My friends Sara and Tina visited the Sulfuric Hot Spring Inland Resort located at Barangay Mainit, Maco, Compostela Valley.

Travel time from Davao to Mawab took about 1 hour and 30 minute via bus, then at the Mawab terminal, a single motorcycle “ Habal-Habal” ride for almost 45 minutes going to the area.

The spot is easy to locate along the highway since a signboard is posted at the side or the road!

I would like to thank Sarah for providing the images.

]]> http://pedroiho.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/masara-hot-springs-compostela-valley/feed/ pedroiho The Spring http://pedroiho.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/masara-hot-springs-compostela-valley/ http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Dispatser_sa_kanto/~3/325767540/ http://pedroiho.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/motherlight-%e2%80%93-the-9th-freedom-climb/#comments Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:51:56 +0000 pedroiho http://pedroiho.wordpress.com/?p=170

Just want to share this to all outdoor enthusiast…

When:   July 11-13, 2008

Where: Ozamiz City

The Route will back to Freedom 5

Itinerary of the climb:

Day 1 July 11 Friday

Arrival at Basecamp, Fort Triunfo inside Cotta

Registration Fee is P350

Day 2 July 12 Saturday

Arrival: 5 am – 7 am

Registration of late participants

Departure to Trailhead @ 7 am by Dumptruck

Start Trek

Arrive Campsite @ 4pm (very nice view)

Day 3 July 13 Sunday

Wake up early 4 am

Prepare everything

6am start assault to Hoyohoy Twin Peaks

Lunch at the Peak

Move down

Trail End 2pm Hoyohoy Highland Garden (nindot na kaayo karon)

Sakay sa Dumptruck uli sa basecamp…

7pm Socials sa Cotta

For more information about the climb please contact:

Alfred Callejo

09167447765

Visit their site

I often saw an article about “glamping” or glamorous camping in the other parts of the world like England and the US but now I heard that tourism secretary  Joseph H. Durano has this concept which is ideal for “the refined” foreign tourist who want to experience the nature, culture and the people with all the amenities in the forest with out leaving the comforts of home.

The secretary concluded that Mount Apo is a perfect spot to try the concept. Somewhere in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur will be the proposed base camp.

What will be your sentiments about this idea of Glamping in Mount Apo?

I hope these folks are considerate enough to conserve the area to be use and not for any development that would threaten the natural beauty of the area… *sigh* Just my opinion.

I visited one of the familiar place at kapagatan, the Agong House.

A 20 pesos fare for 5 to 7 minutes motorcycle ride from the Kapatagan Market going up to the hill and back. A landscaped land with full of arts and craft is standing at the area.

Flowers blooming at all sides of the agong house. The main house indeed is creatively great!

Agong means a percussion instrument similar to kulintang but it is much more bigger and widely used by Mindanaoan tribes.

Locals said that the place and the statues was designed by Mindanaoan artist Kublai Millan whose arts can be seen almost publicly anywhere from from people’s park, hotels.

When you’re at Kapatagan, there’s so much more places to visit!

This is just posted for the benefit of those who wanted to climb this mountain located at sitio Tumalite Brgy. La Union, San Isidro, Davao Oriental.

Mt. Hamiguitan has become a protected area under the R.A. 9303 in 2002 and a land mark of the Province of Davao Oriental.

Here are some infos I gathered as reference:

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9303 : An act declaring mt. Hamiguitan range and its vicinities as protected area under the category of wildlife sanctuary and its peripheral areas as buffer zone.

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE NO. 146
Registration fee shall be paid at the Municipal Treasury Office before each climber are allowed to enter Mt. Hamiguitan.

REGISTRATION FEE (individual)

Local Trekkers (from San Isidro)…………………………P 100.00
Local Trekkers (outside San Isidro)…………………….. 200.00
Students (from San Isidro)………………………………… 50.00
Students (outside San Isidro)……………………………. 100.00
Foreign Trekkers…………………………………………….. 350.00

Porter’s Pay……………………………………………………..P 150.00 per Day

ALLOWABLE TREKKERS/CLIMBERS

• Climber or mountaineer shall be limited to 15 per trek excluding porter
• Ratio of 3-5 trekkers is to 1 porter

DO’S AND DONT’S

• Carry away with you, your trash
• Trekking trail and camping grounds should be kept clean and sanitary at all times.
• Do not leave marks on tree trunks; rocks; boulders or natural structures.
• Do not molest or harm the animals in the area, collect or destroy flora and fauna, ect.
• No building of fire for cooking or any other purposes. Climbers are required to bring with them camping stoves.

