Mintugsok Falls : Something You Probably Don’t Know About Cagayan De Oro City

Aside from Kagay-an Festival, numerous shopping malls, delicious sinuglaw and other food delicacies, classy hotels, universal beauties of every Kagay-anons and a world class water rafting adventure, I was not expecting Cagayan De Oro has also a hidden gem for outdoor adventure enthusiasts: The Mintugsok Falls and a series of waterfalls and large river pools which vary in depth in the middle of Indahag and Malasag Mountains (#tsadagyud).

#thexuixuiWay Year Ender adventure: Spent my last day of 2015 river trekking and waterfalls hopping! BTW, this photo is not yet the Mintugsok falls! Tbc…

What makes this more exciting is that, it also offers a great place for mountain hikers and river trekkers with stunning stone formations which is probably one of the best in the island of Mindanao and lastly, believe it or not –it is probably the cheapest adventure you can do here in the city but one of the best for sure!

My Travel Diary

                After almost half a year of planning, finally, I had a chance to visit Mintugsok Falls on a much unexpected date – December 31, 2015, the last day of 2015! And I must say it was a quite memorable year ender adventure, #thexuixuiWay! Aside from being one of the most memorable, it was also the cheapest adventure I ever had in my life…

How to get there via Indahag Trail

A.      Through Private Car

-          Go directly to Indahag Basketball court “Lomboy” via Camaman-an road

-          Ask the locals for directions to the falls until you reach the crossing where you can start your trail

B.      Through Multicab

-          Go to Multicab Terminal to Indahag via Camaman-an Road located in front of Kevin Enterprises, Cogon Market

-          Take the cab for only 12 pesos fare and ask the driver to drop you in the first basketball court (“lomboy”) crossing to Mintugsok Falls

-          From there, you can see a crossing, unpaved street, just walk straight into it for almost 5-10 minutes until you reach the Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel

-          You can ask some locals for the next directions or you can simply go at the back of the chapel where you can see a concrete roads (more like a developing subdivisions)

-          Then, walk straight into it, until you reach the last crossing and there you can find a signage going to the falls, “Mapawa Trail”

-          That means, from Cogon Market this will only cost you 27 pesos the least. Quite unbelievable, right? Ha-H

My Travel Diary Continues…

Mintugsok Falls is a three-layered waterfall that can only be found in the middle of Indahag and Malasag Mountains.

Going to the first waterfall will take you about 25-40 minutes depending on your pacing! 

Do you know that this is still part of Cagayan de Oro City?

The first waterfall: Even if you’re a not so good swimmer or diver, you can still enjoy this very small waterfall that creates a pool which I don’t know how deep it was. Also, take time to enjoy the spectacular rock formations… 

Going to the second waterfall will take you about 10-15minutes from the first waterfall. Actually, the distance between the first two waterfalls is quite near but because of the stone formation, it is advisable to take extra care and walk slowly… 

Hiking, waterfalls hopping and jumping, river trekking in the middle of Indahag and Malasag Mountains - such a perfect way, ‪#‎thexuixuiWay to end 2015! ‪#‎tsadagyudCDO this is my paradise! 

This is at the top of the second waterfall… and yes, this is reason why I got sunburns! Ha-Ha 

Going to the Third waterfall will also take you about 10-15minutes from the second waterfall but before reaching it, you can try dipping on a pool about 3-4ft deep. I swear it’s kinda relaxing!  

Finally reaching the third and last waterfall – the Mintugsok Waterfall!

Indeed, aside from water rafting, CDO has also a hidden gem for outdoor lovers: a series of waterfalls and large pools which vary in depth in the middle of Indahag and Malasag Mountains. ‪#‎tsadagyud

Review: To be honest, Mintugsok Falls itself isn’t that fascinating or not even close to be one of the best in the Island of Mindanao but going there from Indahag will surely make the experience so memorable. Personally, I was more enchanted with the rock formations than those series of waterfalls mentioned…

NOTE:

-          When Going Back to the city or to Cogon Market, you can take motorcycles for only 15 pesos each, located at the crossing near the basketball court.

-          Going to Mintugsok Falls from the crossing near basketball court will take you around 50 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on the pacing but going back will take you more time especially hiking the steep slope of the first mountain.

-          It is good to bring sun blocks and insect repellents!

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

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Xavier University Civil Engineering Cebu Plant Tour 2014: DPWH Regional Office VII Cebu City Visit - Journal

Department of Public Works and Highways

Regional Office VII Cebu City

Brief Overview of the Company

As we all know, the Philippine’s Department of Public Works and Highways abbreviated as DPWH is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for all safety of projects in the field of public works. It is also responsible for the maintenance of the Philippine road network and irrigation system.

                It is formed last January 30, 1897 with 206. 6 Billion pesos annual budget of this year 2014.

