After everything was booked everyone had no other recourse but to get on with the program. The tickets were non-refundable of course. Teehee.

So, expect some harebrained adventure tale again next week with photos hopefully.

Ciao!
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Golden Voyage

Since the 10th century, Butuan appeared to have been in good relations with the Srivijayan Empire. Being located on the coast of Mindanao, balanghais are often docking at the Butuan bay keeping good business between the local people of Butuan and traders from the neighboring empire.

During the 1970’s, these balanghais were exposed through an excavation to the modern time and found that through carbon-dating process, the boats were almost a thousand years old.

Building balanghai requires teamwork and unity among workers which is why it was used by the Philippine Government as a term to refer to the smallest political unit, now became popularly pronounced as barangay.

Butuan’s Early Balanghais

A balanghai, or some refer to it as balangay, is a wooden boat adjoined by planks, and believed that the term originated from an Italian archaeologist named Antonio Pigafetta in the 16th century when he mentioned the word spelled “balanghai”.

The balangays did not serve just a wooden boat but stood as a symbol for social unit. In the 16th century, Spaniards found out that balangay also referred to the smallest unit of politics among Filipinos.

Balanghai Boats

Late 1970’s, balangay boats were discovered in Butuan City by the National Museum archaelogists. Nine were recovered during the excavation. The first is being presently preserved and displayed in the museum in Libertad, Butuan City. It had undergone carbon-dating and dated at year 320. The second boat, dated 1250, is presently located at the Maritime Hall of National Museum in Manila. The third was transferred to Butuan Regional Museum while the six other boats are under the process of excavtion and preserved, remaining to their original waterlogged condition to protect the artifacts.

The Historical Butuan

The city of Butuan is the home of treasures such as the Tara, golden figurine of Buddha’s consort, an array of lustrous, most intricate jewelry, a collection of priceless ceramics from the Sung Dynasty, and the remains of the early balanghai.

These precious treasures of Butuan are now found around the globe. The Tara is now at the Field Museum in Chicago, the Chinese precious findings and the restored balanghais are being displayed at the National Museum, and the incomparable gold jewelry is the Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s grandest collection.

The first mass in the Philippines is believed to have taken place near the Agusan River, and it is said that Ferdinand Magellan himself dropped the anchor of the ship in 1521 at the Agusan River, and held a mass to commemorate the event.

BALANGHAI FESTIVAL

The Festival

Balanghai Festival

Commemorating the coming of the early settlers from Borneo and Celebes, Butuan in Agusan del Sur is celebrating Balanghai Festival during the third week of May, coinciding the feast of Butuan’s patron saint, Saint Joseph.

The balanghai, also known as balangay and Butuan boat, is the first water vessel to have excavated in Southeast Asia, serving as evidence to the craftsmanship of the early Filipinos in attempting to transport on water.

Balanghai Festival is one historical event commemorated through a night of exotic performances, costumes in an array of colors and creativity, and dazzling floats. One can also take part in the festivals activities such as contests, exhibits, and many other events.
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Take a Journey to Butuan today…explore ~ www.butuantoday.tumblr.com

Camiguin is one of the smallest islands here in Pinas, second only to Batanes Island (smallest) in land area. Camiguin has 5 municipalities namely Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mahinog, Mambajao (the capital) and Sagay. It’s the home of Lanzones Festival held annually in October and Mt. Hibok-Hibok, still an active volcano that last erupted in 1953.

Camiguin Island Sunset

I was fortunate to have met a friend who has friends in Camiguin. We went there for the Holy Week which is one of the most anticipated events in Camiguin. Pinoys and tourists come here to meditate and relax especially on Holy Week. By then, the twelve stations of the cross are all wind up around the island. You can go around the island for a day and visit all the twelve stations. Some come here for the sun and water. Camiguin is a unique island for the fact that it’s an island in Mindanao, has an active volcano and lots of beautiful white sand beaches. Aside from the beaches, it has waterfalls, cold spring and hot spring. Fun, fun, and fun all in one island.
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The first spot that we went to is the Walkway To The Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross in Catarman since it was the Holy Week. This is actually the Mt. Vulcan Daan that erupted in 1871 and which now has stations of the cross. It’s not that hard to reach the summit where the last station is located because stairs were built for easy access. Just a tip though – this is not for the faint-hearted and if you do want to reach the last station, bring water with you.

Entrance to The Walkway To The Old Volcano and Stations of The Cross

The stations of the cross light up just before dark

There are actually two waterfalls that I heard of in Camiguin. One is Tuasan falls in Catarman that we didn’t visit because it’s not easily accessible by vehicle. You have to trek and pass through Barrio Mainit in Catarman. The other one is Katibawasan Falls in Mambajao which is a really spectacular waterfall. The water goes into a icy rock pool and it’s perfect for those hot, summer days. It’s accessible by any vehicle and you won’t get lost because the government installed signs/directions going to the waterfalls.