PROHIBITIONS

• No climber/trekker shall be allowed entry to Mt. Hamiguitan without undergoing first an orientation and accreditation with the Municipal Tourism Office
• No trekking shall be allowed exeeding a maximum of three (3) days.
• No campfires or bonfires
• No illegal drugs
• No firecrackers
• No axes and bolos allowed
• No soap and shampoo
• No guide, no climb
• No camping paraphernalia, no climb
• No cutting of trees

PENALTY

Any person who violates any of the foregoing provisions shall be imposed an administrative fine in the amount of FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) but not exeeding TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P 2,500.00) at the discretion of the Municipal Mayor depending on the gravity of the offense committed and upon the recommendation of the Municipal Tourism Council.

Contacts:

Tourism officer: Anton L. Edquilla
Tourism office number : 082-4403420

Hamiguitan Trekkers Club
Email: guianepaulo@yahoo.com
Contact number: 09054159669

For more infos:

my post

pinoymountaineer.com

“How easy and simple it is to live enjoyably when the simple, plain blue of the sky, with its long wisps of white clouds, become a pleasant thing to behold, a thing of beauty that thrills me every time I care to look skyward. “

Open Trail to Guilon, Puting Bato

A group of outdoor enthusiast was gathered yesterday for a one day adventure at the island of Samal. Our itinerary was to climb Puting Bato then proceed to Hagimit falls as our last destination -a reward for a vigorous whole day activity.

Since I’ve been to Puting Bato last May of this year but then I proceeded to Canibad beach resort as my last destination, this time is at the Hagimit falls. The trek started at 8:30 in the morning at Guilon and we stopped at the water source near basketball court where we cook our food to serve as our packed lunch meal when we get to the top of Puting Bato. It was 10:00 am when we started to ascend the mountain and we’ve reached 12 noon at the peak were a house that collects 5 pesos was situated. We ate our lunch, talked, relax and savor the cool breeze of air and an overlooking view of Peñaplata and Davao City as well. It took us 2 hours to be on the peak since we decided to use a trail more farther from the peak.

Overlooking area

Past 1:00 pm and we traversed down to the other side of the mountain as we are heading our way to Tagbitinao area, a scorching heat of the sun, sharp edges of cogon leaves and a steep trail greeted us and it took 1 hour before we reach the road. We are back at the jump-off area of Guilon near “patay na Sapa” then we continued to hike down to the Guilon crossing were we take our rest and sip a cold iced tea to refresh and relax us at around 2:10 in the afternoon.

Shaded and cool breeze of air - Scenic view in front of us

After our rest , we proceeded to Hagimit falls and we arrived there at around 3:30 in the afternoon. From there, we cook some of our remaining foods like chicken, pork tocino and some rice.

One of many cascading Hagimit Falls

Cool waters flowing from the falls soothes us after the all days adventure, it is a very great way to end our Samal adventure here at the falls.

Dip into the cold water of Hagimit Falls

Hagimit falls is a very established area of Samal as part of their ecotourism, I wonder where the 5 pesos entrance fee goes… the place is getting wasted, there are garbage throwing area everywhere and is not a good site for every one to see.

5:00 pm and we departed from the falls then we take a ride to the Babak port area since it’s the most faster way to get at Davao City and we paid 30 pesos for the motorcycle driver. 9 pesos was the boat fare and for 10 minutes, we arrive at Sasa 11 and home sweet home…

There are so much to explore in the Island Garden City of Samal…Almost all of my escapades this summer are located from this island. ^_^

Summer time has ended but my appreciation to the verdant green, beauty of our island is constant and became my most perfect refreshment.

Way to the bridge

I did my weekly running exercise routine last Saturday and just as I started, a usual warm up exercise was carried out.

It was 6:00 am when I get near at the San Rafael bridge (I don’t know what is the exact name of the bridge.) connecting areas of Ma-a and Marfori area.

