November 12, 2015

CEDAR: A Destination That Should Be on Every Traveler’s Bucket List When in Bukidnon

What is CEDAR?
CEDAR is an acronym for Center for Ecological Development and Research. It is located along the national highway of barangay Impalutao, Impasug-ong, BukidnonIt is an eco-park and a reforestation project developed and managed by the government agencies namely – the LGU of Impasug-ong and the DENR.
It offers numerous outdoor activities such as swimming, river trekking, trail hiking, camping and of course, waterfalls hopping and waterfalls jumping. 


The entrance fee is only 10 pesos; you’ll pay this upon arriving and registering at the main entrance and no other fees necessary.

My Travel Diary 
I’m an adventure junkie but seriously I have never seen this trip coming. It was on the 3rd day of November 2015 when my Bukidnon-based friend, Jorge Lagumbay Jr., who at the same time brought me to Lake Apo last summer, told me that he will be going on a new adventure at CEDAR on the weekend with his high school batch mates and upon hearing it I was like, “Holy Grail! I’m clueless about CEDAR but I want to go there so bad!” So, there I voluntarily invited myself (ha-ha! Sorry Jorge) and went to Malaybalay City over the weekend and the rest was truly epic!
At the entrance of CEDAR, tall and slender Mahogany trees welcomed us beautifully as they lined up on both sides of a placidly unpaved road – absent-mindedly making us feel like we’re entering the Garden of Eden.
At the main entrance
Upon arriving and making sure that the vehicles were parked well, we immediately registered and paid 10 pesos for the entrance fee of the entire eco-park and a reforestation project area. Then prayed and asked for guidance before leaving the main entrance.
After walking about 5-minutes, we first reached a man-made spring swimming pool, 6ft deep and based on my observation it wasn’t regularly maintained but still with crystal clear water though.
Next, we crossed a bamboo bridge and continued our trek until we reach the top of Natigbasan Falls but we did not stop there because according to our tour guide, we need to visit Gantungan Falls first and then pass by at the bottom of Natigbasan Falls, so we followed them.

Going to Gantungan Falls really need an extra care considering the fact that we need to pass on green vegetation and a path so narrow, slippery and steep. 

And finally, we reached our first destination – the Gantungan Falls!

It also requires swimming and entering into a cavern which actually fired us up to move closer to the falls and took a lot of photos! :’)

Then continued our river trekking until we reached Natigbasan Falls, the second main waterfall which is relatively close to the first one! 


Unfortunately, we were not able to get close at the base of the waterfall because the stones are so slippery and pointed that we can’t simply take the risk.


Instead, we happily stared at the view and took photos of it!

After Natigbasan Falls, we thought we will directly go to Dila Falls, the third and last main waterfall of CEDAR but it didn’t happened. Our tour guide brought us to a cliff, more like a-not-so-tall waterfall which unexpectedly where I enjoyed the most and spent the longest time. I enjoyed it the most simply because it was my first time doing a cliff diving or a waterfall jumping and played enough with the waterfall.

CEDAR: Hiking, waterfalls hopping, swimming, river trekking, cliff diving/waterfalls jumping and almost getting lost by the way! Haha #thexuixuiWay
CEDAR, Center for Ecological Development and Recreation,Impaltuao, Impasugong, Bukidnon is also a perfect place for neophytes in waterfall jumping! #thexuixuiWay

The one that’s always left behind to take random photos, #thexuixuiWay :P
I enjoyed it the most simply because it was my first time doing a cliff diving or a waterfall jumping and played enough with the waterfall.





On the other hand, Dila Falls, the third and last waterfall was quite afar from the first two falls we have visited that it took us not less than 20minutes trek to reach the top of it. 

This is at the top of Dila Falls!

Then, we took photos and went back to the man-made swimming pool where we ate our lunch. By the way, I also learned that the three waterfalls are not in series, they came from different river sources –how surprising! 




How to get there
Via Cagayan De OroCity
1.       Private Car
§  Bound directly to Barangay Impalutao, Impasug-ong Bukidnon… the same road as going to Malaybalay City but nearer
§  Upon arriving at the said Barangay, just ask the local for the directions to CEDAR. It is not actually a big problem since it is just along the national highway which is very easy to locate.
§  This will take you almost 2 hours.
2.     Public Bus
§  Take a bus from Agora, Bus Terminal bound to Valencia City
§  Just tell the conductor or driver to drop you by at CEDAR
§  Travel time is about 2 to 2.5 hours and the fair for air-conditioned buses is 135 pesos (regular) and 115 pesos (students)
Via Malaybalay City
1.       Private Car
§  Bound directly to Barangay Impalutao, Impasug-ong Bukidnon… the same road as going to Cagayan De Oro City
§  Upon arriving at the said Barangay, just ask the local for the directions to CEDAR. It is just along the national highway which is very easy to locate.
§  This will take you 20-25 minutes.
2.     Public Bus
§  Take a bus from Malaybalay City, Bus Terminal bound to CDO
§  Just tell the conductor or driver to drop you by at CEDAR
§  Travel time is about 25-30 minutes and the fair for air-conditioned buses is around 25 pesos.
Looking for a tour guide?
Just contact me, I’ll recommend you to the best I’ve ever known or simply call the number 0926-820-2868!
Side Trip – Nasuli Freshwater Spring Lagoon: A Quick Look
This spring is about 30-45minutes ride away from CEDAR. It is approximately 15 ft deep with icy cold water even during noon time. This is absolutely an off-the-track destination, 20 pesos is the entrance fee and for me, the place has really a potential to be a first class destination of Bukidnon if it will be renovated and beautified. 
What can I say about CEDAR?