A Group Photo at the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office No. VII

What happened in DPWH Office?

                Right after our visit in Makati Development Corporation or MDC we directly went to our second destination, the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office VII. It was about 30 minutes ride away from MDC and situated in the South Properties of Cebu.

                Our visit in DPWH was divided into two parts, the first part is showing on how to test a construction material that will be used in designated DPWH Projects and as well as they are finding ways to improve those said construction materials. The first test is the compression test for a concrete hollow blocks using their compression machine. Second was testing a solid concrete cylinder and lastly testing a 25mm steel bars in a very huge tension compression machine. There testing laboratory is just like a bigger laboratory with higher and improved apparatuses than we used to have in school. The type of test of simple and interpreting the data is much easier than we used to in our laboratory experiment, it is because the result of the rest can be directly achieved as soon as the machine will release the result.

This is some apparatus and machine used in their laboratory. The top right photo shows the parts of a reinforcing steel parts and what should be measured before testing into a tension machine shown in the bottom part of the photo.

                The second part is touring the current project of DPWH in Cebu City. This is the widening road project fronting gate 3 and gate 4 of Cebu City Port. According to a DPWH officer, the thickness of the road that they are currently constructing is much thicker than the usual thickness of the road. This is because, the usage of the said road is much higher than the usual road in a sense that it is fronting two gates of Cebu port where huge tracks passes in and out of Cebu City.

The photo above shows the two DPWH Officers who helped us touring their current road widening project fronting gate 3 and four of Cebu City Port. The photo also shows how thick the road they are constructing. Lastly, the woman in the photo is one of those DPWH officer whom I interviewed regarding the thickness of the road, how they are going to repair it and of course regarding those uncut trees in the middle of the widened road.

                When I asked the officer regarding the life span of that thicker road, she just told me that when the time that they can observed that the concrete surface of the road started to wear out they will just put asphalt to it and eventually when the asphalt will be the one to wear out, it will be replaced again by another asphalt and the concrete beneath it will not be damaged and does not need to be replaced for a longer time.

                Lastly, one thing that caught my attention during the site visit was those trees right in the middle of newly paved road. It is not actually an island or what, not even decorations you know, so I asked the officer why it was so… and the officer told me that because of those trees the project was delayed and served as a hindrance to the development of the road project. She told me that the environmentalist with the helped of the church and the Cardinal of Cebu protested the widening of the said road because of those trees that will surely be destroyed once they are cleaning the area. The next question I raised to her was, what if they will just transfer those trees so it will not be damaged and will just be transported to another place just like what SM Baguio did with those old fine trees. Well, the officer simply answered me that it wasn’t as easy as that especially those protesters are not just small time people and if it was possible they already did that. So until now the remaining trees are still there in the middle of the widened road and I wanted to ask more and dig deeper but it wasn’t my business anyway and beside the confidentiality is too high.

                After visiting that place we went to directly Mandaue City to visit KIMWA Construction Corporation but nevertheless the experienced and what happened in DPWH Regional office was still a worth it experienced and again Horizontal Construction will never be easy as some civil engineers think of! Problems are inevitable just like those trees but as a civil engineer we can always find ways, in fact all civil engineers are GOOD DESTROYERS as emphasized by Sir Camillo Haos! J

Personal Experiences, Insights and Thoughts

                Actually when I was informed that our next destination is the DPWH Regional Office VII I have never felt any excitement at all. I was thinking like, why should we go there when we already have a DPWH Regional office in Cagayan De Oro City in the first place. I felt like it was really the most uninteresting place to visit but when we were there and they showed us on how to test construction materials which then helped me realized that I was wrong after all. It was a very informative experienced visiting the place which I can also divide my learnings into two parts, the first part is the part where I was able to watch an actual test for a construction material and the second part is where I was able to visit a road construction with a problem regarding some environmental issues.

                As I have mentioned, in the DPWH office, the officers shown as an actual test experiment for example on using the veneer caliper, the tension and compression test for concrete cylinder and hollow blocks and of course that tension test for a steel bars using their very huge testing machine. What good thing about those officers is that they patiently and explain thoroughly the process or the step by step procedure of testing and even though our time was limited they were able to maximize it. When it comes to orderliness of their laboratory I can say that it wasn’t so good, apparatuses are not placed properly that it looks incongruous. Lastly, I am hopeful that next time I will be there, just if there will be a chance, I can performed an actual test for those materials by my own so I can learn it thoroughly not just by showing it to us.

                On the other hand, visiting their current road widening project is a bliss. It gives us the opportunity to have a glimpse of a road construction and encountered us some problems that may rise during the project. Like what happened with those trees that even a very powerful office like DPWH can’t easily cut those trees and not even transported it to another place. It never crossed to my mind that such problem may occur even in a road widening project of DPWH and they couldn’t do anything to counter the petition and protest of those environmentalist and religion thingy.