Although the area has always been my running path, a very stunning view enchants me while I was on the bridge, a foggy view of the surrounding area (Wireless cemetery is located – not errie looking).

Nature has revealed

Feeling the gift of nature, it was great to see a lush green area in the city that I think we should appreciate of.

All I can say is that “The best things in life are free sunshine, song of birds, the blue heavens, sunrise, the calm river, the dew of the grasses and other wonders of nature.”

Love, joy and peace of mind are always here for our enjoyment but still what I mentioned above contributes to my overall satisfaction.

Nearing Peak

My last mountain climb was on March 20-23, 2008 at Mount Dulang-Dulang, Bukidnon. I was itching to do a minor climb and I decided to hike the mountain of Samal which they called Puting Bato.

Overlooking area at the Peak

I was at the Sta. Ana wharf bus terminal at around 6:30 and arrived at Babak 7:30 in the morning. It was 8:15 when I arrive at Sitio Guilon, Babak where the jump-off area going to Puting bato is situated.

On my way to the mountain

Off I go hiking at around 8:30 after asking for the locals about the trail. I passed a house where they log your name and collect a fee of 5 pesos since I am passing by their area.

Near Peak house collecting 5 pesos

9am and I was already at the peak of Puting bato. Since it was a minor climb, it just took me 30 minutes to get at the top.

Overlooking at the top, Panabo city is very visible, Mati area and Davao City. It was a great short adventure just to satisfy passion for being on foot. =)

View from the top

As I planned, I just stayed for about 10 minutes at the top then proceeded to Canibad Beach resort which it took me for about 1 hour and 10 minutes on foot on a big road.

Before I get there, I passed by Sitio Tayapok, Tagbitinao area and stop on a sari sari store to have some snack – a cold softdrink and bread. I arrive at Taglono highway following the road going to Canibad.

On my way going to Canibad

It was 11am when arrived at Canibad… I can already see the bluish green, white colored shore from above… I’ll post my canibad beach resort experience soon.

For those who want to visit Puting bato and you need someone that will guide you, just leave a message and i’ll give you the contact number of the person that can help you.

Naturally thirsty

Last Sunday, my cousins and some of our friends were on for an outdoor adventure trip to Kapatagan, Davao del Sur. Since February, Tudaya falls was the first thing in the list to be visited.

A hired van was used for the trip to Kapatagan proper and a 20 minutes motorcycle rough ride to the jump-off area near Tudaya falls for 100 pesos per head and the driver was already arranged to wait for us in going back to Kapatagan proper.

The location where the jump-off area is mostly dominated by Bagobo- tribes people who welcomed us warmly with smiles. Tudaya falls is sacred to the Tagabawa Lumads.

Open trail

A 30 minute hike starts with an open area leading to a much narrower downward trail leading to the falls. The trail is slippery and careful step is a must.

Narrow trail

As we go deeper into the forest, green flora thrived abundantly in the area.

Since some of the group is experiencing this kind of adventure for the first time, tired expressions of their face were replaced with much enthusiasm and aggressiveness to continue as the sound of the water grew stronger and stronger until it became a loud roaring thunder.

Enticing Tudaya Falls

All was in marvel as we saw the majestic 150-foot tall Tudaya falls - One of the tallest falls in the country. The falls greet us with spray coming from the strong gush of its water.

First glance of the falls

All is wet as we are into the ground area of the falls – soaked wet even if we haven’t dip yet into the river – as spray of water are enveloping us.

I’ve been here before way back 2003 and Tudaya Falls is still strong, its river water is still deep and cold. Greens on both side of the falls were thick bushes, vines and rocks turned into green covered with moss.

Relaxing

There, for 45 minutes we remain, taking more pictures, talking, relaxing in the cold rush of the river water then we made our way back to the jump-off area.

All in the group was overwhelmed by the beauty of its nature. Even if we are having a difficulty going to the falls – fulfillment and joyous feeling is apparent in our faces as a reward of our tiring trek. =)

I became aware that there is an ongoing construction of hydropower plant and for sure it will further destroy the supposed natural park. As for my own opinion, the ongoing construction violates the ancestral land rights of the indigenous people in the area.

Inform me if you want to visit the area and I will be glad to give you the driver’s contact number of the van that we hired that fetch us from Digos Terminal to Kapatagan.