To be honest, the three waterfalls of CEDAR are not jaw-droppers and majestic as compared to the other waterfalls I have visited but my entire experienced was incomparable – with two main reasons why…
First, it’s because I saw how CEDAR has successfully preserved the astonishing natural wonders of Impasug-ong, Bukidnon! I truly felt like I was in a forest way back 1800’s.
Second is that, I think CEDAR is also a perfect place for neophytes in river trekking and waterfall jumping/cliff diving which I enjoyed the most and if I will be given another chance, I’d love to go back there again!


Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comment section or message me on Facebook www.facebook.com/marklowillalmedaa 

May 18, 2015

16 Reasons Why You Should Absolutely NEVER EVER Visit Camiguin Island

16 Reasons Why You Should Absolutely NEVER EVER Visit Camiguin Island

I am not really sure if you've already heard a lot of delightful things about Camiguin Island that convince you to go there in the near future but if not, here are the 16 reasons why you should absolutely drop your plans of visiting and exploring the island born of fire…
1.       As you can see, it is just one of the 7,107 PLAIN islands of the Philippines and the second-smallest province in the country both in population and land area after Batanes… NO BIG DEAL!
                          
(c) Owner of the Photo
2.       It has a not so enchanting and not so spacious sand bars which they called White Island, where you will not be able to enjoy the heat of the sun and powdery white sand...


all you can do is to take a lot of photos with Hibok Hibok Volcano and Mt. Vulcan as the background.... How Common!


Eating Uni or so fresh sea urchin on that island? Gross! 
It’s a total waste of time!
3.      The Mantigue Island is just a so-so island like any other...
with very fine white sand around it ...
                         and a marine sanctuary like I don't know! 
                  Maybe not a place for snorkelers and divers!
(c) lakwatsero.com
4. It is a volcanic and mountainous island. Mt. Hibok Hibok. Mt. Timpoong, Mt. Butay, Tres Maria, and Mt. Guinsiliban are on the top list…. Jeez, this is absolutely not a good place for mountain climbers and nature trekkers. Ugh!
At the Top of Mt. Hibok-Hibok
Hibok-Hibok Volcano, Tres Marias and
Mt. Timpoong as Background
5.     Zero Crime Rate? Holy Shit, this is a proof that the political dynasty of Romualdo Family is truly not effective! The island not a safe place to be!
Guinsiliban Municipal Hall,
Guinsiliban, Camiguin (c) Owner
6.      What the hell! Is this what a marine life should be? 
         Scuba diving in Camiguin is dead!


7.      Pollution is all around you!
White Island (c) Owner
8.      The Resorts are not so classy like heaven! Grrr…
At Paras Beach Resort
(c) Mark Anthony Maranga
9.     and its history? Not that rich and fascinating... 
Old Spanish documents indicate that the renowned explorers Ferdinand Magellan and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi landed in Camiguin in 1521 and 1565, respectively.


The only Sunken Cemetery in the country
(c) Owner 
In 1901, in the middle of the Philippine-American War, American soldiers landed in Camiguin to assume political control over the island. A group of Camiguinons, armed with bolos and spears, led by Valero Camaro, fought them in a short battle in Catarman.

Old Church Ruins of Camiguin Island which is made of coral stones in the 16th century.  It is even rumored as the "oldest church in the Philippines"
10.   Waterfalls are not so majestic! Damn. It's so Plain and Boring!
Katibawasan Falls  (c) Owner
Tuasan Falls (c) Owner
11.    Natural Hot spring pool? Cold Spring swimming pool? And even a SODA SPRING swimming pool? HOT – COLD – SODA? Ahmm… that’s pretty confusing …


Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Catarman, Camiguin
The Only SODA SPRING SWIMMING
POOL in the Philippines
Groupie at Ardent Hot Spring Few years ago 
Jaw-Dropping Ardent Spring at Hibok Hibok Resort
12. Sorry but  Camiguin’s very own food delicacy known as Vjandep pastel is not mouthwatering… 


13.    Wild life reservation is not a world class and …. nevermind!
   Two new Philippine owl species. 

  
Top left: Cebu hawk owl, Ninox rumseyi.  
Bottom right: Camiguin hawk owl, N. leventisi. 


 Image courtesy of the Oriental Bird Club. Original painting by John Gale.

Local Name: Kulasisi
A type of Parrot that can be found in Camiguin 

14.   Camiguin's very own Lanzones Festival is absolutely not a visually stunning celebration. Such an eyesore!




15.   Caution: The happiness of every Camiguinons is highly contagious! Ugh. 

                       

16.   And finally it is an island that you will surely come back again and again and again... like it's your home! BE PREPARED!

                        


NOW DO YOU STILL WANT TO EXPLORE THIS ISLAND? 


Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Facebook!