscaping and architecture, nice and clean surroundings, spectacular views and a whole lot more. This resort was truly a good place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. To add to these, our stay at Amorita Resort was really way beyond our expectations.

The next time I go back to Bohol, I will still consider staying on this resort, and hopefully by that time I can now afford stay on one of their villas.

Accommodations

Amorita resort has more than 30 spacious and classy rooms designed with fine furnitures made and arranged by internationally-recognized Filipino craftsmen.

Here are the facilities available on each room:

Aside from the facilities listed on the table above, all rooms are also equipped with the following:

• Hot and cold shower system
• Individually-controlled split air-conditioning unit
• Coffee and tea service
• Mini bar refrigerator
• Safety deposit vault
• Telephone connection and PABX system
• Smoke detectors
• Hairdryer

Other Facilities & Amenities

• Infinity Swimming Pool
• Pool Bar / Juice Bar
• Restaurant for all day-dining
• Wellness Spa (Under Construction)
• Function Room Facilities
• WI-FI facilities
• Tour and Transportation Assistance
• Private Garden for each Villa
• Landscaped Grounds and Gardens
• Dive Shop

Check in Time: 2:00 pm
Check out Time: 12.00 nn

Staff

The staff of Amorita Resort in Bohol had been very warm and courteous to us all through out our stay. They had been very attentive and were customer-service oriented. Other than that, their representatives in Manila had also been very friendly and kind to us that they attended to all our queries and assisted us through out our booking and reservation.

Saffron Restaurant

Nearby the Amorita Resort’s infinity pool is the resort’s Saffron Restaurant. The restaurant was named after the magnificent color of the sunset which can be best viewed while one lounges and enjoys the relaxing ambiance in the restaurant.

The breakfast at Saffron Restaurant includes a buffet of drinks, fruits, a sandwich bar with homemade breads, a congee or soup section, and an egg station and a French toast/pancake station. The guests may also choose from a wide selection of Filipino, American and Continental foods. Aside from these, the restaurant also offers sumptuous Boholano foods for their guests.

A complimentary WIFI access is also available within the restaurant.

Getting There

Amorita Resort is situated in Bohol, a province in the Visayas Region of the Philippines. It is accessible by a 30-45 minute travel by land from Tagbilaran airport or by a 35-minute travel from the Bohol sea port.

Escorted transfers are also available at the resort.

Contact Details

For inquiries and reservations you may contact Amorita Resort directly at:

Manila Sales & Reservations Office

Address: Unit 1632 City and Land Mega Plaza, ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Telephone Nos: (+63 2) 687-3641 / (+63 2) 914-0585 / (+63 2) 914-1728 / (+63 2) 914-1527
Fax No: (+63 2) 914-0584
Mobile Nos: (+63 917) 861-9441 / (+63 922) 859-3403
Email Address: inquiries@amoritaresort.com
Website: http://www.amoritaresort.com/

Bohol Office

Address: Easter A. Lim Drive, Brgy. Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines 6340
Telephone Nos: (+63 38) 502-9001 to 03
Fax No: (+63 38) 502-9002

PAL FLIGHTS

PAL EXPRESS FLIGHTS

Please note that the prices above are inclusive of insurance and fuel surcharges and VAT. Exclusive of Airport Security Fee and other fees that will be collected at the airport.

Conditions:

1. Application

• Valid for one way and combinable for roundtrip travel on economy class.
• Restricted for online and sales/ticketing in the Philippines.

2. Reservation/Payment andTicketing

• Open-dated tickets and go-show not allowed.
• NON-REFUNDABLE but upgradeable to a higher fare type. Re-issuance fee waived.
• Downgrade/re-routing allowed. Re-issuance fee must be collected.
• Re-issuance is allowed at PHP600 per ticket.
• No-show surcharge is PHP600 per sector.
• Rebooking is allowed at PHP600 per sector.

3. Travel Validity

• Valid for travel from 16 August to 15 December 2009.

4. Other Discounts

• No other discounts apply except for Senior Citizen and Infant without seat. Senior citizen discount is not available online.

5. No Mileage Accural

For bookings and reservations, please log on to http://www.philippineairlines.com/ or call PAL’s reservation hotline at (+63 2) 855-8888.