                To sum up, visiting DPWH was never a failure unlike how I was expecting it to be. Then our journey continued in our next destination, to a well-known batching plant… KIMWA!

This visit is part of our Plant Tour 2014. Xavier University Civil Engineering students taking up CE43: Construction Materials and Testing. Cebu City Plant Tour Journal
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Pryce Plaza Hotel - Cagayan De Oro City

Pryce Plaza Hotel - Cagayan de Oro City

According to their website, Pryce Plaza is a haven of charm within the rousing and blossoming city of Cagayan de Oro.  

Just a 45-minute drive from the new Laguindingan Airport and only 10 minutes away from the city proper. Pryce Plaza is the most luxurious convention hotel in Mindanao.                                                       

Overlooking Macajalar Bay, Pryce Plaza is majestically enthroned atop Carmen Hill unfolding a breathtaking panorama of the city and the dramatic mountain ranges beyond.

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

Birhen sa Guadalupe - Balubal, Cagayan De Oro City

Birhen sa Guadalupe - Balubal, Cagayan De Oro City - pilgrims trek mountain, cross rivers for Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine 

(Full article click http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/in-cagayan-de-oro-pilgrims-trek-mountain-cross-rivers-for-our-lady-of-guadalupe-shrine )

Cagayan de Oro City—Each year thousands of devote Roman Catholics as well as families and group of friends trek the two Holy Week destinations here to reaffirm their faith, commitments, or just for the adventure.

Cagayan de Oro City, one of the fastest growing business centers in Mindanao has a unique Holy Week destination that will surely bring you back to nature amidst the busy development you see all around the city.

Adventurous travelers or able-bodied devotees can make the long river trek to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Igbalalay Hills in Barangay Balubal, or climb Malasag Hills in Cugman, or even both.

Over the past few years, the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been a major destination for pilgrims and adventure trekkers. 

 To reach the shrine, devotees have to walk about four kilometers starting in Barangay Tablon and ending in Barangay Balubal.  But the real challenge would be to get across and navigate through nine rivers.

Most of those who trekked suggested that the hardest part to navigate and get across was the fourth river crossing; with water level reaching the hips. While others walk back, others pay for a ride on a large rubber inflatable on the water rapids on their way back giving a different enterprise for local residents.

Stairs Going to the Main Chapel

Over Looking View in Front of the Chapel

                                                     
                                                                       THE CHAPEL
                                         Birhen sa Guadalupe - Balubal, Cagayan De Oro City

Over-All Experienced: "crossing the waters of Umalag river while on our way to the shrine was very challenging esp with a raging water level as high as the hips!"

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

Apple Tree Hotel and Resort - Opol, Misamis Oriental

Apple Tree Resort and Hotel is located in Taboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental. It is 30-40 minutes drive from Laguindingan International Airport and 10-15 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro City. The over 7,000 square meters of property boasts of a beach front overlooking the majestic Macajalar Bay and Camiguin Island.

Room Rates:

Deluxe Superior	P  2,800.00
Lanai	3,500.00
Suite	4,500.00
*Airport Transfer(One way)
Car	700.00
Van	1,500.00
*Pier/Terminal Transfer(One Way)	300.00

One can luxuriate in privacy in guestrooms with verandas fronting an expansive "sea-horse" shaped pool that is connected to an infinity pool, with cascading waterfalls in between. Or arrange a business meeting or conference at any of the function rooms by the beach.

The restaurant offers seafood and non-seafood cuisine and is open from breakfast until dinner. Highly recommended for snacks is the famous Crispy Banana.

Amenities and Services:

• Complimentary Breakfast at Erlindo's Restaurant
• Energy-saving Power Card-controlled Guestroom
• Fully Furnished/ Fully Air-conditioned
• Hot and Cold Shower
• Cable TV
• Complimentary Safety Deposit Box
• Complimentary Luggage Handling/Storage
• Free Wi-Fi (Lobby/Restaurant/Function Rooms)
• Room Service (6am-10pm)
• Laundry/Pressing Service
• Massage Service
• Aqua Sports (Jetski/ Banana Boat)
• Meetings/Teambuilding Packages
• Birthday/Wedding Packages
• Tour Packages

FACILITIES

• Infinity Pool
• "Sea-horse" shaped Pool
• Beach (Fronting Macajalar Bay & Camiguin Island)
• Erlindo's Restaurant
• Al fresco Bay Bridge
• Lobby Store Stand
• Function Rooms

Hotel Review: I was in this Hotel several times, the latest one was on the second week of May 2014 and then again it was just the same hotel like any other. It wasn't so bad but not so good I think. The hotel rates are even expensive based on the quality of service they offered! I am, though, full of praise for the staff, Highly underpaid, they were all so polite and friendly and would try, often in vain, ( through no fault of their own)to satisfy your needs.

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

N Hotel Cagayan De Oro City

If one asked me to where one should stay in Cagayan De Oro wherein it is not too expensive but the ambiance seems to be in a 5 star hotel and the amenities will make one wants and stays more, I should probably recommend N Hotel too…

I first visited the hotel last November after our adventure in Bukidnon with my family. After we explored Central Mindanao University in Valencia City, Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City, Pine Grove Mountain Lodge, Forest Park and Dahilayan Gardens and Resort, all in Dahilayan Adventure Park, Bukidnon.

 This is my first cousin, i took this photo of her!

I stayed in a deluxe room of the hotel, I think it was the cheapest one but it costs me 3600 pesos a night. It has two bedrooms with spacious comfort room, big flat television and so much more.

I had truly a relaxing night and around six in the morning on the next day I used their swimming pool and it was so okay since I am the only one using the pool very early in the morning. After my swimming trip, I took my breakfast in the hotel and leave by 7am because I have to be in Xavier University Ateneo De Cagayan, my school for my class.

Lastly, if I will have a chance to stay again in N Hotel, I will be very glad. :D

Seda Hotel ─ Cagayan De Oro City

Welcome to the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan De Oro City, the gateway of Mindanao and the famous Dahilayan Adventure Park. But where exactly one can stay if he or she is in the City and wants to have the finest and grandest accommodation which is also at the heart if the city?

Well, I must probably recommend Seda Hotel Centrio for that. Seda Hotel is one of the newest and grandest hotel in the city owned by Ayala and located in the very heart of the city. It is the only hotel in the city that shares a roof with the upscale Centrio Mall. Though connected to the mall, it ensures security and exclusivity with a private entrance that leads to the Front Desk at the 4th floor where guests are greeted by a contemporary open layout connecting the lobby seamlessly into an e-lounge with its bank of iMacs and Misto restaurant and bar. Further up are the meeting rooms while outdoors, the "al fresco" dining area leads up to the adult and children’s pools.

For health and fitness, Seda Centrio has an adult and children’s pool, a gym, and can arrange in-room massage with an accredited service provider.

The Hotel is approximately an hour drive to the Laguindingan Airport and within 20 minutes to the popular tourist attractions of white water rafting and waterfall trekking through Mapawa Nature Park and an hour to Dahilayan Adventure Park. Seda  has 150 guestrooms provide a serene retreat with a range of amenities that ensure comfort and convenience throughout the guests’ stay..

Deluxe Rooms are contemporary in design, spread across the 5th to the 10th floors with features that include king or twin beds, a 40-inch LED HDTV with cable channels, media panel with HDMI, USB and audio-visual connectivity, complimentary Wi-Fi and broadband internet access, IDD phone with iPod dock, alarm clock, voice mail and radio, coffee and tea making facilities, mini-bar and in-room safe.

Club Rooms are a sanctuary for travelers who recognize the benefits of exclusivity. They offer private access to the Club lounge on the 11th floor where they enjoy the utmost in care and attention, as well as private check-in and check-out; daily Continental breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktails; all-day coffee, tea and non-alcoholic beverages; iMac stations; work tables; reading materials; a wide-screen LED HDTV with cable channels; and secretarial assistance.

Premier Rooms are the perfect choice for long-staying guests or families who require more spacious hotel accommodations. At 35 sq-m, each features a bedroom with a kitchenette, and can be connected to an adjoining Deluxe Room. Premier Rooms also offer access to the Club Lounge and its privileges.

The first time happened in the middle part of December 2013. I can’t recall the exact date of it since it was not really planned that we will be there, it’s just that we don’t have the choice!

Around 1pm that day, we went to Initao, Misamis Oriental and explored Lasang Adventure Park and the well-known Midway Beach Resort. Because I wasn't able to swim at the sea of Midway Beach, eventually I got bored and decided to go to another place.

At first we can’t really decide where to go next, are we going back to the CDO city and go home or to Iligan City to explore more waterfalls? Then I remember Seda Hotel, and told my buddies that we will visit Seda Hotel as a walk in guest and they said yes. So we went there and reached the hotel around six in the afternoon.

The lobby of the hotel is that the fourth floor since the first three floors is for the Centrio Mall so in order to reach the lobby one should use the elevator. In the lobby we paid 300 pesos per person. With hat payment each one of us will get a chance to use the swimming pool and use the two hundred as consumables.Then the two photos show the items or the food that we chose as our consumables but seriously we paid another 200 for that. Expensive :)

Their pool is open until nine in the afternoon and while at the pool you can dine anytime you want. After our swimming trip, we took a shower and I so much loved their shower room, it was so spacious and so clean with hot and cold water, bath soap, and shampoo with conditioner.

The second and third time I went their happened last January and last week February 5, and as usual it’s the same thing happened as my first visit!







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