Katibawasan Falls

Icy Rock Pool

We also visited the Ardent Hot Spring which is still in Mambajao. This is a perfect spot for those weary travelers who seek relaxation. This is your natural jacuzzi and is very therapeutic. There’s also a man-made swimming pool called Soda Water Swimming Pool and i don’t know why it’s called like that. Probably to attract attention. It’s water is cold and the scenic mountain landscape is yours to enjoy. There’s also a cold spring in Camiguin called Sto. Nino Cold Spring in Catarman if you want the opposite of hot. It’s your choice, really. Camiguin has it all.

Soda Water Swimming Pool

Ardent Hot Springs

Camiguin has another tiny island beside it which is named Mantigue Island and is a part of Mahinog. This island is accessible by pumpboat from San Roque, Mahinog. There’s no electricity and water in the island so you better pack a lot of food and water if you want to stay there for the night. I’ve seen a lot of starfish and sea urchins in the island and it’s a very good spot for snorkelling. Another island across Mambajao is White Island which doesn’t need any introduction because it’s really, really famous. It changes its shape from the letter C to letter I depending on the tide. You can also see Mt. Hibok-Hibok from here.

Land Ho! Mantigue Island

Just keep walking...

...in Mantigue Island

Camiguin is also known for the Sunken Cemetery in Catarman which sunk in the volcanic eruption of Mt Vulcan Daan in 1871. Its Cross Marker was installed in 1982 to mark the Sunken Cemetery. This place is actually one of the best dive spots in Camiguin and in Pinas.

The Cross Marker Of The Sunken Cemetery

Remnants of the said eruption can also be seen in the ruins of the Gui-ob Church also known as Catarman Ruins. It’s located just a few minutes away from the Sunken Cemetery.

The Gui-ob Church Ruins / Catarman Ruins

There’s more to discover in Camiguin but i’ll leave it up to my next trip.

An old parola (lighthouse) in Mambajao

I have already contacted these folks and I am flattered that most have responded positively to my request. I am still organizing things so that these articles are given enough webtime so other folks can learn about places that this blog hasn’t covered yet.

Stay tuned!
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But when you’re there, you’ll notice that it aint half bad as well. It’s just not that kind of place. Plain and simple it’s that place that you go to with surfing primarily in your mind. And not that kind of surfing either. As mentioned in my earlier hurried post, the waves there are not that big to entice the thrill-seeking surfers to congregate. The waves are too small to do that.

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If you are a wannabe surfer however and you want to hone or discover your as yet undeveloped surfing skills far from the prying eyes of surfing pros, then this is the place to be. As a beach it has a really long shoreline and a wide beach front but be sure to take note that if you dislike anything that’s un-white, this is not the place for you.

Fine Gray Sand

The sand here is superfine but they are definitely not white. They’re black. This gives off a darker shade to the waters as well. The water is basically clean but because the underlying sand is dark, it gives off a murky color. Still if you’re particular with the seabed that you stand on when you do your swimming, this beach does not disappoint. You will be standing on fine sand when you do your swimming and none of those disgusting seaweeds or those painful stones that make you hesitate on whether to take a dip or not.The water’s temperature is fine as well, it’s certainly not as warm as the Boracay waters but they’re warm enough if you’re cold enough. And it does get warmer the more people take to the water. I wonder why, hmmm..

Taking A Breather

There are already decent resorts in the area that provides for good accommodation. The resort we stayed is called Bay’s Inn resort and their rooms are clean and they have a restaurant that offers good food at very reasonable prices. More importantly beer is only P35 bucks so if you want to get sloshed by the beach, this is as good as it gets.
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Beachfront Resort

The only thing I regretted going there was that I did not have my own transport. I’m pretty sure that I would have enjoyed stopping by the road and taking snapshots of the grand Sierra Madre mountain ranges. They do look mysterious and seem partially covered by fog most of the time.

Sierra Madre

95% of the time the road is paved and even those that aren’t are very tolerable unlike the roads that we had to navigate when we went to Surigao Del Sur.

I’m sure there are plenty of surfing areas that are closer to Baler but for a mixture of swimming and surfing (and privacy for that matter), I think Baler is one destination that could give the more proximate surfing resorts (like Pundaquit in Zambales) a run for their money. You just have to deal with the longer travel time.
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Baler, Aurora

One thing that’s oft forgotten about the place is that Baler is the birthplace of Manuel L. Quezon so of course he has a statue in front of the Baler Museum facing one of the main streets. The only thing is, right across the street, he’s looking at a huge blank, unpainted side of a building. I’m pretty sure he’s not enjoying that sight.

Manuel L. Quezon

Baler is also the site of the movie, well, Baler, starring Anne Curtis (who looks more Castellan than the Spanish character portrayed by Jericho Rosales). Anne by the way, is sooo into me. Don’t ask. Leave me alone with my fantasies. Lol.

We also visited the Baler Museum of course and I tried going retro with these B/W photos.
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Guardia Civil

The Missing Link

Waiting For Godot

Hope you like the photos and the place of course!
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The white island cannot be owned gently, or forcibly even. It is a blip of sand that you go back to over and over and find it changed everytime. It is a moveable feast. It will always remain undeveloped. Nature intended it to be such. And we are all oh so lucky for it.

Featured Photo Credits Steve Currington
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