Navigating northwestern side of Negros Island

Map of Negros Occidental (photo from web)

Part of the Western Visayas region (region VI) is the northwestern half of Negros Island, Negros Occidental. Bacolod City, the provincial capital of Negros Occidental, is dubbed as the “City of Smiles” for being a friendly city and celebrated its extraordinary MassKara Festival every October. The lifeblood of the province of Negros Occidental is the sugar industry that generates more than half of the country’s sugar output, thus earned the title as the “Sugar bowl of the Philippines”. The province is practically a sugarcane plantation with large sugar mills scattered throughout the long stretch of the northwestern side of Negros Island.

 

 

The most remarkable landmark in Negros Oriental is The Ruins, a century-old remnant of a mansion built in the distant past that grandiosely withstand through time and colorful history. While the structure itself is regarded as one of the most arresting and fascinating unique blend of architectural style edifice being built despite of being burned down, one can marvel at the combination of fate, faith and fortitude story about the Ruins. It is said to be analogous to "Taj Mahal of the Philippines" as it was built by the sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson, for his first wife, Maria Braga. The mansion was reduced to its skeletal frame after being burned down during WWII. It is opened to the public where a portion has been converted into a cafe and said to be recorded among the most fascinating ruins of the world.

  Traversing the Negros Translink Ecotourism Highway from San Carlos City going to Bacolod City (vice versa) affords a different experience to travelers. Tourists and passersby can take a rest in the Viewing Deck or “Lantawan” (local dialect term) and enjoy the fascinating view of Malatan-og Falls, a cigarette-like falls from afar, the quietness of the place which offer deep serenity as you enjoy the fresh air and the beauty of nature, and the seas of Negros Island. Minutes from the Viewing Deck, travelers can also take a stop and enjoy the pleasant display of rice terraces along the road in Codcod, one of the rice-producing area in the place and a mini version of the magnificent rice terraces in Luzon.

Must-try foods in the province of Negros Occidental include delectable chicken “inasal” (roasted chicken) and a sweet indulgence for sweet-tooth “piaya” or “piyaya”, soft and flaky flat bread filled with concentrated syrup from dark muscovado sugar and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

chicken "inasal" (photo from the web)

"piaya" or "piyaya" (photo from the web)

The province of Negros Occidental has daily flights from Manila (approximately 1 hour) or Cebu (approximately 30 minutes) to Bacolod-Silay International Airport, located in nearby Silay City. Another route is by ferry via Toledo City or Tabuelan from Cebu to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Sacred sites and stunning sights in Sagada

Map of Mountain Province (photo from the web)

Taking at least 12 hours land travel (by bus) from the country’s capital Manila is the Mountain Province, a landlocked area located in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. The province is famous for its mummy caves and hanging coffins which are commonly found in Sagada, a fifth class municipality and neighboring to the provincial capital Bontoc. Sagada is an idyllic mountain town that composes a balance between peaceful remoteness and expediency.

While this mountain town draws tourists that seek adventure and a chance to reflect and commune with nature, Sagada even showcases its legendary way of life. Activities that drawn people encompasses visiting historical sites, nature hikes and trekking, spelunking and participating tribal celebrations. Visitors are required to register (for safety reasons) in the tourist office and the convenience of having a tour guide for a small fee is a kind accommodation.

Echo Valley ( photo from the web)

Hanging coffins (photo from the web)

wooden coffins @ Lumiang Cave (photo from the web)

The Echo Valley is well-known place of interest and sacred site in Sagada where you can find hanging coffins, an impressive cultural heritage on how the locals preserved their dead ancestors. Other attractions in Echo Valley are the rock climbing and of course shouting your lungs out and hear it echo back. Another sacred and quirky burial site is the Lumiang Cave, where wooden coffins are stacked against the wall.  

Sumaguing Cave (photo from the web)

 

Dubbed as the "Big Cave", Sumaguing Cave with its extraordinary limestone formations and large chambers is one of the best points of interest in Sagada where spelunking and rappelling is a matchless experience and a must-try.

Finally, the sunrise at Mt. Kiltepan is another stunning sight in Sagada. It offers a breathtaking and magnificent view and a quiet solitude that soothes wary hearts and souls. And for my part, one of the best sunrises I have witnessed and revered like a walk in the clouds experience.

Challenge accepted in the “City of Golden Friendship”, CDO

Map of Misamis Oriental (photo from the web)

Located in the northern section of Mindanao is a city well-known for its white water rafting adventure Cagayan De Oro City, the provincial capital of Misamis Oriental. While Cagayan de Oro City was named for the gold deposits found in its bosom centuries ago, the covert of its development is in its accessibility that ultimately leads the city as the regional center of Region X or Northern Mindanao region. What truly make the city's real treasure more precious than gold is the innate warmth and happy disposition of the locals which gave it the distinction and dubbed as the “City of Golden Friendship”.

 

 Apart from its notable great and challenging rapids adventure (white water rafting) which our group accepted audaciously and later found ourselves rewarded with thrill of a lifetime, there are other places of interest in this particular province that will leave lasting impressions and golden memories. Few minutes from the city proper is a pilgrimage site for Divine Mercy devotees, the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental. The shrine is overlooking Macajalar Bay, ideal scenery to revere and reflect. Another interesting place to visit in this province is the Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farm, Inc. located in Opol, Misamis Oriental. The farm is said to be the first ostrich farm in the country and cultivates large number of ostrich and dozens of crocodiles for leather and meat production. 

Divine Mercy Shrine, Misamis Oriental (photo from the web)

 

 

Cagayan de Oro City has recently opened its new airport called Laguindingan Airport, which provides domestic flights to and from Manila, Cebu City, Iloilo City and Davao City to the growing both local and foreign visitors of Misamis Oriental.

Albay and its majestic Mayon

Albay map (photo from the web)

One of the most familiar sightseeing landmarks in the Philippines is Mayon Volcano (Mt. Mayon), the most active volcano in the country.  The majestic and almost-perfect cone of Mt. Mayon signifies the focal landmark of the province of Albay in the Bicol region, a part of Luzon Island.

Majestic Mayon (photo from the web)

Another place of interest in the province of Albay is the Cagsawa (Cagsaua) Ruins Park. Indeed, it was an awesome educational experience touring this place. According to its history, the Cagsawa church was built in 1724 but buried by rocks and lava when the mighty Mayon Volcano erupted in 1814.  The only visible remnant of the church is its belfry which offers a whole different perspective of how a town perished under the destructive power of Mayon.

 

The Daraga Church in Daraga, Albay is another iconic landmark in the province and considered as one of the National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines. Built in 1772, the church is said to be a fine example of Baroque architecture with its quite famous façade in Churrigueresque architectural style. While churchgoers relish in the antiquity of its structure, the location of Daraga Church is relatively noticeable. Setting atop a hill overlooking Mayon Volcano, churchgoers and tourists alike take pleasure in its magnificent scenery.  

Daraga Church (photo from the web)

magnificent view @ Daraga Church (photo from the web)

Tourists visiting the province of Albay will also indulge in appetizing local cuisines like Pinangat which is a blend of taro leaves, chili, meat and coconut milk wrapped in gabi leaves and Bicol Express, pork cooked in coconut milk with shrimp paste and chilies.

 

Bicol Express (photo from the web)

Pinangat (photo from the web)

The Legazpi Airport, Albay's gateway from Manila and CebuCity in the Visayas caters the visiting tourists of